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                            October 10, 2012Voters Trust Romney 50% to 43% Over Obama on Economy
Voters again trust Mitt Romney slightly more than President Obama on five major issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports. The widest gap in trust continues to be the economy where Romney has a seven-point lead.
The latest national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters trust Romney more than the president when it comes to handling the economy, the issue that remains number one among voters as Election Day approaches. Forty-three percent (43%) trust the president more. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 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.
October 10, 2012The Divided Era & the 2012 Election By Thomas Del Beccaro
We live in the Divided Era of American politics. Nearly equal numbers of people are now on the side of almost every political issue. This phenomenon of partisanship is neither accidental nor temporary. Throughout all of history, the larger the stakes the more divided a people and the larger the government, the larger the stakes. This year, the presidential election is taking America to new partisan heights.
October 10, 2012Mitt Romney, Big-Government Man By John Stossel
President Obama tanked in the last debate. Good.
Now maybe people will listen when Mitt Romney says things like, "The genius of America is the free enterprise system, and freedom, and the fact that people can go out there and start a business. ... The private market and individual responsibility always work best."

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                            October 10, 2012Nevada Senate: Heller (R) 48%, Berkley (D) 45%
Incumbent Republican Dean Heller still holds a small lead over his Democratic challenger, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, in Nevada’s hotly contested U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Nevada Voters shows Heller earning 48% support to Berkley’s 45%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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This Nevada survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on October 8, 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.

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                            October 9, 201260% Say There Are Too Many Lawyers in the U.S.
Most Americans say there are too many lawyers in the United States and that's it a bad thing most members of Congress are lawyers.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults say there are too may lawyers in America. Just 13% say there are not enough lawyers, but 14% say there are just the right amount. Another 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge! This week's entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET on Wednesday, October 10.
(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 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 30-October 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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                            October 9, 2012Connecticut: Obama 51%, Romney 45%
President Obama continues to lead Mitt Romney in Connecticut.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Obama with 51% support to 45% for Romney.  One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and three percent (3%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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This Connecticut survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on October 7, 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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                            October 9, 201257% Are More Likely to Buy A Ford Because Of the GM Bailout
The bailouts still rankle a lot of car buyers. More Americans than ever are more likely to buy a Ford because it's made by the one Big Three automaker who didn't take a federal government bailout. By the same measure, most Americans are still unlikely to buy a General Motors product.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults say the fact that Ford did not take bailout money makes them more likely to buy a Ford car. Only eight percent (8%) say that makes them less likely to buy Ford, while 32% say the bailout has no impact on their buying decisions. (To see survey question wording, click here).
Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge! This week's entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET on Wednesday, October 10.
(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 October 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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                            October 9, 2012Nevada: Romney 47%, Obama 47%
President Obama and Mitt Romney are now tied in Nevada.
The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Nevada Voters shows both candidates with 47% support. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and three percent (3%) more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
 
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Sign up for The Rasmussen Reader, now just $24.95 for a 12-month subscription. Offer good through October 1, 2012. 
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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Nevada was conducted on October 8, 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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                            October 9, 201255% Still Think Obama Is The Likely Winner in November
Despite his stumbling debate performance, President Obama is still considered the favorite in the race for the White House.
Fifty-five percent (55%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe that regardless of who they want to win, Obama is most likely to win the presidential election this year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% think his Republican challenger Mitt Romney is the most likely winner. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Take the Rasmussen Challenge for a chance to win an IPad. Today’s challenge asks you to guess what percentage of Americans think colleges should ban fraternities and sororities.
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 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.
October 9, 2012Highly Debatable: The Big Liar's Biggest Lies By Joe Conason
"It's not easy to debate a liar," complained an email from one observer of the first presidential debate -- and there was no question about which candidate he meant. Prevarication, falsification, fabrication are all familiar tactics that have been employed by Mitt Romney without much consequence to him ever since he entered public life, thanks to the inviolable taboo in the mainstream media against calling out a liar (unless, of course, he lies about sex).

