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June 7, 2012

49% Say Medicare Is a Good Deal for Working Americans

More voters than ever feel Medicare is beneficial to working Americans, but most still lack confidence that the government-run health insurance program will make good on all its promised benefits. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think Medicare is a good deal for working Americans today. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, and 23% more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 3-4, 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.

June 7, 2012

29% Expect Cure for Cancer in Next 10 Years

A new breast cancer drug known as a “smart bomb” is making headlines as the next big thing in treating the disease.  But most Americans are still not optimistic that a cure for cancer will be found in the near future.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29%of American Adults think there will be a cancer cure in the next 10 years, unchanged from October 2009.  Forty-four percent (44%) do not think there will be a cure in the next decade, up six points from the earlier survey. Twenty-seven percent (27%) 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 American Adults was conducted on June 4-5, 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 7, 2012

Colorado: Obama 45%, Romney 45%

President Obama and Mitt Romney are neck-and-neck in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the presidential race in Colorado.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows both the president and his likely Republican challenger receiving 45% support in the Centennial State. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Colorado was conducted on June 6, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

June 7, 2012

Voter Support for U.S. Involvement in Syria Remains Low

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton again today called on Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down as anti-government violence continues in his country. But most U.S. voters still think America should stay out of the situation in Syria.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 20% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States should get more involved in the Syrian crisis. Fifty percent (50%) say America should leave the situation there alone, although that’s down six points from February. Thirty percent (30%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 5-6, 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 7, 2012

West of Wisconsin By Froma Harrop

My right-wing friend, ginned up (literally) from his team's impending "victory" in Wisconsin, called me on Tuesday night. I took some of his glow off by noting that I, too, would have been hard-pressed to remove a governor who had committed no crime. Opposition to the recall did not necessarily signal affection for Gov. Scott Walker. Furthermore, I expressed my satisfaction in the electoral reforms being tried in California, changes that would weaken the partisan clubhouse in which my friend found political and social refuge.

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June 7, 2012

Walker Changes Attitudes on Public Employee Unions By Michael Barone

The results are in, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has beaten Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in the recall election. That's in line with pre-election polling, though not the Election Day exit poll. Even before the results came in, we knew one thing, and that is that the Democrats and the public employee unions had already lost the battle of ideas over the issue that sparked the recall, Walker's legislation to restrict the bargaining powers of public employee unions.

June 7, 2012

New High: 41% Favor One-Party Rule in Washington, D.C.

Partisan feelings are at an all-time high this election year: More voters than ever like the idea of one party running the whole show in Washington, D.C.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s better for the country with one political party in charge of both the White House and Congress. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree and feel the country is better off with each branch of government being run by a different party. One-in-four voters (25%) 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 U.S. Voters was conducted on June 3-4, 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 6, 2012

31% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

For the second week in a row, 31% 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, June 3.

From July 25 through December 11 of last year, the number of voters who were confident in the nation's current course resembled levels measured in the final months of the George W. Bush administration, remaining in the narrow range of 14% to 19%. That finding began climbing in early January of this year, along with gains in economic confidence, to a high of 34% in the second week of February and has hovered around 30% ever since.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports May 28-June 3, 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.

June 6, 2012

69% View Queen Elizabeth II Favorably

Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this week after serving 60 years on the throne of the United Kingdom. It’s a momentous occasion for Great Britain, in particular, and even though Americans aren’t following as closely, they still feel the royal family is an important British symbol.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Queen Elizabeth, including 23% with a Very Favorable one. Just 15% view her somewhat or Not Very Favorably, while slightly more (17%) have no opinion of the long-serving monarch. (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 American Adults was conducted on June 4-5, 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 6, 2012

34% Say Government Should Do Nothing for Long-Term Unemployed

As the national jobs rate continues to show little movement, most Americans still prefer short-term government solutions for the unemployed or none at all.

