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January 13, 2012

The Missing 'Humanity Clause' at Bain By Froma Harrop

During the Great Depression, my father toiled in a box factory. The workers were all flat broke, he recalled, and desperate for every nickel. But when overtime hours appeared, the men made sure they went to a guy with kids. The laborers were obeying the unwritten and unenforceable "humanity clause," whereby one gives up some personal gain in deference to another's screaming need.

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January 13, 2012

FINAL DAYS to Take Advantage of the Rasmussen Reader Discount

Earlier this year, Rasmussen Reports launched The Rasmussen Reader subscription as part of a larger effort to distribute its public opinion information through a variety of media platforms. The Rasmussen Reader is regularly available for $3.95 per month or $34.95 per year.

With the holidays upon us, we are pleased to announce a limited time discount offer for The Rasmussen Reader. Sign up for this subscription using promo code “HOLIDAY” between today and January 15, 2012 and get access to more than 20 exclusive stories each week, including all 2012 election articles, until November 7, 2012 for just $24.95.

January 13, 2012

Tea Party Mitt? By Scott Rasmussen

The race for the 2012 GOP nomination has been properly characterized as one between two candidates: Mitt Romney and Nott Romney. Some describe it as a rift between the party establishment favoring Romney and the party base looking for someone else.

January 13, 2012

72% Still Concerned About Inflation

Concern about inflation remains high but appears to be easing somewhat as Americans show more confidence in the Federal Reserve Board to keep it under control. Still, a sizable majority expects to pay more for groceries in the months ahead.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 42% are at least somewhat confident the Fed will be able to keep inflation under control and interest rates down, including 11% who are Very Confident. However, most (52%) still lack that confidence, with 15% who are Not At All Confident. (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 nationwide was conducted on January 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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January 12, 2012

37% Give Obama Positive Ratings on Economy

The economy remains the number one issue on voters’ minds, and perceptions of President Obama’s handling of economic issues have improved slightly. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way Obama is dealing with the economy as good or excellent, his highest positives since July.  But even more (43%) still give the president poor marks in this area, although that’s the lowest finding measured in six months.  (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 Voters was conducted on January 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.

January 12, 2012

51% Lack Confidence In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Most Americans continue to lack confidence in the stability of U.S. banks.  

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 43% are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the banking industry today, but that includes just nine percent (9%) who are Very Confident.  Fifty-one percent (51%) are not confident in the country’s banking system, with 15% who are Not At All Confident.  (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 nationwide was conducted on January 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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January 12, 2012

Favorability Ratings For Top Congressional Leaders Hit Rock Bottom

Unfavorable reviews for all four top congressional leaders are at their highest levels in three years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains the best-known but least-liked leader, with 66% sharing at least a somewhat unfavorable opinion of her. Twenty-six percent (26%) share a favorable view of the San Francisco Democrat. These numbers include Very Favorable marks from 10% and Very Unfavorable reviews from 48%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
 

Pelosi’s negative rating is up from 62% last month.

Ratings for current Speaker John Boehner are also his worst measured. Thirty-five percent (35%) view the Ohio Republican congressman favorably, including eight percent (8%) who share a Very Favorable opinion. Forty-nine percent (49%) view Boehner unfavorably, including 27% who share a Very Unfavorable opinion of him. Sixteen percent (16%) still don’t know enough about him to venture any kind of opinion.

Negative reviews for Boehner are up from 42% in December and have ranged from 34% to 46% since he took over as speaker last January.

The new findings are perhaps no surprise given that voter approval of the entire Congress is at the lowest level ever recorded by Rasmussen Reports. More voters than ever also believe most members of Congress are corrupt.

(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 Voters was conducted on January 5-6, 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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January 12, 2012

Florida GOP Primary: Romney 41%, Gingrich 19%, Santorum 15%Romney

Mitt Romney is now running away with the race in the latest Rasmussen Reports’ survey of the end-of-the-month Florida Republican Primary.

Coming off his decisive win in Tuesday’s New Hampshire Primary, Romney earns 41% support with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich a distant second at 19%. A new telephone survey of Likely Florida Republican Primary Voters finds former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum running third with 15% of the vote.

