If it's in the News, it's in our Polls. Public opinion polling since 2003.

Politics

Most Recent Releases

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July 1, 2011

57% View Hillary Clinton Favorably

Globe-trotting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in Hungary this week urging greater democratic freedoms, remains the most well-known and well-liked member of President Obama’s Cabinet among voters back at home. 

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July 1, 2011

Americans Under 40 Skeptical About Receiving Promised Social Security Benefits

Just 26% of voters under 40 believe it’s even Somewhat Likely they will receive all of their promised Social Security benefits.  That includes only 5% who say it’s Very Likely those benefits will be paid.

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July 1, 2011

51% Say Gov't Should Force Oil Companies To Use Profits To Develop Alternative Energy

Voters strongly believe the United States is not doing enough to explore alternative sources of energy, and most still think oil companies should devote big money to searching for those types of energy.

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July 1, 2011

Americans Still Agree With Ideals Set Forth in the Declaration of Independence

The upcoming Fourth of July holiday marks the 235th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence's adoption by the Continental Congress, and most Americans still agree with the central tenets of the document that declared the nation's independence from Great Britain. Whether the United States meets those lofty goals is subject to debate.

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June 30, 2011

Most Americans Give Constitution High Marks, Say Don't Change It

Most Americans still believe the U.S. Constitution has a positive impact on American life and think it should be left as is. But a sizable number also feels the document does not put enough restrictions on government.

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June 30, 2011

65% Believe Americans Should Have Right to Pick Own Social Security Retirement Age

While politicians argue whether to increase Social Security taxes or raise the retirement age for eligibility, voters think such decisions should be made closer to home.

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June 30, 2011

10% Would Base Their Vote On A Candidate’s Religion

Voters say overwhelmingly that they would not vote for or against a political candidate solely because of the religion he or she practices.

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June 29, 2011

Most Americans Fear A Government That Is Too Powerful

As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, more Americans than ever see danger in a government that is too powerful.

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June 29, 2011

63% Say Medicare Costs Can Be Reduced Without Hurting Quality of Care

Most voters think it’s possible to cut Medicare costs without damaging the existing quality of care but believe it can’t be done unless the overall cost of health care in America comes down.

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June 29, 2011

75% Say U.S. Not Doing Enough To Develop Its Gas And Oil Resources

Most voters continue to feel America needs to do more to develop domestic gas and oil resources. They also still give the edge to finding new sources of oil over reducing gas and oil consumption.

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June 29, 2011

63% Favor Death Penalty, 47% Say It Deters Crime

Support for the death penalty remains high, and adults are a bit more confident that capital punishment helps deter crime than they were a year ago.

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June 28, 2011

Generic Republican Candidate 46%, Obama 42%

A generic Republican candidate now holds a four-point lead over President Obama in a hypothetical 2012 election matchup.  It's the fifth week in a row that the GOP candidate has been ahead and the widest gap between the candidates to date.

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June 28, 2011

66% Say U.S. Society Fair and Decent

Most voters continue to believe U.S. society is generally fair and decent, but they aren’t quite as convinced that President Obama shares their views.

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June 28, 2011

42% View Retiring Defense Secretary Gates Favorably

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the only holdover from the Cabinet of President George W. Bush, is stepping down from his post this week with his favorables largely the same as they were when President Obama decided to keep him two-and-a-half years ago.

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June 28, 2011

30% Favor Tax Hikes To Keep Social Security, Medicare Solvent

Voters are closely divided over whether increasing taxes or raising the eligibility age is the best way to keep the government’s retirement programs financially afloat.

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June 28, 2011

47% See U.S. Justice System As Fair To Most Americans, 34% Don't

Less than half of adults nationwide believe the U.S. system of justice is fair to most Americans. But far more think the problem with the system is not that the innocent are treated unfairly but that the guilty go free.

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June 27, 2011

73% Say Woman President Likely in Next 10 Years

Voters are more willing than ever to elect a woman president, and most think there’s a good chance a woman will win the White House in the next 10 years.

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June 27, 2011

65% Say Current Taxes Not Enough to Fund Medicare, Social Security Promises

Most voters consider it essential for taxes to fund all promised Social Security and Medicare benefits and understand that the current level of taxation is not enough to keep those promises. But they're not overly sure they need to pay more taxes to keep those programs going.

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June 26, 2011

48% Say Al Qaeda Weaker Now Than Before 9/11

Nearly one-half (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the al Qaeda terrorist organization is weaker today than it was before the September 11, 2001 attacks on America.

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June 25, 2011

46% Say Obama Doing Poor Job on the Economy

Nearly half of U.S. voters give President Obama poor marks for his handling of the economy, but he continues to earn higher respect for his performance in the area of national security.