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January 6, 2012Did Reagan Raise Taxes? Let GOP Candidates Answer By Joe Conason
Politicians and their flacks lie every day, but it is unusual for someone prominent to utter a totally indefensible falsehood like the whopper that just sprang from the mouth of Eric Cantor's press secretary on national television.
While interviewing the House majority leader, "60 Minutes" correspondent Leslie Stahl suggested that he might consider compromise because even Ronald Reagan had raised taxes several times. Cantor's flack then burst out in protest, saying he couldn't allow her remark "to stand."
January 6, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending December 30, 2011
The old year’s out, the new year’s in, but you’d hardly notice it from the unbroken pace of politicking in Iowa as Tuesday’s caucus approaches. Now it’s time for Election 2012 to get real.
After months of volatility, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul remain the front-runners in Iowa for the third week in a row. Romney earns 23% support from likely caucus participants to Paul’s 22%. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum has moved into third place with 16%, his best showing to date, closely followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Governor Rick Perry who earn 13% of the vote each. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann picks up five percent (5%) support, while former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman gets three percent (3%), marking no movement on either candidate’s part over the past week.
But 41% of these likely caucus-goers say they still could change their minds, and six percent (6%) more have no first preference, suggesting that much could change in the last few days. In short, as Scott Rasmussen wrote recently, it continues to be a game of musical chairs in Iowa to determine who will emerge near the top and go on in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination. 
Romney has now jumped out front of President Obama by a 45% to 39% margin. It’s his biggest lead ever over the incumbent and also the biggest lead a named Republican candidate has held over Obama in Rasmussen Reports surveying to date.
January 6, 2012South Carolina Primary: Romney 27%, Santorum 24%, Gingrich 18%
What a difference a caucus makes. Rick Santorum who two months ago had one percent (1%) support among likely South Carolina Republican Primary voters now is running a close second there with 24% of the vote. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Palmetto State finds former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney still in the lead, earning 27% support from likely GOP Primary Voters, up from 23% in early November. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is in third with 18% of the vote, followed by Texas Congressman Ron Paul at 11%.
Bringing up the rear are Texas Governor Rick Perry with five percent (5%) and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman at two percent (2%). Another two percent (2%) of these likely primary voters like some other candidate, and 11% remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This South Carolina survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 5, 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.
January 6, 2012WBIN to Partner with Rasmussen Reports for Political Roundtable on Eve of New Hampshire Primary
WBIN will partner with nationally known pollster and political analyst Scott Rasmussen for a political talk show on the eve of the New Hampshire Presidential Primary:  “What New Hampshire Thinks with Scott Rasmussen.”  WBIN will also announce the results of a Rasmussen Reports survey conducted in partnership with WBIN during the broadcast.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            January 5, 2012New Low: 30% Expect to Earn More A Year From Now
The number of Americans who expect to be earning more money in a year’s time has fallen to a record low, while those who expect to be making even less than they are now is at its highest level in two-and-a-half years.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of employed adults shows that 30% think they will be making more a year from today, but that’s down six points from 36% in November and the most pessimistic finding found in regular tracking since April 2009. (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 616 Employed Adults was conducted on January 2-3, 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.
January 5, 2012Election 2012: Obama 42%, Romney 42%
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney remains the most competitive Republican presidential contender as far as President Obama is concerned, with the two men running even again this week.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama and Romney each earning 42% of the vote.  Eight percent (8%) prefer some other candidate, and another eight percent (8%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 3-4, 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 5, 2012National GOP Poll: Romney 29%, Santorum 21%, Gingrich 16%
Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, coming off his photo finish with Mitt Romney in the Iowa caucuses, is now in second place among Republican voters in the race for the party’s 2012 presidential nomination.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, taken the night after the caucuses, shows Romney again in first place with support from 29% of Likely Republican Primary Voters, followed by Santorum with 21%. (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 Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 4, 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 5, 201251% See Occupy Wall Street Protesters As Public Nuisance
Enough is enough as far as most voters are concerned when it comes to the Occupy Wall Street protesters.  In fact, 51% of Likely U.S. Voters now view the protesters as a public nuisance. Only 39% see them as a valid protest movement representing the frustrations of most Americans.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey also finds that just 24% think the Occupy Wall Street protesters who first began their protests in early October have gotten their message across to the American people. Fifty-three percent (53%) say they have not gotten their message across, and another 24% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 3-4, 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 5, 201249% of Voters Are Pro-Choice, 43% Pro-Life
Election season is officially underway, and although the abortion issue doesn't rank high in terms of voting importance, voters nationwide remain consistent on the topic.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 49% are pro-choice when it comes to abortion, while 43% say they are pro-life. (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 2, 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 5, 2012The Unbearable Consequence of Iowa By Froma Harrop
So Mitt Romney "won" Iowa by eight votes, giving him the "Big Mo" (that's momentum) as he marches forth into the primaries. What happened to Rick Santorum's surge? Did a Dodge Caravan full of supporters break down on the way to the gymnasium? I mean, world history has pivoted on less.
