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                            January 26, 2013What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls  -- Week Ending January 26, 2013
President Obama remains a popular leader, but voters are less certain about the activist big government he championed Monday in his second inaugural address.
A plurality (45%) of voters, for example, continues to believe the financial bailouts were a bad move, and they prefer an economic system with more competition and less government regulation moving forward. 
The president has called for more government help for homeowners with mortgage problems, but only 18% of Americans believe the government should assist those who cannot afford their increased mortgage payments. That ties the lowest level of support ever.

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                            January 25, 201342% Give Obama Positive Marks for Job Creation
Voters give President Obama mixed marks in the areas of job creation and small business, but predictably there's wide partisan disagreement.

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                            January 25, 201345% Favor Replacing Income Tax with National Sales Tax
Voters still like the idea of replacing the federal income tax with a national sales tax, even though they aren’t so sure it's a better way to raise money for the government.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults favor a proposal to eliminate the federal income tax and replace it with a national sales tax. Thirty-four percent (34%) are opposed, while 21% 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 January 22-23, 2013 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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                            January 25, 201359% Still Favor Building the Keystone XL Oil Pipeline
Most voters continue to favor construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline and still think building the oil pipeline from western Canada to Texas will be good for the U.S. economy. But voters express more uncertainty about the environmental impact of the pipeline than they did in earlier surveys.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters favor building the pipeline, while 28% are opposed. This includes 34% who Strongly Favor the pipeline and 10% who Strongly Oppose it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to find out.
(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 January 23-24, 2013 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.
January 25, 2013The Thinking Gets Better, the Second Term Around : A Commentary by Froma Harrop
The Obama administration initially billed France about $18 million to cover U.S. military support for its mission in Mali, while Canada offered similar services at no cost.
January 25, 2013Echoes of FDR: Obama's Inspiring Address Links Freedom With Security and Dignity By Joe Conason
So much for the "Grand Bargain" -- or at least for the not-so-grand gutting of Social Security and Medicare that the "very serious" thought-leaders of Washington political and media circles have always found so appealing. Whatever President Obama may have contemplated up until now, his second inaugural address, delivered yesterday on the steps of the Capitol, bluntly repudiated Republican arguments against the social safety net -- and forcefully identified those popular programs with the most sacred American values.
"We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity," said Obama -- not only because it is the responsibility we have to each other as human beings, but because security and dignity, for every man, woman, and child, are the existential foundations of freedom.
January 25, 2013Obama Inaugural: Full of Audacity, but Little Hope By Michael Barone
Commentators both left and right agree that Barack Obama's second inaugural speech Monday was highly partisan, with shoutouts to his constituencies on the left and defiance of his critics on the right.   

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                            January 25, 2013Politicians Need to Catch Up When It Comes to the People's Money By Scott Rasmussen
President Obama in his inaugural address made it clear he intends to protect the nation's entitlement programs. In the world of Washington politics, this amounts to a pledge that the president will make sure that no changes will be made to programs like Social Security and Medicare.

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                            January 24, 2013Just 18% Back Government Assistance For Struggling Homeowners
Support for government assistance for Americans who can’t afford their increased mortgage payments ties its all-time low. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 18% of American Adults believe the government should assist those who cannot afford their increased mortgage payments. Most (67%) think those struggling homeowners should sell their homes and find less expensive ones. Another 15% 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 January 20-21, 2013 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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                            January 24, 201368% Support Five-Year Lobbying Ban for Congress
It’s known as Washington’s “revolving door”:  When members of Congress lose their seat or resign, many end up still working the halls of Capitol Hill but doing it as lobbyists.
But 68% of Likely U.S. Voters believe members of Congress should be banned from lobbying for five years after they leave office. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 14% disagree, while 17% 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 Likely Voters was conducted on January 19-20, 2013 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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                            January 24, 2013Americans Oppose A National Sales Tax – Unless Social Security’s At Stake
Americans continue to oppose the creation of a national sales tax to raise more money for the government – unless it’s used to keep Social Security benefits the way they are now.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% of Adults favor a national sales tax on all goods and services. Sixty-two percent (62%) oppose the creation of such a tax. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to find out.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 22-23, 2013 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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                            January 24, 201379% Expect A Woman President In Next 25 Years
Some think it's already long overdue, but voters strongly believe that it won’t be long before this country has a woman president.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 79% of Likely U.S. Voters think a woman will be elected president of the United States in the next 25 years. Only eight percent (8%) disagree. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to find out.
(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 Likely Voters was conducted on January 17-18, 2013 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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                            January 23, 201335% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty-five percent (35%) 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, January 20.
The latest finding is down a point from the previous week and down eight points from 43% the week prior to President Obama’s reelection, the highest level measured in over five years of weekly tracking. Only 26% said the country was heading in the right direction this time last year. 
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. This week’s answers will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.
The national telephone survey of 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen January 14-20, 2013. 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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                            January 23, 201345% Say Bailouts of Financial Industry Bad for U.S.
A plurality of voters continues to believe the financial bailouts were a bad move, and they prefer an economic system with more competition and less regulation moving forward.

