What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending August 1, 2008
Barack Obama’s travels abroad were the focus of the news a week ago, but our latest polling finds that it really didn’t make any difference in the numbers at all.
Politics
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August 2, 2008
July 31, 2008
30% of Conservative Democrats Say They’ll Vote for McCain
Thirty percent (30%) of conservative Democrats say they’re voting for John McCain. Rasmussen Reports data also shows the Republican hopeful picking up support from 19% of White Democrats and 15% of Democrats over the age of 50.
July 30, 2008
More Voters than Ever Say They Would Vote for Black Candidate, Still Not Sure About Friends
Since Barack Obama has sealed the Democratic nomination, more voters say they are willing to vote for an African-American presidential candidate than ever before.
July 30, 2008
Obama Trip: No Gain for the Democrat, No Pain for McCain
Voters view Barack Obama’s highly publicized trip to Europe and the Middle East last week as a complete wash from a political standpoint, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
July 30, 2008
In White House Race, Twice As Many Voters Uncommitted Compared to Four Years Ago
When given a choice between Barack Obama and John McCain for President, 14% of voters are uncommitted. That figure includes 6% who say they’d vote for some other candidate and 8% who are undecided.
July 29, 2008
50% Oppose Tax Increases, Favor Pro-Growth Policy Over One That Guarantees Tax Fairness
With taxes front and center this week in the U.S. presidential campaign, 50% of Americans still see tax increases as bad for the economy and an identical percentage favor a tax policy focused on economic growth rather than fairness.
July 29, 2008
Americans, Split on Which is More Important – Offshore Drilling or Crackdown on Speculators
Voters are nearly evenly divided on which is more important– cracking down on speculators or lifting the ban on offshore drilling -- as the debate comes to a head in Congress this week over how to fight rising gas and oil prices. As far as public opinion is concerned, the best answer would be to do both.
July 28, 2008
36% of Voters Say Racism Bigger Problem in U.S. than Sexism
CBS News’ beleaguered anchor Katie Couric says sexism is more common and more acceptable in society than racism, but voters do not agree.
July 28, 2008
Edwards, Clinton are Top Favorites – and Top Unfavorites – For Obama Veep Slot
When it comes to whom voters like among Barack Obama’s possible running mates, it’s all about the also-rans. A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that 56% have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, including 21% who view him Very favorably.
July 28, 2008
Huckabee, Lieberman Have Highest Favorables among Possible McCain Veep Choices
John McCain’s camp signaled last week that the Republican might name a running mate to deflect some of the media glare from Barack Obama’s overseas trip, but ultimately no names were announced. Meanwhile, at least one of the key contenders for the job, Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, announced that he is not interested.
July 26, 2008
What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending July 26, 2008
Barack Obama was the political news this week, despite John McCain’s best efforts to get some of the media focus directed his way.
July 25, 2008
Most Voters Say Olympics Not the Forum for Political Protests
Just over half of all voters (51%) approve of President Bush’s decision to attend the Opening Ceremony, while 22% disapprove. Men are slightly more likely to approve of the President’s decision than women.
July 25, 2008
52% say Bringing Troops Home More Important than Winning the War
Despite growing confidence that the U.S. and its allies are winning the war on terror, most Americans (52%) still believe it’s more important for the next president to bring the troops home from Iraq than win the war there.
July 25, 2008
55% Rate Obama’s Berlin Speech Good or Excellent
Over half of Americans (55%) rate Barack Obama’s historic speech in Berlin yesterday good or excellent, and the Democratic presidential candidate is experiencing a modest bounce over John McCain nationally in the latest Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.
July 25, 2008
Military Veterans Favor McCain 56% to 37%
Voters who have served in the U.S. military favor John McCain over Barack Obama by a 56% to 37% margin.
July 24, 2008
54% Back Military Tribunals for Terrorists over U.S. Courts
Most Americans believe suspected terrorists should be tried by military tribunals rather than in U.S. courts, as the first such trial began this week at the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba.
July 23, 2008
63% Say Trip Does Not Make Obama More Fit to be President
While Barack Obama has touted his travel to the Middle East and Europe this week as a “fact-finding” trip, 63% of Americans do not believe it makes the Democratic candidate any more qualified to be president.
July 23, 2008
Romney Tops List of Possible McCain Running Mates
With Washington abuzz over speculation that John McCain will announce his running mate this week to take some of the focus off Barack Obama’s overseas travels, over a third of U.S. voters say Mitt Romney will be the Republican vice presidential candidate.
July 22, 2008
63% of Americans Want Troops Home from Iraq within Year
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 63% of Americans want the troops brought home from Iraq within a year.
July 22, 2008
An Inconvenient Perception: Voters Say Gore Plan Unrealistic, Costly
Only 33% of American voters believe Al Gore’s proposal to switch all of the nation's electricity production to wind, solar and other carbon-free sources in 10 years is realistic. And, beyond the Democratic Party base, most voters think Gore’s plan will make energy prices go up.
