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What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending January 5

The week began with a “fiscal cliff” deal that surprised no one and earned mixed reviews. It ended with another mixed unemployment report that is unlikely to change the general concerns about the nation’s economy.

Voters are evenly divided in their views of the last-minute deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff” reached by President Obama and Congress. Most Democrats like it; most Republican don’t. Very few expect government spending to go down as a result.

On Jobs and Guns, Neither Party Has an Advantage

Voters are almost evenly divided as to which political party they trust more on gun control and job creation. They trust Democrats more on the environment and Republicans more in the areas of government spending and issues affecting small business.  

These are the findings from Rasmussen Reports’ latest national trust-on-issues survey. We tested five new issues that in future surveys will be added to the 10 we have regularly asked about for several years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 2, 2013 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.

Obama Earns Best Full-Month Ratings Since Mid-2009

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.

For the month of December, the president's Total Job Approval Rating improved two points from November to 56%, the highest level measured since May 2009.  Prior to the election, that finding has remained in the narrow range of 44% to 49% for two years straight.

33% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-three percent (33%) 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, December 30.

That's down from 35% last week and the lowest finding since the beginning of September. After Election Day, confidence in the nation’s course initially tracked in the low 40s, the highest level of optimism during the Obama years. Still, the latest finding is slightly higher than was found earlier in 2012 and is up 11 points from a 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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen December 26-30, 2012. 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.

Rasmussen Employment Index Caps Year At Five-Year High

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence jumped 12 points in December to its highest level since November 2007.

At 91.2, the Employment Index is up 11 points from the start of 2012 and 12 points from its level a year ago.

The survey of 9,276 working Americans was conducted in December 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 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 46%, Republicans 35%

Democrats now hold an 11-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 30, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 35% would choose the Republican instead.

(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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from December 26-30, 2012. 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.

5% Think Congress Is Doing A Good or Excellent Job

With the nation teetering on the brink of the “fiscal cliff,” Congress’ job approval ratings have fallen back to the lowest level of the year. 

Just five percent (5%) of Likely U.S. Voters now rate Congress’ performance as good or excellent. Sixty-nine percent (69%) view its performance as poor, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (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, 2012 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 December 29, 2012

Like it or not, Americans seem resigned to tumbling over the “fiscal cliff.” Perhaps in part it’s because they recognize, as economist Lawrence Kudlow noted on a recent edition of What America Thinks, that it’s more of a fiscal slope. 

Most voters still want to avoid the automatic tax hikes and modest spending cuts, but only 14% think Congress and the president are Very Likely to reach an agreement to avoid it. Voters by a 44% to 36% margin tend to blame congressional Republicans more than the president for the impasse, but 15% think both sides are to blame.

Despite all the hoopla surrounding the “fiscal cliff” negotiations, most voters nationwide expect a recession next year regardless of whether a deal is reached. Seventy percent (70%) predict recession if there’s no deal, but 54% think one is coming even if President Obama and Congress come to an agreement.

47% Think Health Care System Will Worsen Over Next Two Years

Most voters continue to give positive marks to the health care they currently receive, but nearly half expect the health care system in this country to get worse over the next couple of years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 78% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the overall quality of the health care they receive as good or excellent. Only seven percent (7%) consider the care they get 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 26, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

43% Think U.S. Safer Today Than Before 9/11

With Americans focused on the U.S. economy, there has been little change in perceptions of the War on Terror. However, belief that the country is safer today than before 9/11 has fallen to levels found before the killing of Osama bin Laden.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror. That’s little changed from a month ago. Over the past year-and-a-half, confidence that the U.S. is winning has stayed between 44% and 51%.

Prior to the killing of Osama bin Laden, confidence in the War on Terror had been lower, falling to 32% in April 2011.

Currently, 18% think the terrorists are winning, while another 28% say neither side is ahead. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 22, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

35% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-five percent (35%) 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, December 22.

