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August 1, 2012Missouri: McCaskill Still Trails, But Closes Gap
Missouri Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill still trails her Republican challengers, but by smaller margins compared to a month ago.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Missouri Voters shows State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and retired businessman John Brunner each leading the incumbent 49% to 43%. If the race is between McCaskill and GOP Congressman Todd Akin, it’s Akin 47%, McCaskill 44%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Missouri was conducted on July 30, 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 1, 201234% Say Supreme Court Doing Good or Excellent Job
Ratings for the U.S. Supreme Court’s performance are a bit less negative than they were immediately following the health care ruling.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 34% say the Supreme Court is doing a good or excellent job. Twenty-two percent (22%) give the Supreme Court a poor rating. (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 U.S. Voters was conducted on July 29-30, 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 31, 201268% Say There Are Too Many Unnecessary Laws in the U.S.
Although laws are meant to protect people from crime, the majority of Americans believe there are too many unnecessary laws in the United States and there are too many people in jail for violating them.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults think there are too many unnecessary laws in the United States today. Nineteen percent (19%) do not, but 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            July 31, 2012Employment Index Slips to 2012 Low
The Rasmussen Employment Index slipped two points in July to 80.5, marking the lowest level of confidence since December 2011.
Still, worker confidence is up 10 points from a year ago and 12 points from two years ago.
Now, however, just 20% of working Americans report that their firms are hiring while 22% report layoffs. This marks the first time in nine months that the number laying off workers has topped the number hiring. 
Generally speaking, a decrease in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be weaker than the prior month's. However, perceptions of the labor market have been somewhat erratic lately.
July 31, 2012Missouri:  Romney 50%, Obama 44%
Mitt Romney has once again reached the 50% mark of support in Missouri.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Romney earning 50% of the vote, while Obama receives 44% support.  Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and another three percent (3%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Missouri was conducted on July 30, 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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                            July 31, 201246% Will Be Voting For Lesser of Two Evils This Presidential Election
The 2012 presidential race has grown more contentious over the past few months, but voters’ opinions on the choice between President Obama and Mitt Romney haven’t changed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 45% say the choice between Obama and Romney is one they are excited about. Just as many (46%) say they will simply be voting for the lesser of two evils this November. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
July 31, 2012Drought Nation Heads for Dry Federal Well by Froma Harrop
As three-digit temps broil the sidewalks through late afternoon, one walks alone in this charming Nebraska panhandle city. These days, Chadron seems more pan than handle. The only thing breaking the silence is the nearly daily siren summoning local firefighters to a conflagration in the grass and brush countryside. Its source is usually easy to locate. Smoke clouds stand out in the big sky.

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                            July 31, 201244% of TV Viewers Say There Are More Negative Campaign Ads This Year
Candidates are receiving unprecedented amounts of campaign financing as a result of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling back in March 2010, so perhaps it’s no surprise that television viewers are noticing more political attack ads than ever this election.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of TV Viewers say there is more negative political advertising this election year than in previous years.  Only eight percent (8%) feel there are fewer negative ads, while 41% think the number is about the same as in past election years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 28-29, 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 30, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 40%
Republicans lead Democrats by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the fourth week in a row, this time for the week ending Sunday, July 29.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Democrat instead.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from July 23-29, 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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                            July 30, 201252% Say Violence in Video Games, Movies Leads to More Violence in Society
After alleged shooter James Holmes killed 12 people in a shooting spree at a midnight screening of the newest Batman film, many were wondering whether violence in movies leads to more violence in society.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults do believe violent movies and television shows lead to more violence in society. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree, but 14% 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 was conducted on July 26-27, 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 30, 201249% Say Syrian Government Likely to Use Chemical Weapons Against Opponents
As the violent rebellion continues in Syria, top officials have warned that President Bashar Assad’s regime is prepared to use chemical weapons against foreign attacks. Half of U.S. voters say it’s likely the Syrian government will use chemical weapons against its opponents and a sizable number say the United States should aid the rebels if that were to happen.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 49% believe it is at least somewhat likely that the Syrian government will use chemical weapons against its opponents, but that includes just 14% who see this action as Very Likely. Twenty-four percent (24%) don’t see Syria’s government taking this action, with just four percent (4%) say it’s Not At All Likely. But 26% of voters are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
July 30, 20122012 Campaign Very Different Than Kerry vs. Bush by Michael Barone
Does the 2012 campaign look a lot like the 2004 campaign? Many Democrats think so.
