Politics

Among GOP, Rubio Faves Down 15 Points This Year

Senator Marco Rubio, widely expected to seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, has seen his popularity with Republican voters slip in recent months.

Rubio, the most visible advocate of the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform plan, is now viewed favorably by 58% of Republican voters nationwide. That down 10 points since May and 15 points since February. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 16% of GOP voters have an unfavorable opinion of him, while 25% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

15% Favor Prosecuting Reporters Who Publish Leaked Information, 68% Disagree

Most Americans believe exposure of the government’s massive secret surveillance effort is likely to have hurt U.S. national security, but they don’t think reporters who reveal secret information should be punished for it. 

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that public disclosure of the National Security Agency’s phone and e-mail surveillance program has hurt this country’s national security. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 30% feel that’s unlikely.

This includes 21% who believe the disclosure of the surveillance program is Very Likely to have hurt national security and six percent (6%) who say it is Not At All Likely to have done so.  Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 17-18, 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.

34% Consider War in Afghanistan Very Important Issue

Peace talks between the United States and the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan have stalled, but just one-in-three voters see the 12-year-long war as a Very Important voting issue.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of Likely U.S. Voters say the war in Afghanistan is Very Important in terms of how they will vote in the next congressional election. That’s up from 30% in April and the highest level of importance voters have attached to war since last September. By contrast, 80% now rate the economy Very Important to lead the list of 15 major issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

48% Want Lifetime Ban on Regulators Working For Companies They Oversee

Americans are fed up with the so-called "revolving door." They feel even more strongly that government regulators should be banned entirely from working for the companies they regulate and want more transparency regarding contacts between regulators and members of Congress.

55% Disagree With Obama’s Decision to Arm Syrian Rebels

Most voters oppose President Obama’s decision to arm the Syrian rebels and think those weapons are likely to end up in the hands of America’s enemies. Confidence in the administration’s handling of the Syrian situation has fallen to a new low.

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(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 June 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.  

12% See NSA Leaker Snowden As Hero, 21% As Traitor

Americans have decidedly mixed feelings about the whistle-blower who exposed the National Security Agency’s secret domestic surveillance program, but then only one-in-three trusts those who are now defending the program.

Twelve percent (12%) of American Adults view Edward Snowden as a hero. Twenty-one percent (21%) consider the former independent contractor who has admitted leaking information about the NSA’s phone and e-mail surveillance program to be a traitor, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-four percent (34%) think Snowden falls somewhere in between, while 29% say it’s too early to tell. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 17-18, 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.

35% Have Favorable Opinion of Federal Government, 60% Unfavorable

Americans view local governments more favorably than their state and federal government, and generally prefer state and local solutions rather than turning things over to the federal government. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 35% of American adults have a favorable impression of the federal government. Sixty percent (60%) voice an unfavorable view. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 13-14, 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.

Distrust Growing: 70% Believe IRS Decision to Target Conservatives Was Made in DC

While the controversy over the National Security Agency surveillance program has dominated the news recently, concern about the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of Tea Party groups and other conservative organizations remains high and is inching up. Despite the large number of controversies engulfing official Washington, the number of people following the IRS scandal has actually increased in recent weeks.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of voters nationwide are now following the IRS targeting story, including 44% who are following the story “Very Closely.” The overall number of voters who are following is up from 74% a month ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

In New Jersey, 44% Would Vote for Christie for President

It’s the time in the political cycle when just about any Republican could be considered a presidential candidate. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s name comes up often in those discussions, but New Jersey voters aren’t convinced he should make the run.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of Garden State voters would like to see a Christie campaign in 2016. However, a Rasmussen Reports statewide poll shows that 41% disagree and do not want him to run. Twenty-two percent (22%) 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 state survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted June 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.

