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June 12, 2014

29% Favor Ban on Hate Speech

Most Americans still worry about so-called hate speech but strongly defend an individual's right to say what he or she wants without government interference

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults consider hate speech at least a somewhat serious problem in America today, up 10 points from a year ago. This includes 30% who say it is a Very Serious one. Just 27% rate hate speech as a not very or Not At All serious problem. (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 5-6, 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 12, 2014

Montana Senate: Daines (R) 53%, Walsh (D) 35%

Republican Congressman Steve Daines has moved to an 18-point lead over interim Senator John Walsh in the U.S. Senate race in Montana.

Daines now picks up 53% up the vote to Walsh’s 35%, according to a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Montana Voters. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, while nine percent (9%) 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 Montana was conducted on June 9-10, 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 12, 2014

Opposition to Bergdahl POW Swap Rises to 54%

Public opinion is shifting away from support for the prisoner swap that brought U.S. POW Bowe Bergdahl home from Afghanistan.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters now disagree with the decision to release five Taliban leaders from the Guantanamo terrorist prison camp in exchange for the one U.S. military prisoner of war being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.  That’s up 11 points from 43% a week ago.

Just 29% agree with the Obama administration’s decision to make the prisoner swap, an 11-point drop from 40% last week. Sixteen percent (16%) are still 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 Likely Voters was conducted on June 10-11, 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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June 12, 2014

What Lurks in a Child's Online World? By Froma Harrop

What is the most shocking takeaway from the story of the two 12-year-olds who repeatedly stabbed their friend -- nearly to death -- on the imagined orders of a fantasy character?

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June 12, 2014

Microscope on Magnolias By Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley

An old country phrase best describes the possibility of a turnout increase saving Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) in an upcoming runoff: That dog don’t hunt. But it’s also far from clear whether a bigger turnout would naturally help Cochran in the runoff anyway. Mississippi Republicans voted at record levels in the regular primary, and that of course wasn’t enough to push the incumbent over 50%.

As to the first point, turnout generally falls in runoffs held after primary and general elections –significantly.

June 12, 2014

78% Want to Keep ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ As National Anthem

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Americans remain intensely loyal to the song that's been our official national anthem since 1931.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 90% of American Adults say they know the words to the anthem, and only 14% think it’s too hard to sing. Seventy-seven percent (77%) don’t think it’s too difficult. (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 7-8, 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 11, 2014

30% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty percent (30%) 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 8.

This is unchanged from the week before.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 25 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 2-8, 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 11, 2014

Alabama Governor: Bentley (R) 55%, Griffith (D) 32%

Republican Governor Robert Bentley is far ahead of Democratic challenger Parker Griffith in his bid for reelection in Alabama.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Alabama Voters finds Bentley with 55% support to Griffith’s 32%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and nine percent (9%) 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 California was conducted on June 9-10, 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 11, 2014

61% Think America is Too Politically Correct

Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich's recent forced resignation over a political contribution he made three years ago in support of traditional marriage prompted even leading gay columnist Andrew Sullivan to say political correctness has gone too far. More Americans than ever consider the United States too politically correct, and most agree that a company's product is more important than the views of those who run the company.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults believe America today has become too politically correct. That number has been climbing since October 2010. Just 12% think the United States is not politically correct enough, while 16% think the amount of political correctness is about right. Eleven percent (11%) 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 5-6, 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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June 11, 2014

Libertarians Versus Conservatives By John Stossel

Both libertarians and conservatives want to keep America safe. We differ on how best to do that. Most libertarians believe our attempts to create or support democracy around the world have made us new enemies, and done harm as well as good. We want less military spending.    

