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March 6, 2014

Americans Rank Cancer As Nation's Worst Disease

Cancer ranks number one when Americans are asked what's the worst disease they face, while nearly half believe the federal government doesn't spend enough on medical research in general.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Adults consider cancer the worst disease facing Americans today. Heart disease is a distant second, rated worst by 22%, followed by 13% who say diabetes. Alzheimer's disease is rated the worst by nine percent (9%), while two percent (2%) think AIDS is the worst. One percent (1%) list strokes, and four percent (4%) say it's some other unspecified disease. (For 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 American Adults was conducted on March 1-2, 2013 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.

March 5, 2014

22% Expect a Cure for Alzheimer’s in Next 10 Years

Actor Seth Rogen appeared at a Senate hearing last week to push for a greater government effort to fight Alzheimer's disease. Americans aren't hugely optimistic that a cure for Alzheimer's is coming anytime soon, but most think it will be a private company, not the government, that finds a cure for the disease.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 22% of American Adults think we will find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease within the next 10 years. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree, but a sizable 40% 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 American Adults was conducted on March 1-2, 2013 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.

March 5, 2014

Only 12% Rarely or Never Check Food Nutrition Labels

The Food and Drug Administration has proposed changes to existing food nutrition labels to make them more consumer-friendly. Most Americans already regularly check these labels but think the changes are likely to help people make even healthier food choices.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults routinely check nutritional labels on the food they eat, with 38% who do it most of the time and 21% who do so always. Twenty-eight percent (28%) say they sometimes check the labels. Just 12% rarely or never check food nutrition labels. (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 February 27-28, 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.

March 4, 2014

67% Consider Themselves Healthy Eaters

Most Americans say they eat healthy, but one-out-of-five admits to regularly overindulging.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults say they are overweight. That’s little changed from last September and remains below the high of 42% in May 2012. Fifty-six percent (56%) say they are not overweight. (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 February 27-28, 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.

February 25, 2014

43% Don't Like Circus Clowns

Send in the clowns! Or maybe not since there’s a nationwide clown shortage. For a handful of Americans who have secretly (or not-so-secretly) thought about running away with the circus, now’s their chance.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that six percent (6%) of American Adults have thought about running away with the circus. Eighty-eight percent (88%) have not, but another six percent (6%) 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 American Adults was conducted on February 23-24, 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.

February 23, 2014

78% Say It’s Harder Now for Teachers to Maintain Discipline

Most Americans still believe that discipline in public schools is too easy these days, but they also think it is harder for today’s teachers to discipline in the classroom compared to previous generations.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of American Adults believe discipline in public schools is too easy. That’s down slightly from 68% in July 2011. Just five percent (5%) think school discipline is too tough these days, while 19% say it’s about right. Another 14% 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 American Adults was conducted on February 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

February 21, 2014

68% of Parents With School-Age Kids Think They Should Be Able to Choose School with Spanking

Americans believe overwhelmingly that parents have the right to spank their own children but feel nearly as strongly that teachers don’t. Most parents, however, think they should be able to send their kids to a school that allows disciplinary spanking if they want to.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults think parents should have a choice between sending their children to a school where disciplinary spanking is allowed and a school where spanking is not allowed. Only 25% disagree, but 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 American Adults was conducted on February 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.

February 19, 2014

58% Still Trust A Jury’s Verdict More Than A Judge’s

Juries are in the news again after a Florida man was found not guilty of murder last week for shooting a teenager who refused to turn down his loud rap music. But most Americans still have more faith in juries than in judges, although their views of the overall U.S. justice system have fallen.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults trust a jury more to determine the guilt or innocence of someone accused of criminal behavior. Just 22% trust a judge more, while nearly as many (20%) 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 American Adults was conducted on February 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.

February 17, 2014

Washington, Lincoln Top the List of Favorite Presidents

This President’s Day, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are among Americans’ favorite presidents, even though few consider it an important national holiday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of American Adults consider President’s Day, which falls today, one of our nation’s most important holidays, while 33% consider it one of the least important. Most (54%) see it as somewhere in between. (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 American Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 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.

February 14, 2014

Most Adults Are Indifferent Toward Valentine’s Day

Very few adults consider Valentine’s Day one of the nation’s most important holidays, but more than half neither look forward to nor dread the day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of American Adults consider Valentine’s Day one of the nation’s most important holidays. Most (63%) rank it among the least important holidays, while 31% say it’s somewhere in between. Even more say it’s one of the least important holidays than last year. (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 American Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 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.

February 13, 2014

66% Want Dinner With Someone Special for Valentine’s Day

Most adults aren't planning to send or receive flowers this Valentine's Day, which may be good, since most want something else anyway.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults want dinner with someone special for Valentine's Day. Just seven percent (7%) want flowers, and just eight percent (8%) want chocolate candy most. Nineteen percent (19%) are not sure what they want. (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 American Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 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.

