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November 4, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 43%, Republicans 37%

Democrats continue to maintain a six-point lead over Republicans on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, November 3.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 37% would choose the Republican 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 October 28-November 3, 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 4, 2013

35% Think U.S. Elections Are Fair

Fewer voters than ever think U.S. elections are fair, with just one-in-10 who now believe members of Congress get reelected because of the good job they do.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 35% of Likely U.S. Voters now think American elections are fair to voters, down from August’s previous low of 39% which marked the first time that number had fallen below 40%. Prior to that, it had run in the 40s to low 50s in surveys since September 2004. Nearly half of voters (47%) think American elections are unfair, the highest negative finding in nine years of polling. 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 October 30-31, 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 4, 2013

36% Favor A Stop and Frisk Law Where They Live

Just over one-out-of-three voters favor a stop and frisk law like New York City’s and think such a law actually fights crime.

The New York City law allows police to stop and frisk anyone on the street whom they consider suspicious, but 50% of Likely U.S. Voters oppose having a stop and frisk law where they live. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% favor such a law, while 13% 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 November 1-2, 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 3, 2013

44% View Sebelius Unfavorably

Just over a year ago, most voters didn't know enough about Kathleen Sebelius to have any kind of opinion of her, even though the secretary of Health and Human Services was in the powerful position of implementing the new national health care law. Now that Obamacare's off to a troubled start, a plurality of voters don't care much for her. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Sebelius, including nine percent (9%) with a Very Favorable one. But 44% share an unfavorable opinion of the HHS secretary, with 31% who view her Very Unfavorably. One-in-three (32%) still aren't 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 October 30-31, 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 2, 2013

What They Told Us: Week Ending November 2

Zombie nation?  For a sizable number of Americans, it’s a better alternative than the government we’ve got.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults believe zombies would do a better job than the federal government running the country today. An equal number (37%) have more confidence in the feds, but another 26% can’t decide between the two.

This should come as no surprise given that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters now view the federal government unfavorably, with 34% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of it.

Case in point: Obamacare, which is off to such a shambling start that even some Democrats are questioning it.

November 1, 2013

36% Think There's Still A Need for Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, but nearly half of Americans no longer think it’s necessary.

For the most part, American adults (85%) know they will move their clocks an hour backward this weekend to signify the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST). Eleven percent (11%) think they will move their clocks forward, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone 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 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 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.

November 1, 2013

Obama’s Full-Month Approval Rating Up One in October

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 total job approval inched up a point to 49% in October, a month that saw both the implementation of the national health care law and the temporary government shutdown.  Still, that is down seven points from December’s recent high of 56%. The president’s ratings for the past four months are more in line with his approval during most of his first term in office.

(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

November 1, 2013

40% Say Sebelius Should Be Fired or Resign, 41% Disagree

Voters overwhelmingly want to scrap or change the new national health care law but are evenly divided over whether Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius should lose her job because of the law's troubled debut.

Forty percent (40%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe Sebelius should be fired or resign because of the problems now being experienced with the new health care law. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 41% disagree and say Sebelius should not leave her job due to these problems. Nineteen percent (19%) more 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 October 30-31, 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.

White letter R on blue background
November 1, 2013

The Problem With Twitter by Froma Harrop

Jofi Joseph was a smart guy -- up to a point. He rose smoothly through the foreign affairs establishment, boosted by a fancy fellowship and political connections. He ended up a staff member on the National Security Council.

But he led a second life on Twitter, using the handle @NatSecWonk to post snide comments about national security leaders. His droppings included such juvenile sexism as, "What's with the dominatrix-like black suit (national security adviser) Susan Rice is wearing at this announcement?" And sophomoric snark: "When was the last time (deputy national security adviser) Ben Rhodes said something not painfully banal and obvious?"

November 1, 2013

Most Voters See Economy As Unfair to Small Business, Hard Workers

Just 40% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the U.S. economy is at least somewhat fair to small business owners, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 

Fifty-one percent (51%) consider the economy unfair to those who own small businesses. That's up from 47% in June and the first time this finding has crossed 50% in regular surveying all 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 October 28-29, 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

October 31, 2013

24% Say Stock Market Will Be Stronger in a Year

Few Americans believe the stock market will be higher in the near future. A plurality also still thinks housing prices will take more than three years to recover.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 24% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher than it is a year from now. Just as many (23%) believe the market will be lower. Thirty-six percent (36%) think it will be about the same. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 25-26, 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

October 31, 2013

25% Believe in Ghosts

This Halloween, one-in-four Americans is wary of a mysterious looming presence, and it’s not the NSA.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults believe in ghosts. Sixty-five percent (65%) don’t, but another 10% 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 Adults was conducted on October 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.

