"Answered prayers," Saint Teresa of Avila is supposed to have said, "cause more tears than those that go unanswered." Especially, I fear, the answered prayers of political scientists.
Mitt Romney’s campaign portrayed his quick overseas trip as a success. President Obama’s team described the trip as an embarrassment and a gaffe-fest. When it ended, voters remain evenly divided between the candidates on foreign policy issues. Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president is better able to deal with America’s allies. Another 44% say Romney is better for that task. A Rasmussen national telephone survey also found virtually identical results on the question of who is better poised to deal with our enemies—44% picked Romney and 43% named the president. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
When the sun goes down, the new Mountain West comes out swinging. Denver's Larimer Square and LoDo (Lower Downtown) district turns into a multicultural Mixmaster of educated professionals, ordinary folk and tourists jamming bars, hamburger joints, steak palaces and French bistros. Meanwhile, armies of largely Spanish-speaking immigrants work the kitchens and vacuum the deserted offices. For all the legends of the spacious West, the region is one of the most urbanized.
Voters are more likely to believe Mitt Romney’s views are in the mainstream than extreme, but are evenly divided on President Obama’s views.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 51% regard Romney’s views as mainstream. Thirty-seven percent (37%) say it would be more accurate to describe the presumptive GOP nominee’s views as extreme. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Views of the president are more evenly divided. While 44% believe it’s accurate to describe President Obama’s views as mainstream, 47% describe his views as extreme.
(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 U.S. Voters was conducted on July 29-30, 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.
Twenty-nine percent (29%) 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 29.
That's down a point from 30% the week before.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports July 23-29, 2012. 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.
Fewer Americans than ever say they are going out to eat less often than they were six months ago.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults say they are dining out at a restaurant less often compared to six months ago. Only five percent (5%) say they are going out to eat more often, while a majority (53%) is dining out about the same as they were six months 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 nationwide was conducted on July 30-31, 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.
The number of Americans who consider themselves Republicans fell for the second straight month while the number of Democrats held steady.
During July, 34.9% of Americans considered themselves Republicans. That’s down from 35.4% in June and from 35.7% in May.
The number of Democrats held steady at 34.0%. That marks a partial recovery for the president’s party. In February, just 32.4% described themselves as Democrats, the lowest level ever measured by Rasmussen Reports. Still, while the 34.0% figure is the best for Democrats in 2012, it’s down from earlier years.
Rasmussen Reports tracks this information based on telephone interviews with approximately 15,000 adults per month since November 2002. The margin of error for the full sample is less than one percentage point, with a 95% level of confidence.
The Olympics have gone smoothly despite -- gasp! -- America's team wearing clothing made in China at the opening ceremony. "I'm so upset," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "Take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile, and burn them. ... We have people in the textile industry who are desperate for jobs."
Missouri Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill still trails her Republican challengers, but by smaller margins compared to a month ago.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Missouri Voters shows State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and retired businessman John Brunner each leading the incumbent 49% to 43%. If the race is between McCaskill and GOP Congressman Todd Akin, it’s Akin 47%, McCaskill 44%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Missouri was conducted on July 30, 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.
Ratings for the U.S. Supreme Court’s performance are a bit less negative than they were immediately following the health care ruling.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 34% say the Supreme Court is doing a good or excellent job. Twenty-two percent (22%) give the Supreme Court a poor rating. (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 U.S. Voters was conducted on July 29-30, 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.
Although laws are meant to protect people from crime, the majority of Americans believe there are too many unnecessary laws in the United States and there are too many people in jail for violating them.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults think there are too many unnecessary laws in the United States today. Nineteen percent (19%) do not, but 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The Rasmussen Employment Index slipped two points in July to 80.5, marking the lowest level of confidence since December 2011.
Still, worker confidence is up 10 points from a year ago and 12 points from two years ago.
Now, however, just 20% of working Americans report that their firms are hiring while 22% report layoffs. This marks the first time in nine months that the number laying off workers has topped the number hiring.
Generally speaking, a decrease in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be weaker than the prior month's. However, perceptions of the labor market have been somewhat erratic lately.
Mitt Romney has once again reached the 50% mark of support in Missouri.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Romney earning 50% of the vote, while Obama receives 44% support. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and another three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Missouri was conducted on July 30, 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.
The 2012 presidential race has grown more contentious over the past few months, but voters’ opinions on the choice between President Obama and Mitt Romney haven’t changed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 45% say the choice between Obama and Romney is one they are excited about. Just as many (46%) say they will simply be voting for the lesser of two evils this November. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
As three-digit temps broil the sidewalks through late afternoon, one walks alone in this charming Nebraska panhandle city. These days, Chadron seems more pan than handle. The only thing breaking the silence is the nearly daily siren summoning local firefighters to a conflagration in the grass and brush countryside. Its source is usually easy to locate. Smoke clouds stand out in the big sky.
Candidates are receiving unprecedented amounts of campaign financing as a result of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling back in March 2010, so perhaps it’s no surprise that television viewers are noticing more political attack ads than ever this election.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of TV Viewers say there is more negative political advertising this election year than in previous years. Only eight percent (8%) feel there are fewer negative ads, while 41% think the number is about the same as in past election years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 28-29, 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.
Republicans lead Democrats by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the fourth week in a row, this time for the week ending Sunday, July 29.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Democrat instead.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from July 23-29, 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.
After alleged shooter James Holmes killed 12 people in a shooting spree at a midnight screening of the newest Batman film, many were wondering whether violence in movies leads to more violence in society. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults do believe violent movies and television shows lead to more violence in society. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree, but 14% 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 July 26-27, 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.
As the violent rebellion continues in Syria, top officials have warned that President Bashar Assad’s regime is prepared to use chemical weapons against foreign attacks. Half of U.S. voters say it’s likely the Syrian government will use chemical weapons against its opponents and a sizable number say the United States should aid the rebels if that were to happen.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 49% believe it is at least somewhat likely that the Syrian government will use chemical weapons against its opponents, but that includes just 14% who see this action as Very Likely. Twenty-four percent (24%) don’t see Syria’s government taking this action, with just four percent (4%) say it’s Not At All Likely. But 26% of voters are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Does the 2012 campaign look a lot like the 2004 campaign? Many Democrats think so.
