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November 19, 2013

42% Are Confident Fed Can Keep Inflation, Interest Rates Down

As the country awaits the likely confirmation of Janet Yellen as the new Federal Reserve Board chairman, confidence in the Fed’s ability to control interest rates and inflation remains low. But Americans are less pessimistic about rising grocery prices.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 42% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Fed can keep interest rates down and inflation under control, but that includes just 11% who are Very Confident. Fifty-two percent (52%) lack that confidence, with 18% who are Not Confident At All. (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 November 14-15, 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.

November 19, 2013

Voters Strongly Defend Their Basic Freedoms But See Government As A Threat

Voters continue to adamantly defend their constitutional freedoms, and most still consider the federal government a threat to those rights.

Just 30% of Likely U.S. Voters view the government today as a protector of individual rights, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-five percent (55%) think the government is a threat to their rights. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 November 17-18, 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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November 19, 2013

Calm in the Health Care Storm By Froma Harrop

The bungled launch of the federal health insurance website has unleashed significant disorder -- but not everywhere. Life remains calm in many states that set up their own health care exchanges.

Some are so confident of the rightness of the health care reforms that they're rejecting President Obama's proposal to let people keep their inadequate health insurance policies.

November 19, 2013

39% Think Auto Bailouts Were Good for U.S.

The number of voters who believe the federal government bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler were good for the United States has reached an all-time low, and more than ever consider those bailouts a failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 39% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the auto industry bailouts were good for the country, the first time that number has fallen below 40% in regular surveying for the past two years. Slightly more (43%) say the bailouts were bad for the United States, while 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 Likely Voters was conducted on November 15-16, 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.

November 18, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%

Have the woes of Obamacare trumped the government shutdown? Republicans have rebounded from a seven-point deficit a month ago to take a one-point lead on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending November 17.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district's congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat instead.

(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 November 11-17, 2013. 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

November 18, 2013

52% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the stability of U.S. banks is over 50% for the fourth time this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes just 11% who are Very Confident. Forty-three percent (43%) don’t share that confidence, with 13% 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 Adults was conducted on November 14-15, 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.

November 18, 2013

78% Think U.S. Spies On Others As Much or More Than They Spy on Us

Most voters consider foreign spying a serious threat to the United States, but three-out-of-four think America spies on other countries as much or more than they spy on us.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe spying on the United States by other countries is at least a somewhat serious threat, with 26% who say it’s Very Serious. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% think foreign spying is not a serious threat, but that includes only three percent (3%) who feel 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 Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 15-16, 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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November 18, 2013

Why Republicans Suddenly Care About Canceled Health Policies By Joe Conason

Amid the current national uproar over the troubles of the Affordable Care Act, it is almost uplifting to hear the deep concern expressed by politicians, pundits, lobbyists and corporate leaders over cancellation of existing health insurance policies. They empathize loudly with the millions of potential victims, whose plight infuriates these worthy observers with fury. They fill hours of television and pages of print with expressions of outrage. Suddenly, everyone in Washington is intensely concerned about Americans losing their health coverage.   

November 18, 2013

New High: 58% View Obamacare Unfavorably

Unfavorable views of the national health care law have risen to their highest levels this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 38% of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the new national health care law. That’s down seven points from 45% a month ago. Fifty-eight percent (58%) view the law unfavorably, up five points from the previous survey and the highest finding in regular surveying since early January. These findings include 15% with a Very Favorable opinion of the law and 45% with a Very Unfavorable one, another high for the 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 November 15-16, 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.

November 17, 2013

57% Think Private Business Best Bet for Alternative Energy

Most Americans continue to think it's more important to develop new sources of energy than to conserve what we've got. They also remain more confident that the private sector, not the federal government, will be the chief force behind new energy development.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that research by private businesses seeking a profit will do more to meet America's need for alternative energy sources than research by the government. This finding is up nine points from July. Only 25% think research by government agencies is the better way to go. Eighteen percent (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 Likely Voters was conducted on November 11-12, 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.

