Benghazi Report Revives Troubling Questions By Michael Barone
"What difference, at this point, does it make?"
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April 29, 2013
April 29, 2013
35% Say Health Care Law Has Hurt Them; 19% Say It’s Helped
Voters continue to give President Obama’s health care law mixed reviews, but more voters believe the law has hurt more than helped them.
Forty-three percent (43%) of Likely U.S. Voters view the health care law favorably, while 49% have an unfavorable opinion of it, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This includes 17% with a Very Favorable view of the law and 35% 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 April 27-28, 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.
April 28, 2013
24% Feel Legal System Puts Public Safety Ahead of Individual Rights
In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, Americans remain closely divided when asked about the balance between protecting public safety and preserving individual rights. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 28% of American Adults think the U.S. legal system worries too much about protecting individuals rights, while 24% say it worries too much about public safety. Twenty-nine percent (29%) believe the balance is about right, while a sizable 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 Adults was conducted on April 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.
April 27, 2013
59% Say College Is Primarily For Gaining Job Skills
Americans by a two-to-one margin view colleges as job training centers.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults believe the primary purpose for attending college is to learn the skills needed to get a better job. Thirty percent (30%) disagree, while 11% 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 American Adults was conducted on April 24-25, 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.
April 27, 2013
What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- Week Ending April 27, 2013
While the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings and its aftermath will never forget, Americans in general appear to be recognizing that terrorism is part of the new normal. National security remains low on the list of voter concerns still topped by the economy.
April 26, 2013
30% View U.N. As U.S. Ally
One-out-of-two U.S. Voters now view the United Nations favorably, but far fewer consider the international organization an ally of the United States.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the U.N., while 42% view the international organization unfavorably. This includes 13% with a Very Favorable opinion and 21% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 23-24, 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.
April 26, 2013
18% Think Most Colleges and Universities Promote U.S. Social Values
Americans tend to believe colleges and universities should promote the nation’s social values but think the schools are much more likely to challenge them instead. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (45%) of American Adults believes colleges and universities should uphold the values of American society. Just 18% think the schools should challenge those values. Twenty-eight percent (28%) say they should do both, and six percent (6%) feel they should do neither. (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 April 24-25, 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.
April 26, 2013
23% Think Surveillance Cameras Have Violated Their Privacy
Most working Americans say there are surveillance cameras where they work, and one-in-four of all Americans think their privacy has been violated by such cameras.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most Americans (69%) do not feel that a security or surveillance camera has violated their privacy. But 23% do believe their privacy has been violated. (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 Adults was conducted on April 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.
April 26, 2013
Free the 'Work Beasts' By Froma Harrop
We who work through colds, bad backs and low moods -- however liberal we might be -- have permission to resent those who could hold a job but don't, preferring to collect disability checks unto the decades. You see them at the coffee shop, refilling their cups in leisure, or even pumping iron at the gym.
April 26, 2013
Americans Seem to Be Taking Terrorism in Stride By Scott Rasmussen
The news from Boston over the past couple of weeks has been the stuff of nightmares. Homemade bombs killing and injuring innocent people at a high-profile public event were followed by a massive manhunt. People in the surrounding suburbs were ordered to stay inside, businesses closed, and SWAT teams overwhelmed a typically quiet community. The Boston police commissioner warned everyone: "We believe this is a terrorist. We believe this is a man that's come here to kill people."
April 25, 2013
63% Say American Society is Generally Fair and Decent
Most voters agree that American society is generally fair and decent, and they think people who move here should adopt the culture.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters say American society is generally fair and decent, up from 60% in January and the highest level measured since October. One-in-four (26%) say American society is generally unfair and discriminatory, and 10% 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 April 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.
April 25, 2013
37% Think U.S., Allies Winning War on Terror
Confidence that the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror has fallen to its lowest level in roughly two years.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 37% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe America and its allies are winning that war. That’s down five points from 42% in January and down 18 points from 55% in May 2011 following the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. Navy SEALs. Twenty-four percent (24%) feel the terrorists are winning, while 31% think neither side has the edge. (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 April 23-24, 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.
April 25, 2013
61% Favor Death Penalty for Boston Bombing Suspect If Convicted
Most voters think the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings case should get the death penalty if convicted, but far fewer think it’s Very Likely he actually will receive the ultimate sentence. Most also think the bombers had ties to terrorist organizations.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the surviving Boston marathon bombing suspect should receive the death penalty if convicted and found guilty. Just 23% oppose the death penalty in this case, while 16% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 23-24, 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.
April 25, 2013
The Newsmaker Memo: An Interview With Pioneering Climate Scientist James Hansen By Joe Conason
Having directed NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies for most of the past four decades, Dr. James E. Hansen retired this month to devote himself to the scientific activism that has brought both awards and catcalls during his long and distinguished career. On April 24, he will receive the Ridenhour Courage Prize in Washington, D.C., for "bravely and urgently telling the truth about climate change."
April 25, 2013
As Bush Stays Silent, His Reputation Steadily Gains By Michael Barone
Tomorrow, the George W. Bush Presidential Center will be dedicated at Southern Methodist University in Texas. It's a good time to look back on the performance of the 43rd president, who has been almost entirely missing from the public stage these past four years.
April 25, 2013
30% Say Now's a Good Time To Sell A House
Belief that it's a seller's market continues to rise.
Thirty percent (30%) of American Adults now say it’s a good time for someone in their area to sell a house, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up even further from last month's 28%, the highest finding in over four years of regular tracking. Forty-four percent (44%) still disagree, although that’s the lowest level of pessimism in surveying since 2008. One-in-four (26%) 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 Adults was conducted on April 18-19, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
April 24, 2013
30% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty percent (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, April 21.
Voter optimism in the nation’s current course is down one point from the previous week. Two weeks ago, it appeared to have recovered from a downturn prompted by the political impasse in Washington, D.C. over the so-called sequester budget cuts. Belief that the country was heading in the right direction fell to 28% in late February-early March as political leaders were desperately looking for ways to avoid even modest reductions in the growth of federal spending. Now that the threat to undo the sequester has passed, confidence in the country's direction appeared to be returning to earlier levels but has been trending downward again over the past two weeks.
(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 April 15-21, 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.
April 24, 2013
Economy Still Tops in Importance to Voters
Regardless of what is happening in the news, the economy remains the number one issue for voters.
New national telephone surveying shows that 80% of Likely U.S. Voters think the economy is Very Important in terms of how they will vote in the next congressional election, topping the list of 15 key issues tracked by Rasmussen Reports as it has for years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on April 11-12, 15-16, & 21-22, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for each survey 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.
April 24, 2013
70% Favor Use of Surveillance Cameras in Public Places
Following their use in identifying the suspected perpetrators of the Boston Marathon bombings, Americans strongly support the use of surveillance cameras in public areas and believe they help reduce crime.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% of American Adults oppose the use of surveillance and security cameras in public places. Seventy percent (70%) support the use of such cameras. Eleven percent (11%) 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 Adults was conducted on April 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.
April 24, 2013
The Education Blob's Revenge By John Stossel
I wrote recently how teachers unions, parent-teacher associations and school bureaucrats form an education "Blob" that makes it hard to improve schools. They also take revenge on those who work around the Blob.
