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July 18, 2012

First Jobs By John Stossel

What was your first job? I stuck pieces of plastic and metal together at an Evanston, Ill., assembly line. We produced photocopiers for a company called American Photocopy.

July 18, 2012

57% Say Venture Capital Firms Better Job Creators Than Government Programs

The Obama campaign’s attack on Mitt Romney’s business record hasn’t changed the belief that venture capital firms like the one Romney worked for are better job creators than government programs like the ones championed by the president.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe venture capital companies are better at creating jobs than government programs are. Just 27% think government programs are a better way to create jobs. Seventeen percent (17%) aren’t 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 13-14, 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 17, 2012

52% Say Most U.S. Workers Are Dishonest to Get Ahead

Most Americans think dishonesty in the workplace is a common path to career advancement.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults believe most workers in this country do something dishonest to get ahead at some point in their career. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, but 20% more 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 12-13, 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 17, 2012

30% Owe More Money Than They Did Last Year

Nearly half of young Americans now say they owe more money than they did last year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% of all American Adults say they owe more money than they did a year ago, while nearly as many (29%) say they owe less.  Thirty-eight percent (38%) say their level of debt is about the same. That's consistent with findings for the last couple years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 8-9, 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 17, 2012

43% Say Auto Bailouts Were Good for U.S., 44% Disagree

Voters continue to hold a much more positive view of the government bailouts of the automobile industry than they do of the ones given to the financial sector.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 43% say the government bailouts of the auto industry were good for the United States, while 44% say they were bad for the country. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

July 17, 2012

Rice is Still No. 1 on Short List of Romney Veep Possibilities

Condi Rice remains the most popular among those Mitt Romney is reportedly considering as a vice presidential running mate.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely U.S. Voters share at least a somewhat favorable view of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, while just 24% view her unfavorably. This includes 29% with a Very Favorable opinion of her and six percent (6%) with a Very Unfavorable one. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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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July 17, 2012

Are Some Republicans Ready to Deal on Taxes? by Froma Harrop

Nowadays, few politicians will stray from party orthodoxy without also taking unfair whacks at the opposition. Sen. Tom Coburn, Republican from Oklahoma, is braver and more principled than most. But even he felt obliged to take partisan cover in his most recent blast at activist Grover Norquist, enforcer of the absurd pledge never to let anyone's taxes rise ever.

July 17, 2012

42% Think Raising Taxes on $250,000-Plus Incomes Will Help Economy

A plurality of voters nationwide believes that raising taxes on those who earn more than $250,000 a year would help the economy, but there are sharp partisan differences of opinion.

Overall, 42% of Likely U.S. Voters think that raising taxes on those upper income Americans would benefit the economy. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% believe such a tax hike would hurt the economy. Nineteen percent (19%) say it would have no impact (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 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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July 16, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 40%

Republicans lead Democrats by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the second week in a row, this time for the week ending Sunday, July 15.

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 9-15, 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.

July 16, 2012

42% Say They Cheated on a Test or Exam in School

New York City's school system is the latest to be hit with a major cheating scandal, but Americans nationwide believe most students cheat at least one time in school. A sizable number admits to cheating themselves.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 70% believe most students cheat at least once in school. Just 12% disagree with that assessment, but 17% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 12-13, 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 16, 2012

41% See Romney’s Business Record As a Positive, 41% Disagree

Voters are now evenly divided over whether Mitt Romney’s business experience is a plus or a minus, but they still consider him more ethical than President Obama.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters now think Romney’s track record in business is primarily a reason to vote for him, while just as many (41%) consider it chiefly a reason to vote against him. A sizable 18% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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July 16, 2012

54% Think Health Care Law Will Drive Up Costs; 52% Favor Repeal

Most voters continue to believe President Obama’s health care law will drive up the cost of health care and increase the federal deficit. Most still favor repeal of the law, too. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of Likely U.S. Votes at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, with 41% who are Strongly Favor it. Forty-two percent (42%) are at least somewhat opposed to repeal, with 32% who are Strongly Opposed. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 13-14, 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 16, 2012

Like Charter Schools, Britain's Academies Aim High by Michael Barone

1776 is a number with great resonance for Americans, but not one you expect to be featured on a British government website.

