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April 6, 2012Obama Leads Romney, Santorum By Three in Core Four States (FL, NC, OH, VA)
President Obama now holds identical three-point leads over Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum 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. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia was conducted on March 31 – April 5, 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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                            April 6, 2012Only 15% Think Supreme Court Limits Government Too Much
While President Obama cautioned the U.S. Supreme Court this past week about overturning his national health care law, just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think the high court puts too many limitations on what the federal government can do.
In fact, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that twice as many--30%-- believe the Supreme Court does not limit the government enough. Forty percent (40%) say the balance is about right, while 15% more 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 national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on April 4-5, 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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                            April 6, 2012Americans Still Think Government Employees Work Less, Earn More
A majority of adults nationwide continues to believe that those who work for the government have it easier than those in the private sector and get paid more for it.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of American Adults believe private sector workers work harder than government workers, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just eight percent (8%) say government employees are the harder workers, but another 25% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 1-2, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
April 6, 2012Colleges Skimp on Science, Spend Big on Diversity By Michael Barone
How many times have you heard Barack Obama talk about "investing" in education? Quite a few, if you've been listening to the president at all.

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                            April 6, 2012And They Wonder Why Voters Are Angry By Scott Rasmussen
As Mitt Romney assumes the role of presumptive Republican nominee, polls suggest a competitive general election matchup between the former Massachusetts governor and President Obama. Typically, both candidates poll in the mid-40s, while 10 to 12 percent remain uncommitted to either side.

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                            April 5, 201274% Have Unfavorable Opinion of Lindsay Lohan
Her numerous public trials, prison sentences and rehab stints have not left Lindsay Lohan in a positive light in Americans’ eyes.
Just 14% view the actress favorably, with five percent (5%) who view her Very Favorably, according to a recent Rasmussen Reports survey of American Adults. Three-fourths (74%) of American Adults have an unfavorable opinion of Lohan, including 44% with a Very Unfavorable opinion. (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 28-29, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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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                            April 5, 201220% of Football Fans Say Punishment For Saints Coaches Too Severe
Several members of the New Orleans Saints coaching staff, including head coach Sean Payton, were suspended following the convictions of players who were paid bonuses for harming opponents.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Football Fans say the punishment given to the Saints coaches is just about right.  Twenty percent (20%) feel the punishment is too severe, while nearly as many (21%) say it is not severe enough.  Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 801 Football Fans was conducted on March 26, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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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                            April 5, 201253% Say Obama is Governing Like a Partisan Democrat
Since just months after his inauguration, voters have consistently felt more strongly that President Obama is governing like a partisan Democrat than in a bipartisan manner.
Now, 53% feel that way, the highest finding since early December 2010. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 32% of Likely U.S. Voters disagree and think he is governing on a bipartisan basis. The latter figure is unchanged from last month which marked the lowest finding in a year. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on April 2-3, 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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                            April 5, 201248% Know Someone Who Has Given Up Looking for Work
After holding steady for the past year, the number of Americans who know someone who’s given up looking for a job out of frustration with the current market is up to 48%.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Adults don’t know someone in this situation. But the number of Americans who know someone who has given up on the job market is up from 43% in February and ties the highest result measured in regular tracking since 2010. This finding hovered around 40% for most of 2011. (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 April 1-2, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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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                            April 5, 2012Pennsylvania GOP: Santorum 42%, Romney 38%
Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum holds a four-point lead in his home state in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the upcoming Pennsylvania Republican Primary.
A new statewide telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely GOP Primary Voters support Santorum, while former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney picks up 38% of the vote. Texas Congressman Ron Paul earns seven percent (7%), and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is at six percent (6%). Two percent (2%) like some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Pennsylvania survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on April 4, 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.
April 5, 2012The High Court's Supremely Unethical Activists By Joe Conason
How the Supreme Court majority will rule on President Obama's Affordable Care Act may well have been foretold months or perhaps years ago -- not so much by their questions during argument this week, as by their flagrant displays of bias outside the court, where certain justices regularly behave as dubiously as any sleazy officeholder.
April 5, 2012The Car the Right Wing Can't Kill By Froma Harrop
Imagine that. Former Republican President George H.W. Bush recently bought his son Neil a Chevrolet Volt as a birthday present. This is the car that all right-thinking right-wingers demand we hate. In their political prism, the Volt has everything going against it: It's beloved by environmentalists for getting 61 miles to the gallon. It's assembled by unionized workers at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck plant. It enjoys government subsidies intended to encourage the production of fuel-efficient cars (started actually by H.W.'s oldest son, former President George W. Bush).

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                            April 5, 201260% View Al Sharpton Unfavorably
All three are high-profile representatives of the political left, but that doesn’t necessarily make them popular.
In fact, just 26% of American Adults share an even somewhat favorable opinion of the Rev. Al Sharpton, with eight percent (8%) who view him Very Favorably. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% view the civil rights activist and MSNBC host unfavorably, including 37% with a Very Unfavorable view. Fifteen percent (15%) have no opinion of him. (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 28-29, 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.
April 4, 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, April 1.
The latest finding is unchanged from a week ago 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 26-April 1, 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.
April 4, 2012Montana:  Romney, Santorum Still Lead Obama
Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum continue to lead President Obama in hypothetical Election 2012 matchups in Montana, a state last won by a Democratic presidential candidate 20 years ago.
Romney receives 49% support from Likely Voters in the Treasure State to Obama’s 40%. A new Rasmussen Reports statewide survey finds that nine percent (9%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Santorum leads the president 48% to 41% among Montana voters. Eight percent (8%) favor another candidate, and three percent (3%) 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.
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Montana was conducted on April 2, 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.
April 4, 2012New Mexico Senate: Heinrich (D) 46%, Wilson (R) 42%
The U.S. Senate race in New Mexico remains tight between former Republican Congresswoman Heather Wilson and two potential Democratic opponents.
A statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters finds Democratic Congressman Martin Heinrich picking up 46% of the vote against Wilson who draws 42% support. Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This New Mexico survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on April 3, 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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                            April 4, 201253% of Republicans See Tea Party As Political Plus; 32% of Democrats Say Same of Occupy
Voters continue to have a slightly more favorable opinion of the Tea Party compared to the Occupy Wall Street protesters. But Republicans are the only ones who see either of the groups as much of a political benefit in the upcoming elections.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters hold at least a somewhat favorable view of Tea Party activists, while 49% share an unfavorable opinion of them. This includes 23% with a Very Favorable view and 29% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 2-3, 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.
April 4, 2012Let's Give the Fed Some Competition By John Stossel
Pssst. Want to buy some Stossels? They’re my own currency with my face on them. Why should you trust them? Because I promise to redeem them for gold. And I’m reliable. I have money in the bank and a job that brings in more than I spend.

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                            April 4, 2012Americans Are More Skeptical Than Ever About Fairness of Tax System
Americans remain unhappy with the tax system in this country and believe more strongly than ever that others do not pay their fair share.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of American Adults think the United States has the best tax system in the world. Sixty-one percent (61%) disagree, and another 27% 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 30-31, 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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                            April 3, 201259% Say Pete Rose Should Be in Hall of Fame
Most baseball fans nationwide believe Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose deserves to be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Fans aren’t so forgiving about players who abused steroids.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Americans adults who watch baseball at least once a week shows that 59% believe Rose deserves to be honored in Cooperstown. Twenty-nine percent (29%) don’t believe Rose, who was made permanently ineligible for induction in 1991, should be allowed in today. Another 12% 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 800 Major League Baseball Fans was conducted on March 26, 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.