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April 25, 201229% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, April 22.
This finding is up two points from last week and back to the level found for the previous three weeks.
(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 telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports April 16-22, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
April 25, 2012Radio Update: Control of the Senate is Up For Grabs
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.
April 25, 201260% in New York City Approve of Mayor Bloomberg
New Yorkers generally like their three-term mayor, but they like President Obama even more.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in New York City finds that 60% at least somewhat approve of Michael Bloomberg, the city’s mayor for the past 10 years. Thirty-nine percent (39%) disapprove of the Republican mayor. These findings include 24% who Strongly Approve Bloomberg’s job performance and 17% who Strongly Disapprove. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in New York City was conducted on April 17, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/april_2012/48_believe_availability_of_student_loans_has_driven_up_tuition_costs/693910-1-eng-US/48_believe_availability_of_student_loans_has_driven_up_tuition_costs.jpg" />
                
            
                            April 25, 201248% Believe Availability of Student Loans Has Driven Up Tuition Costs
Both President Obama and likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney are backing lower interest rates on some student loans, but nearly half of Americans nationwide believe the availability of student loans has driven up tuition costs for everyone. In fact, most Americans believe it’s better for students to work and attend school for a longer period of time rather than graduate in four years with loads of student debt.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that a plurality (48%) believes the availability of student loans has helped increase the cost of tuitions. Twenty-one percent (21%) disagree, but 31% more 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 April 21-22, 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.
April 25, 2012Virginia:  Romney 45%, Obama 44%
Mitt Romney, with Rick Santorum out of the Republican race, has closed the gap with President Obama in the battleground state of Virginia. The two men are now essentially tied.
The latest telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Old Dominion finds Romney earning 45% support, while Obama picks up 44% of the vote.  Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on April 23, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/april_2012/87_think_media_more_interested_in_candidate_controversy_than_in_the_issues/693803-2-eng-US/87_think_media_more_interested_in_candidate_controversy_than_in_the_issues.jpg" />
                
            
                            April 25, 201287% Think Media More Interested in Candidate Controversy Than in the Issues
Most recently, it’s been anti-Obama comments by aging rock star Ted Nugent and anti-Romney remarks by an Obama political adviser on women’s issues, but candidates are routinely bombarded with media questions when someone who supports them steps out of line. However, voters overwhelmingly see those stories as media hype and believe it’s the candidate that really counts.
Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Likely U.S. Voters think in terms of how they will vote that what a candidate says is more important than what their supporters say. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 11% put more emphasis on what a candidate’s supporters say. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 22-23, 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.
April 25, 2012The Assault on Food By John Stossel
Instinct tells us to fear poison. If our ancestors were not cautious about what they put in their mouths, they would not have survived long enough to produce us.
Unfortunately, a side effect of that cautious impulse is that whenever someone claims that some chemical -- or food ingredient, like fat -- is a menace, we are primed to believe it. That makes it easy for government to leap in and play the role of protector.
April 25, 2012Radio Update: 70 percent Say Working Through College Better Than Student Loans
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/april_2012/50_think_more_government_regulation_means_less_fairness/693624-1-eng-US/50_think_more_government_regulation_means_less_fairness.jpg" />
                
            
                            April 25, 201250% Think More Government Regulation Means Less Fairness
For some, government is the answer to economic inequality in this country, but for most, it’s not.
Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters, in fact, think society would become less fair if the government got more involved in regulating the economy. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 22% believe society would become more fair if there was greater government regulation. Twenty-one percent (21%) feel things would remain about the same. (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 April 20-21, 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.
April 24, 2012Radio Update: For Postal Service, Voters Prefer Service Cuts to Government Subsidies
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/sports/april_2012/manning_most_popular_quarterback_in_nyc/693466-1-eng-US/manning_most_popular_quarterback_in_nyc.jpg" />
                
            
                            April 24, 2012Manning Most Popular Quarterback in NYC
Despite the media frenzy surrounding the New York Jets’ acquisition of Tim Tebow, New Yorkers view Giants quarterback Eli Manning more favorably than his cross-town counterparts. 
 
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in New York City shows that 70% have a favorable opinion of Manning, including 38% who view him Very Favorably. Only 12% share an unfavorable opinion of the two-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. Nineteen percent (19%) have no opinion of Manning. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in New York City was conducted on April 17, 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.
April 24, 2012Radio Update:  Romney Holds Slight Edge Over Obama
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/april_2012/62_favor_government_loans_for_good_students_from_poor_households/693348-1-eng-US/62_favor_government_loans_for_good_students_from_poor_households.jpg" />
                
            
                            April 24, 201262% Favor Government Loans for Good Students From Poor Households
President Obama is calling for an extension of low interest rates on some student loans, a proposal his Republican opponent Mitt Romney has embraced. Americans still strongly believe good students can get student loans and grants if they need them, but they're less supportive of government-backed loans for low-income students.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that if someone really wants to go to college and is academically qualified, they can get grants and student loans needed to pay for tuition. Only 21% believe that's unlikely. These figures include 25% who say it’s Very Likely and three percent (3%) who believe it’s Not At All Likely.  (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 April 21-22, 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.
April 24, 2012Virginia Senate: Allen (R) 46%, Kaine (D) 45%
The race for Virginia’s open U.S. Senate seat is still virtually tied.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Virginia shows Republican George Allen with 46% support to 45% for Democrat Tim Kaine. Four percent (4%) like another candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on April 23, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/april_2012/66_think_most_government_contracts_go_to_those_with_political_connections/693223-1-eng-US/66_think_most_government_contracts_go_to_those_with_political_connections.jpg" />
                
            
                            April 24, 201266% Think Most Government Contracts Go To Those With Political Connections
Most voters see crony capitalism at work in the awarding of government contracts.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe most government contracts are given to the company with the most political connections rather than the one that can provide the best service for the best price. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% disagree and think most government contracts go instead to the company offering the best service for the best price. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 20-21, 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.
April 24, 2012Education Replaces Housing as the Bubble Machine By Froma Harrop
A modern knowledge economy thrives on highly trained workers. The way to get them, obviously, is through education -- from basic reading skills for some, to mastery of algorithms for others. It thus would seem a basic public good to provide that learning at little or no cost to students, which most advanced countries do. But America has turned post-high-school education into a taxpayer-subsidized business -- a business not unlike real estate at the height of the housing bubble.
April 24, 2012Radio Update: Voters Believe More Government Leads to Less Fairness
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.
April 24, 2012Radio Update: Most Voters Support Welcoming Immigration Policy
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/april_2012/most_prefer_cutting_mail_delivery_to_more_subsidies_for_the_postal_service/693054-1-eng-US/most_prefer_cutting_mail_delivery_to_more_subsidies_for_the_postal_service.jpg" />
                
            
                            April 24, 2012Most Prefer Cutting Mail Delivery to More Subsidies for the Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service hopes to cut delivery to five days a week and close hundreds of post offices nationwide as major cost-cutting moves but is likely to have trouble getting the proposals through Congress this week. Most voters, however, are fine with both ideas rather than having to provide additional taxpayer money to keep the postal service afloat.  Three-out-of-four Americans (75%) would prefer the U.S. Postal Service cut mail delivery to five days a week rather than receive government subsidies to cover ongoing losses. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 20% of Adults would rather see the federal government provide additional funding to cover the agency’s losses. (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 April 21-22, 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.
April 23, 2012Radio Update: 46% Favor Government Regulation of Executive Pay At Bailed-Out Companies – Even After Payback
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.