Politics

64% View Federal Government Unfavorably

Thirty-three percent (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable view of the federal government, but that includes just eight percent (8%) with a Very Favorable one. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% regard the federal government unfavorably, with 34% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The overall findings are unchanged from November of last year, but the number of voters with a Very Unfavorable view of the government has risen six points from 28% at that time.

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

42% Identify with Obama Politically, 42% with the Tea Party

Voters are evenly divided when asked whether they agree more politically with President Obama or with the average member of the Tea Party. But an enormous partisan gap colors virtually all opinions of the Tea Party.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president’s views are closest to their own when it comes to the major issues facing the country. But just as many (42%) say their views come closest to those of the average Tea Party member instead. 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 October 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.

65% Oppose Use of Drones for U.S. Police Work

Voters show even stronger support for increasing the use of unmanned drone aircraft to kill terrorists overseas, even though most believe the drone attacks are killing more innocents than are reported. But voters strongly oppose police use of such drones in the skies over this country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 69% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the use of unmanned drone aircraft to kill al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists overseas. Twenty percent (20%) oppose the use of drones to kill terrorists overseas, while 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

44% Favor Gay Marriage, 44% Oppose

Voters nationwide are almost evenly divided when asked if marriage is a religious or civil institution, but slightly more feel laws regarding marriage should be set at the state or local level rather than by the federal government. There are sharp differences of opinion over gay marriage depending on how voters feel about these two issues. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters consider marriage to be more of a religious institution than a civil one. Nearly as many (45%) regard marriage more as a civil institution. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

51% Favor Delaying Individual Mandate, 34% Oppose

Just over half of U.S. voters still want to delay the requirement that everyone must have health insurance, but support for delaying that mandate is down, despite the ongoing problems with government exchange websites set up to provide health insurance.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Obama administration should delay the individual mandate because of the problems experienced by the health insurance exchanges. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree and oppose any delay in the requirement that every American have health insurance by January 1. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

52% Worry Government Won't Do Enough for Economy; 62% Want Cuts

Following the short-term deal to end the partial government shutdown, voters are more concerned than ever that the federal government will not do enough responding to the weak economy. But most continue to believe spending cuts are the best move the government can make.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters now say they are more worried that the government won’t do enough in reacting to the country's current economic problems, while 37% worry more that it will do too much. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

5% Think Feds Very Likely to Seal Border if New Immigration Law Passes

Most voters continue to put more border control first in any immigration reform plan, but fewer than ever trust the federal government to actually control the border if a new plan is passed. Voters also lean toward a go-slow piece-by-piece approach to immigration reform over a comprehensive bill.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is even somewhat likely that the federal government will actually secure the border and prevent illegal immigration if that’s part of new immigration legislation. Sixty-five percent (65%) consider it unlikely. This includes only five percent (5%) who say the government is Very Likely to secure the border if it’s part of legislation that would give legal status to those already here illegally and 24% who feel 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 October 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.

32% Still Believe U.S. Society Unfair, Discriminatory

One-third of voters maintain their belief that American society isn't fair -- tying the highest level of pessimism in over six years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 58% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider American society generally fair and decent.  That is in line with July’s numbers and up only slightly from a recent low of 55% in August of last year.  Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree and think American society is generally unfair and discriminatory. That's unchanged from the previous survey which marked the highest negative view since late July 2007. (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 from October 14-15, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 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% Say Government Shutdown Had Some Personal Impact on Them, 46% Say None

In the aftermath of the partial government shutdown that ended last week, voters’ expectations of its personal and economic impact were mostly in line with reality.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the government shutdown had some impact on their personal lives, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes 40% who say the shutdown had a minor personal impact and just 11% who say it had a major one. Forty-six percent (46%) say the shutdown did not personally impact them at all. (To see survey question wording, click here.)  

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

43% Know Someone Who Joined Military To Get A Job

More Americans know someone who has joined the military because they needed a job, but fewer think veterans are receiving the appropriate benefits for their service.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults now say they know someone who has joined the military because of the bad job market. That's up four points from 39% in January 2012. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 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.

