Current Events

Support Fades for Abortion Waiting Period

Most voters remain pro-choice when it comes to abortion, and fewer now think there should be a waiting period before allowing the procedure. But voters also don't attach as much importance to the abortion issue when they go to the polls.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters consider themselves pro-choice, while 36% say they are pro-life. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 2, 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.

Voters Say Mission Not Accomplished in Afghanistan

President George W. Bush launched the war in Afghanistan to end that country’s harboring of al Qaeda terrorists training against the United States, but over 13 years later as the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan comes to a close, few Americans believe that goal has been reached.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. mission to end Afghanistan’s harboring of al Qaeda terrorists has been accomplished. Sixty-four percent (64%) believe America’s longest running war has not accomplished what was originally intended. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 29-30, 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.

Most Voters Now Favor Leaving Troops Behind in Afghanistan

President Obama officially ended the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan on Sunday, but most voters support his decision to keep several thousand troops there until 2016 for training and counterterrorism purposes. Still, voters tend to think history will not be kind to America’s decision to invade Afghanistan in 2001.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters think U.S. troops should remain in Afghanistan in a limited non-combat role though 2016. That’s up from 48% who supported the president’s decision to keep some troops there after he announced it in late May. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 29-30, 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.

49% Think U.S. Should Lift Cuba Embargo

Following President Obama's announcement last week of a plan to “normalize” relations with Cuba, voters more than ever think the United States should lift the economic embargo it imposed on the Communist country 54 years ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should lift the embargo that was put in place during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, but 23% are not sure. In the past, voters were much more divided over lifting the embargo.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 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.

Americans Favor U.S. Involvement If North Korea Was Behind Sony Attacks

Most adults believe the United States should get involved if it is proven that the North Koreans were behind the computer attacks and threats against Sony Pictures, but are more hesitant in calling such a cyberattack an act of war.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults believe the United States should get more involved if it is proven that the North Korean government was behind the computer attacks and threats against a U.S.-based company. Twenty-five percent (25%) believe this issue is strictly between Sony and North Korea. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 18-19, 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.

One-In-Four Voters Think North Korea Wants War

U.S. Voters now view North Korea as being as big a threat as China and Iran, but most don’t think it is seeking war with the United States.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of Likely U.S. Voters regard North Korea as an enemy of the United States. That’s down from 81% at the beginning of the year and 82% in 2012. Just two percent (2%) regard North Korea as an ally of the United States, while 19% think it is somewhere in between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 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.

Voters Say Taliban Not True to Islam

Americans strongly believe the Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalist group in Afghanistan who last week took credit for the murder of 130 school children, does not truly represent its faith.

Just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Taliban represents true Islamic beliefs, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-nine percent (69%) say the group which ruled its country for six years as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan does not represent the true beliefs of Islam. Another 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 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.

Voters Sour on Taliban But Reluctant to Chase Pakistan School Killers

Voters are hesitant to join in the search for the Taliban killers who massacred 145 people, most of them children, in a school in Pakistan, but the incident has dramatically reduced support for U.S. negotiations with the radical Islamic group to end the war in Afghanistan.

Just 42% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should help Pakistan find the perpetrators of the school massacre and bring them to justice. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% are opposed to U.S. involvement in the matter, while another 27% are not sure.(To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 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.

Most Voters Oppose Only Government Having Guns

Opponents continue to outnumber supporters of more gun control, perhaps in part because voters strongly believe it would be bad for the country if only police and other government officials were allowed to have guns.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the United States needs stricter gun control laws, up four points from a recent low of 40% in March but still below support measured in the months following the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. Forty-nine percent (49%) oppose stricter gun laws, although that's down from 53% earlier this year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 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.

How Many Are Willing to Renounce Their U.S. Citizenship?

Few Americans have ever thought about giving up their U.S. citizenship, but a plurality still thinks U.S. citizens should be able to be citizens of more than one country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only nine percent (9%) of U.S. citizens have considered renouncing their American citizenship, little changed from a year ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 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.

