General Lifestyle

New High: 42% Say They Are Overweight

Forty-two percent (42%) of American adults now admit to being overweight, the highest finding yet. But most still rate their overall health positively.

This new finding is up from the previous two years, when 35% claimed to be overweight. In July 2009, 41% said the same.
 

Still, 53% say they are not overweight, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on May 21-22, 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.

56% Plan On Using All Their Vacation Time This Year

More American workers than ever plan on using all of their vacation time this year, but more are also connecting with work while they are away.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Employed Adults shows that 56% plan to use all of their vacation time this year, while 37% do not. (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 558 Working Adults was conducted on May 17-18, 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.

40% Now Say Trayvon Martin Shot in Self-Defense; 24% Say It Was Murder

As evidence continues to emerge from the shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, Americans are becoming more convinced that his killer acted in self-defense and that the legal system will come to that conclusion.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of American Adults still believe the man who shot Martin should be found guilty of murder. But that’s down from 33% in late March when the case first began to draw national headlines and 30% in early April.

Forty percent (40%) now think George Zimmerman, who has been charged with second degree murder in the Martin shooting, acted in self-defense. That’s up 25 points from 15% in March and up 16 points from 24% last month. Thirty-six percent (36%) remain undecided, compared to 55% two months ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on May 19-20, 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.

47% Favor Legalizing Pot, Cocaine To Reduce Border Drug Violence

A majority of voters agree that high U.S. consumption of illegal drugs is a major cause of drug violence in Mexico and Central America, and nearly half favor legalizing marijuana - and cocaine - if it will reduce that violence along the Mexican border.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe consumer demand in this country for illegal drugs is a major factor in the drug violence and gang warfare in Mexico and Central America. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 20% don’t think that's true, and another 18% 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 nationwide 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.

11% Favor Legalizing, Regulating Cocaine

Voters may be sympathetic to legalizing marijuana with the proper controls, but they strongly draw the line at making cocaine legal.

Eighty-four percent (84%) of Likely U.S. Voters are opposed to legalizing cocaine even if it is regulated like alcohol and tobacco. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 11% favor legalizing cocaine under those terms. (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 nationwide 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.

58% Favor Selling Pot in Pharmacies Only

Most voters favor the legalization of marijuana if it’s sold only by pharmacies but think such a move is unlikely to reduce use of the drug by people under 18.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters support legalization if marijuana is regulated and sold only in pharmacies. Thirty-two percent (32%) oppose legalizing marijuana even if its sales are controlled in this way. Ten percent (10%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide 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.

Radio Update: Most Say Legalize Pot, but Regulate

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

56% Favor Legalizing, Regulating Marijuana

A solid majority of voters nationwide favor legalizing and regulating marijuana similar to the way alcohol and tobacco cigarettes are currently regulated. Most also don’t believe it should be a crime for people to smoke marijuana in the privacy of their own homes.

A new national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 56% favor legalizing and regulating marijuana in a similar manner to the way alcohol and tobacco cigarettes are regulated. Thirty-six percent (36%) are opposed to such a legalizing and regulating pot. (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 nationwide 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.

Radio Update: Happy Mother's Day

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

48% Are Skeptical About Safety of Driverless Cars

Nevada this week became the first state to authorize the testing of driverless cars on its roads, streets and highways, but, perhaps not surprisingly, a sizable number of Americans question the safety of this new technology.  Very few anticipate owning such a car in the next 10 years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of American Adults believe it is at least somewhat likely that these so-called autonomous cars will be able to operate safely on roads and highways, but 48% disagree and think they won’t be safe. This includes 17% who think it’s Very Likely and 13% who say it’s Not At All Likely. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on May 9-10, 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.

53% Think Judges More Hostile to Religion Than Founding Fathers Planned

Most Americans continue to believe that judges are more hostile to religion than the Founding Fathers intended, but they’re less suspicious of the courts than they were two years ago.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of American Adults now believe rulings by judges in recent years regarding religion in public life have been more anti-religious than the Founding Fathers of the country intended. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 28% disagree and believe the judges have correctly interpreted the U.S. Constitution. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted May 1-2, 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.

63% Oppose “Sin Taxes” on Junk Food and Soda

Support for so-called “sin taxes” on junk food and soft drinks is at its lowest level yet. Numerous cities and states are looking for revenue these days short of raising property or income taxes, and sin taxes are a popular candidate, often in the name of better public health.

But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% of American Adults support sin taxes on soda and junk food, down from 33% in March 2010.  Sixty-three percent (63%) are opposed. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 25-26, 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.

53% Think Recent Graduates Will Have 'Very Difficult' Time Finding A Job

One-in-four Americans has someone in the family who is graduating from high school or college this spring, and adults nationwide overwhelmingly believe it will be tough for those graduates to find a job in the current economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 89% of American Adults believe it will be at least somewhat difficult for recent graduates to find a job in today’s economy. That finding includes 53% who predict it will be Very Difficult for them to get hired. Only seven percent (7%) think it will be not very or Not At All Difficult for recent grads to find employment. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 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.

Radio Update: On National Day of Prayer, Separation of Church and State Remains a Core Belief

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com

37% Say Internet's Been Good for American Culture, 27% Disagree

Americans continue to regain some of the confidence they had in the Internet as a force for good, but many are still dubious about its impact on culture, journalism and politics.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of American Adults think the Internet’s impact on culture in this country has been a good one. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think it has been bad for the country, while 28% say it is neither.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 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.

68% Support Government-Recognized National Day of Prayer

Congress 60 years ago established the National Day of Prayer, celebrated throughout the nation today, and 68% of American Adults favor federal government recognition of the special day.

Twenty-four percent (24%) of Americans are opposed to the government recognizing a National Day of Prayer, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted May 1-2, 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.

Most Adults Consider Both Newspapers and Internet News Reliable

Americans continue to see both newspapers and Internet news sources as reliable and aren't worried about the availability of news reporting if newspapers go out of business.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults consider the reporting from their local paper as at least somewhat reliable, including 26% who say it is Very Reliable. Just 18% do not find the reporting from their local newspaper reliable, including three percent (3%) who think it is Not At All Reliable. (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 Adults nationwide was conducted April 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.

Americans Prefer Coke Over Pepsi

For decades, Americans have been asking each other Pepsi or Coke.  Rasmussen Reports conducted their own version of the so-called “Pepsi Challenge”, and we found Coca-Cola is the clear favorite among American Adults. 

Seventy-three percent (73%), in fact, have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Coke.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% share an unfavorable impression of the soft drink. These figures include 34% who give Very Favorable reviews to Coke and eight percent (8%) who view it Very Unfavorably.  (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 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 25-26, 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.

66% Prefer Reading Print Newspaper To Online Version

Despite the continuing shift from print to online media over the past several years, most Americans still like to read the newspaper away from their computers.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of American Adults say they prefer reading a printed version of the newspaper, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-eight percent (28%) like reading the online version of their preferred paper instead. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted April 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.

48% Believe Availability of Student Loans Has Driven Up Tuition Costs

Both President Obama and likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney are backing lower interest rates on some student loans, but nearly half of Americans nationwide believe the availability of student loans has driven up tuition costs for everyone. In fact, most Americans believe it’s better for students to work and attend school for a longer period of time rather than graduate in four years with loads of student debt.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that a plurality (48%) believes the availability of student loans has helped increase the cost of tuitions. Twenty-one percent (21%) disagree, but 31% more 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 21-22, 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.