General Politics

55% See Major Cyberattack on U.S. As Act of War

Following the recent major computer attack on South Korea, Americans continue to worry about the safety of this nation’s computer systems, and most still believe a foreign attack on them should be viewed as an act of war.

Eight-four percent (84%) of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of America’s computer infrastructure from cyberattack, including 44% who are Very Concerned. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 14% are not very or Not At All concerned about such an attack. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 28-29, 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.

68% Say Bigger Problem in Legal System Is Too Many Released Criminals

Americans feel even more strongly that the biggest problem with the criminal justice system is that too many criminals are set free. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 68% of U.S. Adults believe that the bigger problem with law enforcement and the legal system is that too many criminals are released, not that too many innocent people are arrested. Eighteen percent (18%) hold the opposite view and think the bigger problem is that too many innocent people are arrested. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 21-22, 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.

49% Worry Government Won't Do Enough to Help Economy

Nearly half of voters are still concerned that the federal government will not do enough to help the U.S. economy, and most still want spending cuts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think that, in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems, the federal government will not do enough, down slightly from last month’s high of 51%. Thirty-nine percent (39%) worry the government will do too much, up from 37% last month and generally in line with surveys since late 2012. Another 12% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

44% See U.S. Justice System As Fair, 40% Disagree

Americans are increasingly critical of the fairness of the U.S. justice system, especially as far as the poor are concerned.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Adults in this country still believe the U.S. system of justice is fair to most Americans. Forty percent (40%) disagree, and 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 21-22, 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.

59% Favor Death Penalty

Maryland is about to become the sixth state to abolish capital punishment following the passage of a bill that Governor Martin O’Malley is expected to sign.  Most Americans still support the death penalty, but they're much more closely divided when asked if capital punishment actually deters crime.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 59% of U.S. Adults favor the death penalty, while 24% are opposed. Another 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

59% Think Federal Budget Deficit Is Too Big

The Washington Post’s Ezra Klein and others on the political left have begun arguing that the federal deficit is “if anything, too small.” Voters disagree.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of Likely U.S. Voters share Klein’s belief that the current federal deficit is too small. Fifty-nine percent (59%) think it is too big and 13% say it’s about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

71% Favor Proof of Citizenship Before Allowing Voter Registration

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on the federal government’s challenge of an Arizona law that requires proof of citizenship before allowing someone to register to vote. But most voters think everyone should have to prove their citizenship before being allowed to sign up for voting and don’t believe such a requirement is discriminatory.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of Likely U.S. Voters believe everyone should be required to prove his or her U.S. citizenship before being allowed to register to vote. Twenty-one percent (21%) disagree and oppose such a requirement. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

16% Think Budget Can Be Balanced Without Spending Cuts

Voters are evenly divided over whether the federal budget can be balanced without tax increases but strongly believe spending cuts are necessary to achieve that goal.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is possible to balance the federal budget without cutting spending. Seventy-one percent (71%) disagree and say it is not possible. 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 March 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.

Voters Unhappy With Both Ryan and Murray Budget Plans

Senate Democrats and House Republicans last week introduced widely different plans for reducing the federal budget deficit over the next 10 years. Neither one excites voters very much, although they’re slightly less negative about the GOP plan that calls for spending cuts only.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the Republican plan proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan. Half (49%) of all voters oppose the Republican plan, but another 16% are not sure. It was described as a plan to balance the budget in 10 years without raising taxes but cutting spending by nearly $5 trillion in areas including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security but not defense.

However, only 19% favor the Democrats' option proposed by Senator Patty Murray. Sixty percent (60%) of voters oppose the Democratic plan. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure. It was described as a plan to reduce the deficit by cutting spending a trillion dollars and raising taxes a trillion dollars over the next 10 years that also includes $100 billion in new stimulus spending and does not balance the budget. 

It’s important to note that the questions did not mention the political party or individual that proposed each plan. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

35% View Paul Ryan Favorably, 54% Unfavorably

Even Republicans have a lower opinion these days of Congressman Paul Ryan, the party’s 2012 vice presidential nominee and the chief author of the new House GOP budget plan.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 35% of all Likely U.S. Voters now view Ryan favorably. That's down 15 points from 50% in August just after Mitt Romney chose him as his running mate.

