Politics

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                            November 30, 201165% Want to End Aid to Pakistan
Hardly any Americans view Pakistan as an ally of the United States and there is strong support for ending all foreign aid to that country.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely Voters want to all military and financial aid to Pakistan. Only 11% want it to continue while 24% are not sure.
Just 3% view Pakistan as an ally and 25% see it as an enemy. Most (62%) see it somewhere in between.
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 28-29, 2011 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.
November 29, 2011Election 2012:  Generic Republican 48%, Obama 42%
A generic Republican candidate now holds a six-point advantage over President Obama in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup.  This survey was conducted Nov. 21, 22 and 27.

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                            November 29, 2011Gingrich Tells Protesters to Take A Bath, Get A Job: 43% Agree
Rising Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich made news recently when he suggested that the Occupy Wall Street protesters should stop protesting and get jobs after taking a bath.  Voters are evenly divided over whether that’s a good idea.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the former House speaker and think the protesters should take baths and get jobs. But an identical number (43%) disagree, and 14% more are undecided.
(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 27, 2011 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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                            November 28, 201137% View Occupy Wall Street Protesters Very Unfavorably, 30% Feel That Way About Tea Party
Voters have only a slightly more favorable view of Tea Party activists compared to Occupy Wall Street protesters. But they’re also a bit more likely to link the Tea Party to Republicans than they are to see Democrats as supporters of those protesting on Wall Street and in other financial centers. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Votes hold at least a somewhat favorable view of the Occupy Wall Street protesters while 55% have an unfavorable view. For the Tea Party activists, the numbers are more evenly divided: 44% favorable and 48% unfavorable.
(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 27, 2011 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.
November 28, 2011Most Voters Still Favor Health Care Repeal and Think It’s Likely
In the first Rasmussen Reports tracking poll since the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the constitutionality of the new national health care law, most voters to continue to favor the law’s repeal and think repeal is likely.
Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the law, with 40% who Strongly Favor it. A new national telephone survey shows that 40% at least somewhat oppose repeal, including 28% who are Strongly Opposed.
(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 27, 2011 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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                            November 26, 2011What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending November 26, 2011
Americans are taking a break this week from the cares and woes that have beset them all year. Their economic concerns and political views remain largely unchanged, so perhaps they feel they need to share the upcoming season of joy more than ever.
Eighty-three percent (83%) of American Adults, in fact, say they have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Just 12% disagree. Perhaps as a reflection of the continuing bad economy, however, more Americans were planning to have their Thanksgiving dinner at home this year, but nearly half - as usual - figured they’d eat too much at the holiday meal. 
November 25, 2011President Obama Gets Low Marks From Homeowners, Gun Owners
Among households where someone owns a gun, just 17% Strongly Approve of the way President Obama is performing his job. Fifty percent (50%) Strongly Disapprove for a Presidential Approval Index rating of -33.
The president does much better in households without a gun owner. In those homes, 26% Strongly Approve and 30% Strongly Disapprove for a Presidential Approval Index rating of -4.
(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 7,000 Likely Voters was conducted November 7-20, 2011 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.

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                            November 23, 201160% Favor Building Keystone XL Pipeline
Most voters support the building of the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to Texas and believe it can be built without harming the environment.
Sixty percent (60%) of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor building the pipeline which President Obama has delayed until at least 2013 because of environmental concerns. Just 24% are opposed. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure.
(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 21-22, 2011 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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                            November 22, 201132% Not At All Confident That They’ll Get All Their Social Security Benefits
Most voters continue to feel they are unlikely to receive their full Social Security benefits when they retire but still give the federal retirement program generally favorable marks.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 41% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that the Social Security system will pay them all their promised retirement benefits during their lifetime.
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 19-20, 2011 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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                            November 21, 201151% in Florida Disapprove of Governor Scott's Performance
Most Florida voters are unhappy with the job Rick Scott is doing as his first year as governor of Florida winds down.
The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely Florida Voters at least somewhat approve of Scott's job performance as governor, but 51% at least somewhat disapprove.

