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June 25, 2013

Americans Are Married to Jobs As Much As to Spouses

Americans have surprisingly similar overall views of their relationship with their spouse and relations with their co-workers. 

Ninety-one percent (91%) of married Americans grade their relationship with their wife or husband as good or excellent, Rasmussen Reports national telephone polling finds. 

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(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.

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June 25, 2013

Fighting the Stadium Con: Go Brazilians! By Froma Harrop

Something's gotten into Brazilians that hasn't caught on here, but should. They're out on the streets protesting their government's plan to sink billions into monuments to sport.

June 25, 2013

27% Favor Cutting Size of U.S. Nuclear Arsenal

Most voters still view nuclear weapons as critical to the country’s safety, and just one-in-four agree with President Obama’s call for a reduction in the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal is at least somewhat important to the country’s national security, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 16% disagree. This includes 45% who view the arsenal as Very Important to national security, although that’s down from 57% in March of last year.  However, just three percent (3%) now consider America’s nuclear weapons as Not At All Important to the country’s safety. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.

June 25, 2013

34% View Justice System As Fair to Poor Americans

Voters continue to believe the U.S. justice system doesn't work the same way for all Americans.

Overall, 45% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the U.S. justice system is fair to most Americans, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-nine percent (39%) disagree. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 June 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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June 24, 2013

Reform the Border Patrol, too By Joe Conason

Immigration reform now seems certain to pass the Senate within days, in an amended bill that could win as many as 70 votes from both parties. The results will improve life for millions of undocumented workers and their families -- but the costs will not be negligible, including a "surge" that will rapidly double the size of the U.S. Border Patrol to 40,00 agents, along with much more fencing and surveillance technology. 

June 24, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 39%

Democrats have pulled ahead by one point again on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 23, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Republican instead. Last week, the two parties were tied at 39% apiece. It was the first time since June 2009 that both were below 40%.

For the past 10 weeks, the two parties have been separated by two points or less. 

(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 June 17-23, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

June 24, 2013

62% Say Political Leaders Send U.S. Soldiers in Harm’s Way Too Often

As the United States involves itself more deeply in Syria, most voters continue to believe that American political leaders put U.S. troops in danger too much.  Sixty-two percent (62%) of Likely U.S. Voters think our political leaders send U.S. soldiers into harm’s way too often, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just six percent (6%) say U.S. soldiers aren’t sent in to conflicts enough, while 24% say the balance is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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

June 24, 2013

Just 28% Now Think Feds Likely to Secure Border if Reform Plan Passes

Regardless of what a comprehensive immigration reform plan promises, voters are less confident than ever that the federal government really would secure the border to prevent future illegal immigration.  Still, voters continue to support the concept of comprehensive reform. Sixty percent (60%) of Likely U.S. Voters now favor an immigration plan that gives those here illegally legal status to stay provided the border is really secured to prevent future immigration. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% oppose such a plan, while 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.

(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 June 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.

June 24, 2013

Among GOP, Rubio Faves Down 15 Points This Year

Senator Marco Rubio, widely expected to seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, has seen his popularity with Republican voters slip in recent months.

Rubio, the most visible advocate of the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform plan, is now viewed favorably by 58% of Republican voters nationwide. That down 10 points since May and 15 points since February. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 16% of GOP voters have an unfavorable opinion of him, while 25% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: A new Rasmussen Challenge starts tomorrow!

(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 June 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.

June 24, 2013

Voters Continue to Strongly Support Consumer Choices in Health Plans

Support remains high for allowing Americans to choose the level of health insurance they want based on how it impacts their pocketbooks. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of Likely U.S. Voters think individuals should have the right to choose between different types of health insurance plans including some with higher deductibles and lower premiums and others with lower deductibles and higher premiums. Just six percent (6%) disagree, while 13% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording,click here.)

Win an iPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.

(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 June 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.

