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                            August 21, 201247% Say Media Bias Bigger Problem Than Campaign Contributions, 42% Disagree
Most voters continue to believe it is not possible to run for the presidency without help from lobbyists and special interest groups. A narrow plurality, however, continues to believe that media bias is a bigger problem than big campaign contributions.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 22% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is possible to run for president in today’s world without having ties to any lobbyists and special interest groups. Fifty-seven percent (57%) disagree and say it is not possible to seek the presidency without ties to lobbyists and special interest groups. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 18-19, 2012 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.
August 21, 2012The Delusions in Ryan's Medicare Vision By Froma Harrop
Paul Ryan has bold economic ideas. Or maybe he doesn't. It's really hard to know what Mitt Romney's VP pick thinks, since his budget plan includes Obamacare's $716 billion in Medicare savings over 10 years, but his election plan has him saying he would restore those spending cuts. Romney is accusing president Obama of "robbing" that money from today's beneficiaries.

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                            August 21, 2012Voters Still See Cuts in Taxes, Spending As Better for Economy
Voters continue to view tax and spending cuts as beneficial to the economy even though they lack confidence in their elected leaders to follow through.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters think tax cuts help the economy. Just 16% believe tax cuts hurt the economy, while just as many (16%) say they have no impact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 16-17, 2012 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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August 20, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot:  Republicans 42%, Democrats 41%
Republicans now lead Democrats by just a point on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, August 19.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 41% would choose the Democrat instead.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from August 13-19, 2012. 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.

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                            August 20, 201244% Fear Government Won’t Do Enough For Troubled Economy
Voters remain closely divided in their concern over whether the government will do too much or too little to help the troubled economy. But most still prefer spending cuts as an economic boost.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters now say, in reacting to the nation’s economic problems, what worries them most is that the federal government will not do enough. Forty-one percent (41%) are more worried the government will do too much. Fifteen percent (15%) more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 18-19, 2012 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.
August 20, 2012Romney and Ryan Turn the Tables on Obama By Michael Barone
Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan was supposed to be a problem for the Republicans. So said a chorus of chortling Democrats. So said a gaggle of anonymous seasoned Republican operatives. All of which was echoed gleefully by mainstream media.

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                            August 20, 2012Among Entrepreneurs, Romney Leads By 20
Ever since President Obama’s “You didn’t build that” comment, the Obama campaign has fought back against the perception that he values government workers more than small business owners. Regardless of whether the comments were taken out of context or reflect his true beliefs, the president trails badly among the nation’s entrepreneurs.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that among those who are self-employed or own their own business, Mitt Romney enjoys a 20-point lead. Fifty-six percent (56%) favor Romney, and 36% prefer the president.
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The national telephone survey of 7,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from August 6-19, 2012. The sample included 815 government workers and 1,040 entrepreneurs. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 1 percentage point 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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                            August 20, 201263% Oppose Driver’s Licenses, Public Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Who Get Work Permits
Most voters still agree with President Obama’s new policy allowing some young illegal immigrants to get legal work permits, but they strongly oppose also making these young people eligible for driver’s licenses or taxpayer-funded benefits.
Seventy-three percent (73%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe someone brought to this country illegally when he or she was under 16 years old who has no criminal record, has graduated from high school or served in the military should be allowed to apply for a legal work permit. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% think someone like this should be deported. (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 nationwide was conducted on August 16-17, 2012 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.
August 20, 201252% Call for Repeal of Health Care Law
The majority of voters still wants to repeal President Obama’s health care law, even though most aren’t worried that the law will force them to change their existing health insurance coverage.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters favor repeal of the law, while 39% are opposed.  This includes 41% who Strongly Favor repeal and 28% who Strongly Oppose it. (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 August 18-19, 2012 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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                            August 19, 2012Just 15% Are Paying Higher Interest Rates Than A Year Ago
Fewer adults than ever now report than they are paying higher interest rates than they were one year ago, and expectations that those rates will be higher in a year's time are at their lowest level this year.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% now say they are paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago. That's down from 22% in July and the lowest finding in over three years of regular surveying on the question. The same number (15%) also report that they are paying lower rates than a year ago, but most (57%) say they are paying about the same rate. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on August 11-12, 2012 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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                            August 19, 201252% Plan To Spend More On School Shopping Than Last Year
Despite concerns about the economy and inflation, most Americans with school age children plan to spend more money getting them ready for school than they did a year ago. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Americans who have children of elementary and secondary school age plan on spending more this year on school clothing and back-to-school supplies than they did a year ago. That compares to 40% at this time last year.
Twenty-nine percent (29%) think they will spend less this year, while 18% plan to spend about the same amount as they did a year ago. (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 August 15-16, 2012 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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                            August 18, 2012Better Qualified To Serve As President? 42% Say Ryan, 40% Biden
Voters are evenly divided as to whether Paul Ryan or Joe Biden is better qualified to serve as president. Not surprisingly, there’s a huge partisan divide on the issue. Forty-two percent (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters say Ryan’s more qualified to be the chief executive, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But nearly as many (40%) think Biden is a better fit for the job. Eighteen percent (18%) 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 August 14-15, 2012 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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                            August 18, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending August 18, 2012
The vice presidential candidates attracted a little more news than usual this past week.
After Mitt Romney named Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan to be his running mate, Vice President Joe Biden made some high-profile gaffes. New polling finds voters are evenly divided as to which man is better qualified to be president if necessary. 
Mitt Romney announced Ryan as his running mate on Saturday, and following the resulting blast of media exposure, Ryan’s favorables are up. Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters now have a favorable opinion of him, compared to 39% just prior to Romney’s announcement.

