New Hampshire Quick to Divorce Candidates, Not Marry Them By Michael Barone
Three weeks out from the New Hampshire primary, and voters in the Granite State don't seem to have settled firmly on one of the Republican presidential candidates.
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December 22, 2011
December 21, 2011
22% 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 week ending Sunday, Dec. 18. That’s the highest level of optimism measured in over five months.
Nineteen percent (19%) were confident in the nation’s current course the previous week. Prior to the latest survey, that finding was the highest level of optimism measured in nearly three months.
(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 December 12-18, 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.
December 21, 2011
Iowa: Romney 25% Paul 20% Gingrich 17%
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Texas Congressman Ron Paul are leading the pack in Iowa with just two weeks to go until Caucus Day. But large numbers of voters remain uncommitted and lots could change between now and January 3.
The new Rasmussen Reports survey of Iowa caucus participants shows Romney on top with 25% of the vote followed by Paul at 20% and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 17%. Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, both at 10%, are the only other candidates in double-digits. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann earns six percent (6%), former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman four percent (4%), while one percent (1%) prefer some other candidate and eight percent (8%) are not sure.
December 21, 2011
45% Consider Medicare A Good Deal for Working Americans
Most voters continue to question whether they will get the Medicare benefits they are entitled to, and nearly one-out-of-three is willing to raise taxes to ensure that they do.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% of Likely U.S. Voters now favor raising taxes to make sure that Medicare has enough money to pay all promised benefits. Thirty-three percent (33%) think it’s better to raise the eligibility age for Medicare benefits while 14% feel cutting the promised level of benefits to ensure Medicare has enough money is the best option. A sizable 22% 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 Likely Voters was conducted on December 18-19, 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.
December 21, 2011
WHAT AMERICA THINKS with Scott Rasmussen
Recognizing the heightened interest in this upcoming presidential election year as well as the public’s curiosity in opinion polling results, Telco Productions, Inc. is launching the half-hour weekly show, What America Thinks with Scott Rasmussen. The show is scheduled for a fall, 2012 debut. Affiliate stations will also receive a daily one-minute vignette produced specifically for local newscasts and featuring a new Rasmussen poll.
December 21, 2011
34% Oppose Welcoming Immigration Policy
A third of American voters oppose an immigration policy that keeps out only criminals, national security threats and those who come to live off America’s welfare system because they don’t think it’s restrictive enough.
Still, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a welcoming immigration policy with only those restrictions.
December 20, 2011
Romney, Paul and a Game of Musical Chairs in Iowa By Scott Rasmussen
Following the roller-coaster poll results from Iowa has been entertaining for some - and frustrating for many. In five consecutive Rasmussen Reports polls, five different candidates came out on top: Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich and now Mitt Romney. Adding to the confusion, most Iowa voters are still deciding and could change their mind before the January 3 caucuses.
December 20, 2011
Election 2012: Obama 45%, Generic Republican 44%
President Obama is now essentially tied with a generic Republican candidate in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup for the week ending Sunday, Dec. 18. This is the closest margin between the two candidates in just over a month of weekly tracking.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama earning 45% support -- matching the highest level yet for him -- while a generic Republican picks up 44% of the vote.
December 20, 2011
40% Confident Fed Can Keep Inflation, Interest Rates Down
Most Americans remain concerned about inflation but are slightly more confident in the Federal Reserve Board's ability to keep it under control.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 40% are at least somewhat confident that the Fed will be able to keep inflation under control and interest rates down, but that includes only five percent (5%) who are Very Confident.
(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 December 11-12, 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.
December 20, 2011
Election 2012: Obama 48%, Gingrich 37%
For the third straight week, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has lost ground in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup against President Obama.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama attracting 48% of voters, while Gingrich earns the vote from 37%. Nine percent (9%) prefer some other candidate, and six percent (6%) are undecided.
December 20, 2011
Gifts for the Unemployed By Froma Harrop
To many rational economists, holiday gift-giving is "an orgy of wealth-destruction," writes Dan Ariely in The Wall Street Journal. A behavioral economist at Duke University, Ariely makes pro-gifting arguments while acknowledging the bah-humbug view, which goes as follows: Givers often spend money on things others don't necessarily want, and the recipients frequently think the present cost less than the price actually paid for it. 'Tis more rational to give cash.
December 20, 2011
69% Say Photo ID Voting Laws Are Not Discriminatory
Attorney General Eric Holder signaled last week that the Justice Department will be closely examining new state laws that require showing a photo ID before voting for potential racial bias, but voters nationwide overwhelmingly favor such a requirement and reject the idea that it is discriminatory.
Seventy percent (70%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe voters should be required to show photo identification such as a driver’s license before being allowed to cast their ballot. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% oppose this kind of requirement. (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 December 18-19, 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.
December 20, 2011
Scott Rasmussen and Doug Schoen Join Fred Thompson To Discuss Election 2012 on Fox News
Which 2012 hopeful has the best shot to win the White House?
December 20, 2011
36% Support Complete Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving
Last week the National Transportation Safety Board called for a federal ban on all cellular phone use while driving, including hands-free devices. More than one-third of Americans favor such a ban, but most think hands-free devices should still be allowed.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 36% believe there should be a complete ban on cell phone use by drivers. Sixty-one percent (61%) believe drivers should be allowed to use hands-free devices.
December 19, 2011
Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 40%
Republicans hold a three-point advantage over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the second week in a row, this time for the week ending Sunday, Dec. 18.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Democrat instead.
December 19, 2011
26% Have Yet To Start Their Holiday Shopping
With less than one week left until Christmas, one-in-four Americans hasn’t started holiday gift shopping yet. But quite a few more adults have finished since last week.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 39% have now finished their holiday gift shopping. That's 18% more who've wrapped up their shopping since a week ago when just 21% were done. Most (57%) still haven't finished shopping though.
December 19, 2011
Election 2012: Obama 47%, Santorum 37%
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum earns his highest level of support to date but still trails President Obama by double digits in their latest hypothetical Election 2012 matchup. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama with 47% of the vote to Santorum's 37%.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 16-17, 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.
December 19, 2011
Just 29% Now Think U.S. Can Win War in Afghanistan
Confidence that the United States can win the war in Afghanistan has fallen to an all-time low. Most voters also are more worried that the United States will remain in Afghanistan too long but trust the military commanders on timing more than President Obama.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% of Likely U.S. Voters now think it is still possible for the United States to win the war in Afghanistan, down from 34% a year ago at this time and down from 51% in December 2009.
(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 nationwide was conducted on December 16-17, 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.
December 19, 2011
Scott Discusses Iowa Caucuses, New Hampshire Primary and Eric Holder on Fox News
Scott Rasmussen discussed the Iowa caucuses, the New Hampshire primary and embattled Attorney General Eric Holder on Fox News.
December 19, 2011
A Democrat Reaches Across the Aisle on Medicare By Michael Barone
It's highly unusual in a presidential debate for two Republican candidates -- the two leading in current national polls -- to heap praise on a liberal Democratic senator. But in the Fox News debate in Sioux City, Iowa, Thursday night, both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney had very good words to say for Oregon's Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden.
