What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending September 19, 2008
It’s the economy, stupid. That’s what Bill Clinton ran on in 1992, and it looks like that’s what the final weeks of Election 2008 are going to be all about, too.
Public Content
Most Recent Releases
September 20, 2008
September 19, 2008
60% Say U.S. Economy Is Not Fundamentally Sound
Sixty percent (60%) of Americans now believe the U.S. economy is not fundamentally sound, and voters are evenly divided on whether any laws passed by Congress will make things better, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
September 18, 2008
McCain, Obama Yet To Convince Voters on Economic Crisis
Neither presidential candidate has convinced a majority of voters that they know how to handle the country's growing economic crisis, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
September 18, 2008
McCain and the Meltdown By Froma Harrop
"The fundamentals of our economy are strong," John McCain said as Wall Street went into white-knuckle panic over diving investor confidence. Does he believe that? It doesn't really matter, because the Republican has outsourced his economic policy to the ideologues whose opposition to regulations brought the financial markets to their knees.
September 18, 2008
Meet the New Map--Same as the Old Map (Almost) By Larry Sabato
In early summer, the Crystal Ball took its first look at the likely November 4th Electoral College map. Our assessment was that, in the College at least, the contest appeared close. John McCain had 174 solid or likely electoral votes to Barack Obama's 200 solid or likely. The lead switched once we added in states that were "leaning" to one or the other: McCain had 227 votes to Obama's 212, with 270 needed for election. Fully 99 electoral votes in eight other states (CO, MI, NH, NV, OH, PA, VA, and WI) remained in the toss-up category.
September 18, 2008
The Hyperbole Market -- It's the Worst By Debra J. Saunders
John McCain was right when he said Monday that despite the bad news about Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy and AIG trolling for help from Uncle Sam, "the fundamentals of our economy are strong." As politicians running for the White House learn, honesty is a commodity best used sparingly on the campaign trail.
September 18, 2008
The "Reform" McCain Wants to Forget By Joe Conason
With the markets in frightening turmoil and the public outraged by financial irresponsibility and excessive greed, John McCain has suddenly rediscovered the importance of strong, watchful government.
September 18, 2008
Paulson’s Courageous Action By Lawrence Kudlow
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is the man of the hour. This weekend he drew a clear line in the sand: no more federal bailouts. Not for Lehman Brothers. Not for global insurer AIG. Not for Merrill Lynch. Not for anyone, at least as of this writing.
September 17, 2008
First Dude By Susan Estrich
First Dude. That's what they call him in Alaska. It's OK. Todd's Ok. Whatever. He smiles at Greta Van Susteren. Not a touch of noblesse. More like plan old politesse.
September 17, 2008
Just 7% Favor Fed Bailout for Financial Firms
Only seven percent (7%) of voters think the federal government should use taxpayer funds to keep a large financial institution solvent. Sixty-five percent (65%) say let the company file for bankruptcy.
September 17, 2008
Just 23% Say Presidential Campaign More Negative Than Most
Most voters (55%) say the tone of this year’s presidential campaign is about the same as in other recent election years, despite complaints from Barack Obama’s side and some in the media that John McCain has been campaigning negatively.
September 17, 2008
Just Over One-Third Say Palin, McCain, Obama More Ethical Than Most Politicians
Despite both sides running campaigns aimed at changing a climate of special interest corruption in Washington, just over one-third of voters find three of the four major-ticket candidates more ethical than most politicians.
September 16, 2008
Democrats’ Lead Falls to Six on Generic Congressional Ballot
The Democrats’ lead in the Generic Congressional Ballot has fallen slightly for the fourth week in a row. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that, if given the choice, 44% of voters would choose their district’s Democratic candidate, while 38% would choose the Republican candidate.
September 16, 2008
Most Adults Like Idea of Four-Day Work Week
Due largely to high gas prices and rising energy costs, many state and local governments have been seriously considering the idea of a four-day work week for employees. A majority of adults (58%) nationwide think it's a good way to curb the government’s use of energy.
September 16, 2008
Palin 47%, Biden 44% in Make-believe Presidential Match-up
Sarah Palin bests Joseph Biden 47% to 44% in a hypothetical head-to-head match-up for the presidency, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
September 16, 2008
Democrats Face Historic Voter Hurdle
Much has been made this year about how the fundamentals favor the Democrats. An unpopular Republican president, a war that has dragged on beyond the limits of public tolerance, a declining number of people identifying as Republicans and a worrisome economy all set the stage for the Democrats to reclaim the White House.
September 15, 2008
Majority of Voters Say Only McCain, Biden Prepared To Be President
Sixty-three percent (63%) of voters say John McCain is prepared right now to be president, and 50% say the same thing about Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden. Forty-four percent (44%) say the man at the top of Biden's ticket, Barack Obama, is ready, but 45% say he isn’t.
September 15, 2008
Voters Say No to Obama in McCain’s Cabinet, and Vice Versa
A majority of Americans think it’s a good idea for a president to put members of the opposing political party in his Cabinet, as long as it’s not Barack Obama or John McCain.
September 14, 2008
TV Fans Want Two and a Half Men & House to Win Emmys
This year’s Emmy award nominees for best comedy and drama include old favorites and first-time nominees. But who fans want to win isn’t necessarily who they think will win.
September 14, 2008
TV Fans Select Laurie, Field, Carell and Applegate for Emmys
With this year's Emmy Awards just a week away, TV fans already know who they think will win the top acting awards in dramas and comedies, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
