Politics

49% See Death Penalty As Effective Way to Fight Terrorism

The U.S. Department of Justice announced last week that it will seek the death penalty for accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. More voters than ever support that decision, but they're less confident that the death penalty is an effective tool against terrorism.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of Likely Voters think the Boston Marathon bombing suspect should receive the death penalty if convicted. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% do not think Tsarnaev should receive the death penalty if convicted. Twelve percent (12%) 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 February 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.

60% Think Obamacare Fixes Unlikely Within the Next Year

Voters continue to be pessimistic when asked if the new national health care law is likely to be fixed anytime soon, but they also remain evenly divided over the impact of the law on their vote in the upcoming elections.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters believe most of the current problems with the health care law are unlikely to be fixed within the next year, with 35% who say it’s Not At All Likely. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and think it is likely that the most of the problems will be fixed that soon, but that includes just 19% who say it’s Very Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

60% Think Federal Government Should Cut Spending to Help Economy

Half of U.S. Voters worry the federal government will not do enough to help the economy, but even more think cutting government spending is the way to go.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters Voters are worried the government will not do enough in reacting to the nation's economic problems. Thirty-nine percent (39%) fear instead that the feds will do too much. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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

7% Say Feds Very Likely to Close Border If Immigration Plan Becomes Law

Republicans leaders in Congress are now pushing an immigration reform measure that paves a way to citizenship for those here illegally after the border is completely secured. Most voters still favor such a plan but remain highly skeptical that the federal government will actually close the border to stop future illegal immigration.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a comprehensive immigration reform plan that would give legal status to those who entered the country illegally but have otherwise obeyed the law – if the border is really secured to prevent future illegal immigration. Twenty-five percent (25%) oppose such a plan, while 19% are undecided about it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 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.

Most Favor Minimum Wage Hike, Oppose More Jobless Benefits

Most voters disagree with President Obama’s assessment of the state of the union and oppose his plan to extend benefits for the long-term unemployed. But they continue to support raising the minimum wage.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the president’s statement in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night that “after five years of grit and determined effort, the United States is better positioned for the 21st century than any other nation on Earth.” More than twice as many (58%) disagree with that analysis of the United States’ present condition. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Just 29% in Louisiana Think State Has Fully Recovered from Katrina

Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast over eight years ago, but just 29% of Louisiana voters think their state has fully recovered.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely Louisiana Voters believe the state has not yet fully recovered from the category 3 hurricane. However, one-in-five (21%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Louisiana was conducted on January 28-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

63% Say Government Contracts Go To Those With Most Political Connections

When it comes to government contracts, most voters still aren’t convinced that they go to the best person for the job. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters believe most government contracts are awarded to the company with the most political connections rather than one that can provide the best service for the best price. Twenty-five percent (25%) disagree and believe most government contracts go to the company that can provide the best service for the best price. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording,click here.)

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The surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on January 23-24, 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.

69% Think It’s Better for Obama to Work With Congress Than Go Around It

President Obama made it clear in his State of the Union speech last night that he is prepared to take independent executive action if he can’t get Congress to work with him on some major issues, but voters strongly believe it’s better for the president to work with Congress than to go it alone. However, most also think it’s more important for Republicans in Congress to work with the president than to stand for what they believe.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, taken the night before and the night of the president’s speech, finds that 69% of Likely U.S. Voters think it it better for the president to work with Congress on things he considers important. Just 27% believe it is better for the president to go around Congress if necessary to accomplish what he feels is important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 27-28, 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.

62% See State of the Union Speech As Just for Show

A sizable majority of voters plan to watch or follow news reports about President Obama’s State of the Union speech tonight, but more voters than ever view the annual speech as just for show rather than setting an actual agenda.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of Likely U.S. Voters are likely to watch or follow news reports about tonight’s State of the Union Speech. That’s virtually identical to last year’s findings  but down from the 79% who followed the speech in January 2011. Twenty-six percent (26%) are unlikely to watch or follow reports about the speech. This includes 45% who are Very Likely to watch or follow the speech and 10% 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 January 25-26, 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.

59% Say Less Government, Not More, Would Help Close Income Gap

President Obama is expected to map out his agenda for reducing income inequality in his State of the Union speech tomorrow night. Most voters agree that income inequality is a serious problem in America today but don’t think government action is the best solution.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of Likely U.S. Voters consider income inequality at least a somewhat serious problem in the United States today. That includes 45% who consider it a Very Serious problem. Twenty-eight percent (28%) don’t think income inequality is a serious problem, with 10% who say it’s Not At All Serious. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on January 23-24, 2014 and January 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.

