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                            January 7, 201433% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty-three percent (33%) 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 January 4. 
This finding is up three points from the week before and is the highest level of optimism since April 2013. The number of voters who think the country is heading in the right direction was below 30% most weeks 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 national telephone survey of 2,800 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from December 29-30, 2014 & January 2-4, 2015. 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.
January 7, 2014Right and Left of the Hispanic Vote By Michael Barone
It is widely accepted that Hispanics will become a larger share of the American electorate in the years to come.  

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                            January 7, 201455% Expect 'Noticeable' Change If Democrats Win Congress; 49% Say Same of GOP Win
With 11 months until Election Day, voters are closely divided over whether Democrats or Republicans will win full control of Congress, but most feel a Democratic takeover would have a bigger impact on their lives. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (43%) of Likely U.S. Voters believes it is better for the country when one political party runs both the House of Representatives and the Senate.  Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree and say it is better when each chamber is run by a different party. But a sizable 27% 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 January 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.
January 7, 2014About the People Who Serve Us By Froma Harrop
A New York voice boomed from the back of the long car rental line: "Wha'd they do, lay off half the people?"
One of my thoughts no doubt shared by fellow detainees waiting, waiting at the big-name car rental office at a Florida airport. Behind the desk flashed a screen informing us of the company's very high ratings for customer service. I was not the only one smirking.

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                            January 7, 2014Rasmussen Employment Index Hits Highest Level Since June
The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence rose four points in December continuing the upward trend it began in November.
At 89.8, worker confidence is at its highest level since June but is still down five points from the all-time high of 94.4 in May of last year. The index hit a low for 2013 of 81.2 in October. It stood at 91.2 in December 2012.
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 report.

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                            January 6, 2014Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 38%
Democrats have taken the lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the first time since late November.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending January 5 finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead. The previous week, the two parties were tied at 40% apiece.
(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 December 30, 2013-January 5, 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. 

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                            January 6, 201445% Rate Obama's Handling of Immigration As Poor
Coming off his reelection, President Obama signaled that immigration reform and stricter gun control were two of his top agenda items, but none of his initiatives in these areas made it into law. Voters remain critical of the president's handling of both issues.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks when it comes to immigration issues, while 45% rate his performance in this area as poor. A year ago, Obama's positives in this area were 39%, and 37% rated him poor. His good or excellent ratings ran as high as 43% in late February, while his poor numbers peaked at 46% in July. (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 January 2, 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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                            January 6, 201445% Rate Obama's Handling of Immigration As Poor
Coming off his reelection, President Obama signaled that immigration reform and stricter gun control were two of his top agenda items, but none of his initiatives in these areas made it into law. Voters remain critical of the president's handling of both issues.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks when it comes to immigration issues, while 45% rate his performance in this area as poor. A year ago, Obama's positives in this area were 39%, and 37% rated him poor. His good or excellent ratings ran as high as 43% in late February, while his poor numbers peaked at 46% in July. (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 January 2, 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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                            January 6, 201456% See Keystone XL Pipeline As Good for the Economy
Secretary of State John Kerry is reportedly pushing hard for a new international global warming treaty, prompting speculation that this will further delay a government decision on the Keystone XL oil pipeline from western Canada to Texas. Most voters continue to favor building the pipeline and think it will be good for the economy, as they have in surveys since late 2011.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor building the pipeline, while 28% are opposed. This includes 32% who Strongly Favor the Keystone project and 15% who Strongly Oppose it. Another 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 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.

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                            January 6, 201431% Expect Health Care To Improve Under New Law
Voters continue to give their own health care high marks but remain critical of the overall health care system in this country. For the first time in nearly a year, however, fewer than 50% expect the health care system to get worse under Obamacare.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the U.S. health care system to be good or excellent. Nearly as many (31%) rate the system 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 January 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.