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                            January 23, 201329% Expect Home's Value To Go Up Over Next Year
Homeowners remain more confident about both the short- and long-term housing market than they have been in several years. Most still believe their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage, and fewer homeowners than ever expect to miss or be late with a mortgage payment in the next six months
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of homeowners think the value of their home will go up over the next year. That's down slightly from a high of 31% in December but is the second highest level of confidence in the short-term housing market since April 2010. Only 15% expect their home's value to go down over the next 12 months, down four points from last month and the lowest level of pessimism in nearly four years of regular surveying. Most (52%) think their home’s value will remain about the same. (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 713 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on January 20-21, 2013 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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                            January 23, 201331% Favor Eliminating A State’s Income Tax In Exchange for Higher Sales Taxes
Voters are evenly divided over whether their state taxes are too high or about right, and they aren’t enthusiastic about proposals by several governors to eliminate state income taxes in exchange for higher sales taxes.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s a good idea to swap income taxes for sales taxes. But 41% disagree and don’t think it’s a good idea to eliminate a state’s income tax in exchange for a higher sales tax. Twenty-eight percent (28%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge . This week’s answers will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. 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.
This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 21-22, 2013 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. 
January 23, 2013Shopping Around for a Better Life By John Stossel
Thanks, California! Thanks for your monstrous spending and absurd regulatory overreach! America needs you. We need Connecticut and Illinois, too! We need you the way we needed the Soviet Union, as models of failure, to warn us what happens if we believe those who say, "Government can."
Moving to California was once the dream for many Americans. Its population grew at almost triple the national average -- until 1990. Then big government, in the form of endless regulation and taxes, killed much of the dream. In the last decade, 2 million people left California.

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                            January 23, 201352% Believe Most Get Rich By Working Hard
Some believe that most people get rich by inheriting money or by getting lucky. Others think the path to riches is hard work.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just over half (52%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe hard work is the path most follow to riches. Twenty-eight percent (28%) think most get rich by inheriting money, and nine percent (9%) see luck as the key factor. (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 Likely Voters was conducted on January 17-18, 2013 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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                            January 22, 201336% View Marco Rubio Favorably
Immigration reform will be a major focus of both parties in Washington this year, and voters still have mixed feelings about the senator leading the charge on the issue from the Republican side. Meanwhile, a prominent GOP figure on federal budget matters is viewed less favorably than before his unsuccessful bid for the vice presidency.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of Likely Voters view Florida Senator Marco Rubio favorably, including 16% who view him Very Favorably. Thirty-two percent (32%) share an unfavorable opinion of the senator, including 12% with a Very Unfavorable one. Another 32% are undecided about the man many see as a contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. (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 January 17-18, 2013 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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                            January 22, 201380% Think Lower Tuition Costs Would Help Students More Than Easier Loan Access
Most Americans believe the availability of student loans has helped push up the cost of going to college and that lowering those tuitions would do more for students than granting easier access to loans.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults now think the availability of student loans has helped increase college tuition costs. That's up four points from 48% last April.  Just 17% disagree, but a sizable 31% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Eighty percent (80%) believe lower tuition costs would help students more than easier access to student loans. Only 14% think easier access to loans would help more.
Win an iPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. A new question is available today.
(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 January 18-19, 2013 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.