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                            May 20, 201348% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry
Confidence in the U.S. banking system is up from last month but still well below where it was five years ago.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes only 10% who are Very Confident. Forty-eight percent (48%) lack confidence in the banking system, with 12% who are Not At All Confident in its stability. (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 20, 201358% Would Keep Working After Receiving Small Fortune
Many Americans rushed to buy lottery tickets late last week as the Powerball jackpot reached $590.5 million, one of the largest in history. But most say that even if they received a small fortune, they’d keep working.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 58% of Employed Adults would continue to work even if they were left a small fortune so that they could make the same amount of money without working. That includes 41% who would stay at their current job and another 17% who would find a new job. Thirty-five percent (35%) would quit working and retire. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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, 201345% Rate Obama Administration’s Benghazi Response As Poor
The Obama administration is wrestling with several high-profile controversies these days, but voter concern about events surrounding the death last year of the U.S. ambassador in Benghazi, Libya remains little changed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of Likely U.S. Voters still think it is at least somewhat important to find out what happened in the events surrounding the death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens. This includes 55% who say it is Very Important. Only 13% feel it’s not very or Not At All Important to get to the bottom of the events last September in Benghazi. (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 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.
May 20, 2013IRS and AP Scandals Cast a Big Chill on Free Speech By Michael Barone
Chilling effect. That's the term lawyers and judges use to describe the result of government actions that deter people from exercising their right of free speech.

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                            May 20, 2013Support for Health Insurance Choices Remains High
Just over half of U.S. voters continue to view President Obama’s health care law unfavorably, and most remain adamant that consumers should have choices when it comes to how much health care coverage they want to pay for. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, while 51% view it unfavorably. This includes 18% who view the law Very Favorably and 38% with a Very Unfavorable opinion of it. (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 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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                            May 20, 2013Support for Health Insurance Choices Remains High
Just over half of U.S. voters continue to view President Obama’s health care law unfavorably, and most remain adamant that consumers should have choices when it comes to how much health care coverage they want to pay for. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, while 51% view it unfavorably. This includes 18% who view the law Very Favorably and 38% with a Very Unfavorable opinion of it. (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 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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                            May 19, 201352% Think Media Reacts More Quickly to Things That Affect Them
The U.S. Justice Department's secret seizure of telephone records from the Associated Press has been drawing major headlines for several days. Voters have mixed feelings about the story, but 52% of Likely U.S. Voters think the media reacts more quickly to things that affect news organizations, reporters and their friends. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% disagree and don't see media self-interest in their news choices. Twenty-five percent (25%) 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 U.S. Voters was conducted on May 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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                            May 18, 2013What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending May 18, 2013
Another day, another controversy? It must have seemed that way lately to the Obama administration, but will it matter? Voters are sending mixed signals so far.

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                            May 17, 201336% Think States Should Set Gun Laws, 34% Say Feds
Voters now give the edge to state governments over the federal government when asked who should be responsible for gun ownership laws. 
Thirty-six percent (36%) think state governments should set those laws, while 34% believe the feds should have that responsibility, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventeen percent (17%) feel gun laws should be up to local governments. Twelve percent (12%) 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 May 13-14, 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 17, 2013Most Spend Little or No Social Time With Work Colleagues
Working adults seem to enjoy a life away from the job even when they're out with their co-workers.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Employed Adults rarely or never get together with co-workers for social events, while another 36% say they do so only occasionally. Just 13% socialize with colleagues outside of the workplace at least once a month. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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 17, 201342% Think Justice Department Trying to Bully Media in AP Case
Voters are closely divided over whether the U.S. Justice Department’s secret seizure of telephone records from the Associated Press was an effort to protect national security or an attempt to bully the media.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% think the Justice Department’s actions were chiefly an effort to intimidate the media. But nearly as many (38%) think Justice was primarily acting out of a concern for national security. Twenty percent (20%) 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 May 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.
May 17, 2013Consumers Not the Best Drivers in Health Care By Froma Harrop
For years, conservatives have pushed for a health-insurance model emphasizing catastrophic coverage. It works as follows:    

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                            May 17, 2013Controversies Doom Obama's Effort to Restore Faith in Government By Scott Rasmussen
It's impossible to predict the lasting impact of the controversies now besetting the Obama administration, but the risks to the president's agenda are sizable.

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                            May 16, 201346% Rate Obama Positively on National Security
Voters still have more confidence in President Obama's handling of national security than of the economy, but he fares more poorly in both areas this week.
Despite the increasing questions raised about events surrounding the death last September of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens in Benghazi, 46% of Likely U.S. Voters still give the president good or excellent marks when it comes to his handling of national security issues, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That's little changed in recent weeks, although it's down from a high of 52% at the beginning of the year. But 39% now give him poor marks in this area, a six-point increase from a week ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 13-14, 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 16, 201352% Say Big-Time College Athletics Corrupt Education Process
Half of Americans believe major college sports programs are bad for higher education and break the rules on a regular basis when recruiting. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults think big-time college sports programs corrupt the process of higher education.  Twenty-one percent (21%) disagree, 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 13, 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 16, 201364% Think It Would Be Bad If Only Government Had Guns
Voters still favor more gun control including a ban on semi-automatic and so-called assault-type weapons but continue to strongly oppose a complete ban on private gun ownership.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States needs stricter gun control laws. Forty-three percent (43%) disagree and oppose more gun control.  (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 13-14, 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 16, 2013The Newsmaker Memo: an Interview With Ron Wyden, the Senate's Powerful Policy Wonk By Joe Conason
Having served in Congress for more than three decades -- and in the upper chamber since 1996 -- Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden has established a reputation as one of the Senate's more serious and diligent members. Over the years on Capitol Hill, he has watched the Republican Party veer constantly further rightward, and yet he continues to believe against all evidence that bipartisan legislative cooperation is possible -- even likely. His habitual reaching across the partisan chasm has generated much controversy, notably when he floated a Medicare reform plan with House Budget chair Paul Ryan.
May 16, 2013Benghazi and IRS Targeting: Politics by Other Means By Michael Barone
What do the Benghazi cover-up and the IRS scandal have in common? They were both about winning elections, under false pretenses.   

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                            May 16, 201350% Say Star College Athletes Deserve Royalties
A ruling is expected next month on a suit filed by a former college basketball star claiming that the NCAA should not profit from using the names and images of athletes without paying them, and 50% of Americans agree. But most Americans continue to think it’s unfair for top athletes to be accepted to colleges over more qualified students.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 50% of Adults believe top college athletes deserve royalties when the NCAA profits from using their names and images. Thirty percent (30%) don’t think those athletes deserve royalties, while 19% more 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 Adults was conducted on May 13, 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 15, 201330% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, May 11.
Voter optimism in the nation’s current course is down one point from the previous week and little changed from a year ago. The latest findings are 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 May 6-11, 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.