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                            January 5, 201449% Favor Waiting Period Before Abortion
While most voters identify themselves as pro-choice, support for a mandatory waiting period prior to an abortion is at its highest level in over two years.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters believe there should be a waiting period before a woman can get an abortion. This is up six points from October and the highest finding on this question in regular surveying since August 2011. Thirty-nine percent (39%) still oppose a waiting period requirement. Eleven percent (11%) 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 January 2, 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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                            January 4, 2014What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending January 4, 2014
Americans traditionally are more upbeat as the new year begins, but that optimism only goes so far.

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                            January 3, 201441% Favor Legalization of Pot in Their State
Colorado on Thursday began the public sale of marijuana for recreational use, but half of voters still aren’t ready to go that far in their state. However, most approve of the sale of pot for medicinal purposes.
Forty-one percent (41%) of Likely U.S. Voters favor the legalization of recreational marijuana use in their state, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty percent (50%) are opposed. (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 January 2, 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.
January 3, 2014Rich Catholics Threaten Pope Francis - Because He Frightens Them By Joe Conason
If anyone wonders whether Pope Francis has irritated wealthy conservatives with his courage and idealism, the latest outburst from Kenneth Langone left little doubt. Sounding both aggressive and whiny, the billionaire investor warned that he and his overprivileged friends might withhold their millions from church and charity unless the pontiff stops preaching against the excesses and cruelty of unleashed capitalism.
January 3, 2014Democracy and Peace Pushed Farther Away by Michael Barone
In 1793, the envoy Lord Macartney appeared before the Qianlong emperor in Beijing and asked for British trading rights in China. "Our ways have no resemblance to yours, and even were your envoy competent to acquire some rudiments of them, he could not transport them to your barbarous land," the long-reigning (1736-96) emperor replied in a letter to King George III.
"We possess all things," he went on. "I set no value on strange objects and have no use for your country's manufactures."
The emperor had a point. China at that time, according to economic historian Angus Maddison, had about one-third of world population and accounted for about one-third of world economic production.
Today's China, of course, has a different attitude toward trade. Since Deng Xiaoping's market reforms started in 1978, it has had enormous growth based on manufacturing exports.
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                            January 3, 201428% Say Federal Government Should Increase Spending
Half of U.S. voters are worried that the federal government will not do enough to help the nation’s economic problems, and more than ever think it should increase spending to do so.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 28% of Likely U.S. Voters think that, in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems, the federal government should increase spending. That’s up two points from October and the highest level of support for spending increases in regular surveying since April 2012. Still, most voters (60%) think the government should cut spending to help the economy. Thirteen percent (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 Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 27-28, 2013 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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                            January 2, 201458% Have Favorable Opinion of Michelle Obama
Most voters continue to have a favorable opinion of Michelle Obama and view the first lady as a good role model for young Americans.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Mrs. Obama, including 39% with a Very Favorable opinion. Thirty-seven percent (37%) view her unfavorably, including 20% with a Very Unfavorable impression of the first lady. (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 December 29-30, 2013 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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                            January 2, 201459% Favor Assault Weapons Ban; 18% Want Handgun Ban, Too
Most voters still favor a ban on semi-automatic and assault-type weapons but strongly oppose outlawing handguns in the United States. Seven-out-of-10 would feel safer living a neighborhood where individuals could own a gun for self-defense.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters think there should be a ban on the purchase of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree. (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 December 29-30, 2013 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.
January 2, 2014Never Too Late to Start Up by Froma Harrop
Could an aging population be good for economic growth? I mean, isn't it an accepted fact that our economy will suffer as more Americans pass age 65 and start sitting around all day, soaking up government benefits?
January 2, 2014Common Core by John Stossel
My TV producers asked our Facebook audience to vote for a topic they'd most like to hear discussed on my year-end show. The overwhelming winner, for some reason: the education standards program Common Core.
Most Americans don't even know what that is. But they should. It's the government's plan to try to bring "the same standard" to every government-run school.