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March 30, 2012Obama Still Leads Romney, Santorum in Core Four States (FL, NC, OH, VA)
President Obama remains slightly ahead of the Republican front-runners in combined polling of the key swing states Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. New Rasmussen Reports telephone surveying finds that Obama picks up 47% of the vote to Romney’s 44%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. That's little changed from a week ago when Obama led Romney 47% to 42%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia was conducted on March 24-29, 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 30, 201258% Oppose Reducing Size of U.S. Nuclear Arsenal
With questions swirling about President Obama’s plans for the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal, Americans still believe overwhelmingly that those weapons are critical to the nation’s security. Most continue to oppose reducing the size of that arsenal.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of American Adults rate America’s nuclear weapons arsenal as at least somewhat important to U.S. national security. That includes 57% who think it’s Very Important, up six points from 51% when the question was first asked in August 2010. Only 14% feel the nuclear arsenal is not very or Not At All Important to this nation’s security. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 26-27, 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 30, 2012Wisconsin GOP: Romney 44%, Santorum 34%, Gingrich 7%, Paul 7%
The numbers have moved little over the past week with Mitt Romney still holding a double-digit lead over Rick Santorum in the closing days of the Wisconsin Republican Primary race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Wisconsin shows Romney with 44% support to Santorum’s 34%. A week ago in Wisconsin, it was Romney 46% and Santorum 33%.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Congressman Ron Paul both pick up seven percent (7%) of the vote from Badger State Republicans, virtually unchanged from the previous survey. Two percent (2%) like some other candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) 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 Wisconsin survey of 717 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 29, 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.
March 30, 2012Democrats’ House Hopes Could Run Aground in Great Lakes By Kyle Kondik
During the War of 1812, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry whipped the British in the famous Battle of Lake Erie. Nearly 200 years later, winning Lake Erie won’t suffice for Democrats seeking to reclaim the House; they need to win on the shores of all five Great Lakes.
Now that decennial redistricting is nearly over, we have a relatively complete picture of where and how the race for the House will be run. While there are hotspots all over the country, the key region that will determine future control of the House is a combination of the Midwest and the Northeast — the eight states that touch the Great Lakes: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
March 30, 2012Does Romney Have a Home? By Froma Harrop
Mitt Romney has three houses. The former Massachusetts governor would like to do a $12 million "fix-up" on one of them, a beachfront property in La Jolla, Calif. The plan is to tear down the existing 3,000-square-foot structure and build an 8,100-square-foot replacement, plus a car elevator.    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            March 30, 2012Even If It Survives the Court, the Health Care Law Is Doomed By Scott Rasmussen
Media coverage now implies that the U.S. Supreme Court will determine the fate of President Obama's health care law. But nothing the court decides will keep the law alive for more than a brief period of time. There are three ways the health care law could meet its end. The first, obviously, is the Supreme Court could declare some or all of it unconstitutional in June.
March 29, 201273% Say U.S. Children More Overweight Than Those Overseas
Americans strongly believe that children in this country are fatter than kids overseas and think it's parents' responsibility to do something about it.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of American Adults think children are more overweight in America than in other countries. Just eight percent (8%) disagree, but another 18% are not sure. That's consistent with findings in November 2010 when Rasmussen Reports first asked this question.  (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 American Adults was conducted on March 24-25, 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 29, 2012Wisconsin: Obama Grows Lead Over GOP Hopefuls
President Obama is now above the 50% mark in hypothetical Election 2012 matchups with Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in Wisconsin. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Badger State finds Obama earning 52% support to Romney’s 41%.  Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Wisconsin survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted March 27, 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 29, 2012Maryland GOP: Romney 45%, Santorum 28%, Gingrich 12%, Paul 7%
Republican front-runner Mitt Romney is well ahead of his chief rival Rick Santorum in Maryland with that state’s primary less than a week away.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Maryland shows Romney with 45% support to Santorum’s 28%. Twelve percent (12%) favor former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, while Texas Congressman Ron Paul earns seven percent (7%) of the vote. Two percent (2%) like another candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Maryland survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 28, 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 29, 201254% Expect U.S. Supreme Court To Overturn Health Care Law
Most voters continue to believe the federal government does not have the authority to force people to buy health insurance, and they expect the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn President Obama’s health care law that includes that mandate.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters would like to see the Supreme Court overturn the health care law, and 54% predict that that’s what the court will do.