November 17, 2013

57% Think Private Business Best Bet for Alternative Energy

Most Americans continue to think it's more important to develop new sources of energy than to conserve what we've got. They also remain more confident that the private sector, not the federal government, will be the chief force behind new energy development.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that research by private businesses seeking a profit will do more to meet America's need for alternative energy sources than research by the government. This finding is up nine points from July. Only 25% think research by government agencies is the better way to go. Eighteen percent (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 Likely Voters was conducted on November 11-12, 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.

November 16, 2013

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week Ending Nov 16

Obamacare hasn’t been good for the political health of President Obama and his party this past week.

November 15, 2013

46% Oppose Electronic Cigarette Smoking in Public Areas

While a sizable number of Americans consider electronic cigarettes to be safer than traditional cigarettes, a plurality doesn’t want people smoking them in public areas.

Thirty-one percent (31%) of American Adults believe smoking electronic cigarettes is more safe than smoking traditional cigarettes. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% believe the health risk is about the same between the two, and another 32% are not sure which is safer. Just eight percent (8%) believe smoking e-cigarettes is less safe than smoking ordinary cigarettes. (To see 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 November 12-13, 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.

November 15, 2013

55% Rate Obama's Handling of Health Care As Poor

Most voters now think President Obama is doing a poor job when it comes to health care. 

Just 30% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the president's handling of issues related to health care as good or excellent. That’s down 14 points from October and the lowest finding to date. Fifty-five percent (55%) give the president poor marks in this area, up from October’s previous high of 47%. (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 November 13-14, 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. 

November 15, 2013

62% Consider Clinton Better President Than Obama

Voters still strongly believe Bill Clinton was a better president than Barack Obama.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters think Clinton was a better president. Just 20% believe Obama is doing a better job than Clinton did when he was president from 1993 to 2001. 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 Twitter or Facebook.

The national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on November 13-14, 2013. 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.

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November 15, 2013

Colorado a Microcosm for American Politics By Michael Barone

Colorado, writes National Journal's always insightful Ronald Brownstein, is "America, writ small." "A microcosm," he goes on, "of the forces destabilizing American politics."

Of course, Colorado is not entirely typical of the nation. It has America's lowest rates of obesity, for example -- because of a young population and because most Coloradans live a mile or more above sea level. You burn more calories there just getting out of the car and walking to the mall.

November 15, 2013

40% of Americans Prefer to Drink Wine, 34% Beer

When Americans drink alcohol, they prefer wine over any other type of spirit.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of American Adults say wine is their alcohol of choice. Thirty-four percent (34%) reach for a beer first. Just 20% prefer hard liquor, while two percent (2%) opt for something else. (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 telephone survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on November 10-11, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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

November 14, 2013

43% Say Obama is Very Liberal

Most voters still have little doubt that President Obama and Vice President Biden are liberals.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the president at least somewhat liberal in political terms, including 43% who believe he is Very Liberal. Twenty-four (24%) percent feel the president is politically moderate. Just three percent (3%) consider Obama conservative. (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 telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on November 9-10, 2013. 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.

November 14, 2013

38% Drink Alcohol At Least Once a Week

Social lubricant or relaxing pastime? Most Americans enjoy a good drink every now and then, but they’re divided between drinking for enjoyment or just to socialize.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) of American Adults now say they drink alcoholic beverages at least once a week, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That includes 16% who say they drink about once a week, 13% who drink several times a week and nine percent (9%) who have a drink every day or nearly every day. That’s generally unchanged from 2010. Eight percent (8%) say they drink several times a month, while 18% drink occasionally. 

Thirty-six percent (36%) say they rarely or never drink alcohol, up from 29% three 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 November 10-11, 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.

November 14, 2013

25% of Americans Have or Will Contribute Money to Philippines Relief Effort

Following the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines leaving thousands dead and many more displaced, one-in-four Americans is contributing money to the relief effort. But few are very confident that money will actually reach those who need it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults say they have or will contribute money to the Philippines relief effort. Fifty-one percent (51%) don't plan to do so, but another 25% are undecided at this time. The number of Americans pledging financial support for the Philippines is lower than the number who did so following the Haitian earthquake in 2010. (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 November 12-13, 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.