July 16, 2012

66% Believe U.S. Has Too Much Government Power, Too Little Freedom

From the beginning of the nation, Americans have recognized a necessary tension between giving power to government and maintaining individual freedom. The Federalist Papers, written to advocate ratification of the Constitution, noted that when creating a government “the people must cede to it some of their natural rights in order to vest it with requisite powers.”

Today, however, 66% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that there is too much government power and too little individual freedom. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) believe the opposite to be true. Twenty-two percent (22%) think the balance is about right.  (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 7-8, 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 15, 2012

66% Are Happy With Their Lives

Most Americans are happy with their lives and don't think money made them that way. But the majority also think rich people earned what they have by working for it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of American Adults are not happy with how their lives are going. But two-out-of-three (66%) disagree and are happy with their lives. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 nationwide was conducted on July 10-11, 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 15, 2012

North Dakota Governor: Dalrymple (R) 61%, Taylor (D) 26%

In Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the North Dakota gubernatorial race, Republican incumbent Jack Dalrymple holds a commanding lead over his Democratic challenger. 

A new telephone survey of Likely North Dakota Voters finds Dalrymple earning 61% of the vote to Ryan Taylor's 26%.  One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and 11% 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 400 Likely Voters in North Dakota was conducted on July 10-11, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 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.

July 14, 2012

38% Express Confidence In Fed To Keep Inflation, Interest Rates In Check

Americans’ confidence in the Federal Reserve Board keeping inflation under control is the lowest its been in 2012, as many continue to report paying more for groceries now compared to last year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 38% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Fed can keep inflation under control and interest rates down, including just 13% who are Very Confident. Fifty-six percent (56%) lack confidence in the Fed in this area, with 22% who are Not At All Confident. (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 July 8-9, 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 14, 2012

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending July 14, 2012

Election Day is less than four months away, and Rasmussen Reports this week opened its Election 2012 roundup page to bring you the one stop you’ll need to make every day for the latest in political polling news. It features our breaking news polls, in-depth looks at how the presidential candidates stack up the Electoral College, how Senate races nationwide are going, even the Twitter feeds from the candidates themselves.

President Obama and Mitt Romney continue to run neck-and-neck in our daily Presidential Tracking Poll. But right now, Rasmussen Reports Electoral College Projections show states with 207 Electoral Votes in President Obama’s column, while states with 170 Electoral Voters are projected to go for Mitt Romney. When leaners are included, it’s Obama 247, Romney 191. Seven states, with 100 Electoral College votes, are currently rated as Toss-Ups. 

One of those toss-ups is the key swing state of Florida where new polling finds Romney with 46% support to Obama’s 45%. This is little changed since April after the president posted slight leads earlier in the year.

Romney's well ahead in North Dakota – 51% to 36% - a state that’s considered Safe Republican. Republican Congressman Rick Berg is leading former state Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp by nine points – 49% to 40% - in the U.S. Senate race in North Dakota.

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July 13, 2012

60% Say Congress Doing Poor Job

Positive ratings for Congress continue to hover in the single digits, and a plurality of voters still believes most members of the national legislature are corrupt.  

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that just seven percent (7%) say Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Sixty percent (60%) say the legislators are doing a poor job, a slight improvement from the last several months. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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.

July 13, 2012

North Dakota: Romney 51%, Obama 36%

Mitt Romney's well ahead in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the presidential race in North Dakota. 

A new telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Romney earning 51% support to President Obama’s 36%. Six percent (6%) prefers some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 400 Likely Voters in North Dakota was conducted on July 10-11, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 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.