Politics

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.

South Dakota Governor: Daugaard (R) 55%, Wismer (D) 35%

Republican incumbent Dennis Daugaard posts a 20-point lead over Democratic challenger Susan Wismer, the winner of her party's primary last Tuesday, in South Dakota's race for governor.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds Daugaard picking up 55% of the vote to Wismer’s 35%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, while seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in South Dakota 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.

56% Want Federal Spending Cuts Across the Board

Most voters still recognize a need for spending cuts in the federal budget, but few are convinced 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. That’s down from 59% in February and 63% in October 2013. One-in-three (31%) disagree, while another 13% 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 May 29-30, 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.

42% Think Snowden Is A Spy

Edward Snowden said in a recent television interview that he is a patriot, but a sizable number of voters think the man who disclosed the National Security Agency’s domestic phone and email surveillance program should be considered a spy instead.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the 30-year-old Snowden, while 48% view him unfavorably. This includes seven percent (7%) with a Very Favorable view of the former NSA intelligence analyst and 20% with a Very Unfavorable one. Eight percent (8%) say they have never heard of Snowden, while 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 31-June 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.

Idaho Governor: Otter (R) 50%, Balukoff (D) 36%

Republican incumbent C.L. “Butch” Otter holds a 14-point lead over his Democratic opponent in Idaho's 2014 gubernatorial race.

Otter draws 50% of the vote against businessman A.J. Balukoff’s 36%, according to a new statewide telephone survey of Likely Idaho Voters. Eight percent (8%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Idaho was conducted on May 28-29, 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.

40% Approve of POW/Taliban Prisoner Swap, 43% Oppose

Most voters oppose hostage negotiations with terrorist groups like the Taliban, but voters are almost evenly divided over the prisoner swap that freed the only known U.S. military POW in Afghanistan.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the U.S. government’s decision to release five Taliban leaders from the Guantanamo terrorist prison camp in exchange for the one U.S. military prisoner of war behind held by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Slightly more voters (43%) disagree with that decision. Seventeen percent (17%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Idaho Senate: Risch (R) 54%, Mitchell (D) 29%

Republican Senator Jim Risch has a nearly two-to-one lead over his Democratic challenger in his bid for reelection in Idaho.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Idaho Voters shows Risch with 54% of the vote to Democratic attorney Nels Mitchell’s 29%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Idaho was conducted on May 28-29, 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.

48% Support Keeping Some U.S. Troops in Afghanistan, 44% Oppose

President Obama announced last week plans to withdraw all but 9,800 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year and fully withdraw troops by the end of 2016. Nearly half of voters support leaving some troops in Afghanistan through 2016, but most are not convinced America is any safer because of the U.S. mission there.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe some U.S. troops should remain in Afghanistan through 2016, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Nearly as many (44%), however, think the United States should withdraw all troops by the end of this year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Pennsylvania Governor: Wolf (D) 51%, Corbett (R) 31%

Republican Governor Tom Corbett trails his Democratic challenger Tom Wolf by 20 points in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Pennsylvania Voters shows Wolf with 51% of the vote to Corbett’s 31%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate in the race, but 14% are still undecided at this point. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Pennsylvania was conducted on May 27-28, 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.