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53% Still Don’t Trust Feds to Keep NSA Surveillance Legal

Voters remain skeptical of the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance programs, but most agree that the continued disclosure of details about these programs is probably bad for national security.

Thirty-four percent (34%) of Likely U.S. Voters favor the NSA’s tracking of the telephone calls and e-mails of millions of Americans as part of the effort to fight terrorism, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-nine percent (49%) are opposed. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

56% Feel Americans Less Tolerant of Others’ Political Views

Given the anger over the political stalemate of the past few weeks, it’s not surprising that most Americans believe their fellow citizens are less tolerant of others’ political views these days. But what is surprising is that fewer Americans than ever feel this way.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of American Adults still believe their fellow citizens are less tolerant of other people’s political opinions than they were in the past, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that’s down 15 points from last October  and the lowest finding in surveying since 2010. Just 17% believe Americans have grown more tolerant of others’ political views, a finding that has changed little over the years. Twenty-three percent (23%) believe the level of tolerance is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 11-12, 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.

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78% Want To Throw Out Entire Congress and Start Over

If the next congressional election were held today, it would be bad news for the current members of Congress from both major parties.

Just eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters would vote to keep the entire current Congress. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 78% would vote instead to get rid of the entire Congress and start over again. That’s a 10-point jump from the previous high of 68% in May of last year. 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 October 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.

30% Consider Significant Spending Cuts Likely Over Next Few Years

As the deadline for raising the federal debt ceiling approaches, most voters still want lawmakers to consider spending cuts in all federal government programs - without exceptions - but don’t expect any significant cuts to be made.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-four percent (24%) disagree, while 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national telephone survey of 1000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from October 10-11, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the 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.

New Low: 19% Believe U.S. Can Still Win War in Afghanistan

As the war in Afghanistan continues into its 13th year, voter confidence in U.S. efforts there is lower than ever. Most voters now want U.S. troops out of the embattled country immediately.

Just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it’s still possible for the United States to win the war in Afghanistan, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-four percent (54%) don’t think it’s possible for the United States to win the war. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

46% Want Democrats to Control Congress, 45% Prefer GOP In Charge

After two weeks of a partial government shutdown, ask voters which party they want in charge of Congress, and - it’s a draw.

Right now, Democrats control the U.S. Senate, and Republicans have the majority in the House of Representatives. Forty-six percent (46%) of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democratic Party to be in charge of the entire Congress if their vote in next year’s elections was the determining factor. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just as many (45%) would vote for the Republican Party to be totally in control. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

47% Think Neither Political Party Represents the American People

Belief that the Republican Party has a plan for the future has tumbled 20 points since last year, but nearly half of voters still believe neither major political party represents the American people.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 34% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the GOP has a plan for where it wants to take the nation. That’s down from 54% in June 2012  and back to levels seen in earlier surveys. Forty-seven percent (47%) think Republicans do not have a plan for the future, while 19% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

39% View EPA Favorably, 39% Unfavorably

Voters remain evenly divided in their opinions of the Environmental Protection Agency, but a sizable number still believe the agency’s regulations and actions hurt the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 39% of Likely Voters have a favorable opinion of the EPA, while just as many (39%) view it unfavorably. Twenty-two percent (22%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

45% Think Children of Illegal Immigrants Should Be Able to Attend Public School

Currently, any child living in the United States legally or illegally is entitled to a free public education. Voters are closely divided over whether they agree with that policy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters say if a family is not in the country legally, their children should still be allowed to attend public school. That's a 13-point increase from the 32% who felt that way in August 2011. Forty-two percent (42%) disagree and think the children of illegal immigrants should not be allowed to go to public schools. 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 October 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. 

53% Want Major Spending Cuts As Part of Debt Ceiling Deal

Most voters agree that if Congress and the president don’t raise the federal debt ceiling it will be bad for the economy but think major cuts in government spending should be part of any deal to raise that ceiling.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think there will be no economic impact if the federal government’s $16.7 trillion debt ceiling is not raised. Sixty-two percent (62%) believe it will be bad for the economy if the government defaults on its debt. Twelve percent (12%) say it will be good for the economy. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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