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                            August 17, 2012Most Americans Underestimate the Tax Burden
One of the more remarkable features of the political landscape remains the fact that most Americans believe the nation is overtaxed while dramatically underestimating the actual level of taxes paid.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey confirms that finding. If a person earns $60,000 a year, only 11% think that person would pay more than $15,000 in payroll and income taxes. In reality, while the amount would vary depending upon the circumstances of the individual, the actual tax burden would be higher than that amount.
As a starting point, such a salary would generate $4,590 in payroll taxes. Recommended withholding for such a salary range from $7,000 to $10,000 before inclusion of state taxes. Overall, even if the worker only paid 17% in combined state and federal income taxes, their total payments would top the $15,000 mark.
Nine percent (9%) think the total tax bill would be less than $5,000 annually. That barely covers the cost of the payroll taxes. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think the total would be between $5,000 and $10,000, while 17% estimate a tax burden between $10,000 and $15,000. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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                            August 17, 201247% Say Public Schools Best Option For Students, 39% Rate Them The Worst
Many Americans continue to give the public school system in the United States poor marks, but they still tend to think public schools are better than private schools and home schooling.   A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (47%) of American Adults believes public school is best for students. Thirty-five percent (35%) rate private school the best, while 11% think home schooling is the way to go.  (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 nationwide was conducted on August 15-16, 2012 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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                            August 17, 2012Wisconsin Senate: Thompson (R) 54%, Baldwin (D) 43%
After a hard-fought primary win on Tuesday, Republican Tommy Thompson now holds a double-digit lead over Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters shows Thompson with 54% of the vote to Baldwin’s 43%. One percent (1%) prefer some other candidate, and three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Sign up for The Rasmussen Reader, now just $24.95 for a 12-month subscription. Offer good through October 1, 2012.
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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on August 15, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
August 17, 2012Ryan's Hope: Voodoo Economics Still Isn't a Plan By Joe Conason
By naming Paul Ryan as the Republican vice presidential nominee, Mitt Romney has endorsed what used to be known as "voodoo economics" -- and restored that special brand of Republican superstition to the center of national debate.
To take Ryan seriously, as all too many pundits and politicians insist we must, requires everyone to behave as if the plans he produced as House Budget Committee chairman represent a meaningful effort to improve the nation's fiscal future. Sooner or later, however, real analysts will scrutinize the Ryan budget using honest math instead of humbug and magic.
In fact, they already have done so -- and that is where the myth of Ryan as a serious, scrupulous and bold reformer begins to disintegrate.

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                            August 17, 2012Florida Senate: Nelson (D) 47%, Mack (R) 40%
Despite his impressive win in Tuesday’s state Republican Primary, Congressman Connie Mack trails Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson in Florida’s closely watched U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Florida Voters shows Nelson earning 47% support to Mack’s 40%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, 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 500 Likely Voters in Florida was conducted on August 15, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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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                            August 17, 2012Reaction to Ryan: A Gap Between Mainstream America and Official Washington By Scott Rasmussen
One of the things Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate ensures is a series of polling questions over the coming months asking voters what's more important: creating jobs or cutting government spending; helping the economy or cutting deficits; repealing the president's health care law or focusing on the economy.

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                            August 16, 2012On Economy, 45% Trust Republicans, 40% Democrats
Voters now trust Republicans slightly more than Democrats on eight of 10 important issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports, including the most important one:  the economy. 
The latest national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters trust Republicans more to handle the economy, while 40% place their trust in Democrats. (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.
Two national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on August 8-9 & 12-13, 2012 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.