Thirty-seven percent (37%) would like to see the high court uphold the legality of the law, but just 26% think that’s what the court will ultimately decide. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided about the law, and 21% aren’t sure what the Supreme Court will do about it. (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 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on March 27-28, 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 29, 2012Obama's Gaffe Hints at Hidden Agenda in Second Term By Michael Barone
"I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it." So said John Kerry, in Huntington, W.V., on Tuesday, March 16, 2004, two weeks after he had clinched the Democratic presidential nomination by carrying every state but Vermont in the Super Tuesday primaries.
March 29, 2012If Obamacare Goes, Will America "Let Him Die"? By Joe Conason
Despite significant negative signals, the final outcome of this week's arguments over the Affordable Care Act will remain unknown until the Supreme Court issues a ruling in June. What is painfully obvious today, however, should have been clear enough long before any of the lawyers opened their mouths. The five Republican justices represent an ideological bloc as adamantly hostile to universal health care -- no matter the cost in lost lives or squandered trillions -- as in 1965, when Medicare passed.   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            March 29, 201247% Support Legalizing, Taxing Marijuana
More Americans than ever support legalizing and taxing marijuana. They remain less supportive of so-called “sin taxes” on soda and junk food.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 47% now believe the country should legalize and tax marijuana in order to help solve the nation’s fiscal problems. Forty-two percent (42%) disagree, while 10% 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. 
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 24-25, 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 28, 201229% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Twenty-nine percent (29%) 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 25.
The latest finding is down two points from the previous survey and down five points from a recent high of 34% measured in early February.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports March 19-25, 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.
March 28, 2012Wisconsin Senate: Thompson (R) 48%, Baldwin (D) 44%
The race for Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate seat between top Republican contender Tommy Thompson and Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has grown tighter over the last month. Baldwin now leads two other Republican hopefuls in the race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Wisconsin shows former Governor Thompson with 48% support to Baldwin’s 44%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and another four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on March 27, 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 28, 2012Ohio: Obama Takes Bigger Lead Over Romney, Santorum
President Obama has extended his lead over his top GOP challengers in the key battleground state of Ohio. 
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Ohio finds Obama leads Mitt Romney 48% to 40%. Eight percent (8%) prefer some other candidate, and three percent (3%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
If Santorum is his Republican opponent, the president posts a 47% to 41% lead. Seven percent (7%) favor another candidate in the race, while five percent (5%) 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 Ohio survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on March 26, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points 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 28, 201233% Believe Zimmerman Guilty of Murder in Trayvon Martin Case
Despite round-the-clock media coverage of the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida, most Americans haven’t come to a conclusion yet whether it’s a case of murder or self-defense.
One-third (33%) of adults believe crime watch volunteer George Zimmerman should be found guilty of murder in the shooting death of the Florida teenager, while 15% think Zimmerman acted in self-defense, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But 52% of Americans are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 26-27, 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 28, 2012Job Killers By John Stossel
Politicians say they "create jobs." In fact, only the private sector generates the information needed to create real, productive jobs.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            March 28, 201263% Say Shale Oil Development Possible Without Hurting the Environment
Opposition to the hydraulic “fracking” process for developing shale oil reserves is based primarily on environmental concerns, but Americans strongly believe these reserves can be developed without hurting the environment. 
Only 14% of American Adults believe it is impossible to develop shale oil reserves in the United States while still protecting the environment. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% believe it is possible to develop these energy reserves without doing environmental damage. Nearly one-in-four (23%) 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 nationwide was conducted on March 22-23, 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 27, 2012Voters Less Confident Than Ever That Social Security Will Pay All Promised Benefits
Voters’ confidence in the Social Security system has fallen over the last few years, but now fewer voters than ever believe they will be paid all they are owed in their lifetime.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 35% of Likely U.S. Voters are confident that Social Security will pay all promised benefits over their lifetime, including just 13% who are Very Confident. This is down from 44% last month and down from the previous low of 39% in December 2008. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 23-24, 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. 