Politics

Just 28% Favor Expanded U.S. Combat Role in Afghanistan

Voters aren’t enthusiastic about President Obama’s plan to expand the military's fighting mission in Afghanistan, but they’re slightly more confident an American win is possible in the nation’s longest-running war.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider Afghanistan a vital national security interest for the United States, up slightly from 32% in February and 36% in late May. Just as many (39%) disagree, but that’s down from 48% six months ago. A sizable 22% are still not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

75% Say It’s Very Important to Be a U.S. Citizen

Americans put a great deal of importance on being a U.S. citizen, but nearly one-in-three think it’s too easy to become one.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 92% of American Adults think being a citizen of the United States is at least somewhat important, including 75% who think it’s Very Important. Just six percent (6%) don’t see the importance, including three percent (3%) who say it’s Not At All Important to be a U.S. citizen. This shows little change from last September. (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 American Adults was conducted on November 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.

Clinton Still Leads Democrats, GOP Race Wide Open for 2016

Hillary Clinton remains the heavy favorite for her party’s presidential nomination in 2016, but the Republican race is still in flux less than two years before the election.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely Democratic Voters would choose Clinton if the 2016 Democratic presidential primary were held in their state today. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts is a distant second with 17% support. Vice President Joe Biden draws seven percent (7%) of the vote, while former Virginia Senator Jim Webb and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley are each the choice of just two percent (2%) of Democratic voters. (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 20-21, 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. 

40% Approve of Obama's Immigration Plan

Half of the nation’s voters don’t like President Obama’s recently announced changes to the U.S. immigration system and think it will be bad for the economy, and a majority believes the new plan will attract more illegal immigrants.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of the president’s new plan that will allow nearly five million illegal immigrants to remain in this country legally and apply for jobs. Fifty percent (50%) oppose the plan. (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 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.

Voters Think Google, Facebook Spy More Than Government

When it comes to your privacy, which worries you more – the government or your search engine?

Several major technology companies like Google, Apple and Facebook supported a recently blocked bill in the U.S. Senate that would have placed tighter restrictions on the National Security Agency’s collection of phone records, but 47% of Likely U.S. voters think such companies are more likely than the government to be monitoring their personal communications and Internet activity. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 32% think the federal government is more likely to be keeping tabs on them. Twenty-one percent (21%) 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 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.

When It Comes to NSA, Voters Put Preventing Terrorism Ahead of Privacy

A bill that would have put heavier restrictions on the National Security Agency’s collection of Americans’ phone records was blocked in the U.S. Senate Tuesday. While voters still aren’t fans of the NSA’s activities, they seem to agree with the bill’s opponents that preventing a terrorist attack is more important than protecting Americans’ privacy right now.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe protecting the country from a possible terrorist attack is more important than protecting the privacy of most Americans. Thirty-three percent (33%) take the opposite view, while 10% 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 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.

Most Voters Still Veto Obama’s Immigration Plan

President Obama is reportedly about to announce that up to five million illegal immigrants will no longer be subject to deportation, but most voters oppose his plan. The majority, in fact, continue to believe the federal government already isn’t doing  enough to send illegal immigrants back home.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. government is not aggressive enough in deporting those who are in this country illegally, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up slightly from 52% in April but down from a high of 60% a year ago. Just 16% believe the government’s deportation policy is too aggressive, while 17% say the number of deportations is about right. 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 Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 16-17, 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 Still Support Keystone XL Pipeline

While President Obama has indicated that he would likely veto a bill directing the federal government to move forward with the approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline, most voters continue to favor the pipeline’s construction and feel it will help the U.S. economy. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters now at least somewhat favor building the major oil pipeline from Canada to Texas, while just 27% are opposed. This includes 37% who Strongly Favor the project and 14% who Strongly Oppose it. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 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.

Voters Favor Putting Health Care Law On Hold Until Court Challenges End

The U.S. Supreme Court has chosen to hear another legal challenge to the new national health care law, and nearly half of voters think it might be a good idea to put the brakes on Obamacare until all the court cases opposing it are through.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (47%) of Likely U.S. Voters thinks implementation of Obamacare should be put on hold until all legal challenges are exhausted. Forty percent (40%) disagree, but 13% 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 U.S. Voters was conducted on November 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.

32% Think Americans Are Too Stupid to Understand Obamacare

One-out-of-three voters agree that Americans are too dumb to comprehend the new national health care law.

Jonathan Gruber, a key architect of the law, has been caught on video saying the law was deliberately written in a confusing way so “stupid” American voters wouldn’t understand the real cost to them and thus would be less likely to oppose it.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters agree that the American people are too stupid to understand the true costs associated with Obamacare, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll. Just 52% disagree and another 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 Twitter or Facebook.

