Public Content

Most Recent Releases

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/business/federal_bailout/july_2013/25_favor_federal_bailouts_for_ailing_cities_like_detroit/947586-1-eng-US/25_favor_federal_bailouts_for_ailing_cities_like_detroit.jpg" />
                
                            July 25, 201325% Favor Federal Bailouts for Ailing Cities Like Detroit
A federal judge yesterday cleared the way for Detroit’s bankruptcy to move ahead, and Americans strongly believe other major cities will soon be following the same path. But most are opposed to federal bailouts for these financially troubled cities.
Seventy-four percent (74%) of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that more major cities will file for bankruptcy in the near future, including 44% who say it is Very Likely. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 19% consider other municipal bankruptcies unlikely in the short term, but only one percent (1%) view it as Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 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.
July 25, 2013If Republicans Love Competition, Why Do They Still Hate Obamacare? By Joe Conason
When asked what makes the world work, any self-respecting right-wing Republican knows the politically correct answer: competition! (With at least one exclamation point.) It is the paramount principle and universal solvent perennially touted by the right to cure whatever ails us -- in the abstract.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/mood_of_america_archive/right_direction_or_wrong_track/july_2013/26_say_u_s_heading_in_right_direction/63618-246-eng-US/26_say_u_s_heading_in_right_direction.jpg" />
                
                            July 24, 201326% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Twenty-six percent (26%) 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, July 21.
That’s down four points from the previous week and the lowest level of confidence since mid-January 2012. Confidence in the country's direction rose steadily last fall, peaking at a high of 43% the week just before Election Day. It's been gradually decreasing ever since.
After President Obama assumed office in January 2009, the number of voters who felt the country was heading in the right direction rose to a high of 40% in early May of that year. In 2010 and 2011, confidence fell to the narrow range of 14% to 19%, levels similar to those measured in the final months of the George W. Bush administration. Optimism began easing up again in mid-December 2011.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on July 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/july_2013/33_rate_obama_administration_s_response_to_zimmerman_verdict_as_good_or_excellent/946987-1-eng-US/33_rate_obama_administration_s_response_to_zimmerman_verdict_as_good_or_excellent.jpg" />
                
                            July 24, 201333% Rate Obama Administration’s Response to Zimmerman Verdict As Good or Excellent
Like responses to the George Zimmerman verdict itself, voters give the Obama administration mixed reviews for its reaction to the outcome of the Trayvon Martin case. But voters share President Obama’s concern about racial profiling.
Thirty-three percent (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the way the administration has responded to the Zimmerman verdict as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Slightly more (38%) view the administration’s response as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: Take The Rasmussen Challenge.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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.
July 24, 2013Stalled Motor City By John Stossel
MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry -- the same TV commentator who said Americans need to stop raising kids as if they belong to individual families -- had an extraordinary explanation for why the city of Detroit sought to declare bankruptcy last week: not enough government.     

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/july_2013/52_think_zimmerman_jury_would_have_found_black_shooter_not_guilty_too/946917-1-eng-US/52_think_zimmerman_jury_would_have_found_black_shooter_not_guilty_too.jpg" />
                
                            July 24, 201352% Think Zimmerman Jury Would Have Found Black Shooter Not Guilty, Too
Most voters believe the jury in the George Zimmerman trial would have reached the same verdict if the shooter was black and the victim white. But blacks strongly disagree. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters think if all of the other facts were the same as those in the Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case, the jury would have found the black shooter not guilty of murder if the victim was white. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree and believe the jury would have found the black shooter guilty of murder. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 July 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. 
July 24, 2013Straying Politicians' Five Shades of Gray By Froma Harrop
Much has been written about adulterous politicians and the public's apparent willingness to look past their infidelity. This lumps very different kinds of cheating into one neat sin, equally applicable to all sneaks. But just as "theft" covers everything from armed bank robbery to lifting a bag of chips, cheating on one's spouse may entail a wide range of misdeeds and gray areas.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/business/general_business/july_2013/62_think_government_should_cut_spending_to_help_economy/946794-1-eng-US/62_think_government_should_cut_spending_to_help_economy.jpg" />
                
