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                            January 13, 2014Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 37%
Democrats have widened their lead over Republicans to four points on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending January 12 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, while 37% would choose the Republican instead. This is the largest lead for the Democrat since early November 2013. The previous week, Democrats held a two-point lead - 40% to 38%.
(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 January 6 - 12, 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 13, 201446% Believe Long-Term Unemployment Benefits Increase Unemployment
Congress is considering a proposal to extend long-term unemployment benefits, but a sizable number of Americans believes such an extension will just add to the problem.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that a plurality (47%) of American Adults thinks long-term unemployment benefits hurt the economy. Twenty-eight percent (28%) say those benefits help the economy, while 13% believe they have no impact. Just as many (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 and Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 8-9, 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 13, 201448% Less Likely to Vote for Christie In 2016 If Retaliation Charges Are True
Roughly half of voters nationwide say they would be less likely to vote for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for president if it turns out he retaliated against an elected official who refused to support his reelection.
Forty-eight percent (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they would be less likely to vote for Christie in 2016 if it is proven that his office retaliated against an official who refused to support him, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirteen percent (13%) say they would be more likely to vote for Christie if that is the case. Thirty-three percent (33%) say it would have no impact on their voting decision. (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 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.

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                            January 13, 201456% Still View Health Care Law Unfavorably
The new national health care law remains unpopular with most voters who still want freedom of choice when it comes to how much health insurance coverage they carry.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the new law at least somewhat favorably, while 56% share an unfavorable opinion of it. This includes 15% with a Very Favorable view and nearly three times as many (42%) 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 January 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.

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                            January 12, 201410% Think Government Employees Work Harder Than Those in Private Sector
Americans continue to believe that government workers are better off than those employed in the private sector. Forty-six percent (46%) of American Adults think the average government worker earns more annually than the average private sector worker, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty percent (30%) disagree, while 24% are undecided. (To see survey questions, 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 and Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 6-7, 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 11, 2014What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending January 11, 2014
The U.S. economy’s still not a pretty picture, but Americans seem to be going with the flow. The government at week’s end reported the weakest job growth in years in December. The unemployment rate fell, but that was largely due to Americans leaving the work force.

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                            January 10, 201446% Favor Extending Unemployment Benefits, 39% Oppose
Voters narrowly favor a proposal now before Congress to extend combined unemployment benefits for up to 73 weeks.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults favor a proposal now before Congress that would continue combined state and federal unemployment benefits for up to 73 weeks for those unable to find a job. Thirty-nine percent (39%) oppose this proposal now being pushed by Senate Democrats and President Obama. Fifteen percent (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 and Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 8-9, 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 10, 2014Cruel Follies: Fighting Poverty the Republican Way, With Fresh (and Not-So-Fresh) Ideas by Joe Conason
Listening to Republican politicians these days as they talk (and talk and talk) about poverty and inequality can be a poignant experience. They want us to know they're worried about the diminishing economic prospects confronted by so many Americans. They hope we will admire their shiny new solutions. And they are so eager for us to believe they care.
But however concerned these Republican worthies may be, they still insist on promoting the same exhausted and useless ideas favored by their party for decades. The sad result is that almost nobody believes that they care at all -- and their "anti-poverty initiatives" tend to be dismissed, with a snicker, as public relations rather than public policy.
To find out more about Joe Conason, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM
January 10, 2014The Democrats' Feckless Attacks on Income Inequality by Michael Barone
As Barack Obama scrambles to eviscerate key sections of his own signature health care law, he and other Democrats are trying to shift voters' focus to another issue -- income inequality.
Unfortunately, the solutions they advocate are pitifully inadequate or painfully perverse.

