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September 11, 2013

30% Say Another 9/11 Very Likely in Next Decade

As the nation observes the 12th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, most Americans continue to believe a similar terrorist attack is at least somewhat likely in the next 10 years. But fewer Americans than ever believe the country has forgotten the impact of the events that horrific day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults believe another 9/11 is at least somewhat likely in the next 10 years, with 30% who say it's Very Likely. Twenty-one percent (21%) say another 9/11 is unlikely during the next decade, but that includes only three percent (3%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 7-8, 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.

September 10, 2013

47% Trust GOP More on National Security, 32% Trust Democrats More

As President Obama faces increasing opposition over his plans for a military attack on Syria, voters increasingly trust Republicans more to handle issues related to national security.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters now trust Republicans more when it comes to dealing with national security and the War on Terror. That’s up four points from July and the highest level of trust in the GOP on this issue since October. Just 32% now trust Democrats more, down from 40% and the lowest level of confidence in the president's party since October 2009. One-in-five (20%) are not sure which party they trust more. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 8-9, 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.

September 10, 2013

30% Think Hunger A Very Serious Problem in America

Most Americans see hunger in the country as at least a somewhat serious problem, and nearly half think it is getting worse.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults say hunger in the United States today is at least a somewhat serious problem, including 30% who see it as a Very Serious one. Just 28% don’t think hunger's a serious problem, with five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Serious.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 5-6, 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

September 10, 2013

Voters Still Consider NSA Spying As Least Serious Scandal but Most Likely to Linger

Roughly half of voters still think the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups, the Obama administration’s handling of the Benghazi matter and the Justice Department’s secret probe of reporters’ records are serious scandals. The National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance program is viewed less seriously but seen as the most likely to be a lingering story.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters regard the NSA’s secret surveillance of Americans’ phone and e-mail communications as a serious scandal. That’s down slightly from 43% two months ago. Thirty-two percent (32%) now think it’s an embarrassing situation but not a scandal. Twenty-one percent (21%) say it’s no big deal. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 8-9, 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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September 10, 2013

Oldster Passions, Hipster Fans, Long Lives By Froma Harrop

The weekend obits toasted two American originals who died in their 90s. Both dedicated their many hours to preserving bygone technologies -- in one case typewriters and in the other vinyl records. Both would have closed shop sooner were it not for young hipsters, raised on the digital, seeing novelty and beauty in the great inventions of the mechanical age.

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September 10, 2013

Specter of Iraq Hovers over Syria Deliberation By Michael Barone

Hovering over the congressional debate on whether to authorize the use of military force in Syria is the specter of Iraq.

September 10, 2013

31% Think al Qaeda Weaker Now Than Before 9/11 Attacks

While the debate continues over the presence of al Qaeda fighters among the Syrian rebels, Americans’ confidence in the weakening of that terrorist organization has fallen to levels not seen since before the killing of Osama bin Laden. Most Americans also continue to worry more about a domestic terror attack than one from outside our borders. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% of American Adults now believe al Qaeda is weaker than it was before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Belief that al Qaeda was weaker jumped from a low of 25% on the 9/11 anniversaries in 2009 and 2010 to 48% in May 2011 following bin Laden's death.  It rose to 50% in September of that year. This finding was still at 48% a year ago.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) now believe al Qaeda today is stronger than it was before 9/11. Another 29% say the group’s strength hasn’t changed since the attacks 12 years ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 7-8, 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

September 9, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 39%, Republicans 39%

Democrats and Republicans are tied on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending September 8.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while another 39% would choose the Republican instead.  The week before, the Democrat held a two-point advantage, 39% to 37%.  For much of the summer, neither party has hit the 40% mark, suggesting a high level of voter unhappiness.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from September 2-8, 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.

September 9, 2013

Game On: An Insider Look At This Year's Super Bowl Predictions

Five things football fans are thinking as the 2013 football season begins:

September 9, 2013

49% In Virginia Now Approve of Governor McDonnell’s Job Performance

Republican Governor Bob McDonnell now earns his lowest level of approval yet among Virginia voters. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely Virginia Voters now at least a somewhat approve of the job McDonnell is doing as governor.  That’s down from 59% in early June and 64% in July 2010. Forty-four percent (44%) disapprove, up from 34% in June.  The latest figures include 16% who Strongly Approve of the governor’s job performance and 20% who Strongly Disapprove.

