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April 2, 2012

55% Favor Creation of U.S. Anti-Missile System

President Obama drew fire from his political opponents last week after he was overheard confiding to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that U.S.-Russian missile defense negotiations would have to wait until after November’s elections, a time when the president should have more “flexibility”.  Most voters nationwide currently favor a U.S. anti-missile defense system, and a majority believes a missile attack on the U.S. is likely to occur in the near future.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 55% favor the creation of a U.S. anti-missile defense system, while just 16% are opposed. Another 29% 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 March 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.

April 2, 2012

New High: 61% See Repeal of Health Care Law As Likely

Following a week of highly-publicized hearings before the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of President Obama's health care law, most voters continue to favor repeal of the law, and more than ever think it’s likely to be repealed.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, including 41% who Strongly Favor it.  Forty percent (40%) are at least somewhat opposed to repeal, with 25% who are Strongly Opposed.  Since the law’s passage by Congress in March 2010, most voters have favored repeal in virtually every survey, with support running as high as 62%. Opposition to repeal has ranged from 32% to 44%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 31-April 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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April 2, 2012

Americans Are Worrying About the Constitution Again By Michael Barone

"I don't worry about the Constitution," said Rep. Phil Hare, Democrat of Illinois, at a town hall meeting where voters questioned his support of the legislation that became Obamacare. You can find the clip on youtube.com, where it has 462,084 hits.

April 2, 2012

Voters See Romney As Leader of GOP, Boehner Second

Mitt Romney is now seen as the leader of the Republican Party, and no one else is even close.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey gave Likely U.S. Voters the names of eight well-known Republicans, including the four finalists for the party’s presidential nomination, and asked which was the leader of the GOP. Twenty-six percent (26%) said Romney, with House Speaker John Boehner second at 13%. (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 March 31-April 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.

April 1, 2012

76% of Football Fans Have Favorable Opinion of Tebow

Not only did Peyton Manning take over Tim Tebow’s spot as the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos, he comes out on top in terms of favorability among football fans nationwide.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of Football Fans have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Manning, while just nine percent (9%) view the four-time MVP award winner unfavorably. Those figures include 53% who have a Very Favorable opinion of Manning and three percent (3%) who see him Very Unfavorably.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 801 Football 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. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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April 1, 2012

49% Trust Republicans on Economy, 38% Trust Democrats More

As they have for nearly three years now, voters trust Republicans more than Democrats when it comes to handling the economy, by far  the top issue on a list of 10 regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports. They put slightly more trust in Democrats on health care, the second most important issue. 

Forty-nine percent (49%) of Likely U.S. Voters now trust the GOP with economic issues, while 38% trust the Democrats more. That's the highest level of confidence in the Republicans since last October. In January, Republicans held a 47% to 40% edge on the economy. They've been trusted more than Democrats on this issue since early June 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Two national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on March 25-26 & 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.

March 31, 2012

Opening Week: Yankees Favorite to Win 2012 World Series

Baseball fans have yet to see a regular season game played in the states, but a modest plurality is already predicting a 28th World Series win for the New York Yankees.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Adults who watch professional baseball at least once a week shows that 17% believe the Bronx Bombers are likely to win this year’s World Series. Not far behind the Yankees are their biggest rivals, the Boston Red Sox, with 12% of the vote. Both the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers are picked by nine percent (9%) of fans to win the Fall Classic, while eight percent think the third time’s the charm for the Texas Rangers.

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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March 31, 2012

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- Week Ending March 31, 2012

If it’s in the news, it’s in our polls.

The U.S. Supreme Court this past week held three days of hearings on the constitutionality of President Obama’s health care law, in particular the requirement that every American obtain health insurance. Most voters (63%) continue to believe the federal government does not have the authority to force people to buy health insurance, and 54% expect the Supreme Court to overturn the law.

But as Scott Rasmussen explains in his new syndicated column, the health care law is doomed even if it survives the scrutiny of the high court. Detailing three ways the law could meet its end, Scott writes, “Nothing the court decides will keep the law alive for more than a brief period of time.”

March 30, 2012

Kentucky Heavy Favorite to Win Men’s NCAA Championship

A majority of NCAA basketball tournament followers are predicting the University of Kentucky Wildcats will win the national championship this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Adults who are following the tournament at least somewhat closely finds that 56% believe Kentucky will win it all. The Ohio State Buckeyes are in a distant second with 14% while 10% pick the University of Kansas Jayhawks to be 2012 champions. Just seven percent (7%) believe the University of Louisville Cardinals will be national champions when March Madness is over. 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 559 NCAA Basketball Tournament 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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March 30, 2012

Obama Still Leads Romney, Santorum in Core Four States (FL, NC, OH, VA)

President Obama remains slightly ahead of the Republican front-runners in combined polling of the key swing states Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. New Rasmussen Reports telephone surveying finds that Obama picks up 47% of the vote to Romney’s 44%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. That's little changed from a week ago when Obama led Romney 47% to 42%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia was conducted on March 24-29, 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.

