Partisan Trends: 34.7% of Americans are Democrats, 34.4% Republicans
For the first time since March, more American adults consider themselves Democrats rather than Republicans.
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July 2, 2011
July 2, 2011
What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending July 2, 2011
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 235th birthday, Americans still overwhelmingly agree with the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Ninety percent (90%) agree that “we are all endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Americans also strongly support the beliefs that we are all created equal and the government’s derive their only just authority from the consent of the governed. Men tend to be stronger supporters of these views than women, but majorities of just about all demographic groups agree.
July 1, 2011
57% View Hillary Clinton Favorably
Globe-trotting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in Hungary this week urging greater democratic freedoms, remains the most well-known and well-liked member of President Obama’s Cabinet among voters back at home.
July 1, 2011
Americans Under 40 Skeptical About Receiving Promised Social Security Benefits
Just 26% of voters under 40 believe it’s even Somewhat Likely they will receive all of their promised Social Security benefits. That includes only 5% who say it’s Very Likely those benefits will be paid.
July 1, 2011
51% Say Gov't Should Force Oil Companies To Use Profits To Develop Alternative Energy
Voters strongly believe the United States is not doing enough to explore alternative sources of energy, and most still think oil companies should devote big money to searching for those types of energy.
July 1, 2011
Big Steps and Baby Steps By Susan Estrich
Just days after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation legalizing same-sex marriage, Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee and the coalition supporting similar legislation in that state effectively conceded defeat.
July 1, 2011
Americans Still Agree With Ideals Set Forth in the Declaration of Independence
The upcoming Fourth of July holiday marks the 235th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence's adoption by the Continental Congress, and most Americans still agree with the central tenets of the document that declared the nation's independence from Great Britain. Whether the United States meets those lofty goals is subject to debate.
July 1, 2011
Four Trillion for War -- and Rising By Joe Conason
Anyone paying attention to the costs of U.S. military action in Iraq and Afghanistan must have known that the president badly underestimated those numbers on June 22, when he told the nation that we have spent "a trillion dollars" waging war over the past decade.
June 30, 2011
Most Americans Give Constitution High Marks, Say Don't Change It
Most Americans still believe the U.S. Constitution has a positive impact on American life and think it should be left as is. But a sizable number also feels the document does not put enough restrictions on government.
June 30, 2011
65% Believe Americans Should Have Right to Pick Own Social Security Retirement Age
While politicians argue whether to increase Social Security taxes or raise the retirement age for eligibility, voters think such decisions should be made closer to home.
June 30, 2011
Voters Give Mixed Marks to Biden, Boehner; Still Don't Like Pelosi
Vice President Joseph Biden and House Speaker John Boehner have received an increase in media attention for being at the center of the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations, but voters have not changed their opinions of the two men. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains the most disliked leader on Capitol Hill.
June 30, 2011
10% Would Base Their Vote On A Candidate’s Religion
Voters say overwhelmingly that they would not vote for or against a political candidate solely because of the religion he or she practices.
June 30, 2011
Exactly Why Are the Kids Coming Home? By Froma Harrop
The age of "residential adolescence" is upon us, apparently. Nearly 45 percent of adults ages 20 to 24 now live at home with their parents. That's 1.7 million more than in 2005.
June 30, 2011
Democrats Need a 12-Step Recovery Program on Taxes By Lawrence Kudlow
It seems this is the Democratic answer for every single issue, every problem, every debate.
June 30, 2011
46% Think America’s Best Days Are in The Past
U.S. voters continue to be largely pessimistic about the country's future.
June 30, 2011
Why the Civil Service Is No Way to Run a Business By Michael Barone
What's the fair way to run a large organization? That's a question that is squarely, and interestingly, raised by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's dissenting opinion in Wal-Mart v. Dukes, a Supreme Court case decided last week.
June 29, 2011
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, June 26.
That's down two points from last week and the lowest finding in over two months. In April, prior to the killing of Osama bin Laden, the number who felt the country was heading in the right direction fell into the low 20s, the lowest findings of the Obama presidency, but the figure climbed back up to 29% in early to mid-May. The number who believe the country is on the right course has ranged from a low of 21% to a high of 35% since January 2009.
June 29, 2011
Most Americans Fear A Government That Is Too Powerful
As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, more Americans than ever see danger in a government that is too powerful.
June 29, 2011
63% Say Medicare Costs Can Be Reduced Without Hurting Quality of Care
Most voters think it’s possible to cut Medicare costs without damaging the existing quality of care but believe it can’t be done unless the overall cost of health care in America comes down.
June 29, 2011
75% Say U.S. Not Doing Enough To Develop Its Gas And Oil Resources
Most voters continue to feel America needs to do more to develop domestic gas and oil resources. They also still give the edge to finding new sources of oil over reducing gas and oil consumption.
