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July 30, 201255% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law
Most voters continue to support repeal of the health care law, and the number who fears they will have to change their health care coverage has jumped to its highest level since October of last year. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, including 41% who Strongly Favor repeal.  Thirty-nine percent (39%) oppose repeal, with 30% who are Strongly Opposed.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 27-28, 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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                            July 30, 2012Most Voters Have Not Felt Personal Impact of Health Care Law
As the presidential election moves into full swing, most voters haven’t been personally impacted yet by the incumbent’s most significant legislative achievement.
Just 15% have been personally helped by passage of the health care law while 25% say they’ve been hurt by it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows 57% have not felt any impact yet. (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 25-26, 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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                            July 29, 2012New Low: Just 14% Think Today’s Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents
Hope for the future generation has reached an all-time low. Just 14% of Americans expect today’s children to be better off than their parents. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults do not expect today’s children to be better off than their parents. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure what to expect. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 22-23, 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.
July 28, 2012Democrats’ Baldwin Now Leads GOP Pack in Wisconsin Senate Race
With Republicans engaged in a bitter primary fight, Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has a lead over all her potential GOP rivals in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters shows Baldwin receiving 45% to 48% of the vote regardless of which Republican she is matched against. She leads by margins ranging from three to ten points.
The most competitive Republican at the moment is Eric Hovde, a wealthy political newcomer who has been advertising heavily in his primary battle. He trails Baldwin by just three points (45% to 42%). Former GOP Congressman Mark Neumann trails by six (48% to 42%), former Governor Tommy Thompson is seven points behind Baldwin (48% to 41%). The weakest showing comes from Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald who is behind by double digits (47% to 37%). (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 Wisconsin was conducted on July 25, 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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                            July 28, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending July 28, 2012
During this past week, Mitt Romney opened his biggest lead in over a month over President Obama. During the same week, consumer confidence fell to the lowest level of 2012.  It’s no coincidence that they happened during the same week.
Long-term optimism about the U.S. Economy Fell to a new low this month. Just 40% believe the economy will be stronger in FIVE years. That’s down from 46% a year ago, 50% two years ago and 58% three years ago.  Most Americans (56%) believe the Housing market will take more than three years to fully recover.
As Scott Rasmussen noted in his weekly newspaper column, “Declining Views of the Economy Put Obama's Reelection at Risk.”  He added that, for Obama to win, “he will need to improve his own job approval rating between now and Election Day. For that to happen, perceptions of the economy will have to reverse their current downward trend.”

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                            July 27, 201266% Say Colorado Shooter Suspect Should Get Death Penalty
In the wake of the Aurora, Colorado shootings, more Americans than ever support the death penalty, and most feel this punishment is appropriate for the suspected killer if he's convicted. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults now favor the death penalty, while just 25% oppose it.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 24-25, 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.
July 27, 2012Wisconsin: Obama 49%, Romney 46%
It’s still a three-point presidential race in Wisconsin, but now President Obama has a modest edge over Mitt Romney in the Badger State.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Wisconsin Likely Voters shows the president drawing 49% of the vote to Romney’s 46%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on July 25, 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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                            July 27, 201262% Think Health Law Likely to Cause Some Companies to Drop Employee Coverage
A sizable majority of voters continues to believe that some companies will drop health insurance coverage for their employees because of President Obama’s health care law. But there’s a noticeable partisan difference of opinion over whether that’s a good or bad thing.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is at least somewhat likely that the law will cause some companies to drop their employee coverage. Just 27% feel that’s unlikely. These findings include 40% who believe it is Very Likely versus only seven percent (7%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 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.
July 27, 2012Wounded and Pregnant, an Aurora Family Without Health Coverage By Joe Conason
In the wake of yet another well-armed madman killing and maiming innocent Americans, we are again rediscovering the malign influence of the NRA (correctly described by Alan Berlow as the criminals' lobby). But the political salience of the Aurora tragedy extends beyond the usually sterile argument over gun control.
July 27, 2012Final Veepstakes Ratings:  Pawlenty, Portman Continue To Top List By Kyle Kondik and Larry J. Sabato
And then there were five.
After starting out with more than 20 names a few months ago, we can now count our list of Mitt Romney's vice-presidential possibilities on one hand.

