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                            December 1, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending December 1, 2012
How long will this current era of good feelings last?
President Obama, like most Election Day winners in years past, is enjoying a bounce in his job approval ratings in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. 
For the second week in a row, 41% of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction. That’s up 25 points from a year ago and close to the highest level of optimism during the Obama presidency.

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                            November 30, 201251% Say They Have A Sweet Tooth
With the Hostess Twinkie making headlines, 51% of Americans admit to having a strong taste for sweets, and 19% say they eat sugary snacks every day. Twice as many (37%) say they're overweight, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
Forty percent (40%) say they don't have a sweet tooth, but another nine percent (9%) 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 November 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.
November 30, 2012Democrats Now Trusted More on Nine of 10 Key Issues
Prior to Election Day, voters trusted Republicans on seven-out-of-10 key issues.  Now, in the first survey following the presidential election, Democrats are trusted more on nine of these issues. 
However, voters still give the GOP a slight edge on the most important issue, the economy.  Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they trust Republicans more to handle that issue, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  But nearly as many (42%) place their trust in Democrats, and another 15% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.
Two national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on November 26-27 and 28-29, 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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                            November 30, 2012No Change: 51% See Deal to Avoid ‘Fiscal Cliff’ As Likely
Most voters continue to feel President Obama and Congress should prevent the pending “fiscal cliff” of big tax hikes and deep spending cuts from being reached, but they remain only cautiously confident that a deal is possible.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters believe Congress and the president should stop the tax increases and spending cuts totaling more than $500 billion that are scheduled to go into effect on January 1. Only 20% disagree, while 19% 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 November 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.
November 30, 2012Elder Lobby Should Back off on Medicare By Froma Harrop
AARP's shot over the bow on the fiscal cliff talks is most unpleasant. Perhaps you've seen the ad on TV. As seniors go about their day, a stern female voice says of Medicare and Social Security, "We earned them." She goes on, "If Washington tries to cram decisions about the future of these programs into a last-minute budget deal, we'll all pay the price." She left out "down your throat."
November 30, 20122014 Senate Preview: Can Republicans Finally Turn Potential Into Reality? By Kyle Kondik and Larry J. Sabato
As the 2012 election fades into the history books, we begin our first look at the 2014 contests for Senate, House and Governor. Let’s start with the Senate, which will be the site of an intense battle for control once again. Before looking ahead at the Republicans’ prospects to gain the six seats they need to win control of the Senate, it is first important -- though for Republicans, painful -- to look back at the past two Senate cycles.

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                            November 30, 2012President's First-term Gamble Will Determine Success of Second Term By Scott Rasmussen
One little noticed and quite remarkable aspect of Election 2012 is that Barack Obama won a majority of the popular vote for the second consecutive time. With the exception of Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term run in the 1930s and '40s, it's the first time the Democrats have won a majority of the presidential vote in back-to-back elections since 1836.

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                            November 29, 201249ers Are Still Fan Favorites to Win Super Bowl
At the start of the National Football League season, the San Francisco 49ers were the fan favorites to win Super Bowl XLVII.  As the playoffs approach, fans still give the ‘Niners the edge to win it all, but it's close. 
Seventeen percent (17%) of Pro Football Fans believe the 49ers will win the Super Bowl, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That’s up slightly from 15% who felt that way in October. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.
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 survey of 600 Professional Football Fans was conducted on November 27, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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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                            November 29, 201242% Give Obama Positive Marks on the Economy
Confidence in President Obama’s handling of the economy has fallen back to pre-Election Day levels, but support for how he’s doing on the national security front remains constant.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president is doing a good or excellent job handling economic issues. Just as many (41%) rate his performance in this area as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.
(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 November 26-27, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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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                            November 29, 201257% Have A Favorable Opinion of Hostess Twinkies
Most Americans like Hostess Twinkies and are following the news about the company that makes them. They tend to blame a recalcitrant labor union for putting that company out of business.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 69% of American Adults, in fact, are following recent news reports about the Hostess baking company, including 31% who are following Very Closely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.
(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 November 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.
November 29, 2012The Tyranny of Good Intentions at U.S. Colleges By Michael Barone
In 1902, journalist Lincoln Steffens wrote a book called "The Shame of the Cities." At the time, Americans took pride in big cities, with their towering skyscrapers, productive factories and prominent cultural institutions.    
November 29, 2012In Baseless Persecution of Rice, Republican Reputations Will Sink By Joe Conason
With the Republican right persisting in baseless persecution of Susan Rice, the U.N. Ambassador who may replace departing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, it has left President Obama little choice but to move ahead with her nomination. If he backs away from Rice, in the face of what he has called false accusations against her, that display of weakness would undermine his second term before it begins.

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                            November 29, 201264% Will Decorate Their Home for the Holidays
Most Americans plan to decorate their homes again this holiday season, but the majority still haven’t started yet.
Sixty-four percent (64%) of American Adults say they will decorate this year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That finding that has shown little change over the past few years.  Thirty percent (30%) will not decorate this holiday season.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 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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                            November 28, 201241% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
For the second week in a row, 41% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, November 25.
That’s unchanged from the previous week and down just two points from two weeks earlier which marked the highest level of optimism during the Obama presidency. Still, the latest finding is up 17 points from the beginning of the year and up 25 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 November 19-21 and on November 25, 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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                            November 28, 2012Favorables: Socialism 24% Capitalism 68%
Most Americans continue to have favorable opinions of capitalism and the free enterprise system.
However, just 24% have a favorable opinion of socialism. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% have an unfavorable view of that economic system. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge! This week's entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET tonight.
(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 November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
November 28, 2012Legalize Insider Trading By John Stossel
Insider trading leads the news again, casting a cloud over Steven Cohen's SAC Capital Advisors $14 billion hedge fund.
The SEC charged Mathew Martoma, who used to manage a SAC Capital division, with using inside information about tests on an Alzheimer's drug to trade stock of the company working on it.
The media love this stuff. I imagine reporters sitting around saying: "The SEC finally will punish greedy Wall Street! These tycoons rig the game -- cheating is how they acquire $14 billion -- and now noble government prosecutors will bring justice."

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                            November 28, 201257% Think U.S. Should Stay Out of Political Unrest in Egypt
Voters are much more pessimistic about the government changes in Egypt brought about by the Arab Spring protests, but most believe the United States should stay out of the growing political unrest there.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters feel the United States should leave the situation in Egypt alone. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% think America should get more involved in the Egyptian political situation, while 25% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge! This week's entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET tonight.
(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 November 26-27, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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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                            November 28, 201264% Think $4-a-Gallon Gas Likely in the Near Future
Gas prices continue to fluctuate like a bouncing ball, with most Americans now saying they are paying less or about the same amount for a gallon of gas as they were this summer. But most also think higher prices are coming soon.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 39% of American Adults think they are paying more for a gallon of gas compared to six months ago. Thirty-one percent (31%) say they are paying less now, while 26% say the price of gallon of gas is about the same now as back then. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge! This week's entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET tonight.
(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 November 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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                            November 27, 201268% Prefer 'Merry Christmas' Over 'Happy Holidays'
Most Americans still prefer signs in stores that say “Merry Christmas” rather than ones with “Happy Holidays.”
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults prefer Merry Christmas. Just 23% like Happy Holidays instead. (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 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 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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                            November 27, 201234% Have Favorable Opinion of Federal Government
A huge and fundamental perception gap about the federal government has opened along party lines.
Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Democratic voters have a favorable opinion of the federal government. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of Republicans offer an unfavorable assessment of the feds.
As for those not affiliated with either major party, the numbers are 28% favorable and 73% unfavorable. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.