Public Content

Most Recent Releases

February 18, 2014Stop Insulting Minimum Wage Workers by Froma Harrop
Beating down low-paid workers is not only not nice but also not necessarily good for business. And though some arguments against raising the minimum wage are debatable, others are simply insulting.
The national minimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour. Back in 1968, it was $10.77 in today's dollars. So President Obama's proposal to raise the minimum to $10.10 is hardly radical.
Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com. To find out more about Froma Harrop and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/obama_rotations/39_give_obama_positive_marks_for_economic_fairness_39_say_poor/893754-65-eng-US/39_give_obama_positive_marks_for_economic_fairness_39_say_poor.jpg" />
                
                            February 18, 201439% Give Obama Positive Marks for Economic Fairness, 39% Say Poor
President Obama made income inequality the central issue of last month's State of the Union address, but voters give the president only slightly better marks now when it comes to his handling of issues related to economic fairness.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president is doing a good or excellent job in this area. That's up from 37% in December but still down from 42% a year ago. However, just 39% also say the president is doing a poor job when it comes to economic fairness, down five points from two months ago and his lowest negative in a 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 February 12-13, 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. 

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/mood_of_america_archive/generic_congressional_ballot/february_2014/generic_congressional_ballot_democrats_41_republicans_37/46515-340-eng-US/generic_congressional_ballot_democrats_41_republicans_37.jpg" />
                
                            February 17, 2014Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 37%
Democrats continue to hold a lead over Republicans on Generic Congressional Ballot.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey from the week ending Sunday, February 16 finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today. Thirty-seven percent (37%) would choose the Republican instead. Democrats led by two points – 40% to 38% - the previous week. The two parties traded leads the first two weeks of February.
(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 February 10-16, 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. 

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/holidays/february_2014/washington_lincoln_top_the_list_of_favorite_presidents/989518-1-eng-US/washington_lincoln_top_the_list_of_favorite_presidents.jpg" />
                
                            February 17, 2014Washington, Lincoln Top the List of Favorite Presidents
This President’s Day, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are among Americans’ favorite presidents, even though few consider it an important national holiday.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of American Adults consider President’s Day, which falls today, one of our nation’s most important holidays, while 33% consider it one of the least important. Most (54%) 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 or Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/current_events/afghanistan/59_more_worried_u_s_troops_will_remain_in_afghanistan_too_long/989391-1-eng-US/59_more_worried_u_s_troops_will_remain_in_afghanistan_too_long.jpg" />
                
                            February 17, 201459% More Worried U.S. Troops Will Remain in Afghanistan Too Long
As officials from both countries continue to debate the plan for America’s occupation of Afghanistan after 2014, U.S. voters continue to express pessimism about the war and want troops withdrawn immediately. But belief that the country is a vital U.S. national security interest has risen following the release of Afghan prisoners last week against repeated U.S. objections.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of Likely Voters think it is possible for the United States to win the war in Afghanistan. Fifty-three percent (53%) say victory is not possible, while 24% 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 February 14-15, 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. 
February 17, 2014Recycling for Fun and Profit: The Imminent Return of the 'Clinton Scandals' by Joe Conason
Hillary Clinton may well run for president in 2016. Or she may not. But while the nation awaits her decision, both jittery Republican politicians and titillated political journalists -- often in concert -- will seize upon any excuse to recycle those old "Clinton scandals."

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/health_care_update_archive/february_2014/new_high_77_support_purchasing_health_insurance_across_state_lines/299184-274-eng-US/new_high_77_support_purchasing_health_insurance_across_state_lines.jpg" />
                
                            February 17, 2014New High: 77% Support Purchasing Health Insurance Across State Lines
Just over half of voters still have an unfavorable opinion of the new national health care law, though slightly more now support the government requiring all plans to cover the same set of medical procedures than they have since October. Voters still strongly support choice when it comes to health insurance.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the new law at least somewhat favorably, while 52% share an unfavorable opinion of it. This includes 16% with a Very Favorable view and 40% with 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 February 14-15, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/business/housing/february_2014/49_say_buying_a_home_is_best_investment_for_families/989374-1-eng-US/49_say_buying_a_home_is_best_investment_for_families.jpg" />
                
