General Politics

28% Say Federal Government Should Increase Spending

Half of U.S. voters are worried that the federal government will not do enough to help the nation’s economic problems, and more than ever think it should increase spending to do so.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 28% of Likely U.S. Voters think that, in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems, the federal government should increase spending. That’s up two points from October and the highest level of support for spending increases in regular surveying since April 2012. Still, most voters (60%) think the government should cut spending to help the economy. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 27-28, 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.

59% Favor Assault Weapons Ban; 18% Want Handgun Ban, Too

Most voters still favor a ban on semi-automatic and assault-type weapons but strongly oppose outlawing handguns in the United States. Seven-out-of-10 would feel safer living a neighborhood where individuals could own a gun for self-defense.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters think there should be a ban on the purchase of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

49% Oppose Further U.S. Aid to Egypt

Most voters think Egypt is unlikely to assume a democratic course anytime soon, but they are slightly less opposed to further financial aid for the longtime U.S. ally. 

Egypt has largely been in political chaos since the United States helped pressure dictator Hosni Mubarak out of power in early 2011, and a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just seven percent (7%) of Likely U.S. Voters now think the changes in the government of Egypt over the past several years have been good for the United States. This finding has been steadily declining from a high of 29% in February 2011.

Forty-three percent (43%) believe those changes have been bad for this country, up from 20% in 2011. Twenty-seven percent (27%) say they have had no impact, but nearly as many (24%) 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 December 27-28, 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.

Just 29% Are Socially Liberal

Fewer voters now identify themselves as “socially liberal” than they have in the past.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider themselves liberal on social issues such as abortion, public prayer and church-state topics. That’s the lowest number of self-identified social liberals since early last year. Just as many (30%) consider themselves moderate on such issues, the highest since October 2012, while 37% say they are conservative, up four points from September. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 20-21, 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.

43% Think NSA’s Domestic Spying Will Be Big News In A Year

More voters than ever think the National Security Agency’s secret monitoring of Americans’ phone calls and e-mail messages will be the controversy that outlasts the others dogging the Obama administration.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the NSA matter will still be a major news story a year from now. That’s a jump from 26% in early July just after the spying program was first disclosed  and 30% in September.

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 22, 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.

26% Favor Use of Drones to Deliver Commercial Packages

Most voters continue to support the U.S. government’s use of unmanned drones to kill terrorists overseas but remain wary of drones in American skies, even for delivery of commercial packages.

Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, made headlines early this month with his proposal to use drones for commercial deliveries in this country. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 26% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the use of unmanned drone aircraft for commercial purposes such as package delivery, but nearly twice as many (50%) oppose that idea. Twenty-four percent (24%) 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 20-21, 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.

29% Have Favorable Opinion of Federal Government

Unfavorable views of the federal government continue to climb.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely U.S. Voters now view the federal government at least somewhat unfavorably. That's up from 64% in October and 63% in November of last year. Just 29% view the feds favorably. This includes five percent (5%) who view the government Very Favorably and 29% who view it Very Unfavorably. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 16-17, 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.

13% Give Senate Positive Marks, 15% Say Same of the House

The bad news for Congress is that most voters think both the Senate and the House of Representatives are doing a lousy job. The good news for them is that a surprising number don’t know which party controls each of the respective chambers.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% think the House is doing a good or excellent job, while 52% rate its performance as poor.

Similarly, only 13% give the Senate good or excellent marks for its job performance. Fifty-one percent (51%) think the senators are doing a poor job. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 18-19, 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.

22% Think Federal Government Needs More Tax Money

Following the recent passage of a bipartisan budget deal by Congress, fewer voters than ever believe more taxes are needed to keep the federal government going. But the Political Class isn't so sure about that.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 22% of Likely U.S. Voters believe additional tax hikes are needed to fund the federal government. Sixty-two percent (62%) disagree and say no new tax hikes are needed. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 12-13, 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.

13% Think Airline Mergers Good for Fliers

Nearly half of Americans believe airline mergers are bad for consumers and that the deregulation of the airline industry has made flying more expensive. But frequent fliers are more likely to think deregulation has made flying cheaper.

Just 13% of American Adults see the merger of airlines like the recent one between American Airlines and US Airways as good for fliers. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% consider such mergers bad for fliers, while 15% say they have no impact. But a sizable 26% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1000 American Adults was conducted on December 15-16, 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. 

