Obama Administration

44% of Voters See Obama as Very Liberal

Most voters still have little doubt that President Obama and Vice President Biden are liberals.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the president at least somewhat liberal in political terms, the highest finding since August 2010. Of those who say the view President Obama as liberal, 44% believe he is Very Liberal. Twenty-one percent feel the president is politically moderate. Just three percent (3%) consider Obama at least somewhat conservative. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 15-16, 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.

58% Have Favorable Opinion of Michelle Obama

Most voters continue to have a favorable opinion of Michelle Obama and view the first lady as a good role model for young Americans.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Mrs. Obama, including 39% with a Very Favorable opinion. Thirty-seven percent (37%) view her unfavorably, including 20% with a Very Unfavorable impression of the first lady. (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.

Obama Approval: Comparing the Numbers

So how does America view President Obama these days? It depends on how you ask the question and whom you ask.

Rasmussen Reports in our daily Presidential Tracking Poll gives respondents four options – Strongly Approve, Somewhat Approve, Somewhat Disapprove and Strongly Disapprove - as opposed to just two - Approve/Disapprove. We are also the one major national pollster who asks this question only of likely U.S. voters, those who tell us they are likely to vote in the next election.

46% Have A Favorable View of Vice President Biden

Voters remain evenly divided on their views of Vice President Joe Biden, but most Democrats continue to see him in a favorable light.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely Voters have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Biden, while 47% view him unfavorably.  But only 19% have a Very Favorable opinion of the Democrat from Delaware, compared to 30% with a Very Unfavorable one.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

42% Think Holder Should Resign, 24% Disagree

Most voters don’t approve of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation of news reporters, and a plurality now thinks the department’s boss, Attorney General Eric Holder, should resign.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Holder, while 47% view him unfavorably. This includes nine percent (9%) with a Very Favorable opinion and 32% with a Very Unfavorable view. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Voters Think Benghazi or IRS Most Likely to Still Be Major News A Year From Now

Over half of voters think there’s a chance at least one of the major controversies now bedeviling the Obama administration will still be around a year from now. They see the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative political groups and the questions surrounding Benghazi as the most likely to linger.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that at least one of the major controversies now in the news will still be a major news story in a year. Forty percent (40%) consider that unlikely. This includes 22% who say at least one of the controversies is Very Likely to still be in the news versus just eight percent (8%) who think it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

43% See President Obama as Very Liberal

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Likely U.S. Voters say Barack Obama is at least somewhat liberal, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That figure includes 43% who see the president as Very Liberal. 

Twenty-three percent (23%) feel Obama is politically moderate, while only three percent (3%) believe he is conservative.  (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.

46% View Biden Favorably, 48% Don’t

Some things don’t seem to change. Unlike President Obama’s approval ratings which jumped after his reelection, Vice President Joe Biden’s favorables remain largely the same as they’ve been for the last four years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters have a somewhat favorable opinion of Biden, while 48% regard him unfavorably. That includes 22% with a Very Favorable view of the vice president and 35% with a Very Unfavorable one. (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.

New High: 50% Expect Taxes To Go Up Under Obama

More voters than ever expect their taxes to go up under the Obama administration.

Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters say their own personal taxes will go up under the Obama administration, up 13 points from late 2012 and the highest finding in nearly five years of surveying.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just seven percent (7%) think their taxes will go down under Obama. Thirty-eight percent (38%) expect their taxes to stay about the same, down from 45% in December. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

51% Rate Obama's Handling of National Security As Good or Excellent

Voters continue to think President Obama is doing a better job handling national security area than dealing with the economy. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way the president is handling economic issues as good or excellent, while 43% rate his performance in this area as poor. This is generally consistent with surveys for the past couple of years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

46% Think Obama's Policies Are Too Hostile Toward Small Business

Voters continue to feel President Obama is friendlier toward big business than small business.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just two percent (2%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president's policies are too friendly to small business, compared to 19% who say they are too friendly to big business. Thirty-four percent (34%) think his policies are too hostile toward big business, but nearly half (46%) believe that to be true of his policies toward small business. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

43% Rate Obama’s Handling of Gun Control as Good or Excellent

President Obama continues to earn mixed reviews on the issues of gun control and immigration, with distinctly partisan differences of opinion in both cases.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way the president is handling issues related to gun control as good or excellent. Thirty-four percent (34%) think he is doing a poor job in this area.

Similarly, 43% give the president good or excellent marks on his handling of immigration issues, while 35% rate his job performance in this area as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

40% Give Obama Positive Marks for Job Creation

While a sizable number of U.S. voters see job creation and issues affecting small business as very important, they're narrowly divided over how President Obama is performing in these areas.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the president’s handling of issues related to job creation as good or excellent.  Forty percent (40%) also give him a poor rating in this area.

On issues related to small business, the president also gets good or excellent ratings from 40%, while another 40% think he is doing a poor job.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

For a look at how all voters rate the president’s performance in a number of key areas, look here.   

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(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 February 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.

44% Give Obama Positive Marks on Health Care, 42% Poor

As President Obama’s national health care law enters the major implementation stage, voters are closely divided on the president’s handling of health care issues. They also give him mixed marks on the way he’s dealing with Social Security.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the president’s handling of issues related to health care as good or excellent. Nearly as many (42%) consider his performance in this area to be poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Voters Think Obama Should Emphasize Economy in State of the Union Speech

Most voters plan to follow news about President Obama’s State of the Union speech even though they don’t expect it to lead to much. Voters hope the president in his speech emphasizes the economy, job creation and government spending over other issues.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of Likely U.S. Voters say they are at least somewhat likely to watch or follow news reports about the president’s State of the Union address. This includes 46% who are Very Likely to do so. Just 24% say they are not very or Not At All Likely to watch or follow news reports about the speech. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 10-11, 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% Rate Obama’s Deficit Reduction Efforts As Poor

Voters give President Obama better marks for pursuing economic fairness than in dealing with the nation’s  federal budget deficits.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks when it comes to handling issues related to economic fairness. Nearly as many (39%) view his performance in this area as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Obama Earns Mixed Marks on Taxes, Spending

Voters give President Obama mixed reviews when it comes to taxes and government spending but think he's doing a slightly better job on the revenue side.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the president’s handling of issues related to taxes as good or excellent, while 39% give him a poor rating in this area. 

Similarly, 39% consider his handling of government spending to be good or excellent, but 45% think he’s doing a poor job. (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 January 31-February 1, 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.

46% Say Obama Policies Too Hostile Toward Small Business

Voters tend to think President Obama's policies are friendlier to big business than to small business, but four-out-of-10 rate his policies to both as about right.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters believe President Obama's policies are too hostile toward small business. Just four percent (4%) consider his policies too friendly to small business, while 39% say they are about right. (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 January 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.

44% Give Obama Positive Marks on Gun Control

President Obama has announced that gun control and immigration will be two of his top priorities this year, and voters nationwide give the president mixed reviews in both areas. But as in most issues involving Obama, there's a wide partisan opinion gap.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 39% rate the president’s handling of immigration issues as good or excellent. Thirty-seven percent (37%) say he is doing a poor job in this area. (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 January 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.

42% Give Obama Positive Marks for Job Creation

Voters give President Obama mixed marks in the areas of job creation and small business, but predictably there's wide partisan disagreement.