If it's in the News, it's in our Polls. Public opinion polling since 2003.

Offshore Drilling

Most Recent Releases

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June 8, 2010

86% Concerned About Oil Leak's Economic Impact

Besides the obvious environmental concerns about the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, the vast majority of Americans also now worry about how it will impact the economy.

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June 2, 2010

37% Say Oil Leak Will Have Devastating Long-Term Impact

Voters strongly believe that the ongoing oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico will have a significant long-term impact on the environment, and they want the companies involved to pay for it.

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June 1, 2010

Support for Offshore Oil Drilling Down To 58%

As the battle to contain the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico goes on, most voters continue to favor offshore oil drilling, but that support is down. Voters also remain critical of how President Obama and the companies involved are responding to the disaster.

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May 25, 2010

65% Oppose Nationalization of U.S. Oil Industry

The Obama White House now says the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico is the worst oil spill in U.S. history, but most voters still don't think a government takeover of the oil industry is a good remedy.

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May 18, 2010

64% Favor Offshore Oil Drilling

Despite the major oil rig leak that continues to spew an estimated 5,000 barrels a day into the Gulf of Mexico, the majority of U.S. voters still support offshore oil drilling.

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May 6, 2010

58% Still Support Offshore Oil Drilling

Most U.S. voters still favor offshore oil drilling, but support has fallen dramatically following the oil rig explosion and major oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

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April 2, 2010

72% Support Offshore Drilling, 59% Favor It Off California and New England

Voters support offshore oil drilling more than ever, and most don’t agree with President Obama’s decision to limit where that drilling can be done.

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December 16, 2009

68% Favor Offshore Oil Drilling

Voter support for offshore oil drilling remains as strong as it was during last year’s presidential election, but many also continue to believe individual states should be able to stop it off their own coastlines.

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November 14, 2008

68% Back Offshore Drilling, Only 44% Think Obama Agrees

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of U.S. voters support offshore oil drilling as a way to keep gas prices down, but only 44% are confident that President-elect Barack Obama agrees with them.

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August 13, 2008

61% say Congress Should Vote on Offshore Drilling Right Now

Six out of 10 Americans (61%) say Congress should return to Washington immediately to vote on lifting the ban on offshore oil drilling, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But voters overwhelmingly expect Congress to adjourn this year without taking action.

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August 11, 2008

64% Now Support Offshore Drilling; 42% See it as Best Way to Reduce Oil Prices

Nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) support going ahead with offshore oil drilling, an issue that John McCain seized on in early June as a way to help lower gas prices and has since forced Barack Obama to at least partially agree with.

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June 29, 2008

Support for Offshore Drilling Dips Slightly to 59%

The good news for Barack Obama is that support for offshore drilling of oil wells has declined just a bit over the past week. The bad news for the presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee is that only Democrats are changing their mind.

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June 19, 2008

62% Agree with McCain on Need for Offshore Drilling

As John McCain ratchets up the debate in favor of offshore drilling to help offset high gas prices, 62% of Americans agree such drilling should be allowed. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 27% take Barack Obama’s position against it.

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June 17, 2008

67% Support Offshore Drilling, 64% Expect it Will Lower Prices

Most voters favor the resumption of offshore drilling in the United States and expect it to lower prices at the pump, even as John McCain has announced his support for states that want to explore for oil and gas off their coasts.