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

Public Content

Most Recent Releases

June 23, 2014

Paul, Carson Are Now Hillary’s Closest GOP Challengers

Hillary Clinton earns 45% to 50% of the vote against six leading Republicans in potential 2016 presidential matchups, running best against Texans Rick Perry and Ted Cruz and poorest against Rand Paul and Dr. Ben Carson. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, once the GOP front-runner, now makes the weakest showing. 

New Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveying of Likely U.S. Voters finds that Clinton leads Cruz, a U.S. senator and Tea Party stalwart, 50% to 37%. She holds a similar 50% to 36% lead over Perry, the Lone Star State governor who is expected to make a second run for the GOP nomination in 2016. (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.

Three surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on conducted on June 14-15, June 16-17 and June 20-21, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for each survey 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.

White letter R on blue background
June 23, 2014

Benghazi: What New Details Reveal About 'Scandal' -- and Its Promoters By Joe Conason

In the years since the terrorist attack that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens, his aide Sean Smith and CIA officers Tyrone Smith and Glen Doherty in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012, President Barack Obama's congressional critics have complained long and loudly about his failure to immediately apprehend the perpetrators. Republican experts like Ted Cruz and Darrell Issa, along with the right-wing media machine, even insinuated that Obama might not really want to catch the Benghazi perps.

June 23, 2014

35% Rate Health Care System Poor; 51% Expect it To Get Worse

Voters are more negative than ever about the state of the U.S. health care system, and once again a majority believes the new national health care law will make it worse.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the current health care system as good or excellent. Thirty-five percent (35%) describe the system as poor, up from 31% in May  and the highest negative in regular tracking since November 2012. (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 June 6-7, 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.

June 22, 2014

Most Still Think Soccer Has A Long Way To Go in U.S.

While nearly eight million people tuned into Monday’s U.S. vs. Ghana World Cup match, Americans do not think soccer will reach the level of popularity it has around the world any time soon in this country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of American Adults think that, in five years, soccer will be as popular in the United States as it is around the world. Fifty-nine percent (59%) say soccer will not reach the same heights of popularity in America in that time period. Twenty-one percent (21%) 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 June 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

June 21, 2014

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week Ending June 21

Americans are more unhappy about the overall economy despite signs that the housing industry is recovering at last. Is government spending at least partially to blame?

June 20, 2014

50% Say Tax Increases Hurt The Economy

Even as the Senate considers a 12-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase for more spending on infrastructure, voters continue to say cutting taxes and spending are a better recipe for the economy than raising them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that taxes increases hurt the economy, generally consistent with regular surveying since 2011. Just 24% think tax increases help the economy, while 13% say they have no impact. Another 13% 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 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.

Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com
June 20, 2014

51% in New Jersey Approve of Christie’s Performance

New Jersey voters are pretty evenly divided in their views of Governor Chris Christie, but a sizable number believe the state's budget situation has worsened over the past year.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely New Jersey Voters approve of the job Christie is doing as governor, while 48% disapprove. This includes 17% who Strongly Approve and 30% who Strongly Disapprove. (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 750 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted on June 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

June 20, 2014

64% Favor Death Penalty for Benghazi Killings Suspect

Voters strongly believe the Islamic militant seized Sunday night as a suspect in the murder of the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans in Libya should be tried here and, if found guilty, should be sentenced to death.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that despite the Libyan government’s demand that Ahmed Abu Khattalah be returned to their country, 70% of Likely U.S. Voters believe he should be tried in U.S. courts. Just 14% think the man identified by the Obama administration as the mastermind behind the killings should be returned to the Libyans. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 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.

White letter R on blue background
June 20, 2014

Are the Two Political Parties About to Crack Up? By Michael Barone

America's two political parties seem to be coming apart.   

June 20, 2014

New High: 44% Say It's A Good Time to Sell A House

Americans’ confidence in the housing market continues to grow, and now more than ever believe it’s a good time to sell a home.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults say it’s a good time for someone in their area to be selling a house. That's up from last month’s recent high of 38% and is the first time this number has broken the 40% mark in over five years of regular surveying. Thirty-two percent (32%) don’t think it’s a good time to sell, but that's the lowest finding to date. One-in-four (24%) 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 June 13-14, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology

June 19, 2014

74% Expect Higher Grocery Bills Next Year

Americans remain highly concerned about inflation, and the number who expects their grocery bill to rise is at its highest level in nearly two years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of American Adults say they are paying more for groceries than a year ago, down slightly from 85% in May  but in line with surveys for much of the past year. Just 11% say they are not paying more than they were a year ago. (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 June 15-16, 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.

