Politics

51% Think Deal To Avoid ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Likely by January 1

President Obama will hold a press conference today to push his deficit-cutting plan as lawmakers in Washington battle over ways to prevent the massive tax hikes and spending cuts scheduled for January 1.  Given the partisan bickering, a bare majority of voters thinks a deal to avoid going over the so-called “fiscal cliff” is likely to emerge before then.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe it is likely that Congress and the president will agree on a plan to stop the tax increases and spending cuts before the first of the year. Forty-two percent (42%) think a deal is unlikely to emerge. These findings include only 15% who feel a deal is Very Likely and just as many (14%) 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 November 12-13, 2012 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% Are Pro-Choice, 38% Pro-Life

More voters than ever now identify themselves as pro-choice when it comes to abortion, and most rate the issue as important to how they vote.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 54% describe themselves as pro-choice on the issue of abortion, while 38% say they are pro-life. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 10-11, 2012 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% Favor Bush Tax Cuts For All But The Wealthy

Most voters favor continuing the so-called Bush tax cuts but not for higher-income Americans.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters prefer extending the Bush administration tax cuts for all Americans. But 53% favor continuing those tax cuts for everyone except the wealthy. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 10-11, 2012 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.

As Fiscal Cliff Looms, Voters Want to Extend Tax Cuts Past 2012

There’s been a lot of talk around the so-called “fiscal cliff”, the result of a potential combination of tax increases and automatic cuts in government spending scheduled to begin on January 1. Most voters believe Congress and the president should work to extend the tax cuts set to expire at the end of this year, but don’t think they should allow the automatic spending cuts to take effect at that time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 60% of Likely Voters believe the government should extend the variety of tax cuts, including those implemented during the George W. Bush administration, past the end of the year. Just 28% believe Congress and the president should let those tax cuts expire. Another 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 8-9, 2012 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 More Conservative on Fiscal Issues Than Social Issues

As voters headed to the polls this week, they remained a bit more conservative on fiscal matters than social issues. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely Voters are ideologically conservative on fiscal issues such as taxes and government spending. Thirty-six percent (36%) see themselves as moderate on those issues, while 17% say they are have liberal views on those topics. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 2,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 6, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error 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.

48% Consider Obama a Good or Excellent Leader

Just days after his reelection, nearly half of American voters see President Obama as a good leader.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters rate Obama as a good or excellent leader. Thirty-eight percent (38%) think he is a poor leader. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 7, 2012 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 GOP to Work With Obama, GOP Voters Disagree

Most voters feel it’s more important for Republicans to work with President Obama than stand up for what their party believes in. GOP voters overwhelmingly disagree, even as their party’s congressional leaders reach out to Obama to make a budget deal.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president set the right tone for the future with his victory speech Tuesday night. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree and think he did not set the right tone. 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 Voters was conducted on November 7, 2012 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.

29% Say U.S. Doesn’t Spend Enough on Defense, 27% Say Too Much

With big defense spending cuts looming unless President Obama and the lame-duck Congress reach a deficit-cutting agreement, voters remain evenly divided over whether the United States spends too much or too little in this area. Slightly more rate the level of defense spending as about right.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States spends too much on the military and national security, but that’s down eight points from 37% in October 2011.  Nearly as many (27%) say the country doesn’t spend enough in this area. Thirty-eight percent (38%) view the amount spent on defense as about right. (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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 6, 2012 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.

12% Made Their Presidential Pick Within The Last Week

For most voters, their decision to vote for President Obama or Mitt Romney wasn’t a last-minute thing. But four percent (4%) of Likely U.S. Voters finally made up their minds on Election Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% made up their minds about how to vote more than a month ago, while another 18% decided within the last month.

But five percent (5%) decided within the last week and three percent (3%) within the last few days. Combined with the four percent (4%) who reached a final decision at the very last minute, this means 12% of voters decided whom to vote for in the last seven days of the race. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 6, 2012 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% Favor Eliminating the Electoral College

After yesterday’s election, voters by better than two-to-one favor getting rid of the Electoral College.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters favor eliminating the Electoral College, while one-in-four (25%) are opposed. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 6, 2012 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.

Plurality Believes Both Campaigns Were Negative

Voters think both presidential campaigns were more negative than positive this election cycle.

 The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters believe Mitt Romney’s campaign has been generally negative, while 39% say the same of President Obama’s campaign. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 6, 2012 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 Don’t See Much Difference in the Candidates

Wonder why the presidential race is so close?

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll finds Mitt Romney with 49% support nationally to President Obama’s 48%.

But consider these findings from a week’s worth of Rasmussen Reports surveys involving interviews with 7,000 Likely U.S. Voters. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 7,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 29-November 4, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

New Hampshire Governor: Hassan (D) 50%, Lamontagne (R) 45%

Democrat Maggie Hassan has pulled ahead of Republican Ovide Lamontagne on the eve of New Hampshire’s gubernatorial election.  The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely New Hampshire Voters finds Hassan with 50% of the vote to Lamontagne’s 45%. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This New Hampshire survey of 750 Likely Voters was conducted on November 4, 2012 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.

New Hampshire: Obama 50%, Romney 48%

President Obama has a two-point edge over Mitt Romney in New Hampshire just before Election Day. 

The final Election 2012 Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely New Hampshire Voters finds Obama with 50% support to Romney’s 48%.  Two percent (2%) are still undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This New Hampshire survey of 750 Likely Voters was conducted on November 4, 2012 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.

Ohio Senate: Brown (D) 50%, Mandel (R) 48%

The U.S. Senate race in Ohio remains a near-tie on the eve of Election Day.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Ohio Voters shows Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown earning 50% and his Republican challenger Josh Mandel with 48% support. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and another one percent (1%) is still undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Ohio was conducted on November 4, 2012 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.

Ohio: Romney 49%, Obama 49%

The pivotal presidential state of Ohio remains all tied up on the eve of Election Day.

The final Election 2012 Rasmussen Reports survey of Likely Ohio Voters shows Mitt Romney and President Obama each earning 49% support. One percent (1%) favors some other candidate in the race, and another one percent (1%) is undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Ohio was conducted on November 4, 2012 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.

Virginia Senate: Kaine (D) 49%, Allen (R) 47%

Democrat Tim Kaine holds a two-point lead over Republican George Allen in the closing hours of Virginia's U.S. Senate race.

The final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters before Election Day shows Kaine with 49% of the vote to Allen’s 47%. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on November 4, 2012 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.

Virginia: Romney 50%, Obama 48%

Mitt Romney still earns 50% support in Virginia just before Election Day.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters shows Romney with 50% of the vote to President Obama’s 48%. One percent (1%) likes another candidate, and another one percent (1%) is 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 750 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on November 4, 2012 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.

30% Say Election Is Causing More Stress In Their Family

One-in-four Americans (27%) say the upcoming election has negatively affected their personal relationship with a friend or family member, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Forty-five percent (45%) say they have gotten into a heated argument with a friend or family member about the election. Most (52%) have not. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Perhaps, not surprisingly, men (53%) are more likely to have gotten in a heated argument than women (39%) are.

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 24-25, 2012 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.

Montana: Romney 53%, Obama 43%

Mitt Romney leads President Obama by 10 points in Montana.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Montana Voters shows Romney with 53% of the vote to Obama’s 43%.  One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This Montana survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on October 29, 2012 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.