Politics

56% Oppose Moving Marathon Bombing Suspect’s Trial Out of Boston

Most voters believe trials should be held in the places where the crimes were committed and oppose moving the trial of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect out of Boston.

The defense lawyers for bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev want to move his trial to Washington, DC because they feel the pool of potential jurors in Boston is too prejudiced, but just 22% of Likely U.S. Voters favor moving that trial out of Boston. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% are opposed to such a move. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on June 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.

Paul, Carson Are Now Hillary’s Closest GOP Challengers

Hillary Clinton earns 45% to 50% of the vote against six leading Republicans in potential 2016 presidential matchups, running best against Texans Rick Perry and Ted Cruz and poorest against Rand Paul and Dr. Ben Carson. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, once the GOP front-runner, now makes the weakest showing. 

New Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveying of Likely U.S. Voters finds that Clinton leads Cruz, a U.S. senator and Tea Party stalwart, 50% to 37%. She holds a similar 50% to 36% lead over Perry, the Lone Star State governor who is expected to make a second run for the GOP nomination in 2016. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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Three surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on conducted on June 14-15, June 16-17 and June 20-21, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for each survey 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% in New Jersey Approve of Christie’s Performance

New Jersey voters are pretty evenly divided in their views of Governor Chris Christie, but a sizable number believe the state's budget situation has worsened over the past year.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely New Jersey Voters approve of the job Christie is doing as governor, while 48% disapprove. This includes 17% who Strongly Approve and 30% who Strongly Disapprove. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted on June 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

64% Favor Death Penalty for Benghazi Killings Suspect

Voters strongly believe the Islamic militant seized Sunday night as a suspect in the murder of the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans in Libya should be tried here and, if found guilty, should be sentenced to death.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that despite the Libyan government’s demand that Ahmed Abu Khattalah be returned to their country, 70% of Likely U.S. Voters believe he should be tried in U.S. courts. Just 14% think the man identified by the Obama administration as the mastermind behind the killings should be returned to the Libyans. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

New Jersey Senate: Booker (D) 48%, Bell (R) 35%

Democrat Cory Booker, running for reelection after less than a year in office, holds a double-digit lead over Republican challenger Jeff Bell in New Jersey’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely New Jersey Voters finds Booker with 48% support to Bell’s 35%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted on June 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

39% Think U.S. Should Welcome All Immigrants Who Are Willing to Work Hard

Americans have mixed feelings about potential immigrants to this country and still tend to prefer those who can best help the economy. They also continue to believe that immigrants from countries with terrorist activity should get closer scrutiny.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of American Adults believe the United States should welcome all potential immigrants, other than national security threats, who are willing to work hard and able to support their family. That’s up a bit from 36% a year ago. But slightly more (43%) still disagree with a policy that welcoming. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 11-12, 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.

55% Expect Government Spending to Go Up Under Obama

Most voters still think government spending will increase under President Obama, but the number who expect tax hikes during the remainder of his second term remains at its recent low. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Likely U.S. Voters expect their own personal taxes to go up under the Obama administration. That is unchanged from March and ties the lowest level measured since November 2012. A year ago, 47% expected taxes to increase. Still, just nine percent (9%) now expect their taxes to go down under Obama, while 44% predict that they will stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

31% Favor Increasing Legal Immigration If Border Is Secured

Americans are slightly more supportive of increasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the United States if the federal government can fully secure the border first to prevent future illegal immigration. But most still want to decrease legal immigration or keep it about the same.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of American Adults now think the government should increase the number of immigrants allowed to legally enter the country if it actually secures the border and prevents illegal immigration. That’s up from 26% a year ago. 

But nearly as many (29%) want to decrease the level of legal immigration instead, while another 29% prefer to leave things unchanged. This compares to 38% who wanted to decrease legal immigration in May of last year and 24% who felt things should stay 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 11-12, 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 List Economy, Health Care, Spending As Top Issues

The economy continues to be the top issue on voters’ minds, but government spending has now worked its way into the top three on the list of 15 major issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports.

Seventy-two percent (72%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the economy is Very Important in terms of how they will vote in the next congressional election, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on June 4-5, 8-9 and 10-11, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for each survey 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% Favor U.S. Airstrikes in Iraq to Fight al Qaeda

As the Obama administration deliberates on how to respond to the rapidly escalating insurgency in Iraq, several Republican lawmakers are calling for U.S. airstrikes. A plurality of U.S. voters support such airstrikes in Iraq, but most agree with the administration’s stance to not put U.S. boots on the ground.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the United States making military airstrikes in Iraq to help its government fight the al Qaeda-led insurgency. Thirty-two percent (32%) oppose such action. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on June 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.

