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                            December 21, 201246% Think America Overtaxed, 42% Disagree
Fewer voters than ever think the United States is overtaxed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the nation is overtaxed. But nearly as many (42%) disagree. Twelve percent (12%) 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 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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                            December 21, 201255% Favor Assault Weapons Ban, But 62% Oppose Complete Gun Ban
Most Americans favor taking semi-automatic and assault-type weapons off the market but also are wary of a society in which only the government has guns. Very few would opt for a neighborhood where they couldn’t own a gun. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Adults think there should be a ban on the purchase of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons. Thirty-six percent (36%) disagree and oppose such a ban. (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 Adults was conducted on December 19-20, 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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                            December 21, 2012Boehner Is Now Less Popular Than Pelosi
House Speaker John Boehner has now unseated his Democratic predecessor Nancy Pelosi as the least-liked major congressional leader, a title Pelosi has held for several years.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters now view Boehner unfavorably, while 50% feel that way about Pelosi. Just 31% have a favorable opinion of the Ohio congressman, compared to 37% who look favorably on the San Francisco Democrat.

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                            December 21, 2012Boehner’s Plan B Hurt the GOP By Scott Rasmussen
President Obama and congressional Democrats are still winning the messaging battle in the debate over the impending "fiscal cliff."

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                            December 20, 201246% Consider the Holiday Season Joyous, 42% Stressful
As Christmas nears, adults remain closely divided as to whether they find the holidays joyous or stressful, but most still aren't having trouble getting in the holiday spirit.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults consider the holiday season joyous. Nearly as many (42%) find the season stressful instead. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure how they feel about the season. (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 December 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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                            December 20, 201259% Believe Tougher Gun Control Laws Are Coming
Americans are now evenly divided over the need for stronger anti-gun laws following last week's elementary school massacre, and most think such laws are at least somewhat likely. They're much less confident that limits will be placed on violent movies and video games. 
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of American Adults finds that 59% believe it’s at least somewhat likely that Congress and the president will create tougher gun control laws, but that includes just 22% who feel they are Very Likely.  Thirty-three percent (33%) view stricter anti-gun laws as unlikely, with 17% who say they are Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The Rasmussen Challenge winner will be posted tomorrow! Check back to find out how you did. 
The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 17-18, 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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                            December 20, 201259% Think Tax Hikes on Millionaires Not Enough
Republican congressional leaders have given ground in the “fiscal cliff” negotiations and proposed raising taxes on those who make more than a million dollars a year, but most voters don’t think that goes far enough.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters favor House Speaker John Boehner’s “Plan B” to extend the Bush administration tax cuts for everyone who makes less than a million annually. Just 24% are opposed, with 14% more 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 December 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.
December 20, 2012Tim Scott and Daniel Inouye Show a Better America By Michael Barone
On Monday, the U.S. Senate got its newest member and lost its most senior member.
December 20, 2012Online and in Your Face By Froma Harrop
They don't like the crowds, the traffic, the parking chaos. They dislike the sameness -- the same mall chain stores piping in the same holiday music and selling the same made-in-China sweaters, whether in Spokane, Indianapolis or Raleigh. They stress out when waiting for someone to take their payment. Small wonder that 45 percent of consumers are doing at least some holiday shopping this year via the Internet, according to the Deloitte consulting firm.    

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                            December 20, 201221% Think Now Is A Good Time to Sell A House Where They Live
Twenty-one percent (21%) of American Adults think now is a good time for someone in their area to be selling a house, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That's up from 16% a month ago and the highest level of confidence in the local housing market recorded in regular surveys since April 2009.  Just nine percent (9%) were that upbeat a year ago.
Interestingly, homeowners are slightly less convinced than others that now is a good time to sell.
Sixty percent (60%) of all adults disagree and still think now is not a good time to sell. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 15-16, 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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                            December 19, 201237% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty-seven percent (37%) 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, December 16.
That's down from 38% last week and 41% the previous three weeks. After Election Day, confidence in the nation’s course initially tracked in the low 40s, the highest level of optimism during the Obama years. The latest finding is more in line with attitudes in September and October but is still slightly higher than was found earlier in 2012. This week’s finding is up 13 points from the beginning of the year and up 15 points from a year ago.
(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 December 10-16, 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.

