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January 16, 201233% Say Race Relations in America Getting Better, 32% Worse
As Americans celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, their perceptions of race relations in the United States have grown a bit more negative.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 33% now believe race relations in America today are getting better, while 32% say they are getting worse. Twenty-nine percent (29%) say race relations are staying about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            January 16, 2012Who Are The Tea Partiers Now?
A recent column by Scott Rasmussen noted that "the conventional wisdom suggests that Tea Party supporters have a 'my way or the highway' attitude and Establishment Republicans just want a winner, but the data shows that the opposite is true."
January 16, 201248% Think Romney Would Do Better Job With Economy, 39% Trust Obama More
Voters are closely divided over whether Mitt Romney’s business career is a plus or a minus, but most Republicans see it as a plus. Additionally, a plurality of all voters think he would do a better job than President Obama dealing with the economy.
January 16, 2012Obama Thumbs Nose at Founders With One-man Rule By Michael Barone
Of course President Obama is not concentrating on campaigning, White House press spokesmen assured us -- as the president headed off to Chicago for three fundraisers and a drop-in at his campaign headquarters, two days after a high-roller fundraising choked off traffic five blocks from the White House, with the assistance of a score of D.C. police cars.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            January 16, 2012Americans Rate MLK Very Highly, Less Enthusiastic About His Holiday
Americans still hold an overwhelmingly favorable view of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but a plurality also continues to believe today’s federal holiday honoring the civil rights hero’s birthday is not good for the racial situation in this country.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of King, including 51% who have a Very Favorable view of him. Only 10% hold an unfavorable regard for the civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968, with three percent (3%) who view him Very Unfavorably. (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 January 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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                            January 15, 201224% Will Rely on Internet for Most Political News in 2012
Most voters will continue to rely on either cable or traditional television news to stay up with politics this year, but the Internet will provide the election coverage for a quarter of the nation.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of Likely U.S. Voters will get most of their political news in 2012 from cable television and 22% from traditional TV network news. The number following the election news online has inched above the audience for traditional TV networks. Twenty-four percent (24%) will primarily rely on the Internet for coverage of Election 2012. Nine percent (9%) who will still rely on print newspapers  and seven percent (7%) will chiefly count on radio. (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 January 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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                            January 14, 201254% See Current TV Ratings System As Effective
A majority of Americans nationwide believe the current television ratings system does a satisfactory job of warning viewers of possible objectionable content, and half say they’re less likely to watch a program after such a warning.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Adults shows that 54% believe the current TV rating system is an effective way to warn viewers about objectionable content, but 28% disagree. Another 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on January 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.
January 14, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending January 14, 2012
Next Saturday’s South Carolina Republican Primary is expected to thin the pack of presidential hopefuls, but for now Mitt Romney, winner of both the Iowa caucuses and last Tuesday’s New Hampshire Primary, is the man to beat. New numbers out of South Carolina and Florida suggest that may be easier said than done.
Romney still holds first place in the South Carolina Primary field, while his opponents jockey for second. The former Massachusetts governor earns 28% support, virtually unchanged from a week ago, but now former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is in second place with 21% of the vote.  Support for former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum who was in second a week ago has fallen back to 16%, putting him dead even with Texas Congressman Ron Paul who also earns 16%.
Texas Governor Rick Perry, whose continued candidacy likely depends on the South Carolina vote, now captures six percent (6%) support, while former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman runs last with five percent (5%).
Of course, much can change in the closing days before the South Carolina primary, with just 52% who say they are certain of their vote at this time. In Iowa, a late surge by Santorum nearly swept him to victory. In New Hampshire, Paul and Huntsman made gains in the final days of the campaign. This suggests whoever is perceived as the most effective tactical alternative to Romney could see a last-minute surge in South Carolina as well.
January 13, 201255% Say Obama More Liberal Than They Are
Most voters still believe President Obama is to the left of them ideologically.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters feel that the president has about the same ideological views as they do. Fifty-five percent (55%) say Obama is more liberal than they are, while 11% believe he’s more conservative.  (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 January 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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                            January 13, 201264% Favor FCC Regulation of TV and Radio
More Americans than ever believe the Federal Communications Commission should be allowed to regulate objectionable content on television and radio, as the U.S. Supreme Court debates whether the government should retain that power.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 64% support the FCC regulating profanity, violence and sexual content on TV and radio. Twenty-four percent (24%) do not think the FCC should have this power, while another 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on January 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.
January 13, 2012Election 2012:  Obama 43%, Paul 37%
Although Texas Congressman Ron Paul has had strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, his support remains little changed nationally in the latest hypothetical election 2012 matchup with President Obama.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters finds Obama earning 43% support to Paul’s 37%.  Eleven percent (11%) prefer some other candidate, while 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 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 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.
