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                            October 24, 201351% Favor Delaying Individual Mandate, 34% Oppose
Just over half of U.S. voters still want to delay the requirement that everyone must have health insurance, but support for delaying that mandate is down, despite the ongoing problems with government exchange websites set up to provide health insurance.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Obama administration should delay the individual mandate because of the problems experienced by the health insurance exchanges. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree and oppose any delay in the requirement that every American have health insurance by January 1. 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 October 22-23, 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 24, 2013Scandal in Candyland By Froma Harrop
Ever notice how some government programs draw the ire of almost everyone? Conservatives, liberals, environmentalists, libertarians, business, labor, consumers and grouchy taxpayers are all opposed. Yet these programs go on as though directed by an unstoppable particle beam from a neighboring galaxy. The public rarely sees who in Washington keeps the outrage in motion, and that's how "they" get away with it.
The sugar support program is one such curiosity. We will get into the "who" and "how," but first an explanation of why almost everyone hates it.

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                            October 24, 201352% Worry Government Won't Do Enough for Economy; 62% Want Cuts
Following the short-term deal to end the partial government shutdown, voters are more concerned than ever that the federal government will not do enough responding to the weak economy. But most continue to believe spending cuts are the best move the government can make.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters now say they are more worried that the government won’t do enough in reacting to the country's current economic problems, while 37% worry more that it will do too much. 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 October 18-19, 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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                            October 23, 201317% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
The number of U.S. voters who feel the country is heading in the right direction remains below 20% for the third straight week. 
Just 17% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending October 20. That is up slightly from 13% the week before, the lowest finding in five years.
(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 13-October 20, 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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                            October 23, 201326% Favor Complete Cell Phone Ban Behind the Wheel
Fewer adults than ever think there should be a complete ban on cell phone use while driving because most think drivers should be able to use hands-free devices.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 26% of American Adults still support a complete ban on cell phone use while driving, but that's down from 36% in 2011 and 38% in 2009. Sixty-nine percent (69%) think drivers should be allowed to use hands-free devices, the highest finding in surveys to date. (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 October 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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                            October 23, 201364% Think Another Shutdown Likely in Mid-January
Most voters want a long-term budget deal that cuts federal spending but expect another government shutdown soon because Congress can’t reach such a deal.
Just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a federal budget that increases spending, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-four percent (54%) prefer a budget that cuts spending instead, while 25% want one that keeps spending levels 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 Likely Voters was conducted on October 18-19, 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 23, 2013Broke U.S. Resumes Spending By John Stossel
What would you think of a person who earned $24,000 a year but spent $35,000? Suppose on top of that, he was already $170,000 in debt. You'd tell him to get his act together -- stop spending so much or he'd destroy his family, impoverish his kids and wreck their future. Of course, no individual could live so irresponsibly for long.

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                            October 23, 201336% Think U.S., Allies Winning War on Terror
Confidence in the U.S. fight against terrorism continues to fall as the number of voters who believe the United States is too involved in the Middle East grows. But voters still consider economic threats to be more of a danger than terrorist attacks.
Thirty-six percent (36%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-six percent (26%) say the terrorists are winning, while 30% think neither side is. (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 16-17, 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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                            October 22, 201356% Think 16 Is Too Young to Drive
Most adults think someone should be older than 16 before they are eligible for a driver's license. Most also favor annual driving tests once someone reaches the age of 75. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that four percent (4%) think someone should be allowed to get a driver’s license at age 15, while 38% feel 16 is the appropriate age. But 56% believe the eligibility age should be higher, with 20% who say 17, 32% who favor 18 and four percent (4%) who prefer 21. (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 October 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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                            October 22, 20135% Think Feds Very Likely to Seal Border if New Immigration Law Passes
Most voters continue to put more border control first in any immigration reform plan, but fewer than ever trust the federal government to actually control the border if a new plan is passed. Voters also lean toward a go-slow piece-by-piece approach to immigration reform over a comprehensive bill.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is even somewhat likely that the federal government will actually secure the border and prevent illegal immigration if that’s part of new immigration legislation. Sixty-five percent (65%) consider it unlikely. This includes only five percent (5%) who say the government is Very Likely to secure the border if it’s part of legislation that would give legal status to those already here illegally and 24% who feel it’s Not At All Likely. (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 20-21, 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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                            October 22, 2013Virginia Governor: McAuliffe (D) 50%, Cuccinelli (R) 33%, Sarvis (L) 8%
Democrat Terry McAuliffe has jumped to a 17-point lead over Republican Ken Cuccinelli in the Virginia gubernatorial race following the federal government shutdown that hit Northern Virginia hard and Hillary Clinton’s weekend visit to the state.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds McAuliffe with 50% support to Cuccinelli’s 33%. Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis is a distant third with eight percent (8%) of the vote. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, while five percent (5%) 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 1,000 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on October 20, 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 22, 2013Unions Turn on Obamacare, but Don't Call Them Hypocrites By Michael Barone
It's not just Republicans who are unhappy with Obamacare. Labor union leaders have been complaining too.
In July, the presidents of the Teamsters, United Food Commercial Workers union and UNITE-HERE (combined membership: 2.9 million) wrote a letter to congressional Democrats saying that Obamacare will "destroy the very health and well-being of our members along with millions of other working Americans."