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The survey of 998 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on September 3-4, 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. 

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September 9, 2013

Rasmussen Reports Announces New Vision for “What America Thinks”

Rasmussen Reports today announced that the company’s syndicated television show “What America Thinks with Scott Rasmussen,” which ended its nationwide television station distribution in July 2013, will re-launch later this Fall in online video format, further enriching the digital content available at www.RasmussenReports.com.

The new digital online video program, entitled “What America Thinks,” will offer insights into current events and the public-opinion surveys for which Rasmussen Reports is well known.

September 9, 2013

47% Favor U.S. Military Action Against Syria If Other UN Countries Involved

Despite the strong advocacy of President Obama and other top administration officials, most voters oppose U.S. military action against Syria but are much more supportive if other United Nations member countries are involved. Voters are now more critical of the administration’s handling of Syria.

Just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters favor U.S. military action against Syria in retaliation for that government's use of chemical weapons against its own people. Fifty-nine percent (59%) are opposed to U.S. military action. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 6-7, 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

September 9, 2013

Most Voters Still Don't Know If Their State Has A Health Care Exchange

Less than one month before government health care exchanges nationwide are scheduled to begin accepting applicants for health insurance, most voters still don't know if their state has created an exchange or not. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% are aware that their state has agreed to set up a health care exchange. Twenty-nine percent (29%) say they don't know if their state has such an exchange, and 26% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 6-7, 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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September 9, 2013

John Budek is the Newest Rasmussen Challenge Winner

More than 5,000 people participated in the 2013 summer Rasmussen Challenge,with an average of 2,100 people playing weekly. The winner for this edition of the challenge is John Budek of Long Island City, NY.

September 8, 2013

49ers Once Again Early Super Bowl Favorites In A Crowded Field

For the second year in a row, football fans predict the San Francisco 49ers will win Super Bowl XLVIII. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of Football Fans say the 49ers, last year’s runner-up, will win the Super Bowl.  In a distant second are the Denver Broncos with 14%.  The New England Patriots are seen as this year’s eventual champions by nine percent (9%), while nearly as many (8%) think the Green Bay Packers will win it all.  Seven percent (7%) say the same of the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins.  No other team surveyed reached five percent (5%) support.  (Please click here to find out the rest of the teams surveyed).

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The national survey of 1,000 Football Fans was conducted on September 3-4, 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.

September 7, 2013

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending September 7, 2013

Congress is back in session this coming week with three critical issues demanding its attention – Syria, the October 1 deadline to raise the federal debt ceiling and immigration reform. Voters have pretty strong opinions on all three.

September 6, 2013

48% Say Government Workers Earn More Than Those in Private Sector

Americans continue to believe that government workers have it better than those employed in the private sector, but those sentiments are a bit softer this month.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of American Adults believe the average government worker earns more annually than the average private sector worker, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 25% don’t believe that to be true, while 28% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 1-2, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for the 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.

September 6, 2013

70% Say They Are in Good Health

Most Americans believe they are healthy, although just over one-in-three admits to being overweight.

Seventy percent (70%) of American Adults rate their own overall health as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This is generally unchanged from surveys for the past three years. Just seven percent (7%) say they are in poor health. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 30-31, 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.

September 6, 2013

Virginia Governor: McAuliffe (D) 45%, Cuccinelli (R) 38%

Democrat Terry McAuliffe has opened up a seven-point lead over Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as the Virginia gubernatorial race enters the post-Labor Day stretch.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds McAuliffe with 45% support to Cuccinelli’s 38%. Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate, while 10% remain unsure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

Special Offer: Rasmussen Reader is now just $24.95 for a subscription through December 31, 2014. Sign up today!

(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 998 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on September 3-4, 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. 

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September 6, 2013

Obama's 'Red Line' Undermines U.S. Power By Michael Barone

Blunder after blunder. That's been the story of President Barack Obama's policy toward Syria.

In April 2011, Obama said dictator Bashir al-Assad "had to go." But he did little or nothing to speed him on his way.