21% Favor Amnesty for NSA Leaker Snowden

Voters aren’t enthusiastic about granting NSA leaker Edward Snowden amnesty to halt his release of U.S. intelligence secrets, even though most agree the continued disclosures are hurting national security.

Just 21% of Likely U.S. Voters think the federal government should grant Snowden full amnesty from prosecution in exchange for his return of all classified information that he still possesses. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that twice as many (41%) oppose full amnesty for Snowden, although nearly as many (39%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

45% Favor Restoring Some Sequester Budget Cuts, 40% Oppose

Voters still strongly prefer a federal budget that cuts spending, but they’re closely divided over the new budget deal that would restore some of the across-the-board sequester spending cuts from earlier this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a federal budget that increases government spending. Sixty-one percent (61%) like a federal budget that cuts spending instead. Eighteen percent (18%) prefer one that keeps spending levels about the same. (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 December 12-13, 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.

A Year After Newtown, Just 31% Think More Gun Control Likely

A year after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, far fewer adults expect more gun control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% of American Adults now think it is at least somewhat likely that Congress and the president will create tougher gun control laws, with 12% who think it’s Very Likely. Fifty-nine percent (59%) say stricter gun control is unlikely, including 17% who say it's Not At All Likely. (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 December 7-8, 2013 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.

54% Think More Focus on Mental Health Issues Will Prevent Future Newtown Incidents

One year after the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, more Americans than ever believe tackling mental health issues is the best way to prevent such mass murders.A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults think more action to treat mental health issues will do the most to help reduce the number of mass shootings like the one in Connecticut. That's up six points from 48% in mid-December of last year.  Twenty-three percent (23%) believe stricter gun control laws will do the most, down from 27% a year ago, while 12% call first for limits on violent movies and video games. 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 7-8, 2013 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.

61% Expect Government Spending To Rise Under Obama

Belief that federal spending will go up under President Obama is at its highest level in three years, but most voters continue to think cuts in government spending are better for the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters now expect government spending to rise under Obama. That's the highest finding on this question since November 2010. Just 14% think spending will go down. Twenty-one percent (21%) predict it will stay about the same. (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 December 4-5, 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.

34% Think Gays Good for Military, 31% Disagree

Most voters believe the U.S. military is the best, but they are closely divided over the impact of letting gays and lesbians serve openly in America's armed services.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States has the best military in the world. Just 13% disagree, and 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 2-3, 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. 

52% View China As Long-Term Threat to U.S.

Vice President Joe Biden visited Beijing this week following the latest flare-up of tensions with China, but U.S. voters are less convinced these days that China is a national security threat. They also show little enthusiasm for President Obama’s proposed “Asia pivot,” shifting the focus of U.S. foreign policy from Europe and the Middle East to China and East Asia.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters still believe China is a long-term threat to the United States, but that’s down from 62% in late September 2011.Twenty-two percent (22%) feel the Asian giant is not a threat to America. But even more (26%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on December 4-5, 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.

37% Believe U.S. Doesn’t Spend Enough on Military, National Security

The United States spends more on defense annually than the next 10 countries combined, but more voters than ever don’t think that’s enough.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States does not spend enough on the military and national security, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s the highest level measured since tracking began in February 2011. Just 29% now say the United States spends too much money in this area, while nearly as many (27%) say it spends about the right amount. (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 25-26, 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. 

41% Favor Nuclear Deal with Iran, 43% Oppose

Voters are almost evenly divided over a treaty the United States has reached with Iran to slow that country’s nuclear weapons program and tend to think the arrangement is likely to make things worse in the Middle East.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% favor the short-term deal that ends some economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for verifiable cutbacks in the Iranian nuclear weapons program. Forty-three percent (43%) oppose that deal. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording,click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 25-26, 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.

47% Think It’s Negative To Compare A Candidate to Obama or George W. Bush

Comparing a candidate to President Obama is as bad these days as comparing one to George W. Bush as far as voters are concerned. For most voters, Ronald Reagan remains the best president of the last 30 years to compare a politician to.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters consider it a negative to describe a candidate as being like Barack Obama. Just as many (48%) view a comparison to Bush as a negative.

For 29%, comparing a political candidate to Obama is a positive, while 19% consider it somewhere in between a positive and a negative. Similarly, 24% say describing a candidate as being like his Republican predecessor in the White House is a positive, while 26% think it’s somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 23-24, 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.