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                            August 19, 2012Just 15% Are Paying Higher Interest Rates Than A Year Ago
Fewer adults than ever now report than they are paying higher interest rates than they were one year ago, and expectations that those rates will be higher in a year's time are at their lowest level this year.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% now say they are paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago. That's down from 22% in July and the lowest finding in over three years of regular surveying on the question. The same number (15%) also report that they are paying lower rates than a year ago, but most (57%) say they are paying about the same rate. (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 August 11-12, 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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                            August 19, 201252% Plan To Spend More On School Shopping Than Last Year
Despite concerns about the economy and inflation, most Americans with school age children plan to spend more money getting them ready for school than they did a year ago. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Americans who have children of elementary and secondary school age plan on spending more this year on school clothing and back-to-school supplies than they did a year ago. That compares to 40% at this time last year.
Twenty-nine percent (29%) think they will spend less this year, while 18% plan to spend about the same amount as they did a year 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 was conducted on August 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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                            August 18, 2012Better Qualified To Serve As President? 42% Say Ryan, 40% Biden
Voters are evenly divided as to whether Paul Ryan or Joe Biden is better qualified to serve as president. Not surprisingly, there’s a huge partisan divide on the issue. Forty-two percent (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters say Ryan’s more qualified to be the chief executive, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But nearly as many (40%) think Biden is a better fit for the job. Eighteen percent (18%) 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 was conducted on August 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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                            August 18, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending August 18, 2012
The vice presidential candidates attracted a little more news than usual this past week.
After Mitt Romney named Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan to be his running mate, Vice President Joe Biden made some high-profile gaffes. New polling finds voters are evenly divided as to which man is better qualified to be president if necessary. 
Mitt Romney announced Ryan as his running mate on Saturday, and following the resulting blast of media exposure, Ryan’s favorables are up. Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters now have a favorable opinion of him, compared to 39% just prior to Romney’s announcement.

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                            August 17, 2012Most Americans Underestimate the Tax Burden
One of the more remarkable features of the political landscape remains the fact that most Americans believe the nation is overtaxed while dramatically underestimating the actual level of taxes paid.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey confirms that finding. If a person earns $60,000 a year, only 11% think that person would pay more than $15,000 in payroll and income taxes. In reality, while the amount would vary depending upon the circumstances of the individual, the actual tax burden would be higher than that amount.
As a starting point, such a salary would generate $4,590 in payroll taxes. Recommended withholding for such a salary range from $7,000 to $10,000 before inclusion of state taxes. Overall, even if the worker only paid 17% in combined state and federal income taxes, their total payments would top the $15,000 mark.
Nine percent (9%) think the total tax bill would be less than $5,000 annually. That barely covers the cost of the payroll taxes. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think the total would be between $5,000 and $10,000, while 17% estimate a tax burden between $10,000 and $15,000. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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                            August 17, 201247% Say Public Schools Best Option For Students, 39% Rate Them The Worst
Many Americans continue to give the public school system in the United States poor marks, but they still tend to think public schools are better than private schools and home schooling.   A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (47%) of American Adults believes public school is best for students. Thirty-five percent (35%) rate private school the best, while 11% think home schooling is the way to go.  (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 August 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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                            August 17, 2012Wisconsin Senate: Thompson (R) 54%, Baldwin (D) 43%
After a hard-fought primary win on Tuesday, Republican Tommy Thompson now holds a double-digit lead over Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters shows Thompson with 54% of the vote to Baldwin’s 43%. One percent (1%) prefer some other candidate, and three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Sign up for The Rasmussen Reader, now just $24.95 for a 12-month subscription. Offer good through October 1, 2012.
(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 August 15, 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.
August 17, 2012Ryan's Hope: Voodoo Economics Still Isn't a Plan By Joe Conason
By naming Paul Ryan as the Republican vice presidential nominee, Mitt Romney has endorsed what used to be known as "voodoo economics" -- and restored that special brand of Republican superstition to the center of national debate.
To take Ryan seriously, as all too many pundits and politicians insist we must, requires everyone to behave as if the plans he produced as House Budget Committee chairman represent a meaningful effort to improve the nation's fiscal future. Sooner or later, however, real analysts will scrutinize the Ryan budget using honest math instead of humbug and magic.
In fact, they already have done so -- and that is where the myth of Ryan as a serious, scrupulous and bold reformer begins to disintegrate.