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                            November 21, 201135% See ‘Arab Spring’ Changes As Good for the United States
Most U.S. voters don’t view the political changes in countries like Egypt during this year’s so-called Arab Spring as good for the United States, and even fewer expect any of those countries to become U.S. allies.
Just 35% of Likely U.S. Voters say the new governments being established in nations such as Egypt, Libya and Tunisia are good for America.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% think those changes are bad for this country, while 12% believe they will have no impact.
(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 November 17-18, 2011 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.
November 20, 2011Florida 2012:  Romney 46%, Obama 42%
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney posts a slight lead over President Obama in the first Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the presidential race in the key swing state of Florida.
Romney earns support from 46% of Likely Voters in the Sunshine State to Obama's 42%. Nine percent (9%) prefer some other candidate, while four percent (4%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is nearly tied with the president, with Obama posting a narrow 45% to 43% lead in this matchup. Eight percent (8%) like another candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.
This Florida survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on November 17, 2011 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.
November 19, 2011What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending November 19, 2011
For President Obama and congressional Democrats, it was a breakthrough week of sorts. For Republicans, yet another presidential hopeful appears headed for the top. For all of us, it was another week of economic business as usual.
The Rasmussen Consumer and Investor Indexes, which measure daily confidence among both groups, showed slight improvement this week over recent months, but roughly 60% of both groups say the country is still in a recession.

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                            November 18, 2011North Carolina: Generic Republican 44%, Obama 42%
Barack Obama managed to win North Carolina’s Electoral College votes by less than a percentage point in 2008. That was the first time a Democratic presidential candidate had won the state since 1976, and the Tar Heel State looks to be competitive once again.
New Rasmussen Reports polling data shows that a Generic Republican currently attracts support from 44% of Likely Voters in North Carolina, while President Obama picks up 42% of the vote.
November 18, 2011Florida Senate: Mack (R) 43%, Nelson (D) 39%
Republican Congressman Connie Mack changed his mind late last month about challenging longtime Democratic Senator Bill Nelson in 2012, and now he finds himself with a modest edge over the incumbent in the first Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Florida’s U.S. Senate race.
The latest statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state shows Mack with 43% to Nelson’s 39%.
This Florida survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on November 17, 2011 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.

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                            November 18, 2011New High: 65% Oppose Automatic Citizenship for Children Born Here to Illegal Immigrants
Voters oppose more strongly than ever granting automatic U.S. citizenship to a child born to an illegal immigrant in this country.
Now, nearly two-out-of-three Likely U.S. Voters (65%) say if a woman enters the United States as an illegal alien and gives birth to a child here, that child should not automatically become a U.S. citizen.

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                            November 17, 201169% Say Federal Government Lacks Authority To Force Purchase of Health Insurance
As the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of the health care law, American voters overwhelming reject the notion that the federal government has the authority to force anyone to buy health insurance.
(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 U.S. Voters was conducted on November 15-16, 2011 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.
November 16, 2011Michigan: President Tied With Generic Republican
As President Obama seeks re-election, a couple of traditionally Democratic states may be more competitive than usual.
In 2008, the president won Michigan’s Electoral College votes by sixteen percentage points but most Michigan voters now disapprove of the way he’s handled his tenure in the White House. Just 47% of Likely Voters in the state approve of the way that the president is performing his job, while 52% disapprove, according to new Rasmussen Reports polling data.

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                            November 16, 201160% Put Border Control Ahead of Legalizing Undocumented Workers
Most voters continue to believe immigration policy should focus first on border control.  At the same time, they favor a welcoming immigration policy that excludes criminals and other threats to society. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely Voters believe it is more important to gain control of the border than to  legalize the status of undocumented workers already living in the United States.

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                            November 16, 201127% Want President to Act Alone on Jobs, 63% Say Work With Congress
President Obama this week announced his $1 billion taxpayer-funded plan to increase the health care workforce through new programs and grants. The effort is to counteract the stalemate in Congress over his previous jobs bill proposal. A modest plurality of voters nationwide opposes the health care jobs plan, and most think the president should wait to reach an agreement with Congress before enacting any jobs plan.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 36% favor the president’s program to “develop innovative new health care programs with special emphasis on hiring, training and deploying new health care workers.”
The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on November 14-15, 2011 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.