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December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day is still regarded by Americans as one of the nation’s most important holidays, though slightly more now celebrate it as a secular holiday compared to past years.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of American Adults consider Christmas to be one of the nation’s most important holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just five percent (5%) say Christmas is the least important holiday, while 28% say it is somewhere in between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 1000 American Adults was conducted on December 22-23, 2014 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.

December 24, 2014

27% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-seven percent (27%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending December 21. 

This finding is up two points from the previous week. The number of voters who think the country is on the right course has now ranged from 23% to 27% nearly every week since early June and has been below 30% most weeks since June of last year

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from December 8-14, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

December 24, 2014

More Americans Will Host Family and Friends This Holiday Season

A quarter of Americans will be traveling this holiday season and most will be visiting family and friends, but more adults will be hosting guests than last year.

Twenty-three percent (23%) of American Adults plan on traveling away from home this holiday season, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-four percent (74%) don’t plan on traveling. (To see survey question wording, click here.)  

(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 1000 American Adults was conducted on December 22-23, 2014 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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December 24, 2014

Up-Lyft-ing Xmas Tale By John Stossel

This Christmas Eve, if you see a fat man in a sleigh distributing presents, tell him he is in violation of several government regulations.

The Federal Aviation Administration is upset about his secret flight path, and his gift bag violates charity tax rules.

In real life, government barely lets people give each other rides in cars. But now the Internet has given birth to exciting businesses that challenge the rules.

December 24, 2014

49% Think U.S. Should Lift Cuba Embargo

Following President Obama's announcement last week of a plan to “normalize” relations with Cuba, voters more than ever think the United States should lift the economic embargo it imposed on the Communist country 54 years ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should lift the embargo that was put in place during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, but 23% are not sure. In the past, voters were much more divided over lifting the embargo (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 December 19-20, 2014 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.

December 23, 2014

Voters Have an Unfavorable View of the EPA

Fewer voters than ever have a favorable opinion of the Environmental Protection Agency, and a plurality say that its regulations and actions hurt the economy. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of the EPA, the lowest finding in the three years the question has been asked. Forty percent (40%) view the agency unfavorably, unchanged from June. Twenty-eight percent (28%) are undecided, the highest finding to date. (To see survey question wording, click here).

(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 December 21-22, 2014 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.

December 23, 2014

Americans Favor U.S. Involvement If North Korea Was Behind Sony Attacks

Most adults believe the United States should get involved if it is proven that the North Koreans were behind the computer attacks and threats against Sony Pictures, but are more hesitant in calling such a cyberattack an act of war.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults believe the United States should get more involved if it is proven that the North Korean government was behind the computer attacks and threats against a U.S.-based company. Twenty-five percent (25%) believe this issue is strictly between Sony and North Korea. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 American Adults was conducted on December 18-19, 2014 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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December 23, 2014

The Rape on Campus Epidemic By Michael Barone

The total discrediting of Rolling Stone's story on rape at the University of Virginia has shined a light on one of the least palatable features of American life: the so-called epidemic of rape on campus.   

December 23, 2014

One-In-Four Voters Think North Korea Wants War

U.S. Voters now view North Korea as being as big a threat as China and Iran, but most don’t think it is seeking war with the United States.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of Likely U.S. Voters regard North Korea as an enemy of the United States. That’s down from 81% at the beginning of the year and 82% in 2012. Just two percent (2%) regard North Korea as an ally of the United States, while 19% think it is somewhere in between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 December 21-22, 2014 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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December 23, 2014

Unzipping the Elizabeth Warren Package By Froma Harrop

They like her style. Many liberals adore Elizabeth Warren's populist passion for denouncing predatory conduct by Wall Street -- and her linking it to growing income inequality.

Though the senator from Massachusetts insists she's not running for president, her fan base has set up camp in Iowa, fueling the fires for a Warren candidacy. They want her to challenge Hillary Clinton, a likely contender viewed as more lenient toward the captains of finance.