21% Think Federal Government Has Consent of the Governed

Just 21% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the federal government today has the consent of the governed, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

That's up four points from the all-time low of 17% last reached in August but is generally in keeping with regular surveying for the past four years. Sixty-three percent (63%) do not believe the federal government has the consent of the governed today, Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 21-22, 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. 

51% Approve of Governor McAuliffe’s Performance in Virginia

Just over half of Virginia voters like the job Terry McAuliffe is doing so far, and the new Democratic governor is viewed slightly more favorably now than he was right before Election Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely Virginia Voters at least somewhat approve of McAuliffe’s job performance, with 24% who Strongly Approve. Thirty-six percent (36%) disapprove of how the governor is performing, including 18% who Strongly Disapprove. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on January 20-21, 2014 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.

24% Think Iran Should Be Part of Syria Peace Talks

U.S. voters aren’t very optimistic about the U.N.-sponsored peace talks begun this week between the government and opposition forces in Syria, but one-in-four think Iran should be part of the process.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 28% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is even somewhat likely that the negotiations between the Syrian government and the anti-government opposition will lead to a peaceful political transition in their country. Fifty-six percent (56%) consider a peaceful outcome unlikely. This includes eight percent (8%) who believe peaceful transition is Very Likely and 20% who say it is 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 January 21-22, 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.

54% in Michigan Blame Detroit Bankruptcy on Bad Government

Most Michigan voters think bad government was the reason for Detroit’s bankruptcy, and half oppose a federal government bailout to ensure full funding of the pensions of retired Detroit employees.

A plurality (47%) of Likely Michigan Voters agrees with emergency financial manager Kevin Orr’s decision to have Detroit file for bankruptcy, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree with the bankruptcy decision. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Michigan was conducted on January 14-15, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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% Expect NSA Phone Spying To Stay the Same or Increase

Despite President Obama’s announcement of tighter controls on the National Security Agency’s domestic spying efforts, two-out-of-three U.S. voters think spying on the phone calls of ordinary Americans will stay the same or increase.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters trust the president, the executive branch, Congress and federal judges to make sure the NSA program is abiding by the Constitution. That’s up from 30% in early June when the spying program was first revealed. Forty-nine percent (49%) still don’t trust the government’s top officials to keep the program constitutional, but that’s down from 53% in October. 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 January 19-20, 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% Oppose GOP Plan for 500,000 Guest Workers Every Year

Republicans in the House of Representatives are proposing legislation that would allow the food industry to bring a half-million guest workers from other countries into the United States each year, and most voters don’t like the idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters oppose legislation that allows food industry companies to hire 500,000 guest workers every year. Just half as many (29%) favor the proposal. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on January 15-16, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

46% Think Benghazi Will Hurt Hillary Clinton in 2016

Most voters now believe the Americans killed in Benghazi, Libya in September 2012 died in terrorist attacks, and a growing number think Hillary Clinton’s presidential aspirations are likely to suffer because of the Benghazi affair.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters think the circumstances surrounding the murder of the U.S. ambassador and three other U.S. Embassy employees in Libya will hurt the former secretary of State if she runs for president in 2016. That’s up from 43% in late October. Just four percent (4%) think the Benghazi issue will help Clinton if she runs for the White House. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say it will have no impact, compared to 41% three months ago. 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 January 17-18, 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.

51% Oppose Senate Plan to Triple Legal Immigration

Most voters still see legal immigration as good for America, but one-in-three favor cutting the number of legal immigrants to this country even if the border is totally secured to prevent illegal immigration. Just over half oppose a plan passed by the U.S. Senate to triple legal immigration over the next 10 years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of Likely U.S. voters consider immigration, when done within the law, to be good for America. That’s down only slightly from 68% in March of last year. Twenty-three percent (23%) view legal immigration as bad for the United States. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on January 15-16, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

55% Still Believe U.S. Society is Fair and Decent

Belief that American society is fair and decent has reached its lowest mark since August 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that just 55% of Likely U.S. Voters now view American society that way. Thirty percent (30%) disagree and think society in this country is generally unfair and discriminatory. That's down two points from 32% in October, the highest level of pessimism in over six years. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on January 13-14, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

34% Think Best People Should Work for Government

Voters are evenly divided these days when asked if the best and brightest should work for the government.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it’s better for America if the best people take government jobs. But an identical number (34%) think it’s better for the country if those people go to work in the private sector instead. The remaining third (31%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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