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

Most Want Major Spending Cuts But Don't Expect to Get Them

Most voters still want federal spending cuts across the board but think it’s unlikely they’ll actually happen.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters think thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government, consistent with surveying this year but down from a high of 63% in October of last year. Thirty percent (30%) disagree, while another 14% 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on November 10-11, 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.

Voters Show Tepid Support For Fighting ISIS With Iran

Voters give a lukewarm endorsement to President Obama's proposal that Iran join in the fight against the radical Islamic group ISIS, but they don't expect it to improve relations between the two countries anytime soon.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters favor cooperation between the United States and Iran in fighting the extremist Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. Thirty-three percent (33%) are opposed to such cooperation, while 24% 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 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.

Voters See Election As Rejection of Democrats

Half of U.S. voters say the Republican takeover of Congress was a repudiation of President Obama’s party rather than an endorsement of the GOP. Democrats don’t disagree.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 30% of Likely U.S. Voters believe last week’s election results were more a vote for the Republicans than a vote against the Democrats. Forty-nine percent (49%) disagree and say the election results were a vote against the Democrats instead. But one-in-five (21%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Voters Continue To Feel U.S. Doesn't Spend Enough on National Security

With a sympathetic Republican Congress coming in January, voters continue to feel the country isn't spending enough on national security and are more reluctant than they have been in several years to remove U.S. troops from Europe. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States does not spend enough on the military and national security. This is down five points from 43% in August, the highest finding in three years of regular tracking, but is more in line with voter attitudes for the past couple years. Twenty-two percent (22%) still believe the United States spends too much on defense, but this view has been trending downward since January 2013 when it reached a record high of 40%. Thirty-one percent (31%) say the country spends about the right amount 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 November 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.

Voters Say ‘No’ to Lame Duck Congress, ‘Maybe’ on Obama’s Nominees

The current Congress is expected to return this week for a final lame duck session, but most voters consider such sessions a waste of time. They’re almost evenly divided over whether any of President Obama’s nominations should be handled by this Congress or put off until the next one. 

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters agree that the time between Election Day and the swearing-in of the new Congress should be shorter, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree and think the current two-month wait is fine. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 nationwide was conducted on November 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.

Just 10% Think It’s Good That bin Laden’s Killer Has Gone Public

Americans don’t think it’s great for the country that the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden has identified himself to the public, but they also don’t believe the government should be able to shut him up.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 10% of American Adults think it’s good for U.S. national security that former Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill is now saying publicly that he killed bin Laden, the Islamic terrorist mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Thirty-four percent (34%) say it’s bad for national security that he has gone public with his story, while slightly more (37%) say it will have no impact. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 orFacebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 7-8, 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 Doubt Obama, GOP Congress Can Work Together

Voters question whether President Obama set the right tone in his first press conference after Election Day, and most aren’t optimistic about his working relationship with the new Republican congressional majority.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 24% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that the president and the new Republican majority in Congress can work together and do what’s best for the American people. Seventy-three percent (73%) lack that confidence. This includes just six percent (6%) who are Very Confident the two sides can work together and 33% who are Not At All Confident. (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 U.S. Voters was conducted on November 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.

2014 Midterm Elections: How Did We Do in the Governor’s Races?

There were governor’s races in 36 states this fall, and as usual we polled them all. But as in the case of the Senate races, the ones that we determined were not competitive were only polled once or twice at most.

A couple states we didn’t revisit for this reason surprised us. Democratic nominee Anthony Brown seemed a shoo-in in July in deep blue Maryland, but Republican hopeful Larry Hogan picked up momentum in October and won instead. In Vermont, incumbent Democrat Peter Shumlin is ahead as we expected, but since neither candidate got more than 50% of the vote, the state legislature will make the final decision.

59% Think New GOP Congress Likely to Be A Disappointment

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? The ink’s scarcely dry on Tuesday’s ballots, and most voters already expect the new Republican majority in Congress will let them down.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that most voters will be disappointed with Republicans in Congress before the 2016 elections. That includes 36% who say it’s Very Likely.

Just 26% consider it unlikely that the new congressional GOP will be a disappointment to most voters, with seven percent (7%) who say it is Not At All Likely. 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 U.S. Voters was conducted on November 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.

How Did We Do in the Senate Races?

There were 36 U.S. Senate races this year, and as usual most of them weren’t close and weren’t polled much, if at all. We pride ourselves on polling every race at least once, although we generally looked at ones that weren’t expected to be close only once or twice at most. That was a mistake in the case of Virginia where a popular Democratic incumbent ended up winning by less than a point.

But we clearly saw the Republican wave coming, although the margins in the races in some cases proved to be bigger than some of our final polls projected.