The 'Spiral of Silence' by Froma Harrop
With folks yapping all day on social media -- Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and the rest -- how can there be such a thing as a "spiral of silence" online?
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September 3, 2014
September 3, 2014
Voters Think Congress Cheats to Get Reelected
Most voters still think Congress is doing a poor job and believe most of its members only get reelected because a fix is in.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, unchanged from a month ago. Sixty-five percent (65%) rate its performance as poor. (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 August 28-29, 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 2, 2014
Americans Like Mowing Their Lawns
Believe it or not, most Americans take pleasure in mowing their lawns.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults own or rent a home for which they are responsible for the upkeep. (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 August 27-28, 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 2, 2014
Rasmussen Employment Index Reaches New High in August
The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence reached a new all-time high in August after falling for two months in a row.
At 101.2, worker confidence is up nearly three points from July’s 98.4 and marks the highest finding in six years of regular tracking. The index reached its previous high in May at 100.1. The index fell to a recent low of 81.2 last October but gained steadily after that. It stood at 86.5 in August of last year.
Generally speaking, an increase in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government report on job creation will be stronger than the prior month’s reports.
September 2, 2014
Obama’s Full-Month Approval Remains at 2014 Low
When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.
The president’s monthly job approval rating held steady at 46% in August for the second month in a row and remains his lowest monthly approval rating this year. It's up just a point from his two-year low of 45% reached in November during the troubled rollout period for the new national health care law. Obama’s approval rating hit a year-to-date high of 49% in February and May.
(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.
Daily tracking results are collected via telephone surveys of 500 likely voters per night. The monthly numbers in this article are based on approximately 15,000 interviews each month with likely voters. The margin of sampling error is less than +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
September 2, 2014
73% Worry About Obama’s Lack of Strategy for ISIS
Voters regard the radical Islamic terrorist group ISIS as a major threat to the United States and are very worried that President Obama doesn’t have a strategy for dealing with the problem. They remain reluctant to send U.S. troops back to Iraq to take on ISIS, but support is growing.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) a serious threat to this country. Just 13% disagree, while another 20% are not sure. (To see survey questions 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 August 30-31, 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 2, 2014
Is the Internet Killing Public Libraries?
Though a majority of Americans say they’ve used a public library in the past year, the number who believes public libraries will still be relevant in 25 years has dipped considerably from six years ago. The Internet is the research option of choice for most now.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults have used a public library in the past year, including 27% who have done so in the past month. Another 19% have used a public library within the last five years, while 20% last did so more than five years 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on August 27-28, 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 1, 2014
Oklahoma Special Senate: Lankford (R) 58%, Johnson (D) 29%
Republican Congressman James Lankford has a two-to-one lead over Democratic State Senator Connie Johnson in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at Oklahoma’s special election for U.S. Senate.
The special election will determine who will take over the seat held by Republican Tom Coburn, who is resigning in early 2015 with two years left in his term. This race is rated Safe Republican in the Rasmussen Reports’ 2014 Senate Balance of Power rankings. (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 Oklahoma was conducted on August 27-28, 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 1, 2014
Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 41%, Democrats 40%
It’s still a one-point race on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending August 31 finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% 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 August 25-31, 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.
September 1, 2014
For Most Americans, Labor Day Means Summer's Over
Labor Day was originally established as a federal holiday in 1894 to honor working Americans, especially those in labor unions. But for most Americans, it celebrates the end of summer instead.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 17% of American Adults consider Labor Day one of the nation’s most important holidays, while 20% think it’s one of the least important. Fifty-eight percent (58%) see it as somewhere in between. (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 and Facebook.
The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 25-26, 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 1, 2014
39% of Consumers, 57% of Investors Rate Personal Finances Postively
The Rasmussen Consumer Index, which measures consumer confidence on a daily basis, dipped less than a point on Monday to 109. Consumer confidence is still up six points from a week ago, one point from a month ago and five points from three months ago.
The Rasmussen Investor Index held relatively steady on Monday at 129.1, just shy of the 2014 high. Investor confidence is up seven points from a week ago, five points from a month ago and eight points from three months ago.
Detailed supplemental information, including a daily history and month-by-month trend data, is available for Platinum Members.
(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.
September 1, 2014
Voters Favor Piece-by-Piece Changes in Obamacare Over Repeal
Nearly half of voters now think Congress should go through the new national health care law to fine tune it rather than repeal it entirely, but most feel repeal is likely if Republicans take charge of Congress.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of Likely U.S. Voters still want Congress to repeal Obamacare in its entirety and start over again. But 47% think Congress should go through the law piece by piece and improve it. Only 12% want to leave the law as is. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The number of voters who say their insurance coverage has changed because of the new national health care law (37%) is at its highest level since April 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 30-31, 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.
August 31, 2014
Arizona Governor: Ducey (R) 40%, DuVal (D) 40%
The race to be Arizona’s next governor is a dead heat.
Arizona is rated a Toss-Up on the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Gubernatorial Scorecard. The race will determine the successor to Republican Jan Brewer who is term-limited. (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 850 Likely Voters in Arizona was conducted on August 27-28 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.
August 30, 2014
Voters Strongly Oppose Obama's Amnesty Plan for Illegal Immigrants
Most voters oppose President Obama's reported plan to unilaterally grant amnesty to several million illegal immigrants and think Congress should challenge him in court if he goes ahead with it.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters oppose the president granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants without the approval of Congress. Just 26% are in favor of Obama's plan, while 12% 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 Likely Voters was conducted on August 28-29, 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.
August 30, 2014
What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week of August 30
We’re off to the races. In nine weeks, America will elect a new Congress. Will it be more of the same, or will there be a new sheriff in town?
August 29, 2014
42% of Americans Took A Summer Vacation This Year
More Americans said they would take a vacation this summer, and it looks like they did.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of American Adults have taken a summer vacation this year. This finding is up six points from last year and is the highest finding at summer's end in 'five years. (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 August 25-26, 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.
August 29, 2014
Vermont Governor: Shumlin (D) 48%, Milne (R) 36%
Democratic incumbent Peter Shumlin has a double-digit lead over Republican challenger Scott Milne in Vermont’s gubernatorial race.
(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 700 Likely Voters in Vermont was conducted on August 28-29 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.
August 29, 2014
Do Americans Think Their Water Supply Is Safe?
Americans overwhelmingly count on their local water supply, but they're not nearly as confident that it's well protected.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 90% of American Adults think the water supply where they live is at least somewhat dependable, including 64% who say it is Very Dependable. Only seven percent (7%) think their local water supply is not very or Not At All Dependable. (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 August 24-25, 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.
August 29, 2014
Obama's Segue From Constructive Tax Proposals to Low-Grade Demagoguery by Michael Barone
The tax system should be simplified and work for all Americans with lower individual and corporate tax rates and fewer brackets.
August 29, 2014
Voters Won't Back Their Global Warming Worries With Cash
Most voters continue to consider global warming a serious problem but remain unwilling to pay much to do anything about it.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely Voters consider global warming at least a somewhat serious problem. That's the lowest level of concern since February of last year but still generally consistent with findings in regular surveys since 2009. Thirty-six percent (36%) don't share that concern. The latest findings include 38% who regard global warming as a Very Serious problem and 16% 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 August 26-27, 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.