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                            October 22, 201332% Still Believe U.S. Society Unfair, Discriminatory
One-third of voters maintain their belief that American society isn't fair -- tying the highest level of pessimism in over six years.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 58% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider American society generally fair and decent.  That is in line with July’s numbers and up only slightly from a recent low of 55% in August of last year.  Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree and think American society is generally unfair and discriminatory. That's unchanged from the previous survey which marked the highest negative view since late July 2007. (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 from October 14-15, 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.
October 22, 2013California Conquers Partisan Chaos By Froma Harrop
California has found a formula for ending the partisan warfare that once paralyzed its government: Get rid of one of the parties, in this case, the Republican. The state's famously dysfunctional government now hums with calm efficiency.
Democrats there hold a supermajority in the state Legislature, making it well-nigh impossible for Republicans to gum up their plans. The governor, Jerry Brown, is a Democrat, as well.

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                            October 21, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 43%, Republicans 36%
For the second week in a row, Democrats lead Republicans by seven points on the Generic Congressional Ballot. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday, October 20, 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 36% 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 14-20, 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.

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                            October 21, 201326% Expect a Cure for Cancer In the Next 10 Years
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and only one-in-four adults think a cure is right around the corner. Over half have contributed to the fight. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 26% of American Adults think we will find a cure for cancer within the next 10 years. Forty percent (40%) do not expect a cancer cure that soon. But a sizable 34% 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 national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 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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                            October 21, 201351% Say Government Shutdown Had Some Personal Impact on Them, 46% Say None
In the aftermath of the partial government shutdown that ended last week, voters’ expectations of its personal and economic impact were mostly in line with reality.
Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the government shutdown had some impact on their personal lives, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes 40% who say the shutdown had a minor personal impact and just 11% who say it had a major one. Forty-six percent (46%) say the shutdown did not personally impact them 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 Likely Voters was conducted on October 18-19, 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 21, 2013Peterson Study: Tea Party Extremism Cost Millions of Jobs, Risks Millions More By Joe Conason
If Americans learn anything from this month's shutdown-and-debt-ceiling debacle, they ought to realize that political extremism brings real costs -- denominated in dollars and jobs, as well as national cohesion and prestige -- and that those costs are not small. As long as the tea party faction continues to wield its malign influence over the Republican leadership in Congress, the threat of further and even worse damage will not subside.

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                            October 21, 201346% View Obamacare Favorably, 48% Unfavorably
Voters are almost evenly divided in their views of the national health care law for the first time since the beginning of the year, although just over half still expect it to increase health care costs.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Obamacare, while only slightly more (48%) view it at least somewhat unfavorably. The passion is still on the side of the opponents, though: The new findings include 19% with a Very Favorable view of the law, while 37% have a Very Unfavorable one. (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 18-19, 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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                            October 20, 201351% Say Buying a Home is Best Investment for Families
More Americans now believe buying a home is a good investment, but belief that now is a good time to sell a home is down from its recent high.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make. That's up slightly from the past few months but in line with findings in regular surveys earlier this year and throughout 2012. An all-time high of 67% felt that way in May 2009. Just 22% now feel a home is not a family's best investment, while 27% 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 October 13-14, 2013 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.