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September 19, 2014

Voters Think Overworked U.S. Troops Will Soon Be Fighting In Iraq

Most voters believe the U.S. military has too many missions these days and think it’s likely that fighting in Iraq will soon be another job for it to do. But while President Obama is reportedly sending 3,500 military personnel to Africa to fight Ebola, voters say patrolling the border to prevent illegal immigration would be a better use for those forces.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the U.S. military is overstretched these days. Just 31% think the military can adequately handle the number of missions it has. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 September 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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September 19, 2014

American Amnesia: Why the GOP Leads on National Security by Joe Conason

If the latest polls are accurate, most voters believe that Republican politicians deserve greater trust on matters of national security. At a moment when Americans feel threatened by rising terrorist movements and authoritarian regimes, that finding is politically salient -- and proves that amnesia is the most durable affliction of our democracy.

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September 19, 2014

Which Is the Weaker Party? Your Call by Michael Barone

Which of our two great political parties is the stronger? Maybe it makes more sense to ask which of the two is weaker.

September 19, 2014

Americans Say Buying House is Best Investment

Americans continue to say buying a home is a family’s best investment, but they are closely divided over whether now is the opportune time for someone in their area to sell their house.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveys finds that 53% of American Adults say that buying a home is a family's best investment. But only 37% say that now is a good time for someone in their area to sell their house, up slightly from the previous two months and consistent with findings for the past year.(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 September 14-15, 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.

September 18, 2014

Massachusetts Senate: Markey (D) 49%, Herr (R) 31%

Democrat Ed Markey is well ahead in his bid for a full U.S. Senate term in Massachusetts.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Massachusetts Voters shows Markey with 49% support to 31% for his Republican challenger Brian Herr. However, five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate, and a surprisingly large 15% 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 Massachusetts was conducted on September 16-17, 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.

September 18, 2014

Americans Prefer a Homemade Cheeseburger

With September 18 marking National Cheeseburger Day, Americans say they enjoy a burger that’s both homemade and with cheese on top. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults prefer cheese on their burgers. One-in-four (24%) do not put cheese on their hamburger, while two percent (2%) 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 September 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.

September 18, 2014

Georgia Senate: Perdue (R) 46%, Nunn (D) 41%

Republican David Perdue still runs slightly ahead of Democrat Michelle Nunn in Georgia’s closely watched U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Georgia Voters shows Perdue picking up 46% of the vote to Nunn’s 41%. Four percent (4%) prefer 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 Georgia was conducted on September 15-16, 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.

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September 18, 2014

A Rough Month in America for Women By Froma Harrop

Mark Sanford's heralded engagement to Maria Belen Chapur is apparently over. The rep from South Carolina released the news to America through a Facebook post. That's how Chapur found out, too.   

September 18, 2014

Only 33% of Americans Can Find Scotland On a Map?

While Great Britain is holding its breath today to see if the Scots vote for independence, most Americans (51%) have no opinion about the referendum and only 33% think most of their fellow countrymen can even locate Scotland on a map.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% of American Adults favor Scotland becoming an independent nation rather than remaining part of Great Britain. Nineteen percent (19%) oppose them gaining independence, but half of Americans (51%) 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 was conducted on September 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.

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September 18, 2014

Senate Ratings Changes: North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Minnesota By Kyle Kondik

Another week is down the drain in the race for the Senate, and while our overall outlook is unchanged — a five to eight seat gain for the GOP — some of our ratings are in need of adjustments.

One of these comes as a surprise, as Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC) is proving to be quite resilient.

September 18, 2014

Voters See ‘War on Women’ As Politics, Not Reality

Most voters don’t consider the so-called “war on women” a war at all but see it as just a political tactic. But women are less convinced than men that they share the same political interests.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% of Likely U.S. Voters believe there is really a political “war on women” going on. Fifty-nine percent (59%) say the “war on women” is primarily a slogan used for political purposes instead. But 19% 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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 13-14, 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.

September 17, 2014

28% 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 September 7.

