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What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending October 25, 2014

Forget the upcoming elections. Does it really matter who wins?

Voters Say Job Creation More Important Than Fighting Global Warming

Voters continue to think global warming is a serious issue, but when given the choice, they believe job creation is more important than fighting global warming.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters consider global warming at least a somewhat serious problem, down slightly from April. This finding includes 33% who believe it is a Very Serious problem. Thirty-seven percent (37%) don’t think global warming is a serious problem, up four points from the previous survey and the highest finding since April 2012. This finding includes 19% who believe it is Not At All Serious. Five percent (5%) are not sure. (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 October 21-22, 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.

26% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-six percent (26%) 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 October 19.
 
The number who say the country is heading in the right direction is down one point from the previous week. This finding has now been in the 23% to 27% range nearly every week since early June and has been below 30% most weeks for the past year. 

(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 October 13-19, 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.

Voters Say Economy Unfair to Middle Class

Over half of  U.S. voters still believe the economy is fair to blacks, Hispanics, and women but nearly two-out-of-three think the economy is unfair to the middle class. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the economy is unfair to the middle class, but that’s down from June’s all-time high of 67% and includes 27% who think the economy’s not fair at all to the middle class. One-in-three voters (32%) think the economy is at least somewhat fair to middle-class Americans, including just four percent (4%) who think it’s Very Fair. (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 October 19-20, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 41%

Democrats and Republicans remain tied on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.
 
 A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending October 20 finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district's congressional race if the election were held today, while the same number (41%) would choose the Republican.

 (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 October 13-19, 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.

Fewer Voters Expect GOP-Controlled Congress to Repeal Obamacare

U.S. voters are now evenly divided over whether to repeal the new national health care law entirely or fix it piece-by-piece, but voters are growing less certain that a Republican-controlled Congress would actually repeal the law.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters want Congress to repeal Obamacare in its entirety and start over again. But just as many (40%) think Congress should go through the law piece by piece and improve it. Fifteen percent (15%) want to leave the law as is. (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 October 17-18, 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.

Connecticut Governor: Foley (R) 50%, Malloy (D) 43%

Republican challenger Tom Foley still leads Democratic incumbent Dan Malloy in their Connecticut gubernatorial rematch as voters continue to grumble about the job Malloy has done over the past four years.

Foley now picks up 50% of the vote to Malloy’s 43% in a new statewide telephone survey of Likely Connecticut Voters. Two percent (2%) prefer 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 980 Likely Voters in Connecticut was conducted on October 14-16, 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 October 18

Just over two weeks to go, and Republicans appear on course to make some of the key pickups they need to take charge of the Senate. But a lot can still happen, and Ebola’s a powerful distraction.

Arkansas Governor: Hutchinson (R) 49%, Ross (D) 47%

The Arkansas gubernatorial election is back to a two-point race.

Republican Asa Hutchinson now picks up 49% of the vote to Democrat Mike Ross’ 47% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Arkansas Voters. One percent (1%) prefer some other candidate in the race while three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 940 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on October 13-15, 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.

Arkansas Senate: Cotton (R) 47%, Pryor (D) 44%

Republican Congressman Tom Cotton still holds a slight lead over incumbent Democrat Mark Pryor in Arkansas’ U.S. Senate race. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Arkansas Voters shows Cotton with 47% of the vote to Pryor’s 44%. Four percent (4%) like some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) 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.

The survey of 940 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on October 13-15, 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. 

Massachusetts Governor: Baker (R) 48%, Coakley (D) 46%

The gubernatorial race in Massachusetts remains close with less than three weeks to go until Election Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Massachusetts Voters finds Republican Charlie Baker picking up 48% of the vote to Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley’ 46%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, while 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 980 Likely Voters in Massachusetts was conducted on October 13-14, 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.

34% Think America’s Best Days are in the Future

More voters now think America’s best days lie ahead after hitting an all-time low over the summer, but most still say the nation's best days are in the past.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of Likely U.S. Voters now think America’s best days are still to come, the highest since the beginning of the year. This comes after optimism about America’s future hit an all-time low of 29% in July. Still, 51% think America’s best days are already in the past, down just slightly from July’s high of 52% and one of the few times this figure has passed the 50% mark. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. (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 telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on October 9-10, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

27% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-seven percent (27%) 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 October 12. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction is down two points from the previous week. This finding has been below 30% most weeks for the past year.

(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 October 6-12, 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.

Alaska Governor: Walker (I) 50%, Parnell (R) 41%

Independent Bill Walker has widened his lead over Republican Governor Sean Parnell in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.

Walker now picks up 50% of the vote to Parnell’s 41% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Alaska Voters. Two percent (2%) like some other candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) are still 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 700 Likely Voters in Alaska was conducted on October 8-12, 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.

Louisiana Senate: Landrieu (D) 41%, Cassidy (R) 38%, Maness (R) 14%

Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu has edged slightly ahead of Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy in Louisiana’s nail biter of a Senate race, but Cassidy holds a wide advantage if the race goes to a runoff.

Landrieu now picks up 41% of the vote to Cassidy’s 38% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Louisiana Voters. Another Republican, Tea Party favorite Rob Maness, earns 14% support, while two percent (2%) prefer one of the other candidates in the race.  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 965 Likely Voters in Louisiana was conducted on October 13-14, 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.

Alaska Senate: Sullivan (R) 48%, Begich (D) 45%

Republican challenger Dan Sullivan still has the edge on Democratic incumbent Mark Begich in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Alaska Voters shows Sullivan earning 48% of the vote to Begich’s 45%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and another three percent (3%) 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 700 Likely Voters in Alaska was conducted on October 8-12, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 40%

Democrats and Republicans are tied on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot with three weeks to go until Election Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending October 12 finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while the same number (40%) would choose the Republican.

(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 October 6-12, 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.

Iowa Senate: Ernst (R) 48%, Braley (D) 45%

Iowa’s closely watched U.S. Senate race remains a toss-up, but Republican Joni Ernst has edged slightly ahead of Democrat Bruce Braley with three weeks left until Election Day.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters finds Ernst picking up 48% of the vote to Braley’s 45%. One percent (1%) like another 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.

The survey of 957 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on October 8-10, 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.

Voters Report Hurtful Insurance Changes Under Health Care Law

The number of voters who say their health insurance coverage has changed because of the new health care law continues to increase, and the vast majority of those voters say the change has been for the worse.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters now say their health insurance coverage has changed because of Obamacare. That number has been steadily climbing from 25% a year ago when the law made its public debut. (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 October 11-12, 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 October 12

Fewer than 30% have been saying all year that the country is headed in the right direction, and voters have some pretty definite ideas on what needs to be done. But rather than discuss the issues, too often political candidates go negative.