June 11, 2014

37% of GOP Voters Say Tea Party Will Hurt Their Party in 2014 Elections

In a survey conducted prior to last night’s stunning defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor by a Tea Party candidate in Virginia, Republican voters are showing slightly less enthusiasm for the movement and its potential impact on this year’s elections. But GOP voters remain strongly convinced that it is important for Republicans in Congress to work with the Tea Party.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27% of all Likely Voters view the Tea Party movement favorably. Fifty percent (50%) view the smaller government/lower taxes movement unfavorably. A sizable 22% 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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 4-5, 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 10, 2014

48% Expect to Earn More Money Next Year

Working Americans are more optimistic about their future earning potential today than they have been in five years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Employed Adults believe they will be earning more money a year from today. That’s up six points from April and the highest finding since April 2009 when regular polling first began on the question. Just 10% expect to earn less next year, while 36% think they’ll be making about the same amount. (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 617 Employed Adults was conducted on June 1-2, 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 10, 2014

California Governor: Brown (D) 52%, Kashkari (R) 33%

Democratic Governor Jerry Brown has a 19-point lead over Republican challenger Neel Kashkari in his bid for reelection in California.

Brown picks up 52% of the vote to Kashkari’s 33% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely California Voters. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while 10% are undecided at this point. (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 823 Likely Voters in California was conducted on June 4-5, 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 10, 2014

Most Like New EPA Emissions Controls But Say Congress Needs to OK First

Voters continue to have a love-hate relationship with environmental regulations. Most approve of the EPA’s new restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions even though they expect energy costs to rise as a result, but they also don’t think the agency should be able move ahead on energy controls like this without Congress’ approval.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters approve of new environmental regulations to place stricter limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 30% oppose the regulations intended to reduce the emissions 30% by the year 2030 as part of the EPA’s effort to fight global warming. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 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.

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June 10, 2014

Uber Is the Future By Froma Harrop

As dawn creeps over New York's Jamaica Bay, flocks of wide-bodied red-eyes -- overnight flights from the West Coast -- land at JFK International Airport. The minute the wheels touch, cellphones click into action.

Mine shows a message (now lost) going something like this: Avoid the taxi lines. Use Uber instead.

June 10, 2014

85% Express Major Privacy Concerns About Google Glass

Google Glass, a wearable computer with optical head-mounted display, became available to the public on May 15, and Americans overwhelmingly expect these computers to routinely violate the privacy of others.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveys finds that just 14% of American Adults believe that wearable computers like Google Glass are not likely to violate others' privacy, including six percent (6%) who say it is Not At All Likely. But 85% disagree, with 67% who say this is Very Likely. (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 3-4, 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 9, 2014

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 37%

Democrats lead Republicans by four points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, June 8.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 37% would choose the Republican instead.

Democrats led by three points – 41% to 38% - the week before. Democrats have held the lead for most weeks this year with support ranging from 38% to 42%. Support for the GOP has ranged from 35% to 41% since January 1.  Democrats lead Republicans 40% to 38% a year ago.

(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 June 2-8, 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.

June 9, 2014

39% Would Take a Commercial Space Flight

Virgin Galactic has announced that it will begin commercial passenger space flights as early as this year, and four out of 10 Americans are open to the idea.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of American Adults say they would travel into space on a commercial space flight if they could afford it, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-five percent (55%), however, would not. (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 Adults was conducted on June 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC . See methodology.

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June 9, 2014

In Bergdahl Case, 'Conservatives' Ignore Basic American Principles By Joe Conason

What the Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl saga demonstrates beyond question -- to anyone who still nurtured any doubt -- is that the Republican right will junk just about any basic American value to satisfy its hatred of President Barack Obama. Fair play, due process, respect for families and the military: To most, if not all, so-called conservatives, none of these fundamentals matters nearly so much as the urge to undermine the nation's first black president. Which is another reason, among many, why they no longer deserve the honorific "conservative."

June 9, 2014

South Dakota Senate: Rounds (R) 44%, Weiland (D) 29%, Pressler (I) 18%

Former Governor Mike Rounds still leads his Democratic opponent Rick Weiland by double digits in South Dakota’s U.S. Senate race, but Republican-turned-Independent Larry Pressler has made the race a bit closer.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely South Dakota voters finds Rounds with 44% of the vote to Weiland’s 29%. Pressler, a former three-term Republican senator, picks up 18% of the vote. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while seven percent (7%) 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 South Dakota was conducted on June 4-5, 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.