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30% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty percent (30%) 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, May 20.

This finding is up two points from the previous week.

(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 May 14-20, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports 30surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Pennsylvania: Obama 47%, Romney 41%

President Obama now holds a six-point lead over Mitt Romney in Pennsylvania, a state considered essential to his reelection bid.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Keystone State shows the president with 47% support, while the putative Republican presidential nominee picks up 41% of the vote. Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate, 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 Pennsylvania survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted May 21, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 39%

Republicans hold a four-point lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, May 20. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 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 39% would choose the Democrat instead. This gap is down from last week when Republicans led by seven but is consistent with the level of support the GOP has been earning since early March.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from May 14-20, 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.

64% Prefer a Government With Fewer Services and Lower Taxes

Most voters continue to prefer a more hands-off government in return for lower taxes.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters prefer a government with fewer services and lower taxes over one with more services and higher taxes. That's unchanged from last month and consistent with findings in regular surveys since late 2006. Just 25% prefer a government with more services. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure which size government they prefer. (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 May 16-17, 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending May 19, 2012

Unlike four years ago, Barack Obama now has a record to run on – and run against. The economy, the health care law, bailouts, stimulus spending, the changes from the so-called Arab Spring and much more will be hot topics of discussion in the months ahead.

Right now, Republican challenger Mitt Romney and the president are closely matched in the daily Presidential Tracking Poll, but improving economic perceptions would cheer the Obama camp. “Forget same-sex marriage and the host of other buzz issues,” Scott Rasmussen argues in his latest syndicated column.  “If the economy improves, Obama will be reelected. If it gets worse, he will lose.”

Democrats regard North Carolina as so important to the president’s reelection that they are holding their national convention there this summer. However, Romney has moved out to an eight-point lead over Obama in the Tar Heel State.  More predictably, Romney still posts a double-digit lead over the president in GOP-friendly Nebraska.

North Carolina Governor: McCrory (R) 50%, Dalton (D) 41%

In the first Rasmussen Reports survey since their primary wins last week, Republican Pat McCrory reaches the 50% level of support against Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton in North Carolina’s 2012 gubernatorial contest.

The former Charlotte mayor now leads Dalton 50% to 41% in a telephone survey of Likely Voters in North Carolina. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) 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 May 14, 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.

28% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-eight percent (28%) 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, May 12.

This week’s finding is down three points from the previous two weeks.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports May 7-12, 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.

35% Give Supreme Court Positive Marks

Positive ratings for the U.S. Supreme Court are down slightly from last month when they jumped following the highly publicized hearings on the constitutionality of the national health care reform law. However, voters still view the court more positively than they did for most of 2011.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 35% rate Supreme Court’s performance as good or excellent. Sixteen percent (16%) say the high court is doing a poor job. (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 national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 14-15, 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.

35% Give Supreme Court Positive Marks

Positive ratings for the U.S. Supreme Court are down slightly from last month when they jumped following the highly publicized hearings on the constitutionality of the national health care reform law. However, voters still view the court more positively than they did for most of 2011.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 35% rate Supreme Court’s performance as good or excellent. Sixteen percent (16%) say the high court is doing a poor job. (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 national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 14-15, 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.

North Carolina: Romney 51%, Obama 43%

Mitt Romney has moved out to an eight-point lead over President Obama in North Carolina after the two men were virtually tied a month ago.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Tar Heel State shows the putative Republican nominee earning 51% of the vote to Obama’s 43%. Two percent (2%) like some other candidate, 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 North Carolina was conducted on May 14, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 45%, Democrats 38%

Republicans hold a seven-point lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, May 12. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% 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 gap is much larger than it has been for the past three weeks when Republicans led by three but is consistent with the level of support the GOP has been earning since early March.

(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 May 7-12, 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.

56% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law

The majority of voters continue to support repeal of President Obama’s national health care law, and belief that repeal would be good for the economy has edged up to its highest level since late 2010.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, while 37% are at least somewhat opposed. This includes 46% who Strongly Favor repeal of the measure versus 26% who Strongly Oppose it. (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 May 12, 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.

23% View Harry Reid Favorably, 57% Don't

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner are the leaders of their respective legislative chambers, but neither rates very high in the estimation of voters.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of Likely U.S. Voters share a somewhat favorable opinion of Reid, while 57% view him unfavorably. This includes six percent (6%) with a Very Favorable regard for the Nevada Democrat and 37% who see him Very Unfavorably. Twenty-one percent (21%) have no opinion. Reid’s overall unfavorables tie findings in January which marked his highest negatives since the beginning of 2009.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 8-9, 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending May 11, 2012

President Obama ended the week with media praise loud in his ears over his endorsement of gay marriage, while his Republican challenger Mitt Romney crossed the 50% threshold against the president for the first time in Rasmussen Reports’ daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

It’s a long way to Election Day, but Romney’s lead was a reminder that this contest is still all about the economy. Just 37% of Likely Voters nationwide give the president good or excellent marks for his handling of economic issues, down from a two-year high of 42% in March. Forty-eight percent (48%) say he’s doing a poor job in this area.

Wisconsin: Obama 49%, Romney 45%

President Obama still leads Mitt Romney in a head-to-head matchup in Wisconsin but by a much narrower margin.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Badger State finds Obama with 49% of the vote to Romney’s 45%.  Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) 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 Wisconsin survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted May 9, 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.

Wisconsin Senate: Thompson (R) 50%, Baldwin (D) 38%

Former Governor Tommy Thompson remains the leader in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race, while two other Republican contenders continue to struggle against Democratic hopeful Tammy Baldwin.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Wisconsin shows Thompson with 50% support to Baldwin’s 38%. Five percent (5%) like some other candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on May 9, 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.

31% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

For the second week in a row, 31% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, May 6.

That's unchanged since last week, which was the highest finding since mid-March.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports April 30-May 6, 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.

58% Say D.C. Politics Will Grow More Partisan Over Next Year

Most voters nationwide continue to believe that politics in the nation’s capital will grow more partisan during the next year, but the number that feels that way ties the lowest measured in over a year. Voters also view congressional Republicans as acting more bipartisan than they have in years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 58% believe politics in Washington will become more partisan over the next year. Seventeen percent (17%) believe D.C. politics will become more cooperative, and 25% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 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.

58% Say D.C. Politics Will Grow More Partisan Over Next Year

Most voters nationwide continue to believe that politics in the nation’s capital will grow more partisan during the next year, but the number that feels that way ties the lowest measured in over a year. Voters also view congressional Republicans as acting more bipartisan than they have in years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 58% believe politics in Washington will become more partisan over the next year. Seventeen percent (17%) believe D.C. politics will become more cooperative, and 25% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 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.

Massachusetts: Obama 56%, Romney 35%

Mitt Romney has called Massachusetts home, but he now trails President Obama by the widest margin yet in an Election 2012 matchup there.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Massachusetts Voters shows Obama leading Romney by 21 points – 56% to 35%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) remain 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 Massachusetts survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted May 7, 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.