Most Want Donor Disclosure from Tax-Exempt Groups

Most voters believe tax-exempt groups should publicly disclose all of their donors even though most recognize some will be harassed by political opponents.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe that groups like the Tea Party and Planned Parenthood should disclose all their donors. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% disagree and 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

57% Fear Government Will Use NSA Data to Harass Political Opponents

There is little public support for the sweeping and unaccountable nature of the National Security Agency surveillance program along with concerns about how the data will be used.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters nationwide believe it is likely the NSA data will be used by other government agencies to harass political opponents. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 30% consider it unlikely and 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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. 

32% Are Willing to Pay More In Taxes to Keep Medicare As Is

Voters tend to believe it's not possible to keep Medicare going as is without a tax hike, but just one-in-three are willing to pay more in taxes to keep the government insurance program that way.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of Likely Voters think it's possible to continue Medicare as it is today without raising taxes, up from 29% in June 2011.  But a plurality (42%) still doesn't think that's possible, while 24% more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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(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 June 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.

24% Trust Federal Government to Do Right Thing Most or All The Time

Talk about a trust deficit.Just one-in-four Likely U.S. Voters (24%) now has confidence that when the federal government acts it’s doing the right thing most or nearly all the time, but that includes just four percent (4%) who say it almost always does the right thing.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of voters disagree, with 47% who trust the federal government to do the right thing only some of the time and 28% who think it rarely or never does the right thing. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

Voters Rate Surveillance Controversy Most Serious, IRS Second

Voters now rate the federal government’s secret surveillance of millions of Americans’ phone calls as the most serious controversy in Washington, The Justice Department’s targeting of reporters and the Obama administration’s handling of events surrounding the death of the U.S. ambassador to Libya are seen as the least serious.

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(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 June 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.

Unlike Senate ‘Gang of Eight,’ Voters Put More Border Control First

An immigration reform bill stalled in the U.S. Senate six years ago this month, but supporters expect this year’s model to pass two procedural votes as early as today to advance for further debate. Enhanced border security remains the number one immigration issue with voters but is a secondary issue for many supporters of the so-called “Gang of Eight” reform effort.

Americans Still Have More Faith in Local Government Than in Feds, States

Americans continue to trust local government more than federal and state governments, but there’s a big difference of opinion based on party affiliation.  Thirty-four percent (34%) of American Adults have more faith in local government, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty percent (20%) trust the federal government more than the others, while 14% have more confidence in state government. But one-in-three (32%) are undecided. (To see question wording, click here.)

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

Despite Obama's Assurance, 68% Think It’s Likely Gov't Listening to Their Conversations

Last week, responding to the furor over the leaked news of massive government surveillance efforts, President Obama dismissed the concerns as “hype.” He added, “If people can’t trust not only the executive branch but also don’t trust Congress and don’t trust federal judges to make sure that we’re abiding by the Constitution with due process and rule of law, then we’re going to have some problems here.” (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 June 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.

59% in Virginia Approve of McDonnell’s Performance as Governor

Most Virginians continue to like the job Governor Bob McDonnell is doing.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds that 59% at least somewhat approve of McDonnell's job performance. Thirty-four percent (34%) disapprove. This includes Strong Approval from 20% and Strong Disapproval from 13%.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on June 5-6, 2013 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.

59% Oppose Government’s Secret Collecting of Phone Records

Most voters oppose the U.S. government’s secret collection of the phone records of millions of Americans and think the feds are spying too much on U.S. citizens these days.  Just 26% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the government’s secret collecting of these phone records for national security purposes regardless of whether there is any suspicion of wrongdoing. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% are opposed to the practice. 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 June 6-7, 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.

12% of Facebook Users Say Hate Speech A Very Serious Problem on the Site

Facebook has outlined new steps to identify and remove hate speech. But while most Americans believe hate speech is a serious issue in this country, Facebook users are less inclined to see it as a problem on the social networking site. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults think hate speech is at least a somewhat serious problem in the United States today, with 22% who consider it a Very Serious one.  Thirty-three percent (33%) don’t view hate speech as a serious problem, including eight percent (8%) who say it’s Not At All Serious. (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 was conducted on June 3-4, 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.