December 23, 2014

Most Americans Unconcerned About Toy Safety

Even as children are getting ready to unwrap their Christmas presents, toy safety is not concern for most American Adults.

Just 37% of all Americans are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of most toys being sold this holiday season, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That is up just slightly from 33% last year and includes 14% who are Very Concerned. However, toy safety concerns are still down significantly from a high of 53% in 2012. 

Most Americans, though (60%), are not concerned about toy safety this holiday season, unchanged from a year ago. This includes 25% who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

December 22, 2014

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%

Republicans continue to hold a slight lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending December 21 finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican candidate in their district's congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from December 15-21, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

December 22, 2014

At The Last Minute, 22% Still Haven’t Started Their Holiday Shopping

With Christmas just three days away, gift shopping time is coming down to the wire, but one-in-five Americans still haven’t started yet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults have started their holiday gift shopping, up from 68% a week ago and 54% at the beginning of the month. Twenty-two percent (22%) still have not started their holiday shopping. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 1000 American Adults was conducted on December 20-21, 2014 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.

December 22, 2014

Americans Disagree with Sony; 26% More Likely to See “The Interview” Now

Most Americans oppose Sony’s decision not to release the film, “The Interview,” after computer hacking and terror threats from North Korea and expect similar cyberattacks to increase against other U.S. companies.

Thirty percent (30%) of American Adults agree with Sony’s decision not to release the comedy about an attempted assassination of the leader of North Korea. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% disagree with the company’s decision to cancel the Christmas Day release of the film. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 American Adults was conducted on December 18-19, 2014 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.

December 22, 2014

Voters Remain Strongly Pro-Choice When It Comes To Health Insurance

Most voters continue to hold a negative opinion of Obamacare and remain committed to the belief that consumers should have choices when it comes to health insurance. They also still strongly belief employers and individuals should be able to buy health insurance across state lines.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the national health care law, while 53% view it unfavorably. These findings are generally consistent with surveys since early 2013 and include 17% with a Very Favorable opinion and 38% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 December 19-20, 2014 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.

December 21, 2014

Voters Say Taliban Not True to Islam

Americans strongly believe the Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalist group in Afghanistan who last week took credit for the murder of 130 school children, does not truly represent its faith.

Just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Taliban represents true Islamic beliefs, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-nine percent (69%) say the group which ruled its country for six years as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan does not represent the true beliefs of Islam. Another 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 17-18, 2014 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.

December 20, 2014

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending December 20, 2014

Christmas comes but once a year -- but usually not accompanied by so much big news.

December 19, 2014

Debt's Up at Year's End

Americans are ending the year more in debt than they were at the beginning of 2014.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults say they owe more money than they did a year ago. That's consistent with findings since the summer but up six points from 23% in mid-January. Thirty-two percent (32%) say they owe less money than they did a year ago, unchanged from the beginning of the year. Thirty-six percent (36%) say they owe just as much now as they did back then. (To see survey question wording, click here).

(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 American Adults was conducted on December 16-17, 2014 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.

December 19, 2014

Voters Sour on Taliban But Reluctant to Chase Pakistan School Killers

Voters are hesitant to join in the search for the Taliban killers who massacred 145 people, most of them children, in a school in Pakistan, but the incident has dramatically reduced support for U.S. negotiations with the radical Islamic group to end the war in Afghanistan.

Just 42% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should help Pakistan find the perpetrators of the school massacre and bring them to justice. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% are opposed to U.S. involvement in the matter, while another 27% are not sure.(To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 17-18, 2014 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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December 19, 2014

Ending a Policy That's Failed for 50 Years by Joe Conason

Listen carefully to the Republican leaders and presidential hopefuls roaring with outrage over President Barack Obama's courageous decision to normalize relations with Cuba; listen very carefully, because no matter how long or how closely you listen to them, there is one thing you will surely never hear.