March 30, 2012

58% Oppose Reducing Size of U.S. Nuclear Arsenal

With questions swirling about President Obama’s plans for the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal, Americans still believe overwhelmingly that those weapons are critical to the nation’s security. Most continue to oppose reducing the size of that arsenal.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of American Adults rate America’s nuclear weapons arsenal as at least somewhat important to U.S. national security. That includes 57% who think it’s Very Important, up six points from 51% when the question was first asked in August 2010. Only 14% feel the nuclear arsenal is not very or Not At All Important to this nation’s security. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 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.

March 30, 2012

Wisconsin GOP: Romney 44%, Santorum 34%, Gingrich 7%, Paul 7%

The numbers have moved little over the past week with Mitt Romney still holding a double-digit lead over Rick Santorum in the closing days of the Wisconsin Republican Primary race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Wisconsin shows Romney with 44% support to Santorum’s 34%. A week ago in Wisconsin, it was Romney 46% and Santorum 33%.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Congressman Ron Paul both pick up seven percent (7%) of the vote from Badger State Republicans, virtually unchanged from the previous survey. Two percent (2%) 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.

This Wisconsin survey of 717 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 29, 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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March 30, 2012

Democrats’ House Hopes Could Run Aground in Great Lakes By Kyle Kondik

During the War of 1812, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry whipped the British in the famous Battle of Lake Erie. Nearly 200 years later, winning Lake Erie won’t suffice for Democrats seeking to reclaim the House; they need to win on the shores of all five Great Lakes.

Now that decennial redistricting is nearly over, we have a relatively complete picture of where and how the race for the House will be run. While there are hotspots all over the country, the key region that will determine future control of the House is a combination of the Midwest and the Northeast — the eight states that touch the Great Lakes: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

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March 30, 2012

Does Romney Have a Home? By Froma Harrop

Mitt Romney has three houses. The former Massachusetts governor would like to do a $12 million "fix-up" on one of them, a beachfront property in La Jolla, Calif. The plan is to tear down the existing 3,000-square-foot structure and build an 8,100-square-foot replacement, plus a car elevator.    

March 30, 2012

Even If It Survives the Court, the Health Care Law Is Doomed By Scott Rasmussen

Media coverage now implies that the U.S. Supreme Court will determine the fate of President Obama's health care law. But nothing the court decides will keep the law alive for more than a brief period of time. There are three ways the health care law could meet its end. The first, obviously, is the Supreme Court could declare some or all of it unconstitutional in June.

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March 29, 2012

73% Say U.S. Children More Overweight Than Those Overseas

Americans strongly believe that children in this country are fatter than kids overseas and think it's parents' responsibility to do something about it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of American Adults think children are more overweight in America than in other countries. Just eight percent (8%) disagree, but another 18% are not sure. That's consistent with findings in November 2010 when Rasmussen Reports first asked this question.  (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 was conducted on March 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.

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March 29, 2012

Wisconsin: Obama Grows Lead Over GOP Hopefuls

President Obama is now above the 50% mark in hypothetical Election 2012 matchups with Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in Wisconsin. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Badger State finds Obama earning 52% support to Romney’s 41%.  Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This Wisconsin survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted 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.

March 29, 2012

Maryland GOP: Romney 45%, Santorum 28%, Gingrich 12%, Paul 7%

Republican front-runner Mitt Romney is well ahead of his chief rival Rick Santorum in Maryland with that state’s primary less than a week away.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Maryland shows Romney with 45% support to Santorum’s 28%. Twelve percent (12%) favor former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, while Texas Congressman Ron Paul earns seven percent (7%) of the vote. Two percent (2%) like another candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This Maryland survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 28, 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.

March 29, 2012

54% Expect U.S. Supreme Court To Overturn Health Care Law

Most voters continue to believe the federal government does not have the authority to force people to buy health insurance, and they expect the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn President Obama’s health care law that includes that mandate.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters would like to see the Supreme Court overturn the health care law, and 54% predict that that’s what the court will do.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) would like to see the high court uphold the legality of the law, but just 26% think that’s what the court will ultimately decide. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided about the law, and 21% aren’t sure what the Supreme Court will do about it. (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 March 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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March 29, 2012

Obama's Gaffe Hints at Hidden Agenda in Second Term By Michael Barone

"I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it." So said John Kerry, in Huntington, W.V., on Tuesday, March 16, 2004, two weeks after he had clinched the Democratic presidential nomination by carrying every state but Vermont in the Super Tuesday primaries.