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June 20, 2012

81% Say Congress Listens More to Party Leaders Than to Voters

Voters continue to believe overwhelmingly that members of Congress listen more to their party leaders than to those they represent but get reelected anyway because election rules are fixed.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the average member of Congress listens most to the voters he or she represents. Eighty-one percent (81%) disagree and say the average legislator listens most to his or her party leaders in Congress. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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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June 20, 2012

Montana: Romney 51%, Obama 42%

Montana remains in the Romney column again this month.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney with 51% support to President Obama’s 42%. Five percent (5%) like another candidate in the race, and two percent (2%) 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 Montana survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on June 18, 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.

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June 20, 2012

Montana: Romney 51%, Obama 42%

Montana remains in the Romney column again this month.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney with 51% support to President Obama’s 42%. Five percent (5%) like another candidate in the race, and two percent (2%) 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 Montana survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on June 18, 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.

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June 20, 2012

Regulating Political Speech By John Stossel

It's presidential season, so again pundits are indignant that money is spent on politics. Spent by corporations! And rich people! Because the Supreme Court allowed that, "2012 will be a miserable year," says The Washington Post's E.J. Dionne.

June 19, 2012

43% Expect Higher Interest Rates in a Year

Belief that interest rates will be higher a year from now is down from the first of the year and is at its lowest level since last December.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults believe interest rates will be higher this time next year, while just six percent (6%) think they will be lower. Forty percent (40%), however, believe rates won’t change over the next 12 months. (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 June 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.

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June 19, 2012

Montana Senate: Rehberg (R) 49%, Tester (D) 47%

Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg remains slightly ahead of Democratic incumbent Jon Tester in Montana’s U.S. Senate race. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Rehberg with 49% support to 47% for Tester. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, while another two percent (2%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This Montana survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on June 18, 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.

June 19, 2012

57% Say Housing Prices Will Take More Than Another Three Years to Recover

Most Americans remain pessimistic about the U.S. housing market’s recovery from the bubble that burst in 2008. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 57% believe that it will take more than another three years for the housing market to fully recover from the downturn that occurred in 2008. Fifteen percent (15%) predict a recovery in three years,  while 10% say it will take one or two years more. Another 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 Adults was conducted on June 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.

June 19, 2012

71% Favor Work Permits for Young Illegal Immigrants in Certain Circumstances

Most voters don’t think the government is aggressive enough in deporting illegal immigrants but agree with President Obama’s decision to allow young people brought here illegally who meet certain criteria to avoid deportation.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters think the federal government is not making enough effort to identify and deport illegal immigrants. Only 16% feel the government is doing too much to deport illegals, while 25% say the current amount of effort is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 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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June 19, 2012

The Dream Act Undeferred By Froma Harrop

In helping young illegal immigrants stay in the country, President Obama did the right thing for the wrong reason and in a strange context. Obama decreed that illegal immigrants who came here as children could stay without fear of deportation, if the following conditions are met: They've been in the country for at least five years. They're in school or high-school graduates, or have served in the military. They are under 30 and have committed no crimes. More than 1 million people may qualify.

June 19, 2012

Just 31% Think $5-A-Gallon Gas Is Coming Soon

The surge in gas prices across the country appears to be over, with far fewer Americans predicting $4 or even $5 a gallon prices at the pump. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 41% of American Adults now say they are paying more for a gallon of gas than 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 June 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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June 18, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 45%, Democrats 38%

Republicans lead Democrats by seven points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, June 17.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Democrat instead. Republicans led by six points the week before, 45% to 39%, and seven points 44% to 37%, the week before that.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from June 11-17, 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.

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June 18, 2012

36% Give U.S. Supreme Court Positive Ratings on Job Performance

Just over one-third of voters continue to have a positive view of the U.S. Supreme Court which is expected to rule any day now on the constitutionality of President Obama's national health care law.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the Supreme Court’s performance as good or excellent.  Seventeen percent (17%) say the high court is doing a poor job.  (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 national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on June 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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June 18, 2012

Michigan Senate: Stabenow Leads Top GOP Challengers

Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow earns 48% support against two of her likeliest Republican challengers in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at her reelection bid in Michigan.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows former Congressman Peter Hoekstra trailing by nine points, drawing 39% of the vote against the incumbent. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Michigan was conducted on June 14, 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.

June 18, 2012

52% Think Economy Will Be Unchanged or Weaker A Year From Now

Most Americans still believe the U.S. economy will be weaker or unchanged in a year’s time. Fewer than half expect the economy to be stronger even five years from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of American Adults now think the economy will be stronger in a year. That’s consistent with findings so far this year and more optimistic than Americans were throughout 2011. But 52% don’t share that optimism, including 38% who believe the economy will be weaker in a year’s time and 14% who predict it will be about the same. Thirteen percent (13%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 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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June 18, 2012

'Angry' Money Gives Funding Edge to GOP and Romney By Michael Barone

There has been a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth as, in the spring, it appeared that forces supporting Mitt Romney would be able to raise about as much money as those supporting Barack Obama. There's even more now that it seems likely that the pro-Romney side will raise and spend more money than the pro-Obama side.

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June 18, 2012

52% Want U.S. Supreme Court to Overturn Obama’s Health Care Law

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of this month on the constitutionality of President Obama’s health care law, and most voters hope the law is overturned.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters would like to see the Supreme Court overturn the health care law. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and want to see the high court uphold the law’s legality instead. (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 June 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.

June 17, 2012

17% Think Father’s Day Is One of America’s Most Important Holidays

Father’s Day still ranks pretty low in terms of the nation’s holidays, but Americans continue to feel strongly that being a father is the most important role a man can fill.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 17% of American Adults consider Father’s Day one of America’s most important holidays. Twenty-three percent (23%) rate it as one of the least important holidays, while 59% place it somewhere in between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This nationwide survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 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.

June 17, 2012

Just 27% Say Those Who Work Harder Make More Money

Most Americans still aren’t convinced that the harder you work, the more you get paid.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 27% believe that people who work harder generally make more money. Fifty-seven percent (57%) don’t believe that to be the case, while another 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 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.

June 16, 2012

53% in Wisconsin Now Approve Of Governor Walker’s Job Performance

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s approval ratings are up slightly following his victory in the state’s June 5 special recall election. Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely Voters in the Badger State now at least somewhat approve of the job Walker is doing as governor, according to a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey.  Forty-seven percent (47%) disapprove of his job performance.  Those figures include 45% who Strongly Approve and 39% who Strongly Disapprove.  (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 June 12, 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.

June 16, 2012

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending June 15, 2012

When is bad news not bad news? Or at least not as shocking as it sounds? This week, it was when the government announced that household net worth fell 40% between 2007 and 2010, but most Americans already knew that because they’ve been living it every day.

All Rasmussen Reports major economic indicators – consumer and investor confidence, housing, personal finances, employment, you name it – plunged in recent years and are still far from full recovery as Scott Rasmussen notes in his latest syndicated newspaper column. “Consumers rate their personal finances the same as they did on the day President Obama was inaugurated,” he explains. “If that doesn't improve by November, there's likely to be a new president in January.”

On Friday, the Rasmussen Consumer Index which measures daily consumer confidence fell to its lowest level in three-and-a-half months. Just 23% of consumers say their personal finances are improving, while nearly half (49%) say they are getting worse. Investors don’t feel much better.