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February 21, 2014

68% of Parents With School-Age Kids Think They Should Be Able to Choose School with Spanking

Americans believe overwhelmingly that parents have the right to spank their own children but feel nearly as strongly that teachers don’t. Most parents, however, think they should be able to send their kids to a school that allows disciplinary spanking if they want to.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults think parents should have a choice between sending their children to a school where disciplinary spanking is allowed and a school where spanking is not allowed. Only 25% disagree, but 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 February 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.

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February 21, 2014

UAW Loss in Chattanooga a Repudiation of 1930s Unionism By Michael Barone

It is 611 miles from the United Auto Workers headquarters in Detroit to Volkswagen's assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. It's a long day's drive, about 10 hours almost entirely on Interstate 75, but it turned out to be too far for the UAW.

Or so one must judge from the results of the unionization election last week in Chattanooga. Volkswagen employees voted 712-626 against certifying the UAW as their bargaining agent.

February 21, 2014

46% Rate Obama Poorly on Health Care, 41% Positively

Voters' ratings for President Obama's handling of health care issues have rebounded since the disastrous weeks following the rollout of Obamacare on October 1. Voters are now closely divided over the quality of the job he is doing in this area.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks for his handling of issues related to health care. That's up 11 points from 30% in mid-November, the lowest finding in over a year of regular monthly surveying. Slightly more (46%) still give the president poor marks in this area, but that's down nine points from November's high of 55%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

February 21, 2014

35% Blame Global Warming on Long-Term Planetary Trends

Though many voters believe there is significant disagreement in the scientific community, global warming advocates seem to be winning the public relations battle with fewer voters than ever who now think it is due to long-term planetary trends. The number who blame global warming on human activity, however, is unchanged from findings over the past 18 months, and voters still aren't overly enthusiastic about paying more to deal with the climate issue.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters believe global warming is at least a somewhat serious problem, including 30% who say it is Very Serious. Thirty-two percent (32%) don’t consider global warming a serious problem, with 13% who say it’s Not At All Serious. (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 February 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.

February 20, 2014

50% Don't Trust Fed to Keep Inflation, Interest Rates Down

Confidence in the Federal Reserve’s ability to keep inflation and interest rates down has declined slightly after beginning 2014 at its highest levels in over a year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Fed can keep inflation and interest rates down, but that includes just 12% who are Very Confident. Fifty percent (50%) lack that confidence, with 17% who are Not At All Confident. (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 February 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.

February 20, 2014

41% Think 'Stand Your Ground' Laws Improve Public Safety

Florida’s “stand your ground” self-defense law made headlines again this month after a jury there found Michael Dunn not guilty of first-degree murder for shooting a teenager after an argument over loud music. A plurality continues to support "stand your ground" laws, and Americans are now more confident that such a law improves public safety.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults favor having a “stand your ground” law in their state. That’s unchanged from last July following the verdict in the George Zimmerman case. Thirty-four percent (34%) oppose such a law in their state, while 20% 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 American Adults was conducted on February 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.

February 20, 2014

31% Agree Global Warming Is ‘Perhaps Most Fearsome Weapon of Mass Destruction’

Most voters don’t agree with Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement earlier this week that global warming is now "perhaps the world's most fearsome weapon of mass destruction.” Despite Kerry’s dismissal of those who question global warming as belonging to the Flat Earth Society, voters are almost evenly divided when asked if global warming is proven scientific fact.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with Kerry’s assessment of global warming. Fifty-four percent (54%) disagree and say global warming is not “perhaps the world’s most fearsome weapon of mass destruction.” Fifteen percent (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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 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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February 20, 2014

Hillary Clinton Is Too Old for What? by Froma Harrop

The esteemed political writer Charlie Cook recently produced a column titled "Is Hillary Clinton Too Old to Run?" Despite couching his thoughts with a mention that if Clinton were to run, she would be the same age as Ronald Reagan when he was first elected president, 69, he did venture over the sexism line.

The giveaway came toward the end when Cook noted that Clinton could be challenged for the nomination by Vice President Joe Biden, without noting Biden's age. Biden is almost five years older than she is.