                            July 24, 201362% Think Government Should Cut Spending to Help Economy
Most voters still see less government spending as good for the economy.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the government should cut spending in reaction to the nation’s economic problems. But that's down from 65% last month and the lowest level of support for reduced spending since last August. Still, voters aren't enthusiastic about more government spending: Just 23% think the government should spend more in response to the struggling economy. That's consistent with regular surveys for more than a year now. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure which is a better option. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
Win an iPad:  A new Rasmussen Challenge starts 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 national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on July 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/current_events/media/33_say_media_should_withhold_names_pictures_of_violent_criminals/946591-1-eng-US/33_say_media_should_withhold_names_pictures_of_violent_criminals.jpg" />
                
                            July 23, 201333% Say Media Should Withhold Names, Pictures of Violent Criminals
Following outrage over Rolling Stone magazine’s decision to put a sympathetic picture of the Boston Marathon bomber on its cover, most Americans say the media pay too much attention to the personal lives of violent criminals. One-out-of-three believes the media should withhold the names and pictures of violent criminals in order to grant them less attention.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of U.S. Adults believe the news media focus too much on the personal lives of violent criminals, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just nine percent (9%) believe the media do not pay enough attention to violent criminals’ personal lives, while 19% say the level of attention is about right. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: A new Rasmussen Challenge starts 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/elections/election_2013/new_york/half_of_nyc_voters_don_t_like_weiner_spitzer/946565-1-eng-US/half_of_nyc_voters_don_t_like_weiner_spitzer.jpg" />
                
                            July 23, 2013Half of NYC Voters Don’t Like Weiner, Spitzer
One-out-of-two New York City voters hold an unfavorable opinion of disgraced politicians Anthony Weiner and Eliot Spitzer who are both hoping to be returned to public office this fall.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone poll finds that 50% of Registered New York City Voters continue to view Weiner unfavorably, unchanged from mid-May. But now 40% have a favorable opinion of the married former congressman who was forced to resign after he was caught texting sexually suggestive photos of himself to women around the country. That’s up from 34% in the earlier survey.  The new findings include 18% with a Very Favorable opinion of Weiner and 29% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad : A new Rasmussen Challenge starts 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 Registered New York Voters was conducted on July 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.
July 23, 2013The Second American Revolution Has Begun By Mark Meckler
The first American Revolution was fought over the simple principle of self-governance. For over 150 years, approximately five generations, the British Crown had practiced “benign neglect” towards the colonies, and the people of America had governed themselves.  However, by the mid-1760s, England was asserting control over the colonies and their residents.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/july_2013/44_rate_obama_administration_s_irs_response_as_poor/946516-1-eng-US/44_rate_obama_administration_s_irs_response_as_poor.jpg" />
                
                            July 23, 201344% Rate Obama Administration’s IRS Response As Poor
Voters remain suspicious that President Obama or his top aides knew about the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of Tea Party and other conservative groups, and they believe even more strongly that those involved should be jailed or fired.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is at least somewhat likely that the president or his top aides were aware that the conservative groups were being targeted. Just 32% consider that unlikely. This includes 38% who say it’s Very Likely the president or his top aides knew of the rogue IRS activity versus only 10% who say it’s Not At All Likely. (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 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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.
July 23, 2013A Woman in Full: Thatcher Gets Her Due in New Biography By Michael Barone
The first volume of Charles Moore's authorized biography of Margaret Thatcher, covering her life up to Britain's victory in the Falklands, is out, just weeks after her death. It takes its place among the finest political biographies of all time.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/july_2013/46_say_u_s_justice_system_fair_to_blacks_hispanics/946386-1-eng-US/46_say_u_s_justice_system_fair_to_blacks_hispanics.jpg" />
                