July 30, 201255% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law
Most voters continue to support repeal of the health care law, and the number who fears they will have to change their health care coverage has jumped to its highest level since October of last year. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, including 41% who Strongly Favor repeal.  Thirty-nine percent (39%) oppose repeal, with 30% who are Strongly Opposed.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 27-28, 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 30, 2012Most Voters Have Not Felt Personal Impact of Health Care Law
As the presidential election moves into full swing, most voters haven’t been personally impacted yet by the incumbent’s most significant legislative achievement.
Just 15% have been personally helped by passage of the health care law while 25% say they’ve been hurt by it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows 57% have not felt any impact yet. (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 U.S. Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 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 29, 2012New Low: Just 14% Think Today’s Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents
Hope for the future generation has reached an all-time low. Just 14% of Americans expect today’s children to be better off than their parents. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults do not expect today’s children to be better off than their parents. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure what to expect. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 22-23, 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.
July 28, 2012Democrats’ Baldwin Now Leads GOP Pack in Wisconsin Senate Race
With Republicans engaged in a bitter primary fight, Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has a lead over all her potential GOP rivals in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters shows Baldwin receiving 45% to 48% of the vote regardless of which Republican she is matched against. She leads by margins ranging from three to ten points.
The most competitive Republican at the moment is Eric Hovde, a wealthy political newcomer who has been advertising heavily in his primary battle. He trails Baldwin by just three points (45% to 42%). Former GOP Congressman Mark Neumann trails by six (48% to 42%), former Governor Tommy Thompson is seven points behind Baldwin (48% to 41%). The weakest showing comes from Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald who is behind by double digits (47% to 37%). (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 July 25, 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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                            July 28, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending July 28, 2012
During this past week, Mitt Romney opened his biggest lead in over a month over President Obama. During the same week, consumer confidence fell to the lowest level of 2012.  It’s no coincidence that they happened during the same week.
Long-term optimism about the U.S. Economy Fell to a new low this month. Just 40% believe the economy will be stronger in FIVE years. That’s down from 46% a year ago, 50% two years ago and 58% three years ago.  Most Americans (56%) believe the Housing market will take more than three years to fully recover.
As Scott Rasmussen noted in his weekly newspaper column, “Declining Views of the Economy Put Obama's Reelection at Risk.”  He added that, for Obama to win, “he will need to improve his own job approval rating between now and Election Day. For that to happen, perceptions of the economy will have to reverse their current downward trend.”

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                            July 27, 201266% Say Colorado Shooter Suspect Should Get Death Penalty
In the wake of the Aurora, Colorado shootings, more Americans than ever support the death penalty, and most feel this punishment is appropriate for the suspected killer if he's convicted. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults now favor the death penalty, while just 25% oppose it.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 24-25, 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 27, 2012Wisconsin: Obama 49%, Romney 46%
It’s still a three-point presidential race in Wisconsin, but now President Obama has a modest edge over Mitt Romney in the Badger State.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Wisconsin Likely Voters shows the president drawing 49% of the vote to Romney’s 46%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on July 25, 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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                            July 27, 201262% Think Health Law Likely to Cause Some Companies to Drop Employee Coverage
A sizable majority of voters continues to believe that some companies will drop health insurance coverage for their employees because of President Obama’s health care law. But there’s a noticeable partisan difference of opinion over whether that’s a good or bad thing.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is at least somewhat likely that the law will cause some companies to drop their employee coverage. Just 27% feel that’s unlikely. These findings include 40% who believe it is Very Likely versus only seven percent (7%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 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.