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May 24, 2013Oklahoma! By Froma Harrop
The world looked upon the tornado-flattened landscape of Moore, Okla., with awe. The destruction was shocking, as were the personal losses. Many Americans in the audience also felt -- and this must be said -- some comfort. Here was a country of strong people rolling with some very serious punches. It still exists. On CNN, BBC or wherever, one heard plainspoken voices describing their ordeal with natural stoicism. These were victims (a word they might not apply to themselves) standing in front of the trash piles that were their houses. Some were bearing the death of loved ones, including nine schoolchildren. They spoke calmly of what happened and what they must do next.

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                            May 24, 2013The Political Ground Is Shifting Under the President By Scott Rasmussen
This isn't just a case of people believing politicians always behave this way. Only 19 percent think the IRS usually targets political opponents of the president.
Skepticism is so high that few are convinced the IRS acted alone. Sixty percent believe that other federal agencies also were used to target the tea party and other conservative groups. Ominously for Democrats, two out of three unaffiliated voters share that view.
So, why hasn't it hurt the president's overall job approval? Some believe it has. The theory is that with a recovering economy, his ratings should be higher. Another possibility is that the president's base may have doubts, but they are still sticking by their man.

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                            May 23, 201350% Think Tax Increases Hurt Economy
Voters continue to believe raising taxes and increasing government spending are bad for the economy, but they still expect both to go up under President Obama. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% of Likely U.S. Voters say that, generally speaking, increases in government spending help the economy.  Forty-seven percent (47%) believe spending increases hurt the economy. Twelve percent (12%) think they have no impact. (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 May 21-22, 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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                            May 23, 2013Working Americans Like Their Bosses, Coworkers
Most workers give their bosses top marks and feel good about the relationships they have with their coworkers.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 69% of Working Adults give their boss or supervisor good or excellent marks. Just nine percent (9%) rate their boss as poor. (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 621 Employed Adults was conducted on May 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.
May 23, 2013Low-skilled Workers Get Raw Deal Under Obamacare By Michael Barone
Would you like to have a "skinny" health insurance policy? Probably not. But if you're employed by a large company, you may get one, thanks to Obamacare.

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                            May 23, 201360% Say It’s Likely Other Agencies Targeted Conservatives, Too
Most voters think the Internal Revenue Service’s decision to target conservative groups was made in Washington, D.C. and that it wasn’t the only government agency going after these groups.
Just 20% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the IRS’ explanation thus far that low-level employees at its Cincinnati office made the decision to target the conservative groups. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% think the orders came from Washington, with 26% who think the decision was made by someone at IRS headquarters and 39% who believe someone who works at the White House made the call. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 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.
May 23, 2013Benghazi Interview: Pickering Dissects Congressional Follies, Media Coverage and 'Cover-Up' Charges By Joe Conason
No doubt the degraded quality of congressional oversight astonishes Thomas Pickering, the distinguished American diplomat who oversaw the State Department's Benghazi review board -- although he tries not to say so too directly. For his demanding and difficult effort -- only the most recent in a long history of public service under both Republican and Democratic administrations -- Pickering has found himself under sustained attack by Republican Rep. Darrell Issa of California, the excitable partisan who chairs the House Government Reform Committee.

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                            May 23, 2013NYC Mayor: Quinn 24%, Weiner 18%
Former Congressman Anthony Weiner has officially entered the race to become New York City’s next mayor. The first step is the September 10 Democratic primary, and Weiner starts out in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
(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 745 Registered Democrats was conducted on May 21 and 22, 2013. Weiner announced his entry into the race early on the morning of the 22nd .  The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4 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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                            May 22, 201330% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
For the second week in a row, 30% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, May 19. 
The latest findings are almost identical to those a year ago and in line with voter attitudes since early March after President Obama and Congress failed to agree on a budget cutting plan and the so-called sequester cuts kicked in. Confidence in the country's direction jumped into the low 40s last November and remained in the mid- to high 30s through 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 on May 13-19, 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.
May 22, 2013Sublet My People Go By John Stossel
My kids moved out! I have two empty rooms in my apartment. Maybe I can rent them? A tourist visiting New York City could have a different experience, and save hotel money. I'd make money. Wouldn't it be great?

