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                            April 5, 201248% Know Someone Who Has Given Up Looking for Work
After holding steady for the past year, the number of Americans who know someone who’s given up looking for a job out of frustration with the current market is up to 48%.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Adults don’t know someone in this situation. But the number of Americans who know someone who has given up on the job market is up from 43% in February and ties the highest result measured in regular tracking since 2010. This finding hovered around 40% for most of 2011. (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 April 1-2, 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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                            April 5, 2012Pennsylvania GOP: Santorum 42%, Romney 38%
Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum holds a four-point lead in his home state in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the upcoming Pennsylvania Republican Primary.
A new statewide telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely GOP Primary Voters support Santorum, while former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney picks up 38% of the vote. Texas Congressman Ron Paul earns seven percent (7%), and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is at six percent (6%). Two percent (2%) like some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Pennsylvania survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on April 4, 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.
April 5, 2012The High Court's Supremely Unethical Activists By Joe Conason
How the Supreme Court majority will rule on President Obama's Affordable Care Act may well have been foretold months or perhaps years ago -- not so much by their questions during argument this week, as by their flagrant displays of bias outside the court, where certain justices regularly behave as dubiously as any sleazy officeholder.
April 5, 2012The Car the Right Wing Can't Kill By Froma Harrop
Imagine that. Former Republican President George H.W. Bush recently bought his son Neil a Chevrolet Volt as a birthday present. This is the car that all right-thinking right-wingers demand we hate. In their political prism, the Volt has everything going against it: It's beloved by environmentalists for getting 61 miles to the gallon. It's assembled by unionized workers at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck plant. It enjoys government subsidies intended to encourage the production of fuel-efficient cars (started actually by H.W.'s oldest son, former President George W. Bush).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/people/april_2012/60_view_al_sharpton_unfavorably/686797-1-eng-US/60_view_al_sharpton_unfavorably.jpg" />
                
            
                            April 5, 201260% View Al Sharpton Unfavorably
All three are high-profile representatives of the political left, but that doesn’t necessarily make them popular.
In fact, just 26% of American Adults share an even somewhat favorable opinion of the Rev. Al Sharpton, with eight percent (8%) who view him Very Favorably. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% view the civil rights activist and MSNBC host unfavorably, including 37% with a Very Unfavorable view. Fifteen percent (15%) have no opinion of him. (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 March 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.
April 4, 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 1.
The latest finding is unchanged from a week ago and down five points from a recent high of 34% measured in early February.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports March 26-April 1, 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 4, 2012Montana:  Romney, Santorum Still Lead Obama
Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum continue to lead President Obama in hypothetical Election 2012 matchups in Montana, a state last won by a Democratic presidential candidate 20 years ago.
Romney receives 49% support from Likely Voters in the Treasure State to Obama’s 40%. A new Rasmussen Reports statewide survey finds that nine percent (9%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Santorum leads the president 48% to 41% among Montana voters. Eight percent (8%) favor another candidate, and three percent (3%) are undecided.
(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 Montana was conducted on April 2, 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.
April 4, 2012New Mexico Senate: Heinrich (D) 46%, Wilson (R) 42%
The U.S. Senate race in New Mexico remains tight between former Republican Congresswoman Heather Wilson and two potential Democratic opponents.
A statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters finds Democratic Congressman Martin Heinrich picking up 46% of the vote against Wilson who draws 42% support. Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This New Mexico survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            April 4, 201253% of Republicans See Tea Party As Political Plus; 32% of Democrats Say Same of Occupy
Voters continue to have a slightly more favorable opinion of the Tea Party compared to the Occupy Wall Street protesters. But Republicans are the only ones who see either of the groups as much of a political benefit in the upcoming elections.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters hold at least a somewhat favorable view of Tea Party activists, while 49% share an unfavorable opinion of them. This includes 23% with a Very Favorable view and 29% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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.