Texas Congressman Ron Paul and former Utah Governor Jon Hunstman are next with nine percent (9%) and five percent (5%) support respectively. The two men finished second and third in New Hampshire where independents are allowed to vote in the primary. The Florida primary is open to Republican voters only. Texas Governor Rick Perry runs dead last among primary voters in the Sunshine State with two percent (2%) support. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate in the race, 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 Florida survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 11, 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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January 12, 2012

'Tactical Voters' went to Romney in New Hampshire By Michael Barone

To win just under 40 percent of the vote in a primary with five
active candidates is pretty impressive, even for a candidate like Mitt
Romney, who started off with significant advantages in New Hampshire.   

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January 12, 2012

Ten Days to Stop Romney By Larry J. Sabato, Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley

Could Mitt Romney have scripted a better opening to campaign 2012?

First, he squeaked to victory by eight votes in Iowa -- or so the preliminary tally would suggest. Then he managed to meet expectations in New Hampshire with 39.3% and secured his preferred second place finisher, Ron Paul (23%). His main challenger in Iowa, Rick Santorum, finished far back at 9.4%.

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January 12, 2012

CREATORS SYNDICATE LAUNCHES RASMUSSEN REPORT COLUMN BY NOTED POLLSTER SCOTT RASMUSSEN

As the 2012 election season heats up, Creators Syndicate is launching the syndicated column The Rasmussen Report by noted political analyst, author, public speaker and independent public opinion pollster Scott Rasmussen. Each Thursday starting on January 12, The Rasmussen Report will offer the latest insight into today’s current events, underlying trends and the questions that Americans are curious about.

January 12, 2012

38% Favor Stricter Gun Control, 50% Oppose

Gun crimes remains a common feature in the news, but most Americans still don’t see a need for stronger gun control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of American Adults now think the United States needs stricter gun control laws, but that’s virtually unchanged in regular tracking back to February 2006. Fifty percent (50%) see no need for tougher anti-gun laws, while 11% 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 was conducted on January 6-7, 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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January 11, 2012

24% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

Twenty-four percent (24%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, Jan. 8. That’s the highest level of confidence measured since the first week in July.

The latest finding is up two points from the previous week.  From July 25 through Dec. 11, the number of voters who were confident in the nation's current course had resembled levels measured in the final months of the Bush administration, with voter confidence remaining in the narrow range of 14% to 19%. But the finding has been in the low 20s since then.

(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 4,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports January 2-8, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point 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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January 11, 2012

48% Still Blame Bush for Bad Economy; 45% Blame Obama’s Policies

Voters now blame President Bush only slightly more than President Obama for the continuing bad economy. It’s the narrowest gap between the two in nearly 18 months.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters still say the nation’s current economic problems are caused more by the recession that began under Bush than by Obama’s policies. But now nearly as many (45%) blame Obama’s policies more. (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 Voters was conducted on January 5-6, 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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January 11, 2012

Election 2012: Obama 44%, Romney 41%

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the first non-incumbent Republican to win both the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire’s first-in-the nation primary, continues to run nearly even with President Obama in their latest hypothetical Election 2012 matchup.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama earning 44% support to Romney’s 41%.  Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate, while 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.

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 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.

January 11, 2012

46% Think Tea Party Will Hurt GOP in 2012 Elections, Most Republicans Disagree

More voters than ever dislike the Tea Party, and a sizable number thinks the grass roots movement will hurt Republicans in this year’s elections.  But most GOP voters don’t agree and see the Tea Party as good for them in November.

(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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 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.

January 11, 2012

89% Think Higher Gas Prices Likely Six Months From Now

Americans overwhelmingly believe that they will be paying more for gas six months from now, and most worry that increasing tensions with Iran will prompt a spike in prices at the pump.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 89% of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that they will be paying more for a gallon of gas six months from now, and that includes a whopping 72% who say it’s Very Likely. Just seven percent (7%) think an increase in gas prices is not very or Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on January 6-7, 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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January 10, 2012

Election 2012: Generic Republican 47%, Obama 43%

For the second week in a row, a generic Republican candidate holds a four-point lead over President Obama in an Election 2012 matchup, this time for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 8.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters would support the generic Republican candidate if the presidential election were held today, while 43% would vote for Obama.  Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 4,000 Likely Voters was conducted January 2-8, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

January 10, 2012

Video: Scott Rasmussen's Final Thoughts on Today's New Hampshire GOP Primary

The voting has begun in New Hampshire, America’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, and many are the questions we won’t have answered until this evening.

January 10, 2012

Video: What Did Pollsters Miss in Predicting New Hampshire's 2008 Democratic Primary?

The voting has begun in New Hampshire, America’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, and many are the questions we won’t have answered until this evening.