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                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/obama_approval_index_month_by_month_archive/the_president_s_monthly_approval_numbers_hold_steady_in_july/244466-64-eng-US/the_president_s_monthly_approval_numbers_hold_steady_in_july.jpg" />
                
            
                            August 6, 2012The President's Monthly Approval Numbers Hold Steady In July
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 July, the president's Total Job Approval Rating held steady at 47%.  Since the beginning of 2012, that finding has remained in the narrow range of 47% to 49%.  This time last year, the president had an approval rating of 46%.  In January 2009, however, 62% of voters approved of Obama's job performance.
 
 In July, 52% disapproved of the president's performance, also showing no change from the previous month. The number who disapproves of Obama's performance has stayed in the low to mid-50s since August 2009. When the president assumed office, only 34% disapproved.
August 6, 2012Opposition to Repeal of Health Care Law Hits New High: 44%
Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of President Obama’s national health care law, while 44% are opposed, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s the highest level of opposition to repeal since the law was passed by Congress in March 2010.
The latest findings include 40% who Strongly Favor repeal and 35% who Strongly Oppose it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 4-5, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            August 5, 2012Romney Up Big in Indiana
Four years ago, President Obama became the first Democrat since 1964 to win Indiana. He looks unlikely to repeat that feat.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds challenger Mitt Romney picking up 51% of the vote while the president earns just 35%.  Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and 11% are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The Indiana survey of 400 Likely Voters was conducted July 31-August 1, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/weekly_update_archive/august_2012/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls_for_the_week_ending_august_4_2012/738916-2-eng-US/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls_for_the_week_ending_august_4_2012.png" />
                
            
                            August 4, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending August 4, 2012
The frustration in America these days runs deep. Just 14% think today’s children will be better off than their parents. That’s the most pessimistic assessment ever and the number is even lower among those with children at home. Worker’s confidence in the jobs market has fallen to the lowest level of 2012. Long-term optimism about the economy is at the lowest level ever recorded. Just 40% believe the U.S. economy will be stronger in FIVE years. That’s down from 62% in January 2009.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            August 3, 2012Indiana Senate: Mourdock (R) 42%, Donnelly (D) 40%
The U.S. Senate race in Indiana remains a dead heat between Democratic Congressman Joe Donnelly and Tea Party-backed State Treasurer Richard Mourdock. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Hoosier State finds Mourdock earning 42% of the vote, while Donnelly draws support from 40%.  Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate in the race, but another 15% are still undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            August 2, 2012North Carolina: Romney 49%, Obama 44%
Mitt Romney has a five-point edge over President Obama in the battleground state of North Carolina. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Tar Heel State finds Romney with 49% support, while the president earns 44% of the vote.  Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and another 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 North Carolina was conducted on August 1, 2012 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.
August 1, 201229% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Twenty-nine percent (29%) 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, July 29.
That's down a point from 30% the week before.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports July 23-29, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            August 1, 2012GOP Edge in Partisan ID Slips to 2012 Low
The number of Americans who consider themselves Republicans fell for the second straight month while the number of Democrats held steady.
During July, 34.9% of Americans considered themselves Republicans. That’s down from 35.4% in June and from 35.7% in May.
The number of Democrats held steady at 34.0%. That marks a partial recovery for the president’s party. In February, just 32.4% described themselves as Democrats, the lowest level ever measured by Rasmussen Reports. Still, while the 34.0% figure is the best for Democrats in 2012, it’s down from earlier years.
Rasmussen Reports tracks this information based on telephone interviews with approximately 15,000 adults per month since November 2002. The margin of error for the full sample is less than one percentage point, with a 95% level of confidence.
August 1, 2012Missouri: McCaskill Still Trails, But Closes Gap
Missouri Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill still trails her Republican challengers, but by smaller margins compared to a month ago.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Missouri Voters shows State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and retired businessman John Brunner each leading the incumbent 49% to 43%. If the race is between McCaskill and GOP Congressman Todd Akin, it’s Akin 47%, McCaskill 44%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Missouri was conducted on July 30, 2012 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            August 1, 201234% Say Supreme Court Doing Good or Excellent Job
Ratings for the U.S. Supreme Court’s performance are a bit less negative than they were immediately following the health care ruling.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 34% say the Supreme Court is doing a good or excellent job. Twenty-two percent (22%) give the Supreme Court a poor rating. (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 U.S. Voters was conducted on July 29-30, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            July 31, 2012Employment Index Slips to 2012 Low
The Rasmussen Employment Index slipped two points in July to 80.5, marking the lowest level of confidence since December 2011.
Still, worker confidence is up 10 points from a year ago and 12 points from two years ago.
Now, however, just 20% of working Americans report that their firms are hiring while 22% report layoffs. This marks the first time in nine months that the number laying off workers has topped the number hiring. 
Generally speaking, a decrease in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be weaker than the prior month's. However, perceptions of the labor market have been somewhat erratic lately.
July 31, 2012Missouri:  Romney 50%, Obama 44%
Mitt Romney has once again reached the 50% mark of support in Missouri.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Romney earning 50% of the vote, while Obama receives 44% support.  Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and another three percent (3%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Missouri was conducted on July 30, 2012 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.
July 30, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 40%
Republicans lead Democrats by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the fourth week in a row, this time for the week ending Sunday, July 29.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Democrat instead.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from July 23-29, 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.
July 30, 201255% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law
Most voters continue to support repeal of the health care law, and the number who fears they will have to change their health care coverage has jumped to its highest level since October of last year. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, including 41% who Strongly Favor repeal.  Thirty-nine percent (39%) oppose repeal, with 30% who are Strongly Opposed.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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.
July 28, 2012Democrats’ Baldwin Now Leads GOP Pack in Wisconsin Senate Race
With Republicans engaged in a bitter primary fight, Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has a lead over all her potential GOP rivals in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters shows Baldwin receiving 45% to 48% of the vote regardless of which Republican she is matched against. She leads by margins ranging from three to ten points.
The most competitive Republican at the moment is Eric Hovde, a wealthy political newcomer who has been advertising heavily in his primary battle. He trails Baldwin by just three points (45% to 42%). Former GOP Congressman Mark Neumann trails by six (48% to 42%), former Governor Tommy Thompson is seven points behind Baldwin (48% to 41%). The weakest showing comes from Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald who is behind by double digits (47% to 37%). (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 July 25, 2012 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/weekly_update_archive/july_2012/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls_for_the_week_ending_july_28_2012/735595-2-eng-US/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls_for_the_week_ending_july_28_2012.png" />
                