                            February 16, 201449% Say Buying a Home is Best Investment for Families
Just about half of Americans think buying a home is a good investment, while the belief that now is a good time to sell a home remains steady.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make. This is down slightly from December but is in line with findings in regular surveys throughout 2012 and 2013. An all-time high of 67% felt that way in May 2009. Twenty-seven percent (27%) now feel a home is not a family’s best investment, while 24% 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 February 11-12, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/weekly_update_archive/february_2014/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls_week_ending_february_15_2014/990168-102-eng-US/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls_week_ending_february_15_2014.png" />
                
                            February 15, 2014What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending February 15, 2014
The Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia have provided plenty of drama for over a week now, but Washington, DC offered some excitement of its own this week.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/economic_fairness_archive/83_say_it_s_important_for_economy_to_provide_all_chance_to_succeed/902869-18-eng-US/83_say_it_s_important_for_economy_to_provide_all_chance_to_succeed.jpg" />
                
                            February 14, 201483% Say It’s Important For Economy to Provide All Chance to Succeed
Most voters continue to support an economic system that provides everyone a chance to succeed, and they generally believe it is fair and helpful for the economy to let those who are successful become very rich.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of Likely U.S. Voters now think it is at least somewhat important for the economic system to provide everybody with an opportunity to succeed. This is down three points from October’s all-time high. Just 14% do not think that this is important, up from a record low of 10% in October. This includes 59% who think it’s Very Important  for everyone to have a chance to succeed, and just four percent (4%) who think it’s Not At All Important. (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 February 12-13, 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

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/business/housing/february_2014/25_believe_gov_t_should_assist_those_who_can_t_make_mortgage_payments/989235-1-eng-US/25_believe_gov_t_should_assist_those_who_can_t_make_mortgage_payments.jpg" />
                
                            February 14, 201425% Believe Gov't Should Assist Those Who Can’t Make Mortgage Payments
Most homeowners continue to say they have not missed a mortgage payment in the last six months and fewer than ever expect to in the near future. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of U.S. Homeowners admit to missing or being late on a mortgage payment in the last six months. Ninety-three percent (93%) have not missed or been late on a payment, up slightly from 91% in December. (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 610 Adult Homeowners and 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 11-12, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/february_2014/65_think_felons_should_be_able_to_vote_after_completing_jail_time/989209-1-eng-US/65_think_felons_should_be_able_to_vote_after_completing_jail_time.jpg" />
                
                            February 14, 201465% Think Felons Should be Able to Vote After Completing Jail Time
Voters in 11 states can permanently lose their right to vote if convicted of a felony. Among most other states, that right can be restored only after serving some combination of their jail time, parole and probation. But most voters believe someone convicted of a felony should regain the right to vote after serving their sentence problem-free.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely U.S. Voters think that if someone is convicted of a felony and serves their sentence without problem, their right to vote should be restored. Twenty-three percent (23%) disagree, but 11% 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 Likely Voters was conducted on February 12-13, 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.
February 14, 2014'Disparate Impact' Doctrine Often Hurts Those it's Intended to Help by Michael Barone
Disparate impact. That's a phrase you don't hear much in everyday conversation. But it's the shorthand description of a legal doctrine with important effects on everyday American life -- and more if Barack Obama and his political allies get their way.
Consider the Department of Justice and Department of Education policies on school discipline. In a "dear colleague" letter distributed last month, the departments noted that "students of certain racial or ethnic groups tend to be disciplined more than their peers."
Michael Barone, senior political analyst at the Washington Examiner, where this article first appeared (www.washingtonexaminer.com), is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a Fox News Channel contributor and a co-author of The Almanac of American Politics. To find out more about Michael Barone, and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2014 THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/holidays/february_2014/most_adults_are_indifferent_toward_valentine_s_day/989128-1-eng-US/most_adults_are_indifferent_toward_valentine_s_day.jpg" />
                