Virginia Senate: Warner (D) 53%, Gillespie (R) 36%

Incumbent Democrat Mark Warner has opened up a slightly larger lead over Republican challenger Ed Gillespie in Virginia’s U.S. Senate race.

Warner now picks up 53% of the vote to Gillespie’s 36%, according to a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, while nine percent (9%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on June 11-12, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

63% View Quick Fixes to Obamacare Unlikely

Voters still doubt the problems with Obamacare will be fixed in the near future but also remain closely divided over how the new health care law will influence their vote in the November congressional election.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is unlikely that most of the current problems with the health care law will be fixed within the next year. This finding has inched up from 59% in December after the troubled rollout of the law and 60% in February. Thirty-five percent (35%) believe the law is likely to be fixed by then. These findings include 12% who say most of the law’s problems are Very Likely to be fixed within a year and 35% who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

65% Would Rather Be Called A Good Citizen Than A Patriot

Americans would rather be seen as good citizens than patriots and are closely divided on the role of the government in bringing about needed change.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of American Adults rate being a patriot ahead of being a good citizen. Sixty-five percent (65%) would rather be called a good citizen instead. Surveys of likely U.S. voters have found this sentiment on the rise from 52% in May 2010 to 62% two years ago. (To see survey question wording, click here)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 9-10, 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.

29% Favor Ban on Hate Speech

Most Americans still worry about so-called hate speech but strongly defend an individual's right to say what he or she wants without government interference

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults consider hate speech at least a somewhat serious problem in America today, up 10 points from a year ago. This includes 30% who say it is a Very Serious one. Just 27% rate hate speech as a not very or Not At All serious problem. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 5-6, 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.

Opposition to Bergdahl POW Swap Rises to 54%

Public opinion is shifting away from support for the prisoner swap that brought U.S. POW Bowe Bergdahl home from Afghanistan.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters now disagree with the decision to release five Taliban leaders from the Guantanamo terrorist prison camp in exchange for the one U.S. military prisoner of war being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.  That’s up 11 points from 43% a week ago.

Just 29% agree with the Obama administration’s decision to make the prisoner swap, an 11-point drop from 40% last week. Sixteen percent (16%) are still undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 10-11, 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.

Alabama Governor: Bentley (R) 55%, Griffith (D) 32%

Republican Governor Robert Bentley is far ahead of Democratic challenger Parker Griffith in his bid for reelection in Alabama.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Alabama Voters finds Bentley with 55% support to Griffith’s 32%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and nine percent (9%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in California was conducted on June 9-10, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

61% Think America is Too Politically Correct

Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich's recent forced resignation over a political contribution he made three years ago in support of traditional marriage prompted even leading gay columnist Andrew Sullivan to say political correctness has gone too far. More Americans than ever consider the United States too politically correct, and most agree that a company's product is more important than the views of those who run the company.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults believe America today has become too politically correct. That number has been climbing since October 2010. Just 12% think the United States is not politically correct enough, while 16% think the amount of political correctness is about right. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 5-6, 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.

37% of GOP Voters Say Tea Party Will Hurt Their Party in 2014 Elections

In a survey conducted prior to last night’s stunning defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor by a Tea Party candidate in Virginia, Republican voters are showing slightly less enthusiasm for the movement and its potential impact on this year’s elections. But GOP voters remain strongly convinced that it is important for Republicans in Congress to work with the Tea Party.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27% of all Likely Voters view the Tea Party movement favorably. Fifty percent (50%) view the smaller government/lower taxes movement unfavorably. A sizable 22% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 4-5, 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.

California Governor: Brown (D) 52%, Kashkari (R) 33%

Democratic Governor Jerry Brown has a 19-point lead over Republican challenger Neel Kashkari in his bid for reelection in California.

Brown picks up 52% of the vote to Kashkari’s 33% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely California Voters. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while 10% are undecided at this point. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 823 Likely Voters in California was conducted on June 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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 Like New EPA Emissions Controls But Say Congress Needs to OK First

Voters continue to have a love-hate relationship with environmental regulations. Most approve of the EPA’s new restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions even though they expect energy costs to rise as a result, but they also don’t think the agency should be able move ahead on energy controls like this without Congress’ approval.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters approve of new environmental regulations to place stricter limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 30% oppose the regulations intended to reduce the emissions 30% by the year 2030 as part of the EPA’s effort to fight global warming. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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