Just 28% Favor Expanded U.S. Combat Role in Afghanistan

Voters aren’t enthusiastic about President Obama’s plan to expand the military's fighting mission in Afghanistan, but they’re slightly more confident an American win is possible in the nation’s longest-running war.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider Afghanistan a vital national security interest for the United States, up slightly from 32% in February and 36% in late May. Just as many (39%) disagree, but that’s down from 48% six months ago. A sizable 22% are still not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 24-25, 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.

75% Say It’s Very Important to Be a U.S. Citizen

Americans put a great deal of importance on being a U.S. citizen, but nearly one-in-three think it’s too easy to become one.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 92% of American Adults think being a citizen of the United States is at least somewhat important, including 75% who think it’s Very Important. Just six percent (6%) don’t see the importance, including three percent (3%) who say it’s Not At All Important to be a U.S. citizen. This shows little change from last September. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 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.

40% Approve of Obama's Immigration Plan

Half of the nation’s voters don’t like President Obama’s recently announced changes to the U.S. immigration system and think it will be bad for the economy, and a majority believes the new plan will attract more illegal immigrants.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of the president’s new plan that will allow nearly five million illegal immigrants to remain in this country legally and apply for jobs. Fifty percent (50%) oppose the plan. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 22-23, 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.

Most Voters Still Veto Obama’s Immigration Plan

President Obama is reportedly about to announce that up to five million illegal immigrants will no longer be subject to deportation, but most voters oppose his plan. The majority, in fact, continue to believe the federal government already isn’t doing  enough to send illegal immigrants back home.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. government is not aggressive enough in deporting those who are in this country illegally, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up slightly from 52% in April but down from a high of 60% a year ago. Just 16% believe the government’s deportation policy is too aggressive, while 17% say the number of deportations is about right. Eleven percent (11%) 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 November 16-17, 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 Still Support Keystone XL Pipeline

While President Obama has indicated that he would likely veto a bill directing the federal government to move forward with the approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline, most voters continue to favor the pipeline’s construction and feel it will help the U.S. economy. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters now at least somewhat favor building the major oil pipeline from Canada to Texas, while just 27% are opposed. This includes 37% who Strongly Favor the project and 14% who Strongly Oppose it. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 14-15, 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.

Voters Favor Putting Health Care Law On Hold Until Court Challenges End

The U.S. Supreme Court has chosen to hear another legal challenge to the new national health care law, and nearly half of voters think it might be a good idea to put the brakes on Obamacare until all the court cases opposing it are through.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (47%) of Likely U.S. Voters thinks implementation of Obamacare should be put on hold until all legal challenges are exhausted. Forty percent (40%) disagree, but 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on November 12-13, 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.

32% Think Americans Are Too Stupid to Understand Obamacare

One-out-of-three voters agree that Americans are too dumb to comprehend the new national health care law.

Jonathan Gruber, a key architect of the law, has been caught on video saying the law was deliberately written in a confusing way so “stupid” American voters wouldn’t understand the real cost to them and thus would be less likely to oppose it.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters agree that the American people are too stupid to understand the true costs associated with Obamacare, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll. Just 52% disagree and another 16% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on November 12-13, 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.

Just 51% Think Most Immigrants Work Hard to Pursue the American Dream

While most voters continue to have a favorable opinion of those who move to this country to work hard, support their family and pursue the American Dream, barely half believe most immigrants are like that.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of immigrants who come to the United States to do just that, in line with surveys dating back to May 2013. Just 13% have an unfavorable opinion of such immigrants, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 29-30, 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 Strongly Oppose Legal Rights, Government Benefits for Illegal Immigrants

The Obama administration yesterday announced that it is spending $9 million to provide lawyers for some of the young illegal immigrants who flooded across the border earlier this year, but voters strongly believe these illegal immigrants do not have the same legal rights U.S. citizens do.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely U.S. Voters say the new illegal immigrants should not have the same legal rights and protections that U.S. citizens have. Just 19% disagree. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August September 29-30, 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.

35% See Catastrophe Coming Without UN Action on Global Warming

More Americans now see the United Nations as an ally, and they're more worried about what will happen to the world if the UN doesn’t take action on global warming. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of American Adults believe the world is headed toward an irreversible catastrophe if the members of the UN fail to deal with global warming. Just as many (36%) disagree. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 20-21, 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.