Twenty-seven percent (27%) of Americans believe in ongoing federal aid for those who can’t find work over an extended period of time, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This number includes 13% who think the government should hire those people and 14% who support extending unemployment benefits indefinitely. Another 27% believe the government should pay for their retraining, while 34% say the government should do nothing at all. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 2-3, 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 6, 2012

Voters Think Obama, Dems More Likely To Raise Taxes, Spending Than Romney, GOP

Voters are much more convinced that taxes and spending will go up if President Obama is reelected and Democrats regain control of Congress than if Republicans win in November. But they’re not so sure the GOP will cut taxes and spending if it’s in charge. Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters think taxes will go up if Obama is returned to the White House and Democrats take over Congress, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 31% expect taxes to go up if Mitt Romney is elected and Republicans take control of the House and Senate. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 3-4, 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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June 6, 2012

Uncertainty Paralysis By John Stossel

President Obama would do us all a big favor if he'd ask himself this: "Would I start or expand a business without knowing what regulations or taxes government will impose next year?"

June 6, 2012

80% Oppose U.N. Control of the Internet

Russia, China and several Arab countries are pushing for international control of the Internet through the United Nations, but U.S. voters overwhelmingly oppose the idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of Likely U.S. Voters think an agency of the United Nations should be given the authority to regulate the Internet. Eighty percent (80%) oppose U.N. control of the international computer communications network. Fifteen percent (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 Likely Voters was conducted on June 1-2, 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 5, 2012

Clinton Remains the Most Popular Cabinet Member, Holder the Least

Hillary Clinton continues to be the most favored member of President Obama’s Cabinet, and she’s also the most well-known.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of the secretary of State. Conversely, just seven percent (7%) hold a favorable view of the newest Cabinet member, Chief of Staff Jack Lew.

To see favorability ratings for all Cabinet members, click here.

Attorney General Eric Holder is the least-liked Cabinet member, with 47% of voters who share an unfavorable opinion of him. Holder has been at the center of several controversies while in office.

Clinton, Holder, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner are the only Cabinet members who are recognized by more than 50% of voters. In the case of all the other Cabinet members, the majority of voters do not know enough about them to formulate an opinion.

June 5, 2012

32% Say U.S. Job Market Better Than Year Ago

Despite last week’s disappointing government report on job creation, Americans are expressing more optimism about the job market than they have in well over a year. But three-out-of-four Americans still know someone who's out of work and looking for a job, and a sizable number know someone who's given up looking out of frustration.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 32% believe the job market is better today than it was a year ago. Nearly as many (29%) say the job market is worse than last year, while 36% say it’s about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 2-3, 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 5, 2012

Just 7% Say Congress Doing Good Or Excellent Job

Positive ratings for Congress remain in single digits as they have been for the past year of regular tracking. 

Just seven percent (7%) of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the job Congress is doing as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Sixty-three percent (63%) say Congress is doing a poor job. That's virtually unchanged from last month and consistent with regular surveying since April 2011. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 1-2, 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 5, 2012

51% View Facebook Unfavorably; 48% Question IPO Process

The uproar over Facebook’s first public stock offering has soured perceptions of the social networking service, perhaps in part because of suspicions about the fairness of the stock selling process itself.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable view of Facebook, while 51% regard it at least somewhat unfavorably. The latter figure is up seven points from 44% in March. The new findings include just eight percent (8%) with a Very Favorable opinion of the social media service and 17% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 31-June 1, 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 5, 2012

Turbulent Tykes Torture Other Travelers By Froma Harrop

The now storied Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Miami has opened debate on unruly children in crowded airplanes. It seems a 3-year-old, having had his iPad removed in preparation for takeoff, threw a tantrum. Sitting with his father, Mark Yanchuk, little Daniel would not be calmed and refused to properly wear a seat belt. His mother, grandmother and a 1-year-old sibling had escaped to first class.

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June 5, 2012

Virginia Senate: Kaine (D) 46%, Allen (R) 44%

Democrat Tim Kaine has edged ahead for the first time since last fall in the U.S. Senate race in Virginia just before next week’s Republican primary brings the contest into clearer focus.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds the former governor with 46% to Republican George Allen’s 44%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) 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 500 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on June 3, 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 4, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 44%, Democrats 37%

Republicans lead Democrats by seven points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, June 3.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 37% would choose the Democrat instead. Republicans led by three points the week before, 42% to 39%.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from May 28-June 3, 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.