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March 16, 2012Missouri Senate:  McCaskill Behind Top Republican Challengers
Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill now trails all four of the leading GOP hopefuls in Missouri’s U.S. Senate race.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Missouri shows the Democratic incumbent earning between 41% and 43% of the vote when matched against four potential GOP opponents. She trails the Republican challengers by margins ranging from four to ten percentage points.
This Missouri survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on March 14-15, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
March 16, 2012Romney Set to Dominate Race Through April By Kyle Kondik, Larry J. Sabato, and Geoffrey Skelley
Three of the four candidates for the Republican presidential nomination -- Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul -- might soon agree with T.S. Eliot: for them, April may indeed be “the cruelest month.”

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                            March 15, 201248% Blame Bad Economy on Bush Recession, 46% Blame Obama's Policies
More voters are putting the blame on President Obama's policies when it comes to today's still-struggling economy.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 48% still place more blame on the economic recession that began under President George W. Bush, but that ties the lowest finding in nearly three years of tracking. Now, nearly as many (46%) say the current president's policies are more to blame, the highest finding since August 2010. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.
Two separate surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on March 7-8 and 13-14, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for each survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 15, 201258% Favor Taxing All At The Same Percentage Rate
Most Americans continue to think the middle class pays more than its share in taxes and favor a system where everyone pays the same percentage of their income.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults now support an across-the-board income tax percentage. Support for a simplified system like this has been growing from 44% in April 2009 to 55% this time last year. Thirty-one percent (31%) oppose a system where everyone pays the same percentage in taxes. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 12-13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
March 15, 2012Arizona 2012: Obama Trails Romney, Ties Santorum
President Obama lost to Senator John McCain in the Republican’s home state of Arizona 54% to 45% in 2008, and the president now trails GOP front-runner Mitt Romney by double-digits in a hypothetical 2012 matchup.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Arizona Voters shows the former Massachusetts governor with 51% support against Obama’s 40%. Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate, and two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Arizona survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on March 13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 15, 201256% Oppose Justice Department’s Blocking of Texas Voter ID Law
The Obama administration has blocked Texas’ new law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls, saying it would suppress Hispanic voter turnout, and the United Nations is now investigating the fairness of such laws in Texas and other states. But voters in this country still overwhelmingly support voter ID laws and don’t think they discriminate.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of Likely U.S. Voters believe voters should be required to show photo identification such as a driver’s license before being allowed to vote.  That’s in line with findings from December but remains down slightly from the 75% to 82% of voters who have supported a photo ID voting requirement in surveys since June 2006. Only 22% are opposed to the photo ID requirement. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 13-14, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
March 15, 2012Pundits Gasp as Economy Dents Obama's Poll Numbers By Michael Barone
You can almost hear the note of surprise in their voices when you read the Washington Post and New York Times reporters' stories on their papers' latest political polls.
March 15, 2012Rising Gas Prices Don't Hurt Like They Used To By Froma Harrop
Here's why I'm not panicked about rising gasoline prices, as many headlines suggest we all should be. It's a personal story. Let me start at the beginning.
The automotive love of my life was my first. It was a 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix, already 10 years old when it drove to my door on that mild spring day. A cloudy ocean color, the mid-size car had a V6 engine, and boy, did it move. A whole lot of hood stood between me and the car ahead.
March 15, 2012Florida 2012: Obama Now Edges Romney and Santorum
President Obama now runs just barely ahead of both Republican front-runners in the key electoral state of Florida.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Florida Voters finds Obama leading former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney 46% to 43%. Seven percent (7%) like some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
In a face-off with former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, Obama posts a 45% to 43% lead. Eight percent (8%) favor someone else in the race, while four percent (4%) again remain undecided.
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Florida was conducted on March 13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 14, 201232% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction
Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, March 11.
The latest finding is up two points from the previous survey but is down from a recent high of 34% measured in early February.
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports March 5-11, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 14, 2012Just 35% Are Confident Medicare Will Pay All Promised Benefits
Barely one-third of voters are confident that they will receive all of the Medicare benefits that they are entitled to, and a plurality still supports raising the future Medicare eligibility age to help cover the cost of benefits.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 35% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that Medicare will pay all its promised benefits to them in their lifetime. This includes just 11% who are Very Confident. Sixty percent (60%), on the other hand, are not confident that they will receive all promised benefits, with 27% who are Not At All Confident. These findings show little change from  November, when regular tracking on the question began. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 9-10, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 14, 201254% Still Haven’t Filed Their Income Taxes
The pace of filing has slowed a bit, and a lot more taxpayers are thinking about getting an extension beyond the April 15 deadline.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Americans now say they’ve filed their income taxes this year, up 10 points from three weeks ago. However,  51% had filed by this time last year.