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

February 20, 2014

31% View Tea Party Movement Favorably

Nearly half of all voters continue to view the Tea Party unfavorably, and the perception is growing that the small government/lower taxes movement is losing steam. But there are also still wide partisan differences of opinion about the Tea Party, while the Political Class remains especially hostile to it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% of Likely U.S. Voters now have a favorable opinion of the Tea Party movement. That’s back to the level seen a year ago and down from a high of 44% in May just after it was disclosed that the Internal Revenue Service was targeting Tea Party and other conservative groups. Forty-seven percent (47%) share an unfavorable view of the Tea Party, but 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 February 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.

February 19, 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 February 16.

That's up from 29% the previous two weeks. This finding has seesawed between 29% and 30% every week since mid-December and is consistent with attitudes for much of the Obama presidency. A year ago, 38% said the country was heading in the right direction.

(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 February 10-16, 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.

February 19, 2014

What America Thinks: More Voters Now Consider Afghanistan Nat'l Security Threat

Despite U.S. protests, Afghan authorities last week released 65 prisoners, some involved in attacks on Americans, so it's not surprising that U.S. voters remain pessimistic about a war now in its thirteenth year.

February 19, 2014

58% Still Trust A Jury’s Verdict More Than A Judge’s

Juries are in the news again after a Florida man was found not guilty of murder last week for shooting a teenager who refused to turn down his loud rap music. But most Americans still have more faith in juries than in judges, although their views of the overall U.S. justice system have fallen.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults trust a jury more to determine the guilt or innocence of someone accused of criminal behavior. Just 22% trust a judge more, while nearly as many (20%) 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 February 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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February 19, 2014

Students for Liberty By John Stossel

On Saturday, some 1,500 students from all over the world gathered to discuss freedom at the Students for Liberty Conference in Washington, D.C.   

February 19, 2014

28% Owe More Money Than They Did Last Year, 30% Owe Less

Slightly more Americans say they owe more money now than they did a year ago, although most say they are paying about the same amount in interest rates.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 28% of American Adults owe more money than they did a year ago. That’s up from 23% in January and the highest level measured since last August. But 30% say they owe less money than they did last year at this time, the lowest finding since July 2012. Forty percent (40%) say their level of debt 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 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 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.

February 18, 2014

51% Are Confident in Nation's Banks

Americans began the year with the most optimistic views of the nation’s banks since before the Wall Street meltdown, but that confidence now has fallen back to levels seen for much of last year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults are now at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry,although that includes only 15% who are Very Confident. Forty-four percent (44%) don't share that confidence, with 14% who are Not At All Confident. (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 February 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.

February 18, 2014

38% of Republicans Believe Tea Party Good for GOP in 2014, 32% Disagree

While the Republican establishment struggles to beat back Tea Party elements within the party, GOP voters tend to see the grass roots movement as more of a help than a hindrance in the upcoming elections. But it’s close.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely Republican Voters believe the Tea Party will help the Republican Party in election 2014. Thirty-two percent (32%) of GOP voters think the movement will hurt their party instead, while 10% say it will have no impact. Twenty percent (20%) 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 February 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.

February 18, 2014

8% Think Congress Is Doing A Good or Excellent Job

Voters continue to give Congress rock-bottom ratings, and very few think members of Congress get reelected because they are good at their job.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters rate the job Congress is doing as good or excellent. Sixty-six percent (66%) think Congress is doing a poor job. That’s unchanged from last month but still an improvement from November when 75% said Congress was going a poor job, the legislators' highest negative in seven years of regular surveying.  (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 February 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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February 18, 2014

The Failure of Obama's Aristocracy of Merit By Michael Barone

The roots of American liberalism are not compassion, but snobbery. That's the thesis of Fred Siegel's revealing new book, "The Revolt Against the Masses: How Liberalism Has Undermined the Middle Class."   

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February 18, 2014

Stop Insulting Minimum Wage Workers by Froma Harrop

Beating down low-paid workers is not only not nice but also not necessarily good for business. And though some arguments against raising the minimum wage are debatable, others are simply insulting.

The national minimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour. Back in 1968, it was $10.77 in today's dollars. So President Obama's proposal to raise the minimum to $10.10 is hardly radical.

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

February 18, 2014

39% Give Obama Positive Marks for Economic Fairness, 39% Say Poor

President Obama made income inequality the central issue of last month's State of the Union address, but voters give the president only slightly better marks now when it comes to his handling of issues related to economic fairness.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president is doing a good or excellent job in this area. That's up from 37% in December but still down from 42% a year ago. However, just 39% also say the president is doing a poor job when it comes to economic fairness, down five points from two months ago and his lowest negative in a 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 Likely Voters was conducted on February 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