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29% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending March 16.

That’s unchanged from the previous week and down from a recent high of 32% three weeks ago. For most of the last three months, this finding has hovered in the 29% to 30% range.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on March 10-16, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

(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 on March 3-9, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

52% Think U.S. Economy Unfair to Those Willing to Work Hard

Most voters continue to think the economy is unfair to those who are willing to work hard.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters say the U.S. economy is at least somewhat fair to people who are willing to work hard, up six points from October. Fifty-two percent (52%), though, do not think the economy is fair to those willing to work hard, although that's down from October’s high of 58%. This includes 14% who think the economy is Very Fair to hard workers and 17% who don’t think it’s Not At All Fair to them. (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 March 16-17, 2014 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.

New Hampshire Senate: Shaheen (D) 50%, Brown (R) 41%

Former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown announced Friday that he is laying the groundwork for a possible challenge against incumbent Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire, but Shaheen is comfortably ahead of Brown for now in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the possible U.S. Senate race in the Granite State.

A new statewide survey of Likely New Hampshire Voters finds Shaheen with 50% support to Brown’s 41%. Four percent (4%) like some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in New Hampshire was conducted on March 12-13, 2014 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.

53% Expect Health System To Get Worse Under Obamacare

Voters give the overall U.S. health care system mixed reviews five months into Obamacare, although most still have high praise for the care they personally receive. A majority continues to expect the health care system to get worse under the new law.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 32% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the nation’s health care system as good or excellent, while just as many (32%) describe it 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 March 14-15, 2014 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week Ending March 15

The recent lawsuit filed by a New Jersey teenager against her parents demanding living expenses and college tuition was a “say what?” moment for many Americans. It also prompted a fresh look at the relationship most hold above all others, the one between a parent and a child.

29% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending March 9.

That’s up one point from 28% the previous week, the lowest level of optimism since mid-December, but down from a recent high of 32% two weeks ago. For most of the last three months, this finding has hovered in the 29% to 30% range.

(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 on March 3-9, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Wisconsin Governor: Walker (R) 45%, Burke (D) 45%

High-profile Republican incumbent Scott Walker is tied with Democratic challenger Mary Burke in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 governor’s race in Wisconsin.

The latest statewide poll of Likely Wisconsin Voters finds Walker and Burke each earning 45% support. Five percent (5%) like some other candidate in the race, and another five percent (5%) 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 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on March 10-11, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

61% See Shale Oil Development As Likely to End U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil

Voters overwhelmingly believe it is important for the United States to become less dependent on oil imports and continue to see both shale oil development and government-funded programs to promote alternate energy sources as ways to get there.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s at least somewhat important for the United States to become less dependent on oil imports, with 60% who say it’s Very Important. Just nine percent (9%) say it's not very or Not Al All Important for this country to become more energy independent. (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 U.S. Voters was conducted on March 6-7, 2014 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.

Colorado Governor: Hickenlooper (D) Leads Top GOP Challengers

Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper leads three of his top Republican challengers by several points in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 gubernatorial race in Colorado.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Colorado Voters shows Hickenlooper picking up 44% of the vote when matched against Secretary of State Scott Gessler who draws 38% support. Eight percent (8%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while 11% 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 500 Likely Voters in Colorado was conducted on March 5-6, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 39%, Republicans 39%

For the first time in 2014, Republicans and Democrats are running even on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday, March 9, finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat instead. This is the first time the two parties have been tied since the end of 2013. It is second week in a row that both parties have earned less than 40% support, suggesting there is still a high level of voter unhappiness with the two of them.

(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 from March 3-March 9, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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. 

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 38%, Republicans 39%

Republicans have taken a one-point lead on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday, March 16, finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Democrat instead. This is the first time since February 4 that the Republicans have held the lead. It is also the third week in a row that both parties have earned less than 40% support, suggesting there is still a high level of voter unhappiness with the two of them.

(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 from March 10-March 16, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

Colorado Senate: Udall (D) 42%, Gardner (R) 41%

The first Rasmussen Reports look at Colorado’s likely 2014 U.S. Senate race finds that it's a dead heat.

A statewide telephone survey of Likely Colorado Voters shows incumbent Democrat Mark Udall with 42% of the vote, while his leading Republican challenger Cory Gardner earns 41%. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and 13% 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 500 Likely Voters in Colorado was conducted on March 5-6, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

58% Expect Health Care Costs to Go Up Under Obamacare

Obamacare remains unpopular with voters who still expect it to drive up costs and hurt the quality of health care.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 40% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the new national health care law, while 56% view it unfavorably. This includes 15% with a Very Favorable opinion and nearly three times as many (43%) with a Very Unfavorable one. (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 March 8-9, 2014 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week of March 8

Jobs, jobs, jobs. Americans rank job creation second in importance only to the economy, but last month’s slight improvement in the jobs picture can’t mask some major underlying concerns.

New High: 56% View Boehner Unfavorably

John Boehner now earns the worst voter reviews in the three years he’s been speaker of the House.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Boehner, while 56% view him unfavorably. This includes five percent (5%) with a Very Favorable view of the Ohio Republican and 28% with a Very Unfavorable one. (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 March 4-5, 2014 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.

New High: 56% View Boehner Unfavorably

John Boehner now earns the worst voter reviews in the three years he’s been speaker of the House.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Boehner, while 56% view him unfavorably. This includes five percent (5%) with a Very Favorable view of the Ohio Republican and 28% with a Very Unfavorable one. (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 March 4-5, 2014 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.

28% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-eight percent (28%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending March 2.

That’s down four points from 32% the previous week and is the lowest level of optimism since mid-December. Prior to last week’s recent high, this finding had seesawed between 29% and 30% every week since mid-December. The latest number is identical to the level measured one year ago.

(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 on February 24-March 2, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Texas Governor: Abbott (R) 53%, Davis (D) 41%

Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott leads Democratic State Senator Wendy Davis by 12 points in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 Texas gubernatorial race.

The latest statewide survey of Likely Texas Voters shows Abbott with 53% support to 41% for Davis. At this early point in the campaign, there are surprisingly few voters who haven’t already made up their minds: One percent (1%) likes some other candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) 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 500 Likely Voters in Texas was conducted on March 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 39%, Republicans 36%

Democrats hold a three-point lead over Republicans on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday, March 2, finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today. Thirty-six percent (36%) would choose the Republican instead. This is the first time both parties have earned less than 40% support since mid-September, suggesting there is a high level of voter unhappiness with the two of them. 

(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 from February 24-March 2, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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. 

Obama's Job Approval Is Up by One in February

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.  

The president’s monthly job approval rating rose a point to 49% in February. That’s up from 45% in November, the president’s lowest monthly approval in two years, but still down seven points from December 2012’s recent high of 56%. The president's daily job approval ratings took a hard hit in November from the problems surrounding the rollout of the new national health care law. Through much of November and early December, Obama’s daily job approval ratings were at the lowest levels of his entire presidency. In recent weeks, however, his approval ratings have been running at levels seen for much of the last five years.

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Daily tracking results are collected via telephone surveys of 500 likely voters per night. The monthly numbers in this article are based on approximately 15,000 interviews each month with likely voters. The margin of sampling error is less than +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.