Updated September 1, 2006— On the first day of September, Rasmussen Reports is making our fourth shift in the Balance of Power ratings. All four have been in the same direction—towards a more competitive race.
Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty now leads Attorney General Mike Hatch, the DFL or Democratic candidate, 45% to 39%. Independent Peter Hutchinson manages to earn 8% in the three-way match-up, and 8% are undecided.
The number of Americans calling themselves Republican has fallen to its lowest level in more than two-and-a-half years. Just 31.9% of American adults now say they’re affiliated with the GOP. That’s down from 37.2% in October 2004 and 34.5% at the beginning of 2006.
Regardless of which Republican challenger emerges from Arizona’s September 12th primary as the official gubernatorial candidate, incumbent Gov. Janet Napolitano is firmly in charge of her re-election bid. The latest Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Napolitano leading Don Goldwater 55% to 32% and Len Munsil 52% to 33%.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has now bested Democrat Phil Angelides by six points for two surveys in a row. He leads the Democrat 48% to 42%.
In the NFL’s world of parity, it’s hard to establish dominance. That reality is reflected in the first Rasmussen Reports Super Bowl poll of the 2006-2007 football season.
California's U.S. Senate race has tightened slightly, but not enough to furrow the brow of the Democratic incumbent.
Incumbent Republican Sen. John Kyl is in cruise control and appears well positioned to win a third term in the U.S. Senate. The latest Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Kyl leading challenger Jim Pederson 52% to 35%. His lead was 19 in July and the current numbers are repeats of the results from June’s survey.
American baseball fans won’t be surprised if there is a subway series between the New York Yankees and New York Mets this year.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose one point to 102.9 in August, a moderate increase albeit the most substantial since May.
Worker confidence jumped to a record high in Texas, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) spiked 9.7 points to 126.5.
The Hudson Employment Index SM for Tampa workers rose over two points to 121.0 in August.
San Francisco worker confidence continued to cool off in August as the local Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 1.2 points to 99.2.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Philadelphia fell 11.8 points to 87.5 in August, its lowest reading of the year. All factors contributing to the local Index had negative movement this month.
For the second consecutive month, worker confidence fell in Pennsylvania. The state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) dropped 7.1 points to 97 in August.
Ohio worker confidence improved in August, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index SM jumped 6.1 points to 98.7. An increase in anticipated hiring activity coupled with a drop in expected lay-offs led to the jump in confidence statewide.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for New York continues to hover around 90.0 for the fifth consecutive month, as local employee confidence inched up .5 points to 90.9 in August.
The Hudson Employment IndexSM for Minneapolis-St. Paul workers inched down just .9 points to 92.1 in August.
Confidence in the employment market among manufacturing workers shot up for the second month in a row, as the sector's Hudson Employment Index (SM) spiked 9.7 points to 97.4.
legal sector improved. The sector’s Hudson Employment IndexSM rose 1.2 points to 114.2 in August.