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                            January 10, 201456% in NJ Think Christie Should Resign If He Knew About Fort Lee Retaliation
Most New Jersey voters think it’s likely Governor Chris Christie was aware of the Fort Lee traffic lane closures before they happened and should resign if this is proven. But voters in the state still think the governor is doing a better job than President Obama.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely New Jersey Voters believe it’s at least somewhat likely that Christie was aware that traffic lanes onto the George Washington Bridge were being closed as retaliation for the mayor of Fort Lee’s refusal to support the governor’s reelection. Thirty-six percent (36%) think it’s unlikely Christie was aware beforehand. This includes 30% who say it’s Very Likely he was aware and 17% who say 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 state survey of 800 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted January 9, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 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 10, 201439% Say Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq Have Increased Domestic Terrorist Threat
Voters strongly believe that radical Islam remains a threat to the United States, and a sizable number thinks the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have only made the problem worse.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of Likely U.S. Voters consider radical Islamic terrorism at least a somewhat serious threat in this country, with 38% who considerate it a Very Serious one. Nineteen percent (19%) don't regard this terrorism as a serious threat, but that includes only three percent (3%) who say 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on January 7-8, 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 9, 201439% Support Building More U.S. Nuclear Power Plants, 37% Oppose
Voters remain lukewarm about building more nuclear power plants but stop short of calling for the closure of the plants already in existence.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters now think more nuclear power plants should be built in the United States. Thirty-seven (37%) are opposed to building new plants, while 23% 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 U.S. Voters was conducted on January 7-8, 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 9, 201415% Favor Extending Unemployment Benefits Indefinitely
Support for extending unemployment benefits is up slightly, but more than twice as many Americans still think the federal government should do nothing at all to help the long-term unemployed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 15% of American Adults believe the federal government should extend unemployment benefits indefinitely for those who can’t find work after an extended period of time. That's up from 10% in November and the highest level of support since June 2011. Essentially unchanged from past surveys are the 11% who think the government should just hire the long-term unemployed. Twenty-nine percent (29%) prefer the short-term solution of paying for their retraining, consistent with surveying for the past couple 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 and Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 6-7, 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 9, 201425% Favor U.S. Military Action in Iraq or Syria If Al Qaeda Takes Over
One-in-four voters is now prepared to take military action against Iraq or Syria if al-Qaeda-led forces win control there.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters oppose U.S. military action against Syria or Iraq if either of those countries is taken over by al Qaeda or related terrorists. Twenty-five percent (25%) favor military action given this scenario. A sizable 34% 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 7-8, 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 9, 2014The Downton Diet by Froma Harrop
Some enterprising writer must do a book titled "The Downton Diet." It would explain how to get and stay slim without moving a muscle, as the aristocratic women in the wildly popular British drama series demonstrate.
Furthermore, they appear to eat three squares a day, plus tea with nibbles. Judging from the bowls of eggs and cream Mrs. Patmore is perpetually beating in the kitchen, the gentry at Downton are not exactly being served Lean Cuisines.

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                            January 9, 2014Some Old Foes Seen As U.S. Allies By Most Americans
The United States fought two major wars in the 20th Century and engaged in a lengthy Cold War for several decades. But most Americans now view U.S. relations with two of those former enemies, Germany and Japan, very positively, while they remain skeptical of Vietnam, Russia and China.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of American Adults believe Germany is an ally of the United States. Just one percent (1%) still regard America’s foe in World War I and World War II as an enemy. Nineteen percent (19%) think Germany falls somewhere in between an ally and an enemy. (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 4-5, 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 8, 201429% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Twenty-nine (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 January 5.
That’s down one point from 30% the previous week which marked the highest level of confidence since early September. In early October during the federal government shutdown, confidence in the country’s course fell to 13%, the lowest finding in five years. A year ago, 33% 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 December 30, 2013-January 5, 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.

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                            January 8, 2014New Low: 25% Think Job Market Worse Than a Year Ago
Most Americans still know someone out of work and looking for a job, but they’re much less pessimistic about the current job market.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults believe the job market today is better than it was a year ago. That's up six points from November but consistent with findings for much of the last year-and-a-half. Just as many (25%) think the job market’s worse than a year ago, but that’s down 13 points from November and the lowest level of pessimism in nearly four years of regular surveying. Forty-eight percent (48%) think the job market is about the same as it was a year 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 and Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 6-7, 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 8, 2014What America Thinks: Colorado and the National Marijuana Debate
A number of states now allow the use of marijuana if it is prescribed by a doctor, but Colorado last week became the first state to permit the legal sale of the drug for recreational use. Most voters favor legalizing pot for medicinal purposes but are a lot less enthusiastic about open recreational use.

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                            January 8, 20148% Think Congress Doing a Good or Excellent Job
As Congress returns to Washington, its performance reviews remain in the cellar, and more voters than ever think it’s capable of making a bad situation worse.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Sixty-six percent (66%) rate its performance as poor, but that’s a noticeable improvement from 75% in November, Congress’ highest negative in seven years of regular surveying. (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.