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                            August 17, 2012Florida Senate: Nelson (D) 47%, Mack (R) 40%
Despite his impressive win in Tuesday’s state Republican Primary, Congressman Connie Mack trails Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson in Florida’s closely watched U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Florida Voters shows Nelson earning 47% support to Mack’s 40%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and 10% 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 Florida was conducted on August 15, 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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                            August 17, 2012Reaction to Ryan: A Gap Between Mainstream America and Official Washington By Scott Rasmussen
One of the things Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate ensures is a series of polling questions over the coming months asking voters what's more important: creating jobs or cutting government spending; helping the economy or cutting deficits; repealing the president's health care law or focusing on the economy.

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                            August 16, 2012On Economy, 45% Trust Republicans, 40% Democrats
Voters now trust Republicans slightly more than Democrats on eight of 10 important issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports, including the most important one:  the economy. 
The latest national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters trust Republicans more to handle the economy, while 40% place their trust in Democrats. (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.
Two national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on August 8-9 & 12-13, 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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                            August 16, 201240% Have Unfavorable View of Janet Napolitano
Now the subject of a lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and discrimination against male employees in the highest levels of her department, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano remains one of the most unpopular members of President Obama's Cabinet. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely Voters have an unfavorable opinion of the former Arizona governor, including 25% with a Very Unfavorable view of her. Just 27% regard Napolitano favorably, with nine percent (9%) who view her Very Favorably. One-out-of-three voters (34%) don’t know enough about Napolitano to offer any kind of opinion of her. (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 August 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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                            August 16, 2012Most Voters Don’t Expect Tax, Spending Cuts From Obama or Romney
Voters still think there’s a greater chance of higher taxes and more government spending if President Obama wins the election and his fellow Democrats take full control of Congress.  But most voters don’t expect Mitt Romney and congressional Republicans, even with budget hawk Paul Ryan on board, to cut taxes and spending if they take over.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters expect government spending to go up if Obama is reelected and Democrats regain control of Congress. Only eight percent (8%) think spending will go down, and 32% predict that it will stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            August 16, 2012Florida: Romney 45%, Obama 43%
Mitt Romney and President Obama still run nearly even in Florida just days after the Republican named Congressman Paul Ryan to be his running mate.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Florida shows Romney earning 45% support to the president’s 43%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) 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 Florida was conducted on August 15, 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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                            August 16, 2012Wisconsin: Romney 48%, Obama 47%
The presidential race in Wisconsin is a little tighter this month following Mitt Romney's selection of hometown Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate.
The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Romney with 48% support to President Obama’s 47%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, 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.
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on August 15, 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.
August 16, 2012The Mixed Legacy of Helen Gurley Brown By Froma Harrop
It took a poor girl from the Ozarks to look upon the candy store of sex and money that was postwar urban America and rearrange the shelves. Helen Gurley Brown was she, the brains behind the racy Cosmopolitan magazine empire and author of the 1962 sensation "Sex and the Single Girl." Was her influence good, bad or an in-between thing? Answer to come.

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                            August 16, 201264% Favor Use of Surveillance Cameras in Public Places
Americans continue to favor the widespread use of surveillance cameras for safety and security purposes except at traffic lights.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of American Adults believe there should be surveillance cameras at all major public spaces such as train stations, parks and sports stadiums. Only 27% disagree and oppose the widespread use of such cameras. (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 August 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.
August 15, 201229% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction
Twenty-nine percent (29%) 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, August 12.
The latest finding is up two points from the previous week.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports August 6-12, 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.

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                            August 15, 201254% Say Most School Textbooks More Concerned With Political Correctness Than Accuracy
A majority of Americans continues to feel school textbooks focus more on political correctness than on the accuracy of the information. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Adults think school textbooks are more concerned about presenting information in a politically correct manner. Twenty-two percent (22%) think most textbooks are more concerned with accurately providing information. Both findings are down slightly from October of last year. Twenty-four percent (24%) 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on August 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.

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                            August 15, 201283% Are Confident Their Power Company Can Handle High Demand
Extreme weather and high demand have been causing major power outages around the country over the past year, but most Americans are confident that their utility company can meet the challenge. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 83% are confident the company that provides their electricity can handle the high power demands of heat waves and cold snaps. That includes 37% who are Very Confident. Just 11% don’t share that confidence. (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 August 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.