Politics

37% Thinks U.S. Spends Too Much on Defense

With cuts in defense spending on the "fiscal cliff" negotiating table, 37% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States spends too much on the military and national security. That's up from 29% in early November, and the highest negative assessment of defense spending in over a year of regular tracking. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 23% of likely voters believe the country doesn't spend enough on the military and national security, while 33% feel the level of spending is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 8-9, 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.

45% Think U.S. Should Help Rebels if Syrian Government Resorts to Chemical Weapons

Voters now think Syria is slightly more likely to use chemical weapons against anti-government rebels, and a plurality continues to believe the United States should help the rebels if those weapons are used. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the Syrian government is likely to use chemical weapons against its opponents, with 18% who say it’s Very Likely. Just 23% think the government is unlikely to resort to these weapons to put down the growing protests, but that includes only five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 6-7, 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.

Only 17% Are Very Confident They'll Get Their Full Social Security Benefits

Sixty-five percent (65%) of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Social Security, the highest in nearly a year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% of voters have an unfavorable view of the federal retirement program. These findings include 28% with a Very Favorable opinion and 11% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 4-5, 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.

54% Put Economic Growth Ahead of Economic Fairness

Most voters still put growing the economy ahead of a level economic playing field, despite increasing calls for higher taxes on the wealthy. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters think economic growth is more important than economic fairness. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disagree and put economic fairness first. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 4-5, 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.

52% Rate Obama as a Good or Excellent Leader

Most voters now consider President Obama a good or excellent leader.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate Obama that way, the highest finding since May 2009 and the first time that number has broken the 50% mark since June of that same year. Just 33% rate the president’s leadership as poor, the least critical assessment since January 2011. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 2-3, 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.

19% Favor New Government Spending to Stimulate Economy

President Obama is calling for $200 billion in economic stimulus spending in his proposal to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” but few voters believe increased government spending will stimulate the economy. Most think tax cuts are the better way to go.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the government should increase federal spending to help stimulate the economy. Sixty-two percent (62%) oppose new spending as an economic stimulus. Nineteen percent (19%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 4-5, 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.

46% Favor Allowing Religious Exemption for Contraceptive Mandate, 41% Oppose

Voters are narrowly supportive of allowing businesses and religious organizations to opt out of government-mandated free birth control for their women employees if religious beliefs are at stake. As part of the new national health care law, the Obama administration has mandated that all companies must have health insurance coverage that provides no-cost contraceptives for women.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters feel that if providing such coverage violates the deeply held beliefs of a church, religious organization or business owner, they should be allowed to opt out of providing coverage for contraceptives.

But nearly as many voters (41%) disagree and oppose anyone being allowed to opt out for religious reasons. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 2-3, 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 Strongly Support Individual Choice When It Comes to Health Insurance

Voters tend to agree with the federal government setting standards for health insurance coverage but think individuals should have the right to choose reduced coverage if it saves them money.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters think the government should require every health insurance company and health insurance plan to cover the exact same set of medical procedures. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree and oppose such a mandate. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 2-3, 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 Think Obama More Willing to Deal on ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Than GOP

As the “fiscal cliff’ draws nearer, voters are more confident that President Obama is willing to agree to a deal with both spending cuts and tax increases than Republicans in Congress are.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president is willing to accept a deal that includes both his tax increases and significant cuts in government spending. Nearly as many (40%) think Obama will insist on tax increases only.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 30-December 1, 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.

No Change: 51% See Deal to Avoid ‘Fiscal Cliff’ As Likely

Most voters continue to feel President Obama and Congress should prevent the pending “fiscal cliff” of big tax hikes and deep spending cuts from being reached, but they remain only cautiously confident that a deal is possible.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters believe Congress and the president should stop the tax increases and spending cuts totaling more than $500 billion that are scheduled to go into effect on January 1. Only 20% disagree, while 19% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 28-29, 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.

42% Give Obama Positive Marks on the Economy

Confidence in President Obama’s handling of the economy has fallen back to pre-Election Day levels, but support for how he’s doing on the national security front remains constant.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president is doing a good or excellent job handling economic issues. Just as many (41%) rate his performance in this area as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 26-27, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Favorables: Socialism 24% Capitalism 68%

Most Americans continue to have favorable opinions of capitalism and the free enterprise system.

However, just 24% have a favorable opinion of socialism. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% have an unfavorable view of that economic system. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

57% Think U.S. Should Stay Out of Political Unrest in Egypt

Voters are much more pessimistic about the government changes in Egypt brought about by the Arab Spring protests, but most believe the United States should stay out of the growing political unrest there.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters feel the United States should leave the situation in Egypt alone. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% think America should get more involved in the Egyptian political situation, while 25% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge! This week's entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET tonight.

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 26-27, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

34% Have Favorable Opinion of Federal Government

A huge and fundamental perception gap about the federal government has opened along party lines.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Democratic voters have a favorable opinion of the federal government. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of Republicans offer an unfavorable assessment of the feds.

As for those not affiliated with either major party, the numbers are 28% favorable and 73% unfavorable. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

65% Favor Across-the-Board Spending Cuts

Voters continue to like the idea of across-the-board cuts in federal government spending and are notably less enthusiastic if the defense budget is exempted.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely U.S. Voters think thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government as the nation searches for solutions to the budget crisis. Just 20% disagree, although another 15% are undecided. (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 November 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.

50% Expect Health Care System To Get Worse Over Next Two Years

While a sizable number of U.S. voters believe today’s health care system is in good shape, half expect it to get worse in the coming years. The partisan differences on the issue are significant.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely Voters rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent, including just nine percent (9%) who give it an excellent rating. Nineteen percent (19%) rate the current health care system as poor. (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 November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

48% Think New Tax Money Will Go to New Programs, Not Deficit Reduction

Voters are a little less suspicious of how new tax revenues may be used. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters continues to believe that if Congress and the president raise taxes to reduce the federal deficit, they are likely to use the money for new government programs instead. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and believe new tax money raised to reduce the deficit will be used for that purpose. Fourteen percent (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 November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

66% Want Both Tax Hikes and Spending Cuts in Budget Deal

Voters are looking for a deal to reduce the budget deficit that will include more spending cuts than tax hikes. They expect a deal that will offer the reverse. And, voters are confident that the tax hikes will be real but aren’t so sure about the spending cuts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 66% of voters nationwide favor a mix of tax hikes and spending cuts to help reduce the federal budget deficit.  Twenty-four percent (24%) want spending cuts only and 4% would prefer only tax hikes. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 20, 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.

33% Say U.S. Legal System Puts National Security Ahead of Individual Rights

One third (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the legal system in this country worries more about protecting national security rather than about individual rights. Twenty-five percent (25%) think the U.S. legal system worries too much about protecting individual rights instead, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down five points from last month but generally in line with findings prior to that. Thirty percent (30%) think the balance is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national 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.

47% Say U.S. Should Stay Out of Escalating Gaza Situation

Voters tend to blame the Palestinians for the escalating violence in Gaza but also are slightly more inclined to think the United States should stay out of the situation rather than help Israel.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the Palestinians are more to blame for the escalating military conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Just 12% think the Israelis are more to blame, but a sizable 38% 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 18-19, 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.