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June 6, 2012

69% View Queen Elizabeth II Favorably

Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this week after serving 60 years on the throne of the United Kingdom. It’s a momentous occasion for Great Britain, in particular, and even though Americans aren’t following as closely, they still feel the royal family is an important British symbol.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Queen Elizabeth, including 23% with a Very Favorable one. Just 15% view her somewhat or Not Very Favorably, while slightly more (17%) have no opinion of the long-serving monarch. (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 American Adults was conducted on June 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.

June 6, 2012

34% Say Government Should Do Nothing for Long-Term Unemployed

As the national jobs rate continues to show little movement, most Americans still prefer short-term government solutions for the unemployed or none at all.

Twenty-seven percent (27%) of Americans believe in ongoing federal aid for those who can’t find work over an extended period of time, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This number includes 13% who think the government should hire those people and 14% who support extending unemployment benefits indefinitely. Another 27% believe the government should pay for their retraining, while 34% say the government should do nothing at all. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 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.

June 6, 2012

Voters Think Obama, Dems More Likely To Raise Taxes, Spending Than Romney, GOP

Voters are much more convinced that taxes and spending will go up if President Obama is reelected and Democrats regain control of Congress than if Republicans win in November. But they’re not so sure the GOP will cut taxes and spending if it’s in charge. Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters think taxes will go up if Obama is returned to the White House and Democrats take over Congress, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 31% expect taxes to go up if Mitt Romney is elected and Republicans take control of the House and Senate. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 3-4, 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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June 6, 2012

Uncertainty Paralysis By John Stossel

President Obama would do us all a big favor if he'd ask himself this: "Would I start or expand a business without knowing what regulations or taxes government will impose next year?"

June 6, 2012

80% Oppose U.N. Control of the Internet

Russia, China and several Arab countries are pushing for international control of the Internet through the United Nations, but U.S. voters overwhelmingly oppose the idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of Likely U.S. Voters think an agency of the United Nations should be given the authority to regulate the Internet. Eighty percent (80%) oppose U.N. control of the international computer communications network. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 1-2, 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.

June 5, 2012

Clinton Remains the Most Popular Cabinet Member, Holder the Least

Hillary Clinton continues to be the most favored member of President Obama’s Cabinet, and she’s also the most well-known.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of the secretary of State. Conversely, just seven percent (7%) hold a favorable view of the newest Cabinet member, Chief of Staff Jack Lew.

To see favorability ratings for all Cabinet members, click here.

Attorney General Eric Holder is the least-liked Cabinet member, with 47% of voters who share an unfavorable opinion of him. Holder has been at the center of several controversies while in office.

Clinton, Holder, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner are the only Cabinet members who are recognized by more than 50% of voters. In the case of all the other Cabinet members, the majority of voters do not know enough about them to formulate an opinion.

June 5, 2012

32% Say U.S. Job Market Better Than Year Ago

Despite last week’s disappointing government report on job creation, Americans are expressing more optimism about the job market than they have in well over a year. But three-out-of-four Americans still know someone who's out of work and looking for a job, and a sizable number know someone who's given up looking out of frustration.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 32% believe the job market is better today than it was a year ago. Nearly as many (29%) say the job market is worse than last year, while 36% say it’s about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 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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June 5, 2012

Just 7% Say Congress Doing Good Or Excellent Job

Positive ratings for Congress remain in single digits as they have been for the past year of regular tracking. 

Just seven percent (7%) of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the job Congress is doing as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Sixty-three percent (63%) say Congress is doing a poor job. That's virtually unchanged from last month and consistent with regular surveying since April 2011. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 1-2, 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.

June 5, 2012

51% View Facebook Unfavorably; 48% Question IPO Process

The uproar over Facebook’s first public stock offering has soured perceptions of the social networking service, perhaps in part because of suspicions about the fairness of the stock selling process itself.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable view of Facebook, while 51% regard it at least somewhat unfavorably. The latter figure is up seven points from 44% in March. The new findings include just eight percent (8%) with a Very Favorable opinion of the social media service and 17% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 31-June 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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June 5, 2012

Turbulent Tykes Torture Other Travelers By Froma Harrop

The now storied Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Miami has opened debate on unruly children in crowded airplanes. It seems a 3-year-old, having had his iPad removed in preparation for takeoff, threw a tantrum. Sitting with his father, Mark Yanchuk, little Daniel would not be calmed and refused to properly wear a seat belt. His mother, grandmother and a 1-year-old sibling had escaped to first class.

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June 5, 2012

Virginia Senate: Kaine (D) 46%, Allen (R) 44%

Democrat Tim Kaine has edged ahead for the first time since last fall in the U.S. Senate race in Virginia just before next week’s Republican primary brings the contest into clearer focus.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds the former governor with 46% to Republican George Allen’s 44%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) 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 Virginia was conducted on June 3, 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.

June 4, 2012

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 44%, Democrats 37%

Republicans lead Democrats by seven points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, June 3.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 37% would choose the Democrat instead. Republicans led by three points the week before, 42% to 39%.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from May 28-June 3, 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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June 4, 2012

51% Say United States Winning War on Terror

Half of U.S. voters still believe the United States is winning the War on Terror and that America is safer today that it was before the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely Voters say the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror, while just 16% feel the terrorists are winning that war.  Another 25% say neither side is ahead.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 30-31, 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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June 4, 2012

51% Say United States Winning War on Terror

Half of U.S. voters still believe the United States is winning the War on Terror and that America is safer today that it was before the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely Voters say the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror, while just 16% feel the terrorists are winning that war.  Another 25% say neither side is ahead.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 30-31, 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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June 4, 2012

Virginia: Obama 47%, Romney 47%

The presidential race in the key battleground state of Virginia remains tied.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Old Dominion shows both President Obama and Mitt Romney picking up 47% support. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and another three percent (3%) 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 Virginia was conducted on June 3, 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.

June 4, 2012

65% Say No To Ban on Super-Size Sugary Drinks

The mayor has spoken: No super-size sweetened drinks will be sold in New York City if he has his way, but most Americans oppose that idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults oppose a law that would ban the sale of any cup or bottle of sweetened drink larger than 16 ounces. Just 24% favor a law like the one Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed as a way to fight obesity. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided about it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 31-June 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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June 4, 2012

Are We at a Demographic Inflection Point? By Michael Barone

Demographic forecasts generally take the form of predicting more of the same. Old people have been moving to Florida for the past several years, and old people will move there for the next few years. Immigrants have been streaming in from Mexico, and they will continue to do so. You get the idea.

June 4, 2012

51% See Federal Government As Threat to Their Rights

Just over half  (51%) of Americans continue to believe that the government is more of a threat to individual rights than a protector of them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 34% of Adults in this country regard the federal government more as a protector of individual rights. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 Adults was conducted on May 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.

June 3, 2012

24% Say States Have Right to Secede

While belief in the right of individual states to break away from the United States continues to rise, the likelihood of such a move remains doubtful to most Americans.

Twenty-four percent (24%) of Adults nationwide now think states have the right to leave the United States and form an independent country, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. Most (59%) still disagree, but another 16% 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 29-30, 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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June 3, 2012

52% See Romney As Mainstream, 45% Say Same of Obama

Most voters now see Mitt Romney as politically mainstream, but they're evenly divided over whether President Obama’s political views are mainstream or extreme. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds that 52% say it’s more accurate to describe the putative Republican nominee’s views as mainstream, while 30% regard them as extreme. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. 

When it comes to the president's political views, 45% of voters say they're in the mainstream, but an identical 45% say it's more accurate to describe them as extreme. (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.

This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 30-31, 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.