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                            May 22, 201373% Expect to Pay More for Groceries
The Federal Reserve Board continues to work hard at keeping the U.S. inflation rate around two percent, but most Americans lack confidence in the Fed's efforts and still say they are spending more on groceries compared to a year ago. Most also expect those prices to keep going up.
Eighty-three percent (83%) of American Adults say they are paying more for groceries now than they were a year ago, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  This figure shows little change from most surveys conducted since April 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 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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                            May 22, 201333% Work More Than 40 Hours A Week
A sizable number of Americans work more than 40 hours a week, and only half of adults are now happy with the hours they work.
Just 31% of working Americans now say they work a 40-hour week, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-three percent (33%) say they put in more than 40 hours a week on the job, including 11% who work more than 50 hours weekly.
Thirty-four percent (34%) of employed adults work less than 40 hours weekly, with six percent (6%) who put in less than 20 hours on the job. (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 621 Employed Adults was conducted on May 18-19, 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.

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                            May 22, 201391% Would Stay At Job They Love Over One That Pays More
The old adage, “Choose the job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” is one many American workers take seriously. An overwhelming majority would stick with a job they love over one they hate that offers a bigger paycheck.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 91% of Employed Adults say that, if given the choice, they would stay with the job they love over another job they’d hate that pays 10% more money. Just nine percent (9%) would opt for the job that pays more. (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 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 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.

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                            May 21, 201344% Think Interest Rates Will Be Higher In A Year
Few Americans say they are paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago, but many expect that to change moving forward.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults believe interest rates will be higher a year from today. Just seven percent (7%) expect rates to be lower, while 37% say they’ll be about the same. 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 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 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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                            May 21, 2013Voters Now Trust GOP More on Ethics and Corruption
With growing questions about Benghazi and actions taken by the Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department, Democrats' noticeable edge over Republicans in voter trust in the area of government ethics and corruption has disappeared. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters now trust Republicans more to handle the ethics and corruption issue. Nearly as many (37%) still trust Democrats more. Twenty-four percent (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 surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 15-16 & 19-20, 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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                            May 21, 2013Voters Think Benghazi or IRS Most Likely to Still Be Major News A Year From Now
Over half of voters think there’s a chance at least one of the major controversies now bedeviling the Obama administration will still be around a year from now. They see the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative political groups and the questions surrounding Benghazi as the most likely to linger.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that at least one of the major controversies now in the news will still be a major news story in a year. Forty percent (40%) consider that unlikely. This includes 22% who say at least one of the controversies is Very Likely to still be in the news versus just eight percent (8%) who think it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 19-20, 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.
May 21, 2013Tea Party Rage: Nothing Fails Like Excess By Froma Harrop
Back in their day, the tea party folks were riding high, fueling indignation over alleged government-run death panels, a treasonous Federal Reserve and the like. They commandeered sparsely attended Republican primaries, managing to nominate for Senate seats a dabbler in witchcraft in Delaware, holders of strange views on rape in Missouri and Indiana, and in Nevada, a candidate suggesting armed insurrection if her people didn't win elections.    

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                            May 21, 201364% Are Generally Happy To Say Where They Work
Most Americans let their friends know where they work and are happy to tell them.
When they meet someone new who wants to know more about them, 61% of working Americans typically say something about their job. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% don’t mention their job. (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 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 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.

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                            May 20, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%
Republicans have edged ahead of Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending May 19.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat 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 May 13-19, 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.

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                            May 20, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%
Republicans have edged ahead of Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending May 19.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat 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 May 13-19, 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.