Politics

Most Recent Releases

July 10, 201247% Rate Obama’s Leadership Good Or Excellent
Although President Obama’s ratings on the economy are at the lowest level since last November, a strong plurality of voters continues to give him positive marks for his leadership. Not surprisingly, there's also still a wide partisan difference of opinion on this question.
Forty-seven percent (47%) of Likely U.S. Voters say Obama is a good or excellent leader, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-seven percent (37%) describe his leadership is poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on July 5-6, 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.

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                            July 10, 2012Only 7% Support Legal Reasoning That Led to Greater Government Regulation
In 1942, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could regulate how much wheat a farmer could grow on his own property for his own use. That ruling dramatically enhanced the power of the federal government by making almost all economic activity subject to federal regulation as “interstate commerce." However, voters today overwhelmingly reject that underlying argument.

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                            July 10, 2012Few Voters Expect Better Economy Regardless of Who Wins White House
Voters are not convinced that the economy will improve no matter who's elected president in November.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the economy will get better if President Obama is reelected, but 37% believe it will get worse.
If likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney wins the election, 36% expect the economy to improve, but 35% believe the opposite.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            July 9, 201280% Expect Repeal of Health Care Law If Romney Wins
Many Republican activists have voiced concern over the Romney campaign’s rhetorical stumbles since the U.S. Supreme Court upheld President Obama’s health care law. However, voters still overwhelmingly believe the likely GOP nominee’s claim that he will repeal the law if elected.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of Likely U.S. Voters nationwide think it’s likely the health care law will be repealed if Romney is elected president and Republicans win control of Congress. Just 15% see it as unlikely. The figures include 52% who believe a GOP sweep would make repeal Very Likely.  (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. 
 
This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on July 5-6, 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.

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                            July 8, 201240% Trust Local Government More Than State, Federal
Americans have more trust in local government than any other level in our federalist system.
Forty percent (40%) trust local government the most. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 23% trust the federal government the most and only 12% have most confidence in state governments.  (To see question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 5, 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.

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                            July 7, 201226% Conservative on Both Fiscal, Social Issues
Although the number of Democrats in country is still at its highest level of this year, more voters remain conservative on both fiscal and social issues. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 26% of Likely U.S. Voters say they are both fiscal and social conservatives.  Just 10% say they are liberal in both areas, while 63% are some other combination.   (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 27-28, 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.

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                            July 6, 2012Most Say Feds Should Handle Banks; Look to States for Minimum Wage, Gambling
Americans want federal government rather than state governments to regulate banks and financial institutions, but think states should handle gambling and minimum wage. On other issues, adults are more evenly divided. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 67% of American Adults think it’s better for the federal government rather than state governments to deal with banks and other financial institutions. Twenty-seven percent (27%) prefer state governments more in this area. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 5, 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.
July 6, 201231% Give Obama Positive Marks on Handling Economic Issues
The economy has been the most important issue to voters for years, but ratings for the president’s performance in that area are at their lowest level since last November.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows just 31% of Likely Voters believe President Obama is doing a good or excellent job handling economic issues, including 12% who say he is doing an excellent job. Forty-eight percent (48%) believe Obama is doing a poor job 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 nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 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.
July 5, 201247% Consider Obama’s Political Views Extreme, 31% Say Same of Romney
A bare majority of voters still considers Mitt Romney in the political mainstream, while the number who think President Obama’s views are extreme has edged up for the second month in a row.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters describe the political views of the presumptive Republican presidential candidate as mainstream. Thirty-one percent (31%) consider his views extreme. Eighteen percent (18%) 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.
This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on June 29-30, 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.

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                            July 3, 2012Views on Holder Unchanged: 40% Think Attorney General Should Resign
While much of the nation was reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on President Obama’s health care law last week, the House of Representatives voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for withholding information wanted for an ongoing investigation. It was the first vote of its kind against a sitting Cabinet member but hasn’t changed any minds about Holder.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 1-2, 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.

