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April 19, 2013

Trumped-up War Between the Generations By Froma Harrop

During the big health care fight, the right told older Americans that Obamacare was grabbing money from their Medicare and giving it to young people. Now it tells young workers that Medicare and Social Security are draining their take-home pay to support retirees sitting around the pool.  

April 19, 2013

GOP Needs to Get Over the Makers vs. Takers Mindset By Scott Rasmussen

Mitt Romney's secretly recorded comment that 47 percent of Americans are "dependent on the government" and "believe they are victims" isn't the only reason he lost the presidential campaign. But the candidate himself acknowledged after the election that the comments were "very harmful."

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April 19, 2013

Soft on Crime: Protecting the 'Second Amendment Rights' of Thugs and Terrorists By Joe Conason

What can Americans learn from the bitter debate over the gun reform bill?

April 18, 2013

81% Are Paying More For Groceries

Most adults continue to say they are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago, and they expect that amount to be even higher next year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of American Adults are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago, down from 86% in March but generally in line with previous findings. Just 12% say their grocery bills are no higher than they were last year. (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 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.

April 18, 2013

23% Want to Close Guantanamo Prison for Terrorists

Most voters favor continued use of the Guantanamo prison camp for terrorists and remain concerned that closing the camp may lead to dangerous terrorists being set free.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 23% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the prison camp at the Guantanamo U.S. Naval Base in Cuba should be closed. Fifty-nine percent (59%) oppose closing the prison. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. (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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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.

April 18, 2013

59% View Jackie Robinson Favorably

Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut 66 years ago this week and by doing so shattered the league’s color barrier, but he impacted race relations far beyond the sports culture. Today, most Americans still view the legendary civil rights figure favorably.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 59% of Americans Adults have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Robinson, including 36% who view him Very Favorably. Just four percent (4%) have an unfavorable opinion of the baseball great. However, 36% don't know enough about him to venture an opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in the Rasmussen Challenge? Final results are in – check the leaderboard!

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 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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April 18, 2013

Not Such a Hot Idea: Liberal and Conservative Parties By Michael Barone

"More tears are shed over answered prayers," the 16th century nun St. Teresa of Avila is supposed to have said, "than over unanswered ones."    

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April 18, 2013

16 For 16, Part 2: An Elephant Rises From The Heartland? By Larry J. Sabato, Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley

As we discussed last week, the Democratic Party’s presidential field in 2016 hinges greatly on the decision of one person: Hillary Clinton. The Republican Party’s early primary picture is much more complicated, and the top-tier contenders are grouped much closer together at the starting gate.

April 18, 2013

71% Think Pop Culture Encourages Sexual Activity Among the Young

Americans have consistently said that violence in movies and television leads to more violence in society, and they also strongly feel that the pop culture encourages sexual activity.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults say movies, TV and other parts of popular culture encourage sexual activity among young people.  Only 18% disagree, while 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 April 12-13, 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.

April 17, 2013

31% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-one percent (31%) 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 14.

Voter optimism in the nation’s current course is down three points from the previous week.  Last week, 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 may be trending downward again.

(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 8-14, 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 17, 2013

67% See President Obama as Liberal

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe, in political terms, Barack Obama is at least somewhat liberal, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That includes 38% who think he is Very Liberal.

Twenty-four percent (24%) say the president is politically moderate, while only five percent (5%) see him as conservative.  (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 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

April 17, 2013

51% Favor Imprisoning Terrorist Suspects Even Without Evidence to Convict

Following the deadly terrorist attack in Boston Monday, half of U.S. voters still support imprisoning terrorist suspects despite a lack of hard evidence to convict them.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters favor continuing the current U.S. policy of imprisoning suspected terrorists if they are considered a danger even if there is insufficient evidence to convict them. Just half as many (26%) oppose such a policy, but 23% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. Answers can be submitted until 11:59 p.m. ET tonight, Wednesday, April 17.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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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April 17, 2013

A Post-Post Office World By John Stossel

Even parts of government that look like a business never get run with the efficiency of a business. Just look at the post office. 

April 17, 2013

47% Predict Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Though most Americans say the interest rates they’re paying are little changed from a year ago, nearly half expect interest rates to be higher a year from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe interest rates will be a higher in one year. Just four percent (4%) expect rates to be lower, while 34% say they’ll be about the same. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 April 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.

April 16, 2013

37% Say Most U.S. Workers Are Dishonest To Get Ahead

Fewer Americans now believe that dishonesty is a common practice used to get ahead in the workplace. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Adults say most working Americans do something dishonest to get ahead at some point in their careers, but that’s down from 52% measured last July.

Forty percent (40%) don’t think employees use dishonesty for career advancement, up from 28% in the previous survey.  Another 23% 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 April 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.

April 16, 2013

39% Give Obama Good or Excellent Marks for Deficit Reduction

Voters remain closely divided when it comes to President Obama’s handling of issues related to economic fairness, but a plurality rates him poorly on deficit reduction.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% give the president poor marks for his handling of issues related to deficit reduction. Thirty-nine percent (39%) rate his performance in this area as good or excellent. These findings are generally unchanged from the previous two months.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. A new question is available 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 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 11-12, 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 16, 2013

43% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the American banking industry has once again slipped below 50%.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 43% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system. That includes only seven percent (7%) who are Very Confident. A majority (52%) now lacks confidence in the banking system, with 16% who are Not At All Confident in its stability. (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 survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 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. Seemethodology.

April 16, 2013

54% Are Very Angry at Congress

There’s still a lot of voter anger in the country, especially as far as Congress is concerned.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat angry at Congress, including 54% who are Very Angry. The overall finding is up five points from 79% in November 2011. Just 12% are not very or Not At All Angry at the nation’s legislators. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge! A new question is available today.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 11-12, 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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April 16, 2013

Housing Hot, Again? By Froma Harrop

Another housing boom? N-o-o-o!

April 16, 2013

57% Oppose Over-the-Counter Sales of Morning-After Pill to Youngsters

A federal judge earlier this month ruled that the morning-after birth control pill should be available over the counter to children 16 and younger without a prescription.  Most Americans think that’s a bad idea and that parents should be involved in a contraceptive decision for children that young.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of American Adults favor making the morning-after pill available to children 16 and under without a prescription. Fifty-seven percent (57%) oppose the availability of the contraceptive for those that young without a prescription. Ten percent (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 American Adults was conducted on April 12-13, 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.