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October 3, 2011Rasmussen Employment Index Inches Up Slightly In September
The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures workers’ perceptions of the labor market each month, regained some lost ground in September following August’s 2011 low.
At 73.4, the Employment Index is up four points from August but is still down four points from the beginning of 2011 and down 10 points since last November when hiring expectations peaked.  Generally speaking, an increase in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be better than prior months.
October 3, 2011Is Herman Cain a Contender? By Michael Barone
Is Herman Cain a serious contender for the Republican presidential nomination? It's a question no one in the pundit world was asking until the past week.
Cain has never held public office. When he ran for the Senate in Georgia in 2004, he lost the primary by a 52 percent to 26 percent margin.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            October 3, 201162% Now See China As Threat to America
Americans believe more strongly than ever that China is a long-term threat to the United States, and they overwhelmingly feel that threat is economic rather than military.
October 3, 201151% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law, 57% Say Law Will Drive Up Costs
Most voters still favor repeal of the national health care law, but support for repeal is at its lowest level since May. Most also continue to expect the law to drive up health care costs and the federal deficit.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 51% at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, including 41% who Strongly Favor it. Thirty-nine percent (39%) at least somewhat oppose repeal, with 28% who are Strongly Opposed. (To see survey question wording.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            October 3, 201151% Still Say Bailouts of GM and Chrysler Were A Bad Idea
From their beginning in 2008, the bailouts for Wall Street and the auto industry have been among the most unpopular government actions in recent American history. New polling shows that even after three years, the attitudes haven’t changed all that much.
October 2, 2011Parity: 33.9% of Americans are Republicans, 33.7% Democrats
The number of Republicans and Democrats in the country is just about even. In fact, the gap between the parties is the smallest it has ever been in nearly nine years of monthly tracking.
During the month of September, 33.9% of Americans considered themselves to be Republicans while 33.7% consider themselves Democrats. For both parties, those numbers are up less than a single percentage point from August.  As a result, the number of voters not affiliated with either party fell from an all time high of 33.5% in August back to 32.4% in September.
October 1, 2011Virginia: Obama Leads Perry by 10, Runs Even with Romney
In 2008, Barack Obama became the first Democrat to win Virginia’s Electoral College votes since the Beatles were a brand new act in America in 1964. However, an early look at the 2012 race in the Old Dominion suggests winning twice in a row is not a sure thing for the president.
The first Rasmussen Reports Election 2012 survey in Virginia shows that 46% of the state’s Likely Voters would cast a ballot for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, while 45% would opt for President Obama. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, while five percent (5%) are undecided.
October 1, 2011Rasmussen Reports Launches New Subscription Service
Announced in September, Rasmussen Reports today launched a new level of subscription service that gives subscribers access to more than 20 articles weekly that are not available to the general public: The Rasmussen Reader.
October 1, 2011What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending October 1, 2011
Despite the media chatter to the contrary, the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination has changed little in surveys over the past week, but a wild card may be lurking in New Jersey.  
One’s in the race and at week’s end one was reportedly contemplating a run, but for now former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are both essentially even with President Obama in hypothetical Election 2012 matchups.
September 30, 2011Only 35% Believe America’s Best Days Are Still to Come
Voters continue to be pessimistic about America’s future. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 35% of Likely U.S. Voters think America’s best days are in the future, while a plurality (47%) says the country's best days are in the past.  Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure.
September 30, 2011Obama 44%, Christie 43%
Few expect him to run, but New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is essentially even with President Barack Obama in an early look at a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that Obama earns 44% support in the matchup, while Christie attracts 43%. Six percent (6%) prefer a third option, and eight percent (8%) are undecided.
September 30, 2011Democrats’ House Hopes Hinge on Obama By Kyle Kondik
Just a day before Election Day, the painful reality hit home for Jimmy Carter: He was toast.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            September 30, 201150% Less Likely to Buy GM Because of Bailout
Federal bailout funding may have prevented General Motors from going through a normal bankruptcy process, but it has come at a significant price in terms of reputation and potential buyers.
September 30, 2011Virginia Senate: Kaine 46%, Allen 45%
One of the most closely watched 2012 U.S. Senate races – the showdown in Virginia – is virtually dead even.
September 29, 201146% Plan To Get Flu Shot This Year, 48% Don't
Flu season is upon us again, but less than half of Americans nationwide plan to get a flu shot this year. Over a quarter of adults say they are less likely to get one because of the mildness of last year’s season.
September 29, 2011Pelosi, Reid Still Least Favorable Congressional Leaders
Voters continue to dislike the top leaders in Congress which is one reason support for term limits remains high.  Voters still express more dissatisfaction with the Democratic leaders than their GOP counterparts.
September 29, 201152% Regard Vladimir Putin Unfavorably
While few Americans see Russia as an enemy of the United States, they still don’t have high opinions of the man who will likely reclaim his role as its president.
September 29, 2011Mitch Daniels Dares GOP Candidates to Be Grown-ups By Michael Barone
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels did not attract as large a crowd when he spoke at American Enterprise Institute (where I am a resident fellow) earlier this week as he did when several months ago, before he disappointed admirers by announcing that he wouldn't run for president.
September 29, 2011Saving Civic Culture From Online Mayhem By Froma Harrop
More speech is not necessarily a positive development. News sites' online forums have unleashed speech in quantity, for sure. But they've given a stage to swarms of moronic insults and outright lies, most cloaked in anonymity or false identities. Such comments waste our time -- but of larger concern, they degrade the civic culture and undermine thoughtful attempts to craft public policy.
September 29, 2011Ford Enjoys Best Public Perception Among Big Three Auto Companies
Ever since General Motors and Chrysler accepted government bailouts, Ford has been the nation’s most popular auto manufacturer.