January 13, 2012South Carolina: Romney 28%, Gingrich 21%, Santorum 16%, Paul 16%
Mitt Romney still holds first place in the South Carolina Primary field, while his opponents jockey for second with the voting eight days away.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in South Carolina finds Romney ahead with 28% support, but now former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is in second place with 21% of the vote.  Support for former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum who was in second a week ago has fallen back to 16%, putting him dead even with Texas Congressman Ron Paul who also earns 16%. (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 South Carolina survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 12, 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.
January 13, 2012The Missing 'Humanity Clause' at Bain By Froma Harrop
During the Great Depression, my father toiled in a box factory. The workers were all flat broke, he recalled, and desperate for every nickel. But when overtime hours appeared, the men made sure they went to a guy with kids. The laborers were obeying the unwritten and unenforceable "humanity clause," whereby one gives up some personal gain in deference to another's screaming need.
January 13, 2012FINAL DAYS to Take Advantage of the Rasmussen Reader Discount
Earlier this year, Rasmussen Reports launched The Rasmussen Reader subscription as part of a larger effort to distribute its public opinion information through a variety of media platforms. The Rasmussen Reader is regularly available for $3.95 per month or $34.95 per year.
With the holidays upon us, we are pleased to announce a limited time discount offer for The Rasmussen Reader. Sign up for this subscription using promo code “HOLIDAY” between today and January 15, 2012 and get access to more than 20 exclusive stories each week, including all 2012 election articles, until November 7, 2012 for just $24.95.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            January 13, 2012Tea Party Mitt? By Scott Rasmussen
The race for the 2012 GOP nomination has been properly characterized as one between two candidates: Mitt Romney and Nott Romney. Some describe it as a rift between the party establishment favoring Romney and the party base looking for someone else.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            January 13, 201272% Still Concerned About Inflation
Concern about inflation remains high but appears to be easing somewhat as Americans show more confidence in the Federal Reserve Board to keep it under control. Still, a sizable majority expects to pay more for groceries in the months ahead.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 42% are at least somewhat confident the Fed will be able to keep inflation under control and interest rates down, including 11% who are Very Confident. However, most (52%) still lack that confidence, with 15% 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 January 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.
January 12, 201237% Give Obama Positive Ratings on Economy
The economy remains the number one issue on voters’ minds, and perceptions of President Obama’s handling of economic issues have improved slightly. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way Obama is dealing with the economy as good or excellent, his highest positives since July.  But even more (43%) still give the president poor marks in this area, although that’s the lowest finding measured in six months.  (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 January 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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                            January 12, 201251% Lack Confidence In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry
Most Americans continue to lack confidence in the stability of U.S. banks.  
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 43% are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the banking industry today, but that includes just nine percent (9%) who are Very Confident.  Fifty-one percent (51%) are not confident in the country’s banking system, with 15% 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 January 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.
January 12, 2012Favorability Ratings For Top Congressional Leaders Hit Rock Bottom
Unfavorable reviews for all four top congressional leaders are at their highest levels in three years.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains the best-known but least-liked leader, with 66% sharing at least a somewhat unfavorable opinion of her. Twenty-six percent (26%) share a favorable view of the San Francisco Democrat. These numbers include Very Favorable marks from 10% and Very Unfavorable reviews from 48%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
 
Pelosi’s negative rating is up from 62% last month.
Ratings for current Speaker John Boehner are also his worst measured. Thirty-five percent (35%) view the Ohio Republican congressman favorably, including eight percent (8%) who share a Very Favorable opinion. Forty-nine percent (49%) view Boehner unfavorably, including 27% who share a Very Unfavorable opinion of him. Sixteen percent (16%) still don’t know enough about him to venture any kind of opinion.
Negative reviews for Boehner are up from 42% in December and have ranged from 34% to 46% since he took over as speaker last January.
The new findings are perhaps no surprise given that voter approval of the entire Congress is at the lowest level ever recorded by Rasmussen Reports. More voters than ever also believe most members of Congress are corrupt.
(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 January 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.
January 12, 2012Florida GOP Primary: Romney 41%, Gingrich 19%, Santorum 15%Romney
Mitt Romney is now running away with the race in the latest Rasmussen Reports’ survey of the end-of-the-month Florida Republican Primary.
Coming off his decisive win in Tuesday’s New Hampshire Primary, Romney earns 41% support with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich a distant second at 19%. A new telephone survey of Likely Florida Republican Primary Voters finds former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum running third with 15% of the vote.
Texas Congressman Ron Paul and former Utah Governor Jon Hunstman are next with nine percent (9%) and five percent (5%) support respectively. The two men finished second and third in New Hampshire where independents are allowed to vote in the primary. The Florida primary is open to Republican voters only. Texas Governor Rick Perry runs dead last among primary voters in the Sunshine State with two percent (2%) support. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate in the race, 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.
This Florida survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 11, 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.