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                            July 2, 2012Americans Still Agree With Declaration of Independence
With Independence Day just around the corner, most Americans still strongly agree with the central tenets of the document that declared the nation's independence from Great Britain 236 years ago.
The Declaration of Independence, ratified by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, asserts that “governments derive their only just powers from the consent of the governed.” A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that 70% of American Adults agree with that statement, up from 66% last year and up from 56% in 2008. Just 13% now disagree with this assertion, but 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            July 1, 201230% Say America Better Off Today Than Four Years Ago
Most Americans don’t believe the county is better off today than it was four years ago, but they'd still rather live here than anywhere else in the world. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 30% of American Adults think the nation is better off today than it was four years ago. But twice as many (60%) don’t believe the United States is better off today. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            June 30, 201258% Say An Overly Powerful Government Is A Bigger Danger Than A Weak One
As they have for years, Americans feel a government that is too powerful is a bigger problem than a government that is not powerful enough. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of American Adults say a government that is too powerful is the bigger danger in the world today, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  (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 Adults was conducted on June 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.

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                            June 29, 201260% Say Border Control Should Be Top Immigration Priority
Most voters continue to favor a welcoming immigration policy that focuses on gaining control of the border.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely Voters agree that the goal of immigration policy should be to keep out only national security threats, criminals and those who come to the United States to live off its welfare system. Twenty-five percent (25%) disagree.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 25-26, 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.

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                            June 29, 201266% Put National Security Ahead of Human Rights
Former President Jimmy Carter complained earlier this week that the United States is “abandoning its role … as the global champion of human rights.” But most Americans put national security ahead of human rights when it comes to foreign policy and think the best thing the United States can do is be a good role model for others.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of American Adults think the United States is a positive role model for the rest of the world when it comes to human rights, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 19% disagree, but another 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 Americans nationwide was conducted on June 26-27, 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.

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                            June 29, 201271% Say Democratic Leaders Liberal, Republicans Leaders Conservative
Voters continue to see a sharp ideological difference between the leaderships of the two major political parties, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
Seventy-one percent (71%) of Likely U.S. Voters describe the leadership of the Democratic Party as liberal, and the identical number (71%) believe the leadership of the Republican Party is conservative. These findings include 43% who think Democratic leaders are Very Liberal versus 36% who feel the GOP leadership is Very Conservative.  (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.
This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on June 23-24, 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.

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                            June 28, 2012New Low: 46% Think U.S. Economy Can Recover If Europe Remains Troubled
Fewer Americans than ever are confident that the U.S. economy can recover as long as Europe's fiscal problems continue.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults still have faith that the U.S. economy can recover even if the European economy remains troubled. Thirty percent (30%) do not believe the U.S. economy can recover as long as the European economic crisis continues. Twenty-five percent (25%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on June 22-23, 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.

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                            June 28, 201260% Favor Building Keystone Pipeline
Completion of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas remains on hold, but most voters continue to support the building of the pipeline and believe it will be good for the economy.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor building the Keystone XL pipeline, including 33% who Strongly Favor it. Just 22% oppose construction of the pipeline, with eight percent (8%) who are Strongly Opposed. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here).
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 25-26, 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

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                            June 28, 2012Health Care Law Has Already Lost in Court of Public Opinion
A week after President Obama’s health care law was passed, 54% of voters nationwide wanted to see the law repealed.  Now, as the Supreme Court is set to issue a ruling on the law’s constitutionality, the numbers are unchanged: 54% want to see the law repealed.
In polls conducted weekly or biweekly for over two years since the law's passage in March 2010, the numbers have barely moved. In fact, for more than a year before the law was passed, a similar majority opposed its passage.
The dynamics have remained the same throughout as well. Most Democrats oppose repeal, while most Republicans and unaffiliated voters support it. Older voters, those who use the health care system more than anyone else, favor repeal more than younger voters. The number who Strongly Favor repeal has remained over 40%, while the number Strongly Opposing has remained in the 20-something percent range.
Most voters have consistently expressed the view that the law will hurt the quality of care, drive up costs and increase the federal deficit. They also don’t like the government ordering people to buy health insurance and don’t think the Constitution permits that anyway.
This strong and consistent opposition led Scott Rasmussen to conclude in a recent syndicated newspaper column that the “health care law is doomed regardless of what the court decides.”

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                            June 28, 2012Arizona Voters Blame Government, Employers for Illegal Immigration
Arizona is at the forefront of the national debate over stopping illegal immigration, but voters in the state are more likely to blame those who encourage the immigrants than those who come here illegally.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Arizona finds that 42% are angry about current immigration policy, and another 33% are mildly frustrated by it. Only 23% consider immigration policy just one of many issues they have an opinion on. (To see survey question wording, click here.)\
This Arizona survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on June 26, 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.