That's up one point from the week before. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been below 30% most weeks for the past year. Early last October during the partial federal government shutdown, confidence in the country’s course fell to 13%, the lowest finding in five years.

(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 September 1-7, 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.

September 17, 2014

Voters Trust Republicans More Than Democrats on Nine Out of 15 Major Issues

Voters continue to put more trust in Republicans than Democrats to handle important policy issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports like the economy and job creation, though they trust Democrats more on other top issues like health care and Social Security. 

The economy remains the number one issue in terms of importance for the next election, and the GOP still holds a 44% to 41% lead in voter trust on that issue. Since June 2009, the GOP has led in voter trust on the economy in all but one survey. (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 national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on September 7-8, 11-12 & 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.

September 17, 2014

Wisconsin Governor: Walker (R) 48%, Burke (D) 46%

Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race remains close, but Republican Governor Scott Walker is slightly ahead of his Democratic challenger among voters who say they are certain to vote in the election.

Walker picks up 48% of the vote to Democrat Mary Burke’s 46% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while another three percent (3%) 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 Wisconsin was conducted on September 15-16, 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.

September 17, 2014

Voters Still Say No to D.C. Statehood

Most voters still don’t think Washington, D.C. should be a state, and they remain closely divided over whether Congress should give up its long-standing veto power over the city’s laws and budget.

The U.S. Constitution designates the nation’s capital as a federal district, not a state, and only 24% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that should be changed. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% oppose statehood for Washington, D.C. 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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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.

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September 17, 2014

Immigration Is American By John Stossel

Conservatives rightly point out that America is a nation of laws. No one should be exempt. That's why many oppose amnesty and other paths to citizenship for illegal immigrants who are here now.

"If they want to be in America," the argument goes, "they ought to return to their own countries and apply for a visa legally. America should not reward law breaking."

That sounds sensible -- but what happens when the immigrant does that, goes to the U.S. embassy and says, I'd like to work in America legally?

September 17, 2014

63% Say Their Home’s Worth More Now Than When They Bought It

Homeowners remain upbeat about their home’s appreciation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of American Homeowners think their home is worth more than when they bought it. That's up another point from July’s three-year high of 62%.  Prior to that, this finding has run in the mid- to high 50s since 2012. Sixteen percent (16%) now say their home is worth less than when they bought it, while 19% think its value is about the same. (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 666 Adult Homeowners was conducted on September 14-15, 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.

September 16, 2014

Most Give U.S. Hospitals Positive Marks

Despite giving mixed reviews for the U.S. health care system in general, Americans have a generally positive view of hospitals in this country and the level of care they provide.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults rate the level of care in U.S. hospitals today as good or excellent. Just five percent (5%) rate it poorly. (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 was conducted on September 12-13, 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.

September 16, 2014

37% Expect Their Home’s Value to Go Up Next Year

Short- and long-term confidence in housing values are stable at levels seen since early last year and remain well ahead of whether they were for the four years prior to that.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of U.S. homeowners now think the value of their home will go up in the next year. That’s up three points from August which was the lowest level of confidence measured in 2014. Fourteen percent (14%) expect the value of their home to go down over the next year, while 48% still expect it to stay about the same. Both those findings are unchanged from the previous survey. (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 666 Adult Homeowners was conducted on September 14-15, 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.

September 16, 2014

New Hampshire Governor: Hassan (D) 51%, Havenstein (R) 40%

Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan leads Republican challenger Walt Havenstein by double digits in her bid for reelection in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire is rated Safe Democrat on the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Gubernatorial Scorecard. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Hassan, a former state senator, is running for her second two-year term after winning the 2012 election against Republican Ovide Lamontagne with 55% of the vote. She is backed by 89% of the state’s Democrats and leads Havenstein 52% to 34% among voters not affiliated with either major political party. Havenstein, a businessman, defeated three other hopefuls in last Tuesday's state GOP primary and now has the support of 80% of New Hampshire Republicans.

(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 Hampshire was conducted on September 10-11, 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.