June 23, 2013

65% Think Government Should Cut Spending to Help Economy

Concern that the government will do too much to help the economy is at its highest level since last fall.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters are more worried that the federal government will do too much rather than not enough in reacting to the nation’s economic problems. That's up from 39% in March and the highest level of concern since September.  Slightly more (48%) still fear that the government won’t do enough to help the economy.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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(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 June 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.

June 22, 2013

42% Are Somewhat Confident Fed Can Keep Inflation Down

The Federal Reserve Board issued a more optimistic analysis of the economy than expected earlier this week, but Americans still don't have much confidence in the Fed to keep inflation under control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 74% of Americans remain concerned about inflation. That includes 39% who are Very Concerned. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not very or Not At All Concerned. This is generally in line with attitudes for the past year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 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.

June 22, 2013

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For the Week Ending June 22, 2013

Webster’s Dictionary defines “trust” as “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something.” Americans don’t have a lot of it these days as far as the federal government is concerned.

June 21, 2013

45% Give Obama Poor Marks on Health Care

President Obama’s health care reform law has been a point of contention among voters for much of his presidency, and they continue to give the president lukewarm marks for his handling of health care. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters rate Obama’s handling of health care issues as good or excellent, down from 44% in February and the lowest finding this year. Forty-five percent (45%) score his handling of these issues as poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.

(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 June 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.

June 21, 2013

40% Say Supreme Court Is Too Politically Liberal

With the U.S. Supreme Court poised to issue several major end-of-the term rulings, more voters than ever think the justices are too liberal. Overall ratings for the high court are near all-time lows.

Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the Supreme Court is doing a good or excellent job, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-four percent (24%) give the court poor marks for its performance. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in the Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.

(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 June 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.

June 21, 2013

15% Favor Prosecuting Reporters Who Publish Leaked Information, 68% Disagree

Most Americans believe exposure of the government’s massive secret surveillance effort is likely to have hurt U.S. national security, but they don’t think reporters who reveal secret information should be punished for it. 

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that public disclosure of the National Security Agency’s phone and e-mail surveillance program has hurt this country’s national security. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 30% feel that’s unlikely.

This includes 21% who believe the disclosure of the surveillance program is Very Likely to have hurt national security and six percent (6%) who say it is Not At All Likely to have done so.  Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 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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June 21, 2013

The Missing Cows of Mass Destruction By Froma Harrop

Where did the panic over mad cow disease go? Off the front pages, for sure. A few years ago, respected journalists warned of a looming public health disaster as Americans consumed deadly hamburgers. They accused the beef industry and government regulators of colluding to hide the problem of mad cow disease.   

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June 21, 2013

An Oregon Study Casts Doubt On Whether Health Insurance Improves Health By Michael Barone

Does having health insurance make people healthier? It's widely assumed that it does.

Obamacare advocates repeatedly said that its expansion of Medicaid would save thousands of lives a year. Obamacare critics seldom challenged the idea that increased insurance coverage would improve at least some people's health.

June 21, 2013

Good Guys Are Hard To Find in NSA Surveillance Story By Scott Rasmussen

While recognizing that it's important to fight terrorism with all of the tools at our disposal, the American people are having a hard time finding good guys in the story about the National Security Agency's surveillance program.

Government officials from the president on down have defended the program and claim it has prevented several terrorist attacks. However, questions have been raised about some of those claims, and just 35 percent of Americans believe the officials are telling the truth. A larger number (45 percent) believe they are just trying to justify the surveillance program now that it's been made public.

June 20, 2013

34% Consider War in Afghanistan Very Important Issue

Peace talks between the United States and the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan have stalled, but just one-in-three voters see the 12-year-long war as a Very Important voting issue.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of Likely U.S. Voters say the war in Afghanistan is Very Important in terms of how they will vote in the next congressional election. That’s up from 30% in April and the highest level of importance voters have attached to war since last September. By contrast, 80% now rate the economy Very Important to lead the list of 15 major issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.