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July 16, 2012

42% Say They Cheated on a Test or Exam in School

New York City's school system is the latest to be hit with a major cheating scandal, but Americans nationwide believe most students cheat at least one time in school. A sizable number admits to cheating themselves.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 70% believe most students cheat at least once in school. Just 12% disagree with that assessment, but 17% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 12-13, 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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July 16, 2012

41% See Romney’s Business Record As a Positive, 41% Disagree

Voters are now evenly divided over whether Mitt Romney’s business experience is a plus or a minus, but they still consider him more ethical than President Obama.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters now think Romney’s track record in business is primarily a reason to vote for him, while just as many (41%) consider it chiefly a reason to vote against him. A sizable 18% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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July 16, 2012

54% Think Health Care Law Will Drive Up Costs; 52% Favor Repeal

Most voters continue to believe President Obama’s health care law will drive up the cost of health care and increase the federal deficit. Most still favor repeal of the law, too. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of Likely U.S. Votes at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, with 41% who are Strongly Favor it. Forty-two percent (42%) are at least somewhat opposed to repeal, with 32% who are Strongly Opposed. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 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.

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July 16, 2012

Like Charter Schools, Britain's Academies Aim High by Michael Barone

1776 is a number with great resonance for Americans, but not one you expect to be featured on a British government website.

July 16, 2012

66% Believe U.S. Has Too Much Government Power, Too Little Freedom

From the beginning of the nation, Americans have recognized a necessary tension between giving power to government and maintaining individual freedom. The Federalist Papers, written to advocate ratification of the Constitution, noted that when creating a government “the people must cede to it some of their natural rights in order to vest it with requisite powers.”

Today, however, 66% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that there is too much government power and too little individual freedom. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) believe the opposite to be true. Twenty-two percent (22%) think the balance is about right.  (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 July 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.

July 15, 2012

66% Are Happy With Their Lives

Most Americans are happy with their lives and don't think money made them that way. But the majority also think rich people earned what they have by working for it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of American Adults are not happy with how their lives are going. But two-out-of-three (66%) disagree and are happy with their lives. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 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.

July 15, 2012

North Dakota Governor: Dalrymple (R) 61%, Taylor (D) 26%

In Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the North Dakota gubernatorial race, Republican incumbent Jack Dalrymple holds a commanding lead over his Democratic challenger. 

A new telephone survey of Likely North Dakota Voters finds Dalrymple earning 61% of the vote to Ryan Taylor's 26%.  One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and 11% 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 400 Likely Voters in North Dakota was conducted on July 10-11, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 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.

July 14, 2012

38% Express Confidence In Fed To Keep Inflation, Interest Rates In Check

Americans’ confidence in the Federal Reserve Board keeping inflation under control is the lowest its been in 2012, as many continue to report paying more for groceries now compared to last year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 38% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Fed can keep inflation under control and interest rates down, including just 13% who are Very Confident. Fifty-six percent (56%) lack confidence in the Fed in this area, with 22% who are Not At All Confident. (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 July 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.

July 14, 2012

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending July 14, 2012

Election Day is less than four months away, and Rasmussen Reports this week opened its Election 2012 roundup page to bring you the one stop you’ll need to make every day for the latest in political polling news. It features our breaking news polls, in-depth looks at how the presidential candidates stack up the Electoral College, how Senate races nationwide are going, even the Twitter feeds from the candidates themselves.

President Obama and Mitt Romney continue to run neck-and-neck in our daily Presidential Tracking Poll. But right now, Rasmussen Reports Electoral College Projections show states with 207 Electoral Votes in President Obama’s column, while states with 170 Electoral Voters are projected to go for Mitt Romney. When leaners are included, it’s Obama 247, Romney 191. Seven states, with 100 Electoral College votes, are currently rated as Toss-Ups. 

One of those toss-ups is the key swing state of Florida where new polling finds Romney with 46% support to Obama’s 45%. This is little changed since April after the president posted slight leads earlier in the year.

