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May 11, 2012

48% Are Skeptical About Safety of Driverless Cars

Nevada this week became the first state to authorize the testing of driverless cars on its roads, streets and highways, but, perhaps not surprisingly, a sizable number of Americans question the safety of this new technology.  Very few anticipate owning such a car in the next 10 years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of American Adults believe it is at least somewhat likely that these so-called autonomous cars will be able to operate safely on roads and highways, but 48% disagree and think they won’t be safe. This includes 17% who think it’s Very Likely and 13% who say it’s Not At All Likely. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on May 9-10, 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.

May 11, 2012

New High: 68% Would Vote To Replace Entire Congress

Here’s some bad news for Washington: More voters than ever would vote to replace the entire Congress rather than keep it.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that, if given the choice, 68% of Likely Voters would vote to get rid of the entire Congress rather than keep them all on the job. Just 12% say they would vote to keep the entire Congress. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters U.S. Voters was conducted on May 8-9, 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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May 11, 2012

Wisconsin Senate: Thompson (R) 50%, Baldwin (D) 38%

Former Governor Tommy Thompson remains the leader in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race, while two other Republican contenders continue to struggle against Democratic hopeful Tammy Baldwin.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Wisconsin shows Thompson with 50% support to Baldwin’s 38%. Five percent (5%) like some other candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on May 9, 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.

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May 11, 2012

Let's Not Overreact to the Judd Mutiny By Kyle Kondik

We would make a joke about President Obama only taking 59% of the West Virginia primary vote against a federal prison inmate named Keith Judd, but every possible one was exhausted on Twitter by Wednesday morning. Suffice it to say, it was an embarrassing performance for the president, albeit in a state he has no chance of winning in November.

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May 11, 2012

What the China Crisis (and His Gay Crisis) Revealed About Mitt By Joe Conason

Just as aspiring judges ought to possess the quality known as "judicial temperament," a would-be president should have certain obvious attributes of mind and character. Two incidents tested Mitt Romney this week -- and both times, his ambition overwhelmed his judgment.

May 11, 2012

Lugar Loss Highlights Sour Relationship Between Voters and Politicians By Scott Rasmussen

When relationships go bad, an early warning sign is that one side doesn't really hear what the other is saying.

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May 10, 2012

Radio Update: Walker Leads in Recall Fight

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

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May 10, 2012

Radio Update: No Matter How Bad Things Are, Voters Believe Congress Can Always Make It Worse

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

May 10, 2012

37% Give Obama Positive Marks on Economic Issues

Voter ratings for the president’s performance on economic issues remains relatively steady despite last Friday’s disappointing government report on job creation. Voters also hold consistent views on the president’s leadership and handling of national security issues.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of Likely Voters nationwide offer President Obama good or excellent marks on his handling of economic issues, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. Forty-eight percent (48%) say the president is doing a poor job handling these issues. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Two surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide were conducted on May 4-5 and 8-9, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for each survey 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.

May 10, 2012

Majority of Americans Have Unfavorable Views of Greece, France

Following their historical elections and amidst ongoing economic struggles, many Americans do not have a favorable opinion of Greece or France.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults have at least a somewhat favorable view of France, including just eight percent (8%) with a very favorable view of the nation. Fifty-six percent (56%) hold an unfavorable view of France, including 23% who view the country Very Unfavorably. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on May 7-8, 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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May 10, 2012

Radio Update: Americans Worried About Impact of Europe's Problems on US Economy

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

May 10, 2012

65% Angry At Government’s Current Policies

Two-out-of-three voters are fed up with the current policies of the federal government, and a majority feels neither Republicans nor Democrats know what is best for the people. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat angry at the current policies of the federal government, including 37% who are Very Angry.  Thirty-one percent (31%) don’t share that anger, with 10% who are Not At All Angry.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

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May 10, 2012

Wisconsin Recall Election: Walker 50%, Barrett 45%

Embattled Republican Governor Scott Walker holds a five-point lead over his newly nominated Democratic challenger Tom Barrett in Wisconsin’s special recall election.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey shows that 50% of the state’s Likely Voters prefer Walker while 45% choose Barrett. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate and another two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on May 9, 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.

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May 10, 2012

Education Should Have Second and Third Acts By Froma Harrop

On the HBO series "Girls," Hannah asks her boss at a publishing house for a salary. The 24-year-old has been working as an unpaid intern for over a year, and her parents will no longer support her.

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May 10, 2012

Long, Hard Slog Ahead in Presidential Race By Michael Barone

Just as the political air is filled with talk of the inevitability of Barack Obama's re-election -- we are told that the kids at his Chicago headquarters are brimming with confidence -- in come some poll numbers showing him behind.

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May 10, 2012

A Senate That’s Fit to Be Tied? Updating the Battle for Congress By Larry J. Sabato and Kyle Kondik

Some analysts have been making the case that 2012 is going to turn decisively one way or the other — perhaps evolving into a 2008-style margin for Democrats or Republicans.

May 10, 2012

84% Don't Think The United States Should Bailout Europe

While the European economy remains troubled, most Americans feel the United States should not intervene, but they do believe poor economic conditions overseas directly affects the U.S. economy. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults do not think the United States should provide funding to help bailout France and other European countries. Only eight percent (8%) think the United States should provide bailout funding to Europe.  (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 May 7-8, 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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May 9, 2012

Radio Update: Following Jobs Report, Consumer Confidence Down but Not Out

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

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May 9, 2012

Radio Update: Long-Term Optimism About Economy Hits New Low

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

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May 9, 2012

Radio Update: Romney 49% Obama 44%

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.