Politics

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November 15, 2011Election 2012: Obama 45%, Generic Republican 44%
After trailing in nearly four months of weekly surveys, President Obama is now essentially tied with a generic Republican candidate in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup for the week ending Sunday, November 13.  The president earns his highest level of support in nearly six months. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama earning 45% support, while the generic Republican picks up 44% of the vote.
The survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted November 7-13, 2011 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.surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
November 15, 2011Election 2012: Generic Republican 46%, Obama 43%
A generic Republican candidate has moved slightly ahead of President Obama again in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup for the week ending Sunday, November 20, highlighting how close the race remains. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds the generic Republican earning 46% support to Obama's 43%.  Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) 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 survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted November 14-20, 2011 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.

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                            November 14, 2011Generic Republican Leads Obama in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a must win state for President Obama’s reelection bid, but early polling shows the state might be competitive.
Just 48% of Likely Voters in the state approve of the way that the president is performing his job, while 51% disapprove, according to new Rasmussen Reports polling data. Those figures include 19% who Strongly Approve and 39% who Strongly Disapprove, giving the president an Approval Index rating of -20.
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Pennsylvania was derived from nightly presidential tracking poll surveys conducted October 22-November 13, 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 14, 201138% Favor Military Action If Diplomacy Fails to Stop Iran's Nuclear Program
Voters are strongly convinced that Iran will develop nuclear weapons in the near future and are pessimistic about diplomatic efforts to prevent this from happening. But they're narrowly divided over whether U.S. military force should be used if diplomacy fails to dissuade Iran from its course.
Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States should use military force to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons if diplomatic efforts fail.
The survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters each were conducted on November 11-12, 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 14, 2011New Low: 50% Expect Costs To Rise Under Health Care Law
Most voters still favor repeal of the national care law, but concern about its impact on the federal deficit and the cost of health care are down to new lows.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 55% at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, with 42% who Strongly Favor it. Thirty-seven percent (37%) at least somewhat oppose repeal, with 26% 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 11-12, 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 12, 2011What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending November 12, 2011
Poll after poll shows former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to be the Republican presidential contender voters are most comfortable with and the GOP hopeful who continues to run most competitively with President Obama. But that's not enough for a lot of Republican voters.
Just this past week, new surveying found that Romney is the GOP candidate viewed most favorably by all voters. This parallels other recent findings that voters see Romney as the GOP hopeful most qualified to be president and the candidate for the White House closest to the mainstream in a group that includes Obama.
The president and Romney remain in a dead heat in their latest hypothetical Election 2012 matchup. Georgia businessman Herman Cain lost ground to Obama this past week, now trailing him 48% to 37%. The week before, Cain trailed 43% to 38%.New numbers will be released for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on Monday.

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                            November 11, 2011Missouri 2012: Romney 45%, Obama 42%
So goes Missouri, so goes the nation. No state has supported the winner in more presidential elections than the Show Me State, and right now Mitt Romney is the only Republican presidential hopeful who leads President Obama among Missouri voters.
The first Rasmussen Reports Election 2012 survey of Likely Missouri Voters finds Romney with 45% support to the president’s 42%.

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                            November 11, 2011Obama Trails Generic Republican in Ohio
Most voters in the important swing state of Ohio disapprove of the way President Obama is handling his job, and an overwhelming majority believe the nation has gotten off on the wrong track.
(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 500 Likely Voters in Ohio was derived from nightly presidential tracking poll surveys conducted October 17-November 8, 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 11, 2011Just 25% Have Favorable Opinion of Rick Perry
Of the top contenders for the Republican presidential nomination, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is viewed most favorably by all voters, while Texas Governor Rick Perry is the least liked. Among Republican voters, Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich still earn mostly positive reviews, while Perry and Ron Paul do not.  
Following his devastating debate freeze, just 25% of voters nationwide now have a favorable opinion of Perry.
(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 9-10, 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 11, 201186% Give U.S. Military Positive Marks
As the nation marks Veterans Day today, voters nationwide continue to strongly praise the performance of the U.S. military.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 86% rate the military's performance as good or excellent, including a majority (58%) who thinks the military is doing an excellent job.
November 10, 2011In Florida, Obama Trails Generic Republican by Six
In the swing state of Florida, President Obama’s job approval rating is below the 50% mark and the economy is the top issue on the minds of voters.
New Rasmussen Reports polling data shows that 47% of Florida’s Likely Voters approve of the way the president is handling his job and 52% disapprove.