Most taxpayers (54%) have not filed yet this year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 12-13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 14, 2012Arizona Senate:  Top GOP Candidates Lead Democratic Challengers
Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the race to fill Jon Kyl’s U.S. Senate seat in Arizona shows both leading Republican hopefuls ahead of their top Democratic opponents.
A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Grand Canyon State finds Republican Congressman Jeff Flake earning 47% support to former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona’s 34%.  Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, while 16% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
If attorney and party activist Don Bivens is the Democratic nominee, Flake still picks up 47%, while Bivens earns 30% of the vote. Given this matchup, three percent (3%) favor another candidate in the race, and another 20% are undecided. 
Businessman Wil Cardon, Flake’s top GOP primary challenger, leads Bivens by a 42% to 30% margin.  Four percent (4%) support some other candidate, while 24% are not sure. 
However, Cardon runs nearly even when Carmona is his Democratic challenger, leading 39% to 38%.  In that matchup, three percent (3%) like a different candidate, and 20% more are undecided.
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.
This Arizona survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on March 13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
March 14, 2012Florida Senate: Mack (R) 43%, Nelson (D) 36%
Republican Congressman Connie Mack now posts a seven-point lead over Democratic Senator Bill Nelson in Florida’s U.S. Senate race, and the incumbent remains just ahead of his other two potential GOP rivals.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Florida shows Mack with 43% support to Nelson’s 36%. Five percent (5%) like another candidate in the race, and a sizable 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Florida survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on March 13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
March 14, 2012Complex Societies Need Simple Laws By John Stossel
"If you have 10,000 regulations," Winston Churchill said, "you destroy all respect for law." He was right. But Churchill never imagined a government that would add 10,000 year after year. That's what we have in America. We have 160,000 pages of rules from the feds alone. States and localities have probably doubled that. We have so many rules that legal specialists can't keep up.

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                            March 14, 201231% See Facebook As Bad For Society
Like it or not, the social networking site Facebook has had a big impact on today’s society, and Americans aren’t sure that’s a good thing. But regular Facebook users are much more enthusiastic than those who don't use the site.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 28% believe Facebook has been good for society. Thirty-one percent (31%) say the wildly popular site has been bad for society, while another 27% say neither is true. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.  
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 8-9, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 13, 201246% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking System
Confidence in the nation's banks remains well below where it was before the Wall Street meltdown in the fall of 2008, but most Americans still consider them a safe place to keep their money.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, but that includes just six percent (6%) who are Very Confident. Most adults (51%) continue to lack confidence in America's banks, with 16% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 10-11, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 13, 2012California GOP Primary:  Romney 43%, Santorum 23%, Gingrich 15%, Paul 8%
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney holds a 20-point lead over Rick Santorum in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the delegate-rich California Republican primary.
A new statewide telephone survey of Likely GOP Primary Voters in the Golden State finds Romney earning 43% support, while the former Pennsylvania senator receives 23% of the vote.  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is a distant third with 15% support, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul runs last with eight percent (8%).  Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.
This California survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 13, 2012Texas GOP Primary: Romney 32%, Santorum 30%, Gingrich 19%, Paul 9%
Looking down the road to one of the biggest delegate prizes of them all, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are in a near tie in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the Texas Republican Primary. A new telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Texas finds Romney earning 32% support to Santorum’s 30%. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich picks up 19% of the vote, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul runs fourth with nine percent (9%). Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Texas survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            March 13, 2012Just 29% Believe Limbaugh Apology Was Sincere
Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh’s recent comments about a female Georgetown University law student who argued in support of the Obama administration's contraception mandate sparked controversy and caused some advertisers to quit his show. Yet while most voters are critical of Limbaugh's comments, they are evenly divided over whether talk show hosts in general have a responsibility to not offend anyone. 
 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that only 29% believe Limbaugh’s apology for his recent comments was sincere. Fifty-three percent (53%) do not think his apology was sincere, and another 18% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 11-12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.