General Politics

55% Say Senate Should Allow Yes-or-No Vote on All Presidential Nominees

The U.S. Senate yesterday ended rules that allowed a minority of senators to prevent a vote on a president’s political nominees, and most voters think the change is a good one.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of Likely U.S. Voters think that, regardless of any disagreements, every presidential nominee should be the subject of a simple yes-or-no vote in the Senate. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% disagree, but another 23% 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 19-20, 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. 

24% Believe Obama Opponents Driven By Racism

With President Obama struggling through perhaps the lowest point of his presidency, one-in-four voters believes racism is the driving factor behind opposition to his policies. But similar to past polls, voters of different races strongly disagree.

Sixty percent (60%) of Likely U.S. Voters think people oppose the president’s policies primarily because they believe the policies are bad. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 24% believe the opposition is due to racism. Ten percent (10%) think people oppose Obama’s policies for some other reason. (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 19-20, 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. 

Lone Gunman or Conspiracy? Americans Are Evenly Divided Over JFK Assassination

Fifty years after the gunshots that ended the life of John F. Kennedy, Americans are evenly divided over whether the 35th president of the United States was killed by one man or by a still-unidentified group of conspirators.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of American Adults believe Kennedy was the victim of a lone gunman on November 22, 1963. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just as many (37%) think he was the victim of a larger conspiracy. A sizable 27% are not sure, highlighting the questions that still surround the Kennedy assassination. (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 November 16-17, 2011 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% Trust GOP More on Health Care, 39% Democrats

Voters are expressing slightly more confidence in Republicans these days when it comes to health care.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters now trust the GOP more to handle health care. Thirty-nine percent (39%) trust Democrats more. In September, the two were essentially tied, with Republicans posting a 43% to 42% lead. (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 17-18, 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.

Voters Strongly Defend Their Basic Freedoms But See Government As A Threat

Voters continue to adamantly defend their constitutional freedoms, and most still consider the federal government a threat to those rights.

Just 30% of Likely U.S. Voters view the government today as a protector of individual rights, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-five percent (55%) think the government is a threat to their rights. Fifteen percent (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 Likely Voters was conducted on November 17-18, 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.

78% Think U.S. Spies On Others As Much or More Than They Spy on Us

Most voters consider foreign spying a serious threat to the United States, but three-out-of-four think America spies on other countries as much or more than they spy on us.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe spying on the United States by other countries is at least a somewhat serious threat, with 26% who say it’s Very Serious. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% think foreign spying is not a serious threat, but that includes only three percent (3%) who feel it’s Not At All Serious. (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 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.

55% Favor Repeal of Obamacare

Most voters view the new national health care law as bad for the country and want to repeal it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 35% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the trouble-plagued health care law is good for America. Fifty-five percent (55%) consider it bad for the country. Only two percent (2%) think it will have no impact. (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 9-10, 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.

12% Are Very Confident They'll Get All Promised Medicare Benefits

Most voters still view Medicare favorably but don't expect to get all their benefits from the federal health insurance system for retirees.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable impression of the Medicare system, including 26% with a Very favorable impression. Just 26% view Medicare unfavorably, with 10% who share a Very Unfavorable opinion. This is the most favorable view of the system that voters have held in a 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 5-6, 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.

56% Think Their Congressman Likely to Have Sold a Vote

Congress for sale? That's what most voters still think.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters believe most members of Congress are willing to sell their vote for cash or campaign contributions. Just 13% disagree, and twice as many more (26%) aren't 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 3-4, 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.

Only eight percent (8%) of all voters believe most members of Congress almost always get reelected because they do a good job representing their constituents. Most (67%) say they usually get reelected because election rules are rigged to benefit incumbents. Seventy-five percent (75%) now say Congress is doing a poor job, the legislative branch's highest negative in more than seven years of regular tracking.

54% Favor Law Prohibiting Workplace Discrimination Against LGBT People

The U.S. Senate is expected to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, although a plurality of voters don't see such discrimination as a serious problem. Most voters nationwide support the law, but one-in-three think certain religious organizations should be exempt from it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a law that outlaws discrimination in the workplace against transgender, gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Thirty percent (30%) oppose such a law, while 16% 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 November 5-6, 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.