                            February 14, 2014Most Adults Are Indifferent Toward Valentine’s Day
Very few adults consider Valentine’s Day one of the nation’s most important holidays, but more than half neither look forward to nor dread the day.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of American Adults consider Valentine’s Day one of the nation’s most important holidays. Most (63%) rank it among the least important holidays, while 31% say it’s somewhere in between. Even more say it’s one of the least important holidays than last 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 American Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/holidays/february_2014/66_want_dinner_with_someone_special_for_valentine_s_day/988821-1-eng-US/66_want_dinner_with_someone_special_for_valentine_s_day.jpg" />
                
                            February 13, 201466% Want Dinner With Someone Special for Valentine’s Day
Most adults aren't planning to send or receive flowers this Valentine's Day, which may be good, since most want something else anyway.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults want dinner with someone special for Valentine's Day. Just seven percent (7%) want flowers, and just eight percent (8%) want chocolate candy most. Nineteen percent (19%) are not sure what they want. (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 February 9-10, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/business/housing/february_2014/35_expect_their_home_s_value_to_go_up_over_next_year/988952-1-eng-US/35_expect_their_home_s_value_to_go_up_over_next_year.jpg" />
                
                            February 13, 201435% Expect Their Home’s Value To Go Up Over Next Year
The number of homeowners who say their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage has increased after a weak start to 2014. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of homeowners feel the value of their home is more than what they owe on their mortgage. That is up from 53% in January, which was the lowest level of confidence ever measured for the month of January since Rasmussen Reports began regular tracking on this question in April 2009. Twenty-eight percent (28%) now say their home is not worth more than they owe, down from 32% in January. Eleven percent (11%) 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 610 Adult Homeowners was conducted on February 11-12, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/obama_rotations/voters_rate_obama_more_negatively_on_the_economy_national_security/893754-65-eng-US/voters_rate_obama_more_negatively_on_the_economy_national_security.jpg" />
                
                            February 13, 2014Voters Rate Obama More Negatively on the Economy, National Security
Voters haven’t exactly been singing President Obama’s praises lately when it comes to economy and national security issues,  but they’re even more critical of him now.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 32% rate Obama’s handling of economic issues as good or excellent, down two points from the previous week and the lowest positive ratings since early December. Nearly half (47%) rate him poorly on the economy, up four points from last week and the highest poor rating since the same early December 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on February 10-11, 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.
February 13, 2014Losing Our Third Places By Froma Harrop
A story that captivated New York City: A group of elderly Korean-Americans had been gathering at a McDonald's in Queens for conversation and fellowship. They'd sit there all day long, sometimes sharing a $1.39 package of fries. The hangout was so popular that friends from other neighborhoods would travel to join them.  

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/february_2014/57_want_debt_ceiling_deal_to_include_major_spending_cuts/988888-1-eng-US/57_want_debt_ceiling_deal_to_include_major_spending_cuts.jpg" />
                
                            February 13, 201457% Want Debt Ceiling Deal to Include Major Spending Cuts
Congress this week passed a “clean” bill to raise the federal debt ceiling without spending cuts attached. While voters agree that not raising the debt ceiling would be bad for the economy, they also wanted a deal that includes significant spending cuts.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 79% of Likely Voters think it’s at least somewhat likely that the debt ceiling will be raised before the government begins defaulting on its debts. Just 13% see this outcome as unlikely. These findings include 47% who say a deal to raise the debt ceiling is Very Likely to happen and just three percent (3%) who consider it 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 February 10-11, 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. 

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/mood_of_america_archive/right_direction_or_wrong_track/february_2014/29_say_u_s_heading_in_right_direction2/63618-384-eng-US/29_say_u_s_heading_in_right_direction.jpg" />
                
                            February 12, 201429% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
For the second week in a row, 29% 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 February 9.
This finding has fluctuated between 29% and 30% every week since mid-December and is consistent with attitudes for much of the Obama presidency. A year ago, 38% said the country was heading in the right direction.
(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 February 3-9, 2014. 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.