General Lifestyle

Are Americans Slimming Down?

Though more Americans admit they have trouble resisting sweets, fewer say they are overweight. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults nationwide was conducted on February 25-26, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Quality's the Key to a Good Cup Of Joe

Despite a recent analysis that suggests Americans are sacrificing good coffee for cost and convenience, most coffee drinkers claim that quality means the most to them. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 25-26, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Leave Mount Rushmore Alone

Mount Rushmore, the mountain in South Dakota chiseled with the giant likenesses of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt, is perhaps America's most iconic symbol of the presidency. But the thought of adding any of the more recent presidents to the sculpture leaves most Americans cold. 

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 13-14, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Wonder If Internet Needs Federal Fixing If It Ain’t Broke

Americans continue to give high marks to their online service even as the federal government plans to take regulatory control of the Internet with claims of making it better. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Beware of Friday the 13th?

Today is Friday the 13th – a day surrounded by superstition. Cut your hair today, and a family member will die. Children born on this day are cursed with bad luck forever.  Avoid Camp Crystal Lake because Jason Voorhees is sure to get you. But for most Americans, Friday the 13th is just another day.

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The national survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 5-6, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Question How Neutral ‘Net Neutrality’ Really Is

The Federal Communications Commission is expected soon to adopt new policies that will give it regulatory control over the Internet, although years of legislative and legal challenges are likely.

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The national survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Trust News Media Less

Even as NBC-TV wrestles with what to do with evening anchor Brian Williams, fewer Americans are getting their news predominately from television, and they trust the news they are getting less than they did a year ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults regard the news reported by the media as at least somewhat trustworthy, but that includes just seven percent (7%) who think it is Very Trustworthy. Thirty-eight percent (38%) do not trust the news media, with eight percent (8%) who believe the news reported is Not At All Trustworthy. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Born Under A Bad Sign? Americans and Their Superstitions

If a black cat crosses your path, what do you do? Do you walk under ladders? How superstitious is the average American?

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The national survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 5-6, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Should NBC’s Brian Williams Stay or Go?

NBC News has the highest rated evening news program, and anchor Brian Williams is a popular fixture on the program. But now that Williams has been caught in a lie, Americans tend to think he hurts NBC’s credibility and needs to go.

Williams has been forced to acknowledge that he didn’t tell the truth for years when he said he was aboard a helicopter during the Iraq invasion that was forced down by enemy fire. Forty percent (40%) of American Adults think Williams should resign because of this, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll. Thirty-five percent (35%) disagree, but 25% 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 survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

Would More Religion Make America A Better Place?

Most Americans say their religious faith is important in their daily lives and think the nation would be better off if they practiced that faith more often.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults think America would be a better place if most people attended religious services on a regular basis. Just seven percent (7%) think the country would be worse off, while 30% believe more religious attendance would have no impact on society. Ten percent (10%) 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 survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 26-27, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Are Still Pro-Death Penalty

Support for capital punishment in America remains steady, despite concerns about wrongful executions and uncertainty as to whether such punishment deters crime.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults favor the death penalty. Just 26% are opposed, while 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 2-3, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Still Favor Death Sentence for Colorado Theater Shooter

Most Americans still think the man who killed 12 and wounded 70 in a Colorado theater mass shooting in 2012 should get the death penalty, but there’s less support for punishing a suspect who’s proven to be mentally ill.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Adults still believe the suspect in the Aurora, Colorado shooting should receive the death penalty if convicted. But that’s down 11 points from 66% in July 2012 just after the incident occurred. Twenty-five percent (25%) now say the mass killer should not get the death penalty, unchanged from the earlier survey, but nearly as many (20%) are now undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 2-3, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Say Media Hype Worse Than the Weather

Far fewer Americans think the winter weather has been worse in their area this year, but you wouldn’t necessarily know it by the media coverage.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 15% of Americans say this winter has been worse where they live than it has been in past years. That’s down dramatically from 62% a year ago and is the lowest level measured in five years. Seventy-five percent (75%) say this winter is not worse than in past years, while 10% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Insist: No Vaccine, No School

Following reports of a measles outbreak in 14 states, Americans are more concerned than ever about the danger unvaccinated children pose to others and overwhelmingly support requiring children to be vaccinated before being allowed to attend school.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of American Adults are now at least somewhat concerned that children who do not receive all their vaccinations will cause health problems for other children. This includes 51% who are Very Concerned, up from 43% last April and 40% in 2010. Just 14% are not concerned about potential health problems caused by children who don’t receive their vaccinations, with four percent (4%) who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 2015 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.

Most Americans Are Good Tippers

An overwhelming majority of Americans say they receive good service at the restaurants they visit, and they tip accordingly.

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of Americans are at least somewhat satisfied with the service they get in restaurants they visit, including 32% who are Very Satisfied. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) aren’t satisfied with their dining experiences, with one percent (1%) who are Not At All Satisfied. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 22-23, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Eat Fast Food For Convenience

Half of Americans say they rarely eat fast food, but for those who do, it’s not necessarily because they like it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults eat fast food at least once a week, with 14% who eat it two or more times weekly. Fifty percent (50%) say they never touch the stuff, although that’s down from 56% in July 2013.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 22-23, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

How Do Americans Feel About Women, Gays in the Pulpit?

Americans support women in the pulpit and in senior leadership positions within the church. But they are more hesitant when it comes to supporting openly gay and lesbian religious leaders.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults favor women in the pulpit, while just 16% are opposed. Twenty-five percent (25%) 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 national survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 26-27, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Still Prefer Eating at Home

Americans are eating out more but still enjoying it less than a good meal at home.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults rarely or never go out to a restaurant for dinner, but that’s down from 41% two years ago and a high of 47% in July 2012. Sixty-one percent (61%) say they eat out at least once a week, with 20% who do so two or more times weekly. (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 800 American Adults was conducted on January 22-23, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Still Believe We Can Talk Honestly About Race

It’s been a difficult year for race relations in the United States, but most Americans still think they can talk honestly about race with each other.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 63% of American Adults believe it is possible for people of different races in America to have an honest and open discussion about race issues. Twenty-three percent (23%) say this type of discussion is not possible. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 14-15, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Confidence in Race Relations Tumbles

Americans still believe most of their fellow countrymen aren’t racist but think race relations in this country have taken a decided turn for the worse.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 17% of American Adults now rate race relations in America today as good or excellent, down by half from 34% a year ago. Twenty-nine percent (29%) describe race relations as poor, compared to 19% who felt that way in January 2014. (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 and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 14-15, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.