February 11, 2014

35% Think Baby Boomers Have Been Good for America

A majority of Americans have a favorable impression of the so-called Baby Boomer generation, but they are less enthusiastic about the generation’s impact on America.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% of American Adults correctly identify the Baby Boomer generation as those born between 1946 and 1964. Seven percent (7%) believe the term Baby Boomer applies to those born between 1929 and 1945 during the Great Depression and World War II, while just as many (7%) think the term applies to those born between 1965 and 1974 during the war in Vietnam and the Watergate scandal.  Four percent (4%) think the Baby Boomer generation was born when Ronald Reagan was president in the 1980s. (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 was conducted on February 5-6, 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.

February 11, 2014

62% Think Other Chains Likely to Follow CVS' No-Tobacco Policy

CVS Caremark drugstores announced last week that they would stop selling all tobacco products in their stores “to help people on their path to better health,” and most Americans think it's likely that other major retail chains will follow their example in the next few years. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that other major retail chains will stop selling tobacco products over the next five years. Twenty-six percent (26%) consider this unlikely. This includes 23% who think it’s Very Likely other major retailers will follow CVS' lead and just four percent (4%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Twelve percent (12%) 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 February 7-8, 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.

February 10, 2014

25% Less Likely to Watch “The Tonight Show” After Leno Exit

Late night comedian Jay Leno ended his 22-year run as the host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” last week, and Americans view him more favorably than his replacement, Jimmy Fallon. But more than half of adults say the switch from Leno to Fallon won’t impact their decision to watch the long-running show.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 69% of American Adults view Leno at least somewhat favorably, including 28% who have a Very Favorable impression of him. Sixteen percent (16%) view the funnyman unfavorably, with five percent (5%) who view him 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 was conducted on February 7-8, 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.

February 9, 2014

50 Years Ago Today: 63% Have Seen Beatles Debut on Ed Sullivan Show

Greet the Beatles.

That’s what 73 million Americans did 50 years ago tonight – when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr made their U.S. TV debut on CBS’ Ed Sullivan Show in glorious black and white. Sixty-three percent (63%) of American Adults say they have seen that show, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just one-in-three (34%) have 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 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 5-6, 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.

Herbert Kratky / Shutterstock.com
February 6, 2014

Figure Skating Is Fan Favorite at Sochi Olympics

Americans are more likely to watch figure skating than any other sport at this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults are most likely to follow figure skating at the winter games. In distant second are hockey and skiing, the favorites of 12% each. Seven percent (7%) each are more likely to follow ski jumping and snow boarding. Eleven percent (11%) will most likely follow some other sport. Seventeen percent (17%) haven't made up their minds yet. (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 was conducted on February 1-2, 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.

February 5, 2014

12% Are Less Likely to Watch Sochi Olympics Because of Terrorist Threat

Much of the media attention leading up to the Winter Olympic games in Sochi, Russia has focused on terrorist threats from Islamist militants. But Americans aren’t entirely convinced an attack will happen, and few have been discouraged from watching because of the threat.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults say they are at least somewhat likely to watch some of the Winter Olympics coverage on television, with 39% who are Very Likely to watch. Thirty percent (30%) say they are unlikely to watch, including 12% who are Not At All Likely to tune in. (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 was conducted on February 1-2, 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.

February 5, 2014

50% Think Summer Off from School Is Good for Kids

Americans think children need to spend more time in school but not at the expense of summer vacation. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults still think American children need to spend more time in school. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree, while 15% 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 American Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 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.

February 4, 2014

60% Are Unwilling to Pay More in Taxes to Fund Pre-K Schooling

President Obama in his State of Union address renewed his call for expanded early childhood education, an initiative several states have already devoted funding to. Most Americans agree with the president that mandatory early childhood education is likely to improve student performance but are unwilling to pay any extra money to fund it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Adults favor mandatory pre-kindergarten schooling for all children in America beginning at age four. Forty-three percent (43%) oppose such a requirement. Twelve percent (12%) 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 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 2014 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.

February 2, 2014

49% Will Watch Super Bowl Intensely, 43% Will Mostly Socialize

It’s Super Bowl Sunday in America, and the day offers a little something for fans and non-fans alike.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults who plan to watch the championship matchup between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks today will do so at home. Twenty-five percent (25%) say they will watch at the home of a friend or relative, while just two percent (2%) will go to a bar or restaurant. (To see survey question wording, click here for sets I and II.)

(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.

Two national surveys each of approximately 600 Adults who plan to watch the Super Bowl were conducted on January 22-23 and 28-29, 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.