That's down from 37% last week and the lowest finding since early September. After Election Day, confidence in the nation’s course initially tracked in the low 40s, the highest level of optimism during the Obama years. The latest finding is more in line with attitudes in September and October but is still slightly higher than was found earlier in 2012. This week’s finding is up 11 points from the beginning of the year and up 15 points from a 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 December 17-22, 2012. 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 44% Republicans 38%

Democrats now hold a six-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 23, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.

(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 December 17-22, 2012. 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending December 22, 2012

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and the question remains: Will taxes go up, or will they stay just the same?

Voter confidence is fading that Congress and the president will reach a deal to avoid the December 31 “fiscal cliff” of big tax hikes and automatic across-the-board spending cuts. But voters still see President Obama as more willing than congressional Republicans to accept a compromise, and that’s a big problem for the GOP.

As the fiscal cliff deadline approaches, Obama continues to enjoy some of the highest job approval ratings of his presidency. On the other hand, House Speaker John Boehner has now passed his Democratic predecessor Nancy Pelosi to become the least-liked major congressional leader, a title Pelosi has held for several years. 

Obama has turned the fiscal cliff issue into a debate about fairness. Overall, voters are evenly divided as to whether or not the economy is fair. Half believe it’s fair to lower-income Americans, only 41% think it is fair to the middle class.

Boehner Is Now Less Popular Than Pelosi

House Speaker John Boehner has now unseated his Democratic predecessor Nancy Pelosi as the least-liked major congressional leader, a title Pelosi has held for several years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters now view Boehner unfavorably, while 50% feel that way about Pelosi. Just 31% have a favorable opinion of the Ohio congressman, compared to 37% who look favorably on the San Francisco Democrat.

37% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-seven percent (37%) 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, December 16.

That's down from 38% last week and 41% the previous three weeks. After Election Day, confidence in the nation’s course initially tracked in the low 40s, the highest level of optimism during the Obama years. The latest finding is more in line with attitudes in September and October but is still slightly higher than was found earlier in 2012. This week’s finding is up 13 points from the beginning of the year and up 15 points from a 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 December 10-16, 2012. 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.

33% Say Supreme Court Doing Good or Excellent Job

One-out-of-three Likely U.S. Voters (33%) continue to give the U.S. Supreme Court positive ratings.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 20% rate the high court’s job performance as poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This is the last week to take part in the 2012 Rasmussen Challenge! Submit your answer by 11:59pm ET today.

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 16-17, 2012 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 46%, Republicans 38%

Democrats now hold an eight-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 16, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.

(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 December 10-16, 2012. 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending December 14, 2012

Since Election Day, the number of voters who like the idea of bigger government is up, but most still have the opposite view.

One-in-three Likely U.S. Voters (34%) now prefer a larger government with more services and higher taxes to one with fewer services and lower taxes. That's the highest level of support for bigger government we have ever measured. Most voters (56%), however, still favor smaller government.

Only 37% of voters now say they are conservative when it comes to fiscal issues such as taxes and government spending. That’s the first time that number has ever dipped below 40%. Thirty-nine percent (39%) consider themselves fiscally moderate. One-in-five (20%) now say they are fiscally liberal. More voters than ever describe themselves as socially liberal, too.

34% Prefer a Government With More Services, Higher Taxes

One-in-three Likely U.S. Voters (34%) now prefer a larger government with more services and higher taxes to one with fewer services and lower taxes. That's up 10 points from a month ago and the highest level of support for bigger government in over six years of regular surveying.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of voters still favor smaller government, but that's down from 64% in November. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge! You have until 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday to get your response in. 

(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 6-7, 2012 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.

38% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Confidence in the nation’s direction has fallen back to pre-Election Day levels.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) 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, December 9.

That's down from 41% the previous three weeks. Since Election Day, confidence in the nation’s course has been tracking in the low 40s, the highest level of optimism during the Obama years. The latest finding is more in line with attitudes in September and October but is still slightly higher than was found earlier in 2012. This week’s finding is up 14 points from the beginning of the year and up 19 points from a 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 December 3-9, 2012. 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.