Romney's well ahead in North Dakota – 51% to 36% - a state that’s considered Safe Republican. Republican Congressman Rick Berg is leading former state Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp by nine points – 49% to 40% - in the U.S. Senate race in North Dakota.

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July 13, 2012

60% Say Congress Doing Poor Job

Positive ratings for Congress continue to hover in the single digits, and a plurality of voters still believes most members of the national legislature are corrupt.  

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that just seven percent (7%) say Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Sixty percent (60%) say the legislators are doing a poor job, a slight improvement from the last several months. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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.

July 13, 2012

North Dakota: Romney 51%, Obama 36%

Mitt Romney's well ahead in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the presidential race in North Dakota. 

A new telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Romney earning 51% support to President Obama’s 36%. Six percent (6%) prefers some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 400 Likely Voters in North Dakota was conducted on July 10-11, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 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.

July 13, 2012

Obama Position on Extending Tax Cuts Tops GOP Proposal

Most voters favor temporarily extending the so-called Bush tax cuts for those who earn less than $250,000 a year but are less enthusiastic about continuing those tax cuts permanently for all Americans.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with President Obama’s plan to extend the tax cuts for a year for those who make less than $250,000 annually. Just 20% oppose this temporary extension, and 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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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July 13, 2012

If We're Headed Toward Greece, Republicans Are Driving Us There By Joe Conason

When Sen. Lindsey Graham told reporters on Tuesday that Mitt Romney's foreign investment accounts don't trouble him because "it's really American to avoid paying taxes," he must not have realized that he was calling his party's nominee-to-be a liar.

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July 13, 2012

47% Think U.S. and Allies Are Winning War on Terror

Confidence in how the United States is doing in the War on Terror has fallen to its lowest level this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror. That's down from 51% last month and the lowest finding since November.  Fifteen percent (15%) say the terrorists are winning. Twenty-nine percent (29%) feel neither side is ahead, also the highest finding since November. (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 July 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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July 13, 2012

An Over/Under on Democratic House Gains By Kyle Kondik

In sports betting parlance, an “over/under” is a bet on whether there will be more or less of a given statistic in a certain game. So, in a football game, say the over/under is 50; gamblers would bet whether the total points scored would be more or less than 50. We include this reference just to make sure readers know what we’re talking about here, and also to include a regular Crystal Ball disclaimer: It’s our policy to never bet money on elections because we do not want to compromise our ratings.

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July 13, 2012

Why Obama's Still in the Race Despite the Bad Economy By Scott Rasmussen

There are plenty of reasons that the economy is the most important issue of Election 2012. Unemployment has remained high for a long time, and even 27 percent of those who have a job are worried about losing it.

July 12, 2012

Most Still Not Confident Social Security Will Pay All Promised Benefits

Voters continue to lack faith in the Social Security system and do not believe they will see all they've been promised.

Just 40% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that Social Security will pay them all their promised benefits in their lifetime, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Fifty-six percent (56%) don't share that confidence.  These findings include only 14% who are Very Confident that Social Security will pay them all their benefits and 27% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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.

July 12, 2012

North Dakota Senate: Berg (R) 49%, Heitkamp (D) 40%

Republican Congressman Rick Berg is leading former state Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp by nine points in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the U.S. Senate race in North Dakota.

A new telephone survey of Likely North Dakota Voters shows Berg with 49% support to Heitkamp’s 40%. Two percent (2%) prefer 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 400 Likely Voters in North Dakota was conducted on July 10-11, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 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.

July 12, 2012

43% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Confidence in the stability of the U.S. banking system has fallen to its lowest level in over a year of monthly tracking.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today.  That’s down from 46% last month and from a recent high of 50% in May. By comparison, however, in July 2008 just before the Wall Street meltdown, 68% were confident in the banking system.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 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.

July 12, 2012

Most Americans Define $50,000-A-Year As Middle Income

So how much money do you have to earn to be a part of the middle class, and when would most Americans consider you wealthy?

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults consider $50,000 a year middle income, while 32% describe it as lower income. That hasn’t changed since the last time Rasmussen reports asked these questions in March 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 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.