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                            October 9, 2012Connecticut Senate: Murphy (D) 51%, McMahon (R) 46%
Democratic Congressman Chris Murphy has now moved to five-point lead over Republican businesswoman Linda McMahon in Connecticut’s U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Connecticut Voters shows Murphy with 51% of the vote, while McMahon earns 46% support. Two percent (2%) favor another candidate in the race, and one percent (1%) is undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The two candidates met in their first debate late Sunday morning. This poll was conducted later that day.
Additionally, Murphy’s lead is largely derived from “leaners.” These are people who initially indicate no preference for either of the candidates but indicate they are leaning towards one candidate when asked a follow-up question. Without leaners, it’s Murphy 46% and McMahon 45%. This is consistent with the notion that the state’s underlying Democratic tilt will help Murphy in the final analysis.
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This Connecticut survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on October 7, 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.
October 9, 2012Mitt's Master Act Not Beloved by All By Froma Harrop
It can't be by accident that Obama campaign adviser Robert Gibbs made the Sunday talk-show rounds using the word "masterful" to describe Mitt Romney's performance at the presidential debate. True, President Obama looked tired, while Romney was brimming with old ideas. But Romney's master-of-the-universe act was not universally admired. It will be turned on him.

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                            October 8, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 44%, Republicans 43%
Democrats now lead Republicans by one point on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending October 7, 2012.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 43% would choose the Republican instead.
(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 Reports from October 1-7, 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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                            October 8, 201258% Think Government Workers Make More Than Those in Private Sector
Most Americans continue to believe that government employees don't work as hard as those in the private sector but earn more money and have more job security anyway. Sixty-four percent (64%) of American Adults say workers in the private sector work harder than government employees, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 11% think government workers work harder, while 25% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How are you doing in the Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.  A new challenge will begin tomorrow.
(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 October 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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                            October 8, 2012Florida Senate:  Nelson (D) 52%, Mack (R) 41%
Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson is pulling away in Florida’s U.S. Senate race, now crossing the 50% mark for the first time.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Sunshine State finds Nelson earning 52% of the vote, while Republican Connie Mack picks up 41% support.  One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How are you doing in the Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.  A new challenge will begin tomorrow.
(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 Florida was conducted on October 4, 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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                            October 8, 2012Colorado: Obama 49%, Romney 48%
The Colorado presidential race remains neck-and-neck as President Obama moves slightly ahead of Mitt Romney for the first time this year.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Colorado Voters shows the president with 49% of the vote to Romney’s 48%. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How are you doing in the Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard. A new challenge will begin tomorrow.
(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 Colorado was conducted on October 7, 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  onducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
October 8, 2012Romney's Debate Win Opens Cracks in Obama Firewall By Michael Barone
Wednesday night's presidential debate in which Mitt Romney shellacked Barack Obama attracted the biggest audience since the debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan seven days before the 1980 election.

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                            October 8, 2012Iowa: Obama 49%, Romney 47%
President Obama is up slightly in the battleground state of Iowa.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters shows the president with 49% support to Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s 47%. One percent (1%) likes some other candidate, and two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on October 7, 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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                            October 8, 201254% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law
Most voters continue to favor repeal of President Obama’s national health care law, with fewer than one-in-five who believe the law will reduce health care costs as its supporters promised.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters favor repeal of the health care law, while 39% oppose it. This includes 43% who Strongly Favor repeal and 31% who are Strongly Opposed. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
 
Win an IPad. Take the Rasmussen Challenge.
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 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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                            October 7, 2012In Crowded Field, Football Fans Make 49ers Top Super Bowl Pick
There’s a lot of football to be played before the replacement referees are forgotten and the Super Bowl champion is determined, but the early fan favorites are the San Francisco 49ers. However, there are a lot of teams in the hunt.
Fifteen percent (15%) of National Football League fans expect the ‘Niners to rebound from last year’s tough loss in the NFC Championship game and go all the way this year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twelve percent (12%) think Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are likely to win yet another title this year. The Patriots won the AFC last year before losing in the Super Bowl. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Eleven percent (11%) pick the Houston Texans. The Baltimore Ravens (10%) and Green Bay Packers (10%) are the only other teams with double digit support.
Five percent (5%) think the defending champs, the New York Giants, will win for the second year in a row.
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 643 Professional Football Fans was conducted on October 4, 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.