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                            December 19, 201233% Say Supreme Court Doing Good or Excellent Job
One-out-of-three Likely U.S. Voters (33%) continue to give the U.S. Supreme Court positive ratings.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 20% rate the high court’s job performance as poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This is the last week to take part in the 2012 Rasmussen Challenge! Submit your answer by 11:59pm ET today.
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 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.

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                            December 19, 2012Following School Shooting, 86% Want More Action to Identify and Treat Mental Illness
Americans want something done following the horrific news from Sandy Hook Elementary School last week, and a plurality believes a greater emphasis on mental health issues will be the most effective way to prevent such tragedies.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Americans believe more action to treat mental health issues will do the most to prevent incidents like last Friday’s school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think stricter gun control laws will do the most to prevent such shootings, while 15% put the emphasis on limits on violent movies and video games. Ten percent (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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 17-18, 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.
December 19, 2012It's the Spending, Stupid! By John Stossel
Listening to progressive media pundits, I'd think the most evil man in the universe is Grover Norquist, head of Americans for Tax Reform. His crime? He heads a movement that asks political candidates to pledge not to raise taxes.
I think Grover accomplished a lot. But I wish he'd convinced politicians to pledge not to increase spending.
President Obama says raising taxes to cut the deficit is a "balanced" approach.
Balanced ...

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                            December 19, 2012Three-Year High: 60% Think Their Home Worth More Than Mortgage
There has been a sharp increase in short-term housing market confidence over the past month.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of homeowners now believe their home is worth more than their mortgage. That’s up five points from a month ago and the highest level of confidence since October 2009. Only 33% think their home is worth less than what they owe. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.
(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 676 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on December 15-16, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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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                            December 18, 201241% Think a Child Born in the U.S. to an Illegal Immigrant Should Be a Citizen
More voters than ever think that if a woman comes to the United States illegally and gives birth to a child here, that child should be a U.S. citizen. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters share that view, up from September’s previous high of 37%. But 51% still disagree and do not think the child in that situation should be granted citizenship. (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 December 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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                            December 18, 2012Voters Divided Over Tax Pledge, Republicans Want It Honored
American voters are evenly divided about candidates who sign a pledge not to raise taxes. However, Republicans who are represented by a pledge signer overwhelmingly want their Congressman to honor the pledge.
Forty percent (40%) of voters nationwide would vote for a candidate who signed a pledge not to raise taxes over a candidate who refused to sign. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% would prefer the candidate who didn’t sign an anti-tax pledge.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This is the last week to take part in the 2012 Rasmussen Challenge! Submit your answer by 11:59pm ET tomorrow.
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 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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                            December 18, 201241% Believe Economy is Fair to Middle Class, 56% Say It’s Not
Half of all voters believe the economy is fair to lower-income Americans but fewer think it is fair to the middle class.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely Voters believe the economy is at least somewhat fair to lower-income Americans, while 46% say it is not. (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 December 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.
December 18, 2012Real "Realism" on Gun Control By Froma Harrop
The usual gun extremists largely went into hiding this weekend after the obscenity in Connecticut. The National Rifle Association offered only a flowery expression of sympathy for the victims. Real brave, aren't they?
One foe of gun control who did speak out was Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican. He said the "more realistic discussion" is "how do we target people with mental illness who use firearms?"

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                            December 18, 2012Confidence in Fiscal Cliff Deal Slips to 49%
As the fiscal cliff deal nears, confidence that a deal can be reached has slipped a bit. Voters still see President Obama as more willing than Congressional Republicans to accept a compromise.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 49% of Likely Voters say it’s even somewhat likely a deal will be reached. That’s down from 51% at the end of November.  Forty-five percent (45%) see a deal as unlikely. (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 December 14-15, 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.