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                            July 27, 2012Nevada Senate: Heller (R) 51%, Berkley (D) 42%
Nevada’s U.S. Senate race is little changed this month, with Republican incumbent Dean Heller holding a nine-point lead over his Democratic challenger, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Nevada Voters shows Heller with 51% support to Berkley’s 42%. Two percent (2%) favor some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) 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.
This Nevada survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on July 24, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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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                            July 27, 2012Nevada Senate: Heller (R) 51%, Berkley (D) 42%
Nevada’s U.S. Senate race is little changed this month, with Republican incumbent Dean Heller holding a nine-point lead over his Democratic challenger, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Nevada Voters shows Heller with 51% support to Berkley’s 42%. Two percent (2%) favor some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) 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.
This Nevada survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on July 24, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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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                            July 27, 2012Declining Views of the Economy Put Obama's Reelection at Risk By Scott Rasmussen
Consumer confidence fell to the lowest levels of 2012 this past week. Most Americans believe that both the economy and their own personal finances are getting worse. Just 25 percent believe the economy is getting better, and only 22 percent say the same about their personal finances.

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                            July 26, 2012Just 23% Have a Favorable Opinion of Geithner
Despite receiving criticism for his potential involvement in the manipulation of a key global interest rate, slightly more voters share a favorable opinion of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner this month.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 23% have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Geithner, up from 18% in April. Thirty-seven (37%) hold at least a somewhat unfavorable view of the Secretary of the Treasury, down from 45% in April. This includes six percent (6%) with a Very Favorable opinion and 22% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 21-22, 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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                            July 26, 201227% Say Sanctions Given to Penn State Too Severe
Americans strongly believe football programs have too much influence over their colleges and universities, and 20% think the NCAA didn't go far enough when it punished Penn State for ignoring longstanding child molestation charges against a popular football coach.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27% of American Adults feel the sanctions on the Penn State football program are too severe. Thirty-six percent (36%) believe the level of punishment is about right. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
July 26, 201249% Trust Romney More On Economy; 43% Trust Obama More
Voters continue to trust likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney more than President Obama when it comes to the economy and taxes but are more narrowly divided on three other key issues.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 50% trust Romney more to handle the economy, while 42% trust the president more. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 11-12, 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.
July 26, 2012Conservatives Backtrack on Long Prison Sentences By Michael Barone
Only a few lonely media outlets responded to the Aurora Mall murders by calling for stricter gun control measures. President Barack Obama and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper made eloquent statements, as did Mitt Romney, but neither the two Democrats nor the Republican called for changes in gun laws.
July 26, 2012Badger Cottage Versus Toad Hall by Froma Harrop
Sometimes you need children to set you straight. They are so attuned to what they like and what feels good. The status-value of things doesn't register as much as with adults.

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                            July 26, 201256% Say Housing Market Will Take More Than Three Years to Fully Recover
Pessimism about the recovery of housing prices and the stock market remains at or near record highs.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults believe it will take more than three years for the stock market to recover from the downturn in 2008. That’s up from 40% in June.  This is now the highest level of pessimism in over three years, although it should be noted that this is only the second time the question was posed specifically referencing the 2008 downturn as opposed to referring to "the recent downturn."  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
Similarly, 56% believe it will take more than three years for housing prices to recover from the 2008 downturn. This is virtually unchanged from 57% last month which marked the gloomiest assessment of the housing market since regular tracking began in early 2009.  Again, however, it should be noted that this is just the second time the question referred specifically to the downturn in 2008.
(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 nationwide was conducted on July 22-23, 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.
July 25, 201230% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty percent (30%) 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 22.
That's up two points from 28% the week before.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports July 16-22, 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.