January 5, 2012Romney's Watchwords in Iowa: Divide and Conquer By Michael Barone
Elections are contests held during a moment in time between candidates who have records stretching back, often far back, into the past. So there is always a tension between the man (or woman) who is running and the moment.
January 4, 201222% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction
Twenty-two percent (22%) 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 short holiday week ending Friday, December 30. That ties a five-month high first reached in mid-December.  
The latest finding is up two points from the previous week.
The national telephone survey of 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports December 26-30, 2011. 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 4, 201247% Say Staying With Current Company Best For Advancement
A plurality of working Americans feels their best opportunity for career advancement is to stay put, and fewer believe their next job will be better than their current one. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Employed Adults finds that 47% say they have a better opportunity for career advancement by staying within their current company.  Thirty percent (30%) think their chances are better if they go to work for someone else, unchanged from November and still at the lowest level measured in nearly two years of surveying.  Another 22% are not sure which course is better.  (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 616 Employed Adults was conducted on January 2-3, 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.
January 4, 2012Election 2012: Obama 49%, Gingrich 39%
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich still trails President Obama by 10 points in a hypothetical 2012 general election matchup surveyed the night before the Iowa caucuses.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows Obama drawing 49% of the vote to Gingrich's 39%.
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 29-30, 2011 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 4, 201255% View Social Security Favorably, But Only 48% Think It’s A Good Deal
Most voters continue to have a favorable opinion of Social Security even though they don’t think it’s a good deal for working Americans. Not surprisingly, younger voters remain more skeptical of the system than older voters do.
Fifty-five percent (55%) of Likely U.S. Voters share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the government retirement system, although that includes just 28% with a Very Favorable view of it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% hold an unfavorable view of Social Security, but only 12% regard it Very Unfavorably. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 29-30, 2011 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 4, 201257% Say Military Veterans Should Get Preferential Treatment in Hiring
Thirty-nine percent (39%) know someone who joined the military because of the bad job market, and most adults feel that veterans like those now returning from Iraq should be given special consideration when applying for a private sector job.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Americans believe veterans should receive preferential treatment when applying for a job.  That’s up 11 points from 46% in May 2009.  Twenty-six percent (26%) disagree and oppose special treatment for veterans, but 18% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 30, 2011 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 3, 2012Election 2012: Generic Republican 47%, Obama 43%
A generic Republican candidate now holds a four-point lead over President Obama in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the short holiday week ending Friday, December 30, 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.)
(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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted December 26-30, 2011 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 3, 2012Rasmussen Employment Index Ends Year on High Note
The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures workers’ perceptions of the labor market each month, rose two points in December to reach 79.2, its highest level since November 2010. Generally speaking, an increase in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be better than the prior month.
The survey of 8,561 working Americans was conducted in December 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 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 3, 2012Voters See All GOP Hopefuls As Conservative, But Romney, Paul Least So
Voters identify all of the leading Republican presidential contenders as ideological conservatives but see Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, the leaders in polls going into today’s Iowa Caucuses, as the least conservative of the group. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters regard Romney as at least somewhat conservative, including 14% who say he’s Very Conservative.  Twenty-six percent (26%) say Romney’s a moderate. Only nine percent (9%) think the former Massachusetts governor is somewhat or very liberal, and another nine percent (9%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
January 3, 2012Obama Full-Month Approval Index Inches Up in December
When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.
Overall, the president's numbers improved slightly in December, though he ends 2011 with a lower rating than he began it.
In December, 23% of voters Strongly Approved of the president’s job performance, up two points from the previous month.   The number who Strongly Disapproved of the president’s performance in December was at 40%, showing no change from November.