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                            November 10, 2011Most Believe Reporters Publish Damaging Info First, Check Facts Later
If it hurts a candidate they don’t like, most voters believe that reporters would publish damaging allegations first and seek to verify the facts later.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 54% of likely voters nationwide believe most reporters would follow the “publish first” approach while 34% believe the reporters would try to verify the facts before publishing them.
November 9, 2011Florida Primary: Cain 30%, Romney 24%, Gingrich 19%
As he continues to battle media coverage over past sexual harassment allegations, businessman Herman Cain leads other Republican hopefuls in the first Rasmussen Reports look at the GOP primary race in Florida.
The latest statewide telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary voters shows Cain with 30% support while former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney picks up 24% of the vote. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich draws support from 19% of Florida GOP voters with no other candidate picking up double-digits.
(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 Florida survey of 788 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on November 8, 2011 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.

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                            November 9, 201151% Now Say Allegations Against Cain Likely to Be Serious and True
Most voters now say that the sexual harassment allegations made against Herman Cain may be both serious and true. At the same time, two-thirds believe Cain’s ethics are at least as good as most politicians. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of voters nationwide say it is at least somewhat likely the allegations against Cain are both serious and true.
(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 7-8, 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 8, 2011California: Obama 45%, Generic Republican 41%
In reliably Democratic California, the president’s Job Approval rating has fallen below 50%, and he holds only a modest lead over a Generic Republican candidate.

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                            November 8, 2011Voters Are Angry, Especially at Congress and Bailed-Out Banks
There’s a lot of anger in America today, but voters seem to reserve a special place in hell for Congress and the large banks bailed out by the federal government.
Rasmussen Reports in its latest national telephone survey asked Likely U.S. Voters how angry they are at five segments of society regularly in the news, and most voters expressed at least some anger at all of them. But the intensity of that anger was strongest for Congress and the bailed-out banks.
(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 5-6, 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 8, 2011Just 33% Confident They’ll Get All Their Promised Medicare Benefits
Most voters still have a favorable opinion of Medicare but aren’t confident that they will get all their promised benefits. However, most also aren’t willing to pay more in taxes to make sure those benefits are covered.

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                            November 7, 201136% Say Wall Street Protesters Represent Views of Mainstream America, 44% Disagree
Voters tend to view the Occupy Wall Street protesters negatively and regard their views as liberal and out of step with mainstream America. They’re almost evenly divided over whether the protesters genuinely want to change the system or just want a bailout of their own.
Thirty-three percent (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters hold a favorable view of the protesters, while 43% regard them unfavorably, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-four percent (24%) 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 3-4, 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 6, 201151% Still Think Obama's More Liberal Than They Are
Half of voters still believe President Obama is more ideologically liberal than they are, but fewer feel that way than ever before. At the same time, the number of voters who regard the Democratic agenda in Congress as extreme is at the lowest point in over a year.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 51% believe the president is more politically liberal than they are. Only 12% think he’s more conservative.
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 1-2, 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 3, 201120% Say U.S. Government Has Consent of the Governed
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. voters feel the federal government has lost touch with the people it represents.  They also overwhelmingly believe the average member of Congress is more concerned with listening to their party leaders than their constituents. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of Likely U.S. Voters say the federal government has the consent of the governed.  Sixty-three percent (63%) disagree while 17% more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 30-31, 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 methodolo