Fifty-four percent (54%) have an unfavorable opinion of the Wisconsin congressman. These figures include 17% with a Very Favorable view of him and 23% with a Very Unfavorable one. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

68% of GOP Voters Have Favorable View of Jeb Bush

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the Sunshine State’s newest senator, Marco Rubio, are both mentioned as possible 2016 Republican presidential candidates, and they’re popular choices right now as far as GOP voters are concerned. But Rubio has a slight advantage for now over Bush and another possible contender, Senator Rand Paul.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely Republican Voters have a favorable opinion of Bush, while 22% view him unfavorably. This includes 28% with a Very Favorable regard for the son of President George H.W. Bush and the brother of President George W. Bush. Only seven percent (7%) have a Very Unfavorable opinion of him. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

GOP Voters Give Rand Paul Much Higher Marks Than McCain, Graham

Republican Senator Rand Paul drew the criticism of two senior GOP senators, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, for his recent filibuster forcing the Obama administration to say categorically it would not use drones to attack U.S. citizens in this country. But Republicans now have a much more favorable view of Paul than of former presidential candidate McCain.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of Likely GOP Voters have a favorable opinion of the first-term Kentucky senator. That’s up nine points from 58% less than a month ago and includes 35% with a Very Favorable opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Most Americans Reject Bloomberg Ban on Big Soft Drinks

A state Supreme Court judge has stopped New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ban on the sale of large sugary drinks, and Americans couldn’t agree more.

Rasmussen Reports polling found that only nine percent (9%) of American Adults believed the government has the constitutional authority to prevent people from buying sugary drinks when Bloomberg announced his ban last May. Eighty-five percent (85%) disagreed  and said the government does not have that authority.

12% Like Job Senate Is Doing, 19% Say Same of House

Over half of voters think both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives are doing a poor job, but nearly as many also prefer having them run by different political parties the way Congress is now. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. Senate is doing a good or excellent job. Fifty-three percent (53%) rate the Senate’s performance as poor.

Nineteen percent (19%) of voters believe the House is doing a good or excellent job, while 51% view its performance as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 8-9, 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.

6% View Hugo Chavez Favorably

Very few voters have a favorable opinion of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez who died earlier this week, but they’re also not very optimistic that U.S. relations with Venezuela will get any better.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of Likely U.S. Voters share a favorable opinion of Chavez. Sixty-seven percent (67%) view the late Venezuelan leader unfavorably, while 27% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 6-7, 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.

67% Favor Limits on Drone Use

Attorney General Eric Holder continues to defend the use of unmanned drones to kill U.S. citizens abroad suspected of terrorism and hasn’t ruled out their use on targets here in the United States. 

But Rasmussen Reports polling finds that just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the American government’s use of unmanned drones to kill U.S. citizens in other countries who pose a terrorist threat.

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63% Think Congress Can Always Make Things Worse

Few voters believe Congress cares what they think which helps explain why most feel their legislators can always make a bad situation worse.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the average member of Congress listens to the voters he or she represents more than to congressional party leaders. Eighty-one percent (81%) believe the average member listens most to his or her party’s leaders in Congress. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

41% Recognize Simpson-Bowles Commission Focused On Deficit Cutting

Many in official Washington are now championing the recommendations of the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles Commission for a “balanced approach” to reducing the deficit that includes tax hikes and spending cuts. But for most voters, Simpson-Bowles doesn’t mean a thing. 

Just 41% of Likely U.S. Voters are correctly able to identify the primary focus of the Simpson-Bowles Commission as deficit reduction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But 36% are not sure what the purpose of the commission is. Twenty-three percent (23%) thought it had some other focus. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

79% Put Emphasis on Accuracy Over Justice in Journalism

Is it the role of journalists to fairly and accurately cover a news story, or is it more important for them to use their reporting to right wrongs that they see in society? That was the crux of the argument in a recent Washington Post ombudsman’s analysis of his paper’s coverage of the issue of gay marriage.  

65% Say Ban Lobbyists for Firms That Live Off Government

Politico, an inside-the-Beltway publication, reported this week that big business groups did not join in the collective panic coming from official Washington over automatic reductions in the growth of federal spending. It did note an exception, however, among defense firms that are dependent upon government. “Northrop Grumman, for instance, derived 90 percent of its 2012 revenue from the U.S. government. The company recently warned the sequester could cause a new recession and 2 million job losses.” 

Voters are clearly unhappy with a system that many see as crony capitalism. As a result, 65% believe that companies that earn most of their revenue from the government should be banned from hiring lobbyists. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 15% of voters nationwide oppose such a ban. 

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