                            July 23, 201346% Say U.S. Justice System Fair to Blacks, Hispanics
Following the George Zimmerman verdict, voters still believe the U.S. justice system is fairer to blacks and Hispanics than it is to Americans in general. But black voters don't see it that way.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely Voters think the U.S. justice system is generally fair to black and Hispanic Americans.  Thirty-six percent (36%) say that is not the case, while 18% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
Win an iPad: A new Rasmussen Challenge starts today!
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/mood_of_america_archive/generic_congressional_ballot/july_2013/generic_congressional_ballot_democrats_40_republicans_38/46515-340-eng-US/generic_congressional_ballot_democrats_40_republicans_38.jpg" />
                
                            July 22, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 38%
Democrats have regained their lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending July 21, 2013.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead. Last week, Republicans led by one - 39% to 38%. 
(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 July 15-21, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/current_events/media/71_view_rolling_stone_s_terrorist_cover_photo_as_a_publicity_stunt/946095-1-eng-US/71_view_rolling_stone_s_terrorist_cover_photo_as_a_publicity_stunt.jpg" />
                
                            July 22, 201371% View Rolling Stone's Terrorist Cover Photo As A Publicity Stunt
Rolling Stone magazine sparked outrage last week when it released an image of its August issue cover featuring a flattering photograph of accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The magazine’s editors maintain that the photo properly reflects the article’s message and “falls within the traditions of journalism." Most Americans don’t see the decision as an example of good journalism and agree with retailers who have pulled the magazine off the stands, but they also recognize that Rolling Stone has a right to publish what it chooses.
Seventy-one percent (71%) of American Adults believe Rolling Stone’s decision to put Tsarnaev on its cover was simply a publicity stunt, according to a Rasmussen Reports national survey. Just 10% believe the decision was an example of good journalism. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: A new Rasmussen Challenge starts tomorrow!
(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 July 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/july_2013/45_favor_stand_your_ground_laws_32_oppose/946063-1-eng-US/45_favor_stand_your_ground_laws_32_oppose.jpg" />
                
                            July 22, 201345% Favor Stand Your Ground Laws, 32% Oppose
Florida’s “stand your ground” self-defense law, although ultimately not a part of the George Zimmerman trial, has now become a target for those unhappy with the verdict in that case. Americans tend to favor such a law in their state, although half are not sure if their state already has one or not. But they are evenly divided over whether such a law is good or bad for public safety.
Forty-five percent (45%) of American Adults favor having a stand your ground law in their state, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-two percent (32%) are opposed to such a law in their state. Twenty-two percent (22%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/health_care_update_archive/july_2013/61_expect_health_care_in_u_s_to_get_worse_over_next_two_years/299184-183-eng-US/61_expect_health_care_in_u_s_to_get_worse_over_next_two_years.jpg" />
                
                            July 22, 201361% Expect Health Care in U.S. To Get Worse Over Next Two Years
Voters continue to give high marks to the health care they now receive but are more pessimistic than ever about the short-term future of the health care system in this country.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of Likely U.S. Voters now expect the U.S. health care system to get better over the next couple of years. Sixty-one percent (61%) think that system will get worse. That’s up four points from a month ago and up 13 points since February.  (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 July 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/current_events/environment_energy/38_think_government_is_best_bet_for_alternative_energy_development/945951-1-eng-US/38_think_government_is_best_bet_for_alternative_energy_development.jpg" />
                
                            July 21, 201338% Think Government Is Best Bet for Alternative Energy Development
While President Obama continues to push for government-funded research to promote alternative energy sources, Americans continue to express more confidence in the private sector to develop those sources. Forty-eight percent (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe research by private businesses seeking a profit will do more to meet the U.S. need for affordable energy sources than research by the government, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-eight percent (38%) believe government research seeking alternative energy sources will do more to meet this need. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard. 
(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 July 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/archive/weekly_update_archive/july_2013/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls_for_the_week_ending_july_20_2013/943855-67-eng-US/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls_for_the_week_ending_july_20_2013.png" />
                
                            July 20, 2013What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - For The Week Ending July 20, 2013
Reactions to the George Zimmerman verdict highlight how wide the racial divide remains in America.