            
                            July 28, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending July 28, 2012
During this past week, Mitt Romney opened his biggest lead in over a month over President Obama. During the same week, consumer confidence fell to the lowest level of 2012.  It’s no coincidence that they happened during the same week.
Long-term optimism about the U.S. Economy Fell to a new low this month. Just 40% believe the economy will be stronger in FIVE years. That’s down from 46% a year ago, 50% two years ago and 58% three years ago.  Most Americans (56%) believe the Housing market will take more than three years to fully recover.
As Scott Rasmussen noted in his weekly newspaper column, “Declining Views of the Economy Put Obama's Reelection at Risk.”  He added that, for Obama to win, “he will need to improve his own job approval rating between now and Election Day. For that to happen, perceptions of the economy will have to reverse their current downward trend.”
July 27, 2012Wisconsin: Obama 49%, Romney 46%
It’s still a three-point presidential race in Wisconsin, but now President Obama has a modest edge over Mitt Romney in the Badger State.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Wisconsin Likely Voters shows the president drawing 49% of the vote to Romney’s 46%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on July 25, 2012 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            July 27, 2012Nevada Senate: Heller (R) 51%, Berkley (D) 42%
Nevada’s U.S. Senate race is little changed this month, with Republican incumbent Dean Heller holding a nine-point lead over his Democratic challenger, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Nevada Voters shows Heller with 51% support to Berkley’s 42%. Two percent (2%) favor some other candidate in the race, and 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.
This Nevada survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on July 24, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            July 27, 2012Nevada Senate: Heller (R) 51%, Berkley (D) 42%
Nevada’s U.S. Senate race is little changed this month, with Republican incumbent Dean Heller holding a nine-point lead over his Democratic challenger, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Nevada Voters shows Heller with 51% support to Berkley’s 42%. Two percent (2%) favor some other candidate in the race, and 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.
This Nevada survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on July 24, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
July 26, 201249% Trust Romney More On Economy; 43% Trust Obama More
Voters continue to trust likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney more than President Obama when it comes to the economy and taxes but are more narrowly divided on three other key issues.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 50% trust Romney more to handle the economy, while 42% trust the president more. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 11-12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.