June 19, 2014

New Jersey Senate: Booker (D) 48%, Bell (R) 35%

Democrat Cory Booker, running for reelection after less than a year in office, holds a double-digit lead over Republican challenger Jeff Bell in New Jersey’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely New Jersey Voters finds Booker with 48% support to Bell’s 35%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and 13% 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 survey of 750 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted on June 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

White letter R on blue background
June 19, 2014

Use Your Hands by Froma Harrop

Have you stopped using your hands? Do your fingers struggle to sign your name? Is chopping an onion with a knife hard work? Must you call someone to fix a cabinet door off the hinges? Is it agony to sew on a button?

For many, computers and laziness have sapped our manual skills. This is not progress.

Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com. To find out more about Froma Harrop and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM

June 19, 2014

39% Will Watch World Cup This Year

Most Americans do not plan on watching the World Cup soccer championships again this year, but if the U.S. team is able to advance to the finals, a majority says it will tune in.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone finds that 39% of American Adults will watch the World Cup this year, the highest level of interest to date. More than half (53%) do not plan on watching the international soccer tournament. Eight percent (8%) 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 June 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

June 19, 2014

21% Think Government Should Help With Mortgage Payments

Americans still aren’t enthusiastic about the government helping those who cannot afford to make their mortgage payments, but they’re also not concerned they’ll be in that situation themselves any time soon.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just one-in-five American Adults (21%) believe that if someone cannot afford to make increased mortgage payments, the government should assist them. That's down slightly from April and the lowest finding since December. Most (63%) still think people in that situation should sell their home and find a less expensive one. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. This is in line with regular surveying since the spring of 2010. (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 649 Adult Homeowners and 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 13-14, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

White letter R on blue background
June 19, 2014

Picking Your Primary Poison By Sean Trende

Analysts are noticing the Democrats’ efforts to meddle in Republican primaries. In a Wall Street Journal article from last month, Janet Hook writes “Democrats increasingly are running ads against GOP candidates even before they win their party’s nomination. By attacking GOP candidates while they are still embroiled in a primary election campaign, some Democrats have seen an opportunity to promote the GOP candidate they think is easiest to beat, or to weaken the one they consider strongest.”

June 18, 2014

26% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-six percent (26%) 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 June 15.

This is down four points from the week before and the lowest finding since early December 2013.  The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been in the narrow range of 28% to 30% for 21 out of the 26 weeks since mid-December.

(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 on June 9-15, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

June 18, 2014

What America Thinks About Sending Soldiers Back to Iraq

Over two years after the last U.S. troops left Iraq, an al-Qaeda-led insurgency threatens to take over the country where Americans lost over 4,400 soldiers. Despite the fact that, historically, voters have consistently opposed returning their troops Iraq, President Barack Obama now faces the tough decision of whether or not to send them back. We decided to find out what America thinks.

spirit of america / Shutterstock.com
June 18, 2014

39% Think U.S. Should Welcome All Immigrants Who Are Willing to Work Hard

Americans have mixed feelings about potential immigrants to this country and still tend to prefer those who can best help the economy. They also continue to believe that immigrants from countries with terrorist activity should get closer scrutiny.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of American Adults believe the United States should welcome all potential immigrants, other than national security threats, who are willing to work hard and able to support their family. That’s up a bit from 36% a year ago. But slightly more (43%) still disagree with a policy that welcoming. Eighteen percent (18%) 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 survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 11-12, 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.

White letter R on blue background
June 18, 2014

Here Comes Tomorrow By John Stossel

Ray Kurzweil -- inventor of things like machines that turn text into speech -- has popularized the idea that we are rapidly approaching "the singularity," the point at which machines not only think for themselves but develop intellectually faster than we.

At that point, maybe we no longer talk about "human history." It will be "machine progress," with us along for the ride -- if machines keep us around. Maybe they'll keep us in a zoo, like we do with our monkey ancestors.