October 31, 2013

37% Say Zombies Would Do Better Job Than Federal Gov't, 37% Opt for Feds

It’s not exactly a vote of confidence in the powers that be: A sizable number of Americans think the undead would do a better job than the brain dead in Washington, D.C. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults believe the federal government would do a better job than zombies running the country today. But the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most Americans don’t share that view, with just as many (37%) who feel zombies would do a better job running the country and another 26% who can’t decide between the two. (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 October 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.

White letter R on blue background
October 31, 2013

End the Fed by John Stossel

I've always avoided reporting on the Federal Reserve. I know it's more important than much of the stuff I cover, but it's so boring. How can I succeed on TV reporting on the Fed? Fed chairs even work at being dull.

Alan Greenspan said he tried to be obscure because he didn't want to spook markets. He called his obfuscation "Fedspeak." It's a far cry from the clarity of his language -- and principles -- when he was young and a disciple of libertarian Ayn Rand.
John Stossel is host of "Stossel" on the Fox Business Network, and the author of "No They Can't! Why Government Fails, but Individuals Succeed." For other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2013 BY JFS PRODUCTIONS INC. DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM

October 31, 2013

61% Say Halloween is For Both Adults and Kids

Even though most adults aren’t dressing up for Halloween, they still don’t think the kids should have all the fun.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just one-third (33%) of American Adults think Halloween is just for kids, while 61% think it’s for both adults and children. That’s up from last year when just 50% said it was for both adults and kids. (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 October 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.

October 30, 2013

25% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

The number of U.S. voters who feel the country is heading in the right direction has risen above 20% for the first time since the week before the partial government shutdown began on October 1.

Twenty-five percent (25%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending October 27. That's an eight-point jump from 17% the week before but still well below the high of 43% the week before Election Day a year ago.

(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 October 21-27, 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.

October 30, 2013

63% Think Kids Should be Allowed to Wear Halloween Costumes, Bring Candy to School

Let them eat cake - or candy, to be more precise. Some public schools no longer permit students to wear Halloween costumes or bring Halloween candy to school, but 63% of American Adults think both should be allowed. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% do not think students should be allowed to do either. Ten percent (10%) are not sure whether costumes should be allowed, and 11% are not sure if kids should be able to bring in candy. (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 October 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.

October 30, 2013

Virginia Governor: McAuliffe (D) 43%, Cuccinelli (R) 36%, Sarvis (L) 12%

With less than a week to go until Election Day, Democrat Terry McAuliffe has a seven-point lead over Republican Ken Cuccinelli in Virginia’s gubernatorial race. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Virginia shows McAuliffe with 43% support to Cuccinelli’s 36%. Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis draws his highest level of support yet with 12%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) remain 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 1,002 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on October 28-29, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error 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.

October 30, 2013

43% Think Benghazi Will Hurt Hillary Clinton’s Candidacy in 2016

As CBS-TV’s “60 Minutes” program highlighted Sunday evening, serious questions remain about the murder a year ago of the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and a sizable number of voters think that incident will hurt Hillary Clinton’s chances for the presidency.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only four percent (4%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the circumstances surrounding the murder of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi, Libya will help Clinton’s candidacy.  Forty-three percent (43%) think those circumstances will hurt the former secretary of State if she runs for the presidency in 2016, but nearly as many (41%) say they will have no impact. Twelve percent (12%) 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 October 28-29, 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.

White letter R on blue background
October 30, 2013

Dracula Style By Froma Harrop

Dracula sets the bar high for timeless style. His refined silhouette and eclectic tastes make him an internationally recognizable figure. Fashion writers shifting and swerving through constant change still freeze in the vampire's presence. Some cultural figures, like Audrey, like Cary, like Jackie, create a signature look defying the march of trends. Dracula is one such fashion icon for the ages.