April 4, 2012Let's Give the Fed Some Competition By John Stossel
Pssst. Want to buy some Stossels? They’re my own currency with my face on them. Why should you trust them? Because I promise to redeem them for gold. And I’m reliable. I have money in the bank and a job that brings in more than I spend.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            April 4, 2012Americans Are More Skeptical Than Ever About Fairness of Tax System
Americans remain unhappy with the tax system in this country and believe more strongly than ever that others do not pay their fair share.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of American Adults think the United States has the best tax system in the world. Sixty-one percent (61%) disagree, and another 27% 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 March 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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                            April 3, 201259% Say Pete Rose Should Be in Hall of Fame
Most baseball fans nationwide believe Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose deserves to be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Fans aren’t so forgiving about players who abused steroids.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Americans adults who watch baseball at least once a week shows that 59% believe Rose deserves to be honored in Cooperstown. Twenty-nine percent (29%) don’t believe Rose, who was made permanently ineligible for induction in 1991, should be allowed in today. Another 12% 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 800 Major League Baseball Fans was conducted on March 26, 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.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                
                
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                            April 3, 201235% Still Haven’t Filed Their Taxes
One-third of Americans still have not filed their income taxes with two weeks to go until the April 15 filing deadline.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Adults now have filed their taxes, up from 43% in mid-March. But 35% have yet to file. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 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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                            April 3, 2012Montana Senate: Rehberg (R) 47%, Tester (D) 44%
Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg still maintains a very narrow advantage over Democratic incumbent Jon Tester in Montana’s closely contested U.S. Senate race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Montana Voters shows Rehberg with 47% support to Tester’s 44%. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate in the race, and three percent are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Montana survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on April 2, 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.
April 3, 2012Rasmussen Employment Index Dips Following Recent High
After reaching a three-year high in February, the Rasmussen Employment Index slipped four points in March to 83.5
Twenty-two percent (22%) of working Americans in March reported that their firms are hiring while 20% report layoffs. The hiring number is down one point from February.
Generally speaking, a decrease in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be weaker than the prior months. The Index measures workers’ perceptions of the labor market and is reported each month.
The survey of 8,987 working Americans was conducted in March 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 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 3, 2012Obama Full-Month Approval Index Slips in March
When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.
Overall, approval of the president has stayed within the narrow two-point range it has been in for all of 2012.
In March, 26% of voters Strongly Approved of the president’s job performance, showing no change since February but up two points from January. The number who Strongly Disapproved of the job Obama is doing was at 41% in March, up two points from last month.
Daily tracking results are collected via telephone surveys of 500 likely voters per night. The monthly numbers in this article are based on approximately 15,000 interviews each month with likely voters. The margin of sampling error is less than +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
April 3, 20126% Rate Congress’ Job Performance As Good or Excellent
Positive ratings for Congress are back in the single digits where they have been for the past year.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that six percent (6%) of Likely U.S. Voters now rate Congress’ performance as good or excellent.  Sixty-eight percent (68%) think Congress is doing a poor job.  (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 March 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.
April 2, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 45%, Democrats 39%
Republicans hold a six-point lead over Democrats on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, April 1. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat instead. The week before, the Republican led by five points, 43% to 38%.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from March 26-April 1, 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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                            April 2, 201252% in Wisconsin Support Recall of Governor Walker
A majority of Wisconsin voters now support the effort to recall Republican Governor Scott Walker.
A new Rasmussen Reports statewide survey shows that, if the recall election was held today, 52% of Likely Voters would vote to recall Governor Walker and remove him from office. Forty-seven percent (47%) would vote against the recall and let him continue to serve as governor. (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 March 27, 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.
April 2, 2012Partisan Trends: Republicans 36.4% Democrats 33.4%
The number of Democrats in the United States rebounded in March after falling to a record low in February. However, for the fourth consecutive month, more people consider themselves Republicans than Democrats.
During March, 36.4% of Americans considered themselves Republicans while 33.4% were Democrats. For the GOP, that’s a gain of 0.4% from a month ago. Democrats gained a full percentage point from February.
Rasmussen Reports tracks this information based on telephone interviews with approximately 15,000 adults per month and has been doing so since November 2002. The margin of error for the full sample is less than one percentage point, with a 95% level of confidence.