Only 33% Think Most Judges Follow the Law in Their Rulings

Judges are often criticized for legislating from the bench, and just one-in-three voters now believes most judicial rulings follow the law as written.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters think most judges in their rulings try to make new law they like better. Only 33% believe most judges in their rulings follow the letter of the law. Nearly as many (28%) are not sure which is the case. (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 Likely Voters was conducted on November 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.

35% Think U.S. Elections Are Fair

Fewer voters than ever think U.S. elections are fair, with just one-in-10 who now believe members of Congress get reelected because of the good job they do.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 35% of Likely U.S. Voters now think American elections are fair to voters, down from August’s previous low of 39% which marked the first time that number had fallen below 40%. Prior to that, it had run in the 40s to low 50s in surveys since September 2004. Nearly half of voters (47%) think American elections are unfair, the highest negative finding in nine years of polling. Eighteen percent (18%) 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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 30-31, 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.

36% Favor A Stop and Frisk Law Where They Live

Just over one-out-of-three voters favor a stop and frisk law like New York City’s and think such a law actually fights crime.

The New York City law allows police to stop and frisk anyone on the street whom they consider suspicious, but 50% of Likely U.S. Voters oppose having a stop and frisk law where they live. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% favor such a law, while 13% 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 Likely Voters was conducted on November 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.

44% View Sebelius Unfavorably

Just over a year ago, most voters didn't know enough about Kathleen Sebelius to have any kind of opinion of her, even though the secretary of Health and Human Services was in the powerful position of implementing the new national health care law. Now that Obamacare's off to a troubled start, a plurality of voters don't care much for her. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Sebelius, including nine percent (9%) with a Very Favorable one. But 44% share an unfavorable opinion of the HHS secretary, with 31% who view her Very Unfavorably. One-in-three (32%) still aren't 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 October 30-31, 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% Say It’s Possible For Anyone to Find Work, 42% Disagree

Pessimism about the current job market has risen again this month, but Americans are showing a bit more confidence in the ability to get rich through hard work.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of American Adults now believe it’s possible for anyone in this country looking for work to find a job, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This marks the first time this figure has fallen below 50% since March. Forty-two percent (42%) say it’s not possible for anyone to find work, tying the highest level of pessimism since September 2011. 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 Facebook.

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

64% View Federal Government Unfavorably

Thirty-three percent (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable view of the federal government, but that includes just eight percent (8%) with a Very Favorable one. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% regard the federal government unfavorably, with 34% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The overall findings are unchanged from November of last year, but the number of voters with a Very Unfavorable view of the government has risen six points from 28% at that time.

(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 Facebook.

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

42% Identify with Obama Politically, 42% with the Tea Party

Voters are evenly divided when asked whether they agree more politically with President Obama or with the average member of the Tea Party. But an enormous partisan gap colors virtually all opinions of the Tea Party.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president’s views are closest to their own when it comes to the major issues facing the country. But just as many (42%) say their views come closest to those of the average Tea Party member instead. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 26-27, 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.

65% Oppose Use of Drones for U.S. Police Work

Voters show even stronger support for increasing the use of unmanned drone aircraft to kill terrorists overseas, even though most believe the drone attacks are killing more innocents than are reported. But voters strongly oppose police use of such drones in the skies over this country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 69% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the use of unmanned drone aircraft to kill al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists overseas. Twenty percent (20%) oppose the use of drones to kill terrorists overseas, while 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 24-25, 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.

44% Favor Gay Marriage, 44% Oppose

Voters nationwide are almost evenly divided when asked if marriage is a religious or civil institution, but slightly more feel laws regarding marriage should be set at the state or local level rather than by the federal government. There are sharp differences of opinion over gay marriage depending on how voters feel about these two issues. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters consider marriage to be more of a religious institution than a civil one. Nearly as many (45%) regard marriage more as a civil institution. (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 October 22-23, 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% Worry Government Won't Do Enough for Economy; 62% Want Cuts

Following the short-term deal to end the partial government shutdown, voters are more concerned than ever that the federal government will not do enough responding to the weak economy. But most continue to believe spending cuts are the best move the government can make.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters now say they are more worried that the government won’t do enough in reacting to the country's current economic problems, while 37% worry more that it will do too much. Eleven percent (11%) 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 October 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.