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January 2, 2012Partisan Trends: Number of Democrats Falls to All-Time Low
The number of Republicans in the country increased by a percentage point in December, while the number of Democrats fell back two points to the lowest level ever recorded by Rasmussen Reports. 
During December, 35.4% of Americans considered themselves Republicans. That’s up from 34.3% in November and just below the high for the year of 35.6% reached in May.
At the same time, just 32.7% of adults said they were Democrats, down from 34.9% in November. The previous low for Democrats was 33.0% in August of this year. .
The number of voters not affiliated with either of the major political parties rose to 32.0% in December from 30.8% the month before.
Rasmussen Reports tracks this information based on telephone interviews with approximately 15,000 adults per month and has been doing so since November 2002. The margin of error for the full sample is less than one percentage point, with a 95% level of confidence.
January 2, 2012Election 2012: Obama 46%, Huntsman 33%
President Obama receives his highest level of support yet against former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman in their latest hypothetical 2012 general election matchup. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows the president with 46% support to Huntsman’s 33%.
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 2, 201276% Say Wealthy Like Kim Kardashian Already Pay Enough in State Taxes
Tax hiking activists in California have been airing a TV commercial pointing out that millionaire celebrity Kim Kardashian pays a 10.3% state tax rate when the average middle class family is paying 9.3%. The commercial includes the full screen message “We All Need to Pay Our Fair Share.” But most voters nationally think the state's present tax rates are fair, and a sizable number say the 10.3% rate is too high. In short, the ad may not be resonating the way its promoters hope.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters say it’s fair for the wealthy to pay a 10.3% rate while middle class families pay 9.3%. Just one-out-of-three voters (32%) think that arrangement is unfair. (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 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.
January 2, 2012Steady in Iowa, Romney Counts on New Hampshire, Florida By Michael Barone
Election year has finally arrived, well after the beginning of a turbulent and unpredictable elections season, and voting begins on Tuesday in the Iowa Republicans caucuses.

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                            January 2, 2012Only 32% Favor National Parade Now for Troops Returning from Iraq
Unlike U.S. troops returning from World War II and the Gulf war, the veterans coming home from the now-ended war in Iraq won’t be getting a national parade to honor their service, and most Americans agree the parade should wait until all troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan, too.
The latest Rasmussen reports national telephone survey finds that only 32% of American Adults believe a national parade should be held to honor the final U.S. troops returning home from Iraq. Fifty-five percent (55%) say instead that the parade should wait until all troops are brought home from Afghanistan as well. Just nine percent (9%) don’t think there should be any parade at all. (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 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.

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                            January 1, 2012Personal Finance Ratings Up in December
On the final day of 2011, 36% of American adults rated their own finances as good or excellent. That was most optimistic assessment of the month and highlighted a trend of modestly improving confidence during the final two months of the year.

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                            January 1, 201212% View New Year’s Day As Most Important Holiday
One of the most highly anticipated holidays of the year is also one of the least important in the eyes of many Americans. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of American Adults consider New Year’s Day to be one of the nation’s most important holidays.  Thirty-two percent (32%) view it as the least important, while 52% see it as somewhere in between.  (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 December 26-27, 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 1, 201230% to Make New Year’s Resolutions
On New Year’s Eve, most Americans will be awake to bid farewell to 2011 and welcome in the new year of 2012.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 30% will start the new year off by honoring the tradition of making resolutions to improve their lives. Sixty-one percent (61%) won’t bother with resolutions, and eight percent (8%) haven't made up their minds yet. (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 December 28-29, 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. Seemethodology.
December 31, 2011Scott Discusses Iowa Caucuses With Megyn Kelly on FOX News
Scott Discusses Iowa Caucuses With Megyn Kelly on FOX News

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                            December 31, 2011New High: 48% Say Most Members of Congress Are Corrupt
The belief that politicians use their office for personal gain is growing.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that most members of Congress are corrupt. Just 28% disagree, and another 24% 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 27-28, 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 30, 2011Could Ron Paul Be the Next Ralph Nader? By Joe Conason
Even as Barack Obama gradually climbs in national polls, more than a handful of the president's once-ardent admirers suddenly seem more attracted to Ron Paul.

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                            December 30, 201127% Give 2011 Positive Ratings, 39% Optimistic About Next Year
As 2011 comes to an end, Americans expected it to be better than it turned out, but they are slightly more optimistic about the future than they were last year at this time. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of American Adults expect 2012 to be a good, excellent or the best year ever, while 23% feel it will be poor.  (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 December 28-29, 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 30, 2011Art for Newt By Lawrence Kudlow
“The purpose of economic policy is growth, jobs, and prosperity,” supply-side founder Art Laffer told me today. As such, Laffer has endorsed Newt Gingrich and the Gingrich 15 percent flat-tax plan, which includes the 12.5 percent corporate-tax reform. “It’s nothing against the other candidates,” Laffer said. “But Newt’s plan is right, and therefore endorsing him is the right thing to do.”

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                            December 30, 201147% Expect GOP to Win White House, 39% Think Obama Will Win
Voters right now give the edge to Republicans when asked which political party is likely to win the White House and control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in next November’s elections. Republicans are more confident about their party’s chances than Democrats are, but a lot of voters are undecided.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Republican candidate is most likely to beat President Obama, while 39% expect the incumbent to win reelection. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 27-28, 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 30, 2011Voters Want Growth, Not Income Redistribution By Michael Barone
"A 2008 election widely regarded as heralding a shift toward the more government-friendly public sentiment of the New Deal and Great Society eras seems to have yielded just the reverse."
December 30, 20115% Think Congress Doing a Good Job: New Low
Just when you think the numbers couldn’t get any worse for Congress, the end of session debacle over the payroll tax extension comes along and drives perceptions of Congress even lower.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of Likely Voters rate the job Congress is doing as good or excellent.  Sixty-eight percent (68%) view Congress’ job performance as poor.  (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 27-28, 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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                            December 29, 2011Americans Plan To Be Busy New Year's Eve
Look out! Saturday night is New Year's Eve, and 44% of American Adults plan to kiss someone at midnight. Sixty-one percent (61%) plan to say a prayer on New Year's Eve, but it's not clear if that's before or after the kiss. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that not quite as many Americans (40%) intend to have a drink that night to celebrate, but 22% will be asleep by the time midnight rolls around. Sixty-two percent (62%) plan to be awake at that hour, and another 15% haven't made up their minds yet. (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 December 26-27, 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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                            December 29, 2011Iowa Caucus: Romney 23%, Paul 22%, Santorum 16%
After months of volatility, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul remain the front-runners in Iowa for the third week in a row with the state’s Republican caucus just five days away.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely GOP caucus participants finds Romney with 23% support 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.
This Iowa survey of 750 Likely Republican Caucus Participants was conducted on December 28, 2011 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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                            December 29, 2011Voters Don't Expect Spending Cuts Under Either Party
Most voters don't believe government spending will go down if Republicans control both the White House and Congress, and they're sure spending will go up if Democrats are in charge of both branches of government.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 38% of Likely U.S. Voters believe government spending is likely to go down if a Republican is elected president and the GOP wins control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Twenty-six percent (26%) think spending will go up, and 29% predict that it will stay about the same. (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 27-28, 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 29, 2011The Little State That Could?: A Commentary by Froma Harrop
Rhode Island shouldn't even be a state. It's basically a city, Providence, with some suburbs, factory towns, a little countryside and Newport. The smallest state in area (19 Rhode Islands could fit into California's San Bernardino County), the Ocean State has a population of about 1 million (versus San Bernardino's 210,000).