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                            May 26, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls  -- The Week Ending May 26, 2012
The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer for many Americans, and it’s a good time to take stock of where the nation’s at.
First, there’s the size of government. Sixty-four percent (64%) of Likely U.S. Voters prefer a government with fewer services and lower taxes over one with more services and higher taxes. That's consistent with findings in regular surveys for years. Just 25% prefer a government with more services and higher taxes.
May 25, 2012Indiana:  Romney 48%, Obama 42%
Mitt Romney holds a six-point lead over President Obama in a head-to-head matchup in Indiana. 
A new Rasmussen Reports online survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Romney earning 48% of the vote to Obama’s 42%.  Five percent (5%) prefers some other candidate, and another five percent (5%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
It is important to note that this survey was conducted entirely online. Survey participants were selected at random from a panel provided by a third party. This Indiana survey of 600 Likely Voters was conducted May 23-24, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC.
(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.
May 25, 2012Indiana Senate: Mourdock (R) 42%, Donnelly (D) 42%
Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the U.S. Senate race in Indiana shows Democratic Congressman Joe Donnelly and Tea Party-backed Treasurer Richard Mourdock in a tie.
Both men draw 42% support from Likely Voters in Indiana, according to a new statewide survey. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate while 14% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
It is important to note that this survey was conducted entirely online. Survey participants were selected at random from an panel provided by a third party. This Indiana survey of 600 Likely Voters was conducted May 23-24, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC.

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                            May 25, 201258% Concerned Efforts To Identify Illegal Immigrants Will Violate Civil Rights
While voters remain concerned that efforts to deport illegal immigrants will inadvertently lead to civil rights violations, a majority still disagrees with granting automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants born in the United States. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat concerned that efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants will also end up violating the civil rights of some U.S. citizens, including 24% who are Very Concerned.  Thirty-eight percent (38%) are not concerned a citizens' rights will be violated in this process, with 10% who are Not At All Concerned.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 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.

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                            May 25, 201232% View ‘Help’ from Government As Frightening Thought
Ronald Reagan would be disappointed, but most voters, including the majority of Republicans, don’t agree with his definition of the nine most frightening words in the English language.
In fact, just 32% of Likely U.S. Voters agree that the most frightening words you could hear are “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% do not believe those are the most frightening words they could hear, while another 14% 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 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on May 20-21, 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.
May 25, 2012Where's the 'Beef'? Clinton's Answer to Romney Snark By Joe Conason
For Mitt Romney, the president's greatest vulnerability seems to be that Barack Obama is no Bill Clinton -- and he is seeking to exploit that perception in his public speeches attacking the incumbent. On Tuesday, the presumptive GOP nominee drew the contrast for an audience in Iowa, harking back to a famous Clinton speech in 1996.

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                            May 25, 2012'Austerity' Talk Is Just Political Cover for More Government Spending By Scott Rasmussen
The entire debate is clouded by a refusal of political leaders to talk honestly about spending. The air is filled with talk of brutal spending cuts in financially troubled Europe, but Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center, a pro-free market U.S. think tank, has shown that to be a lie.

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                            May 24, 2012New High: 42% Say They Are Overweight
Forty-two percent (42%) of American adults now admit to being overweight, the highest finding yet. But most still rate their overall health positively.
This new finding is up from the previous two years, when 35% claimed to be overweight. In July 2009, 41% said the same.
 
Still, 53% say they are not overweight, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on May 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.

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                            May 24, 201256% Plan On Using All Their Vacation Time This Year
More American workers than ever plan on using all of their vacation time this year, but more are also connecting with work while they are away.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Employed Adults shows that 56% plan to use all of their vacation time this year, while 37% do not. (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 558 Working Adults was conducted on May 17-18, 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.

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                            May 24, 201253% Say Tax Cuts Help the Economy
Most voters continue to believe tax cuts are good for the economy and that more government spending has a negative impact. 
Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say tax cuts help the economy, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.  Twenty-two percent (22%) say tax cuts hurt the economy, while 13% say they have no impact.  Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 18-19, 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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                            May 24, 201251% Oppose Forcing Religious Organizations To Provide Birth Control
A number of Catholic organizations including the University of Notre Dame have filed lawsuits challenging the mandate in President Obama’s health care law that they provide birth control to their employees in violation of Catholic religious beliefs. While most voters oppose this mandate, they also think it’s unlikely these Catholic institutions ultimately will shut down rather than implement the health care law.
May 24, 2012Keeping Business Honest By John Stossel
Instinctively, we look for people's motives. We need to know whom we can trust and whom we can't. We're especially skeptical of business because we know business wants our money.
May 24, 2012Bain And Our Screwed-Up Culture By Froma Harrop
We recently saluted Leslie Sabo for giving his life to save fellow soldiers in Vietnam 40 years ago. Injured after shielding a comrade with his body, the Pennsylvanian grabbed his grenade and stormed the foe's bunker. He died in the explosion. For his selflessness, America awarded Sabo the Congressional Medal of Honor.    
May 24, 2012Pennsylvania Senate: Casey (D) 48%, Smith (R) 41%
Democratic incumbent Bob Casey, Jr. holds a seven-point lead over Republican challenger Tom Smith in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania.
A new telephone survey of Likely Voters in Pennsylvania finds Casey, who is seeking a second six-year term, with 48% support to Smith’s 41%. Three percent (3%) favor some other candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) 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 Pennsylvania survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted May 21, 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.
May 23, 201230% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, May 20.
This finding is up two points from the previous week.
(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 May 14-20, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports 30surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            May 23, 201263% Say Those Who Can’t Afford Mortgage Payments Should Sell Home
Most Americans continue to believe that homeowners who cannot afford their mortgage payments should buy something cheaper rather than turn to the government for a bailout.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% of Adults think that if someone can't meet their increased mortgage payments, the government should assist them. Sixty-three percent (63%) say they should sell their home instead and buy a less expensive one. That's down six points from March’s high of 69%, but more in line with regular surveys over the past two years. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure which course is better. (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 May 15-16, 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.
May 23, 201248% Say Justice System Is Fair To Most Americans
Overall perceptions of the fairness of the U.S. justice system remain relatively unchanged from last year, but slightly more adults now believe the system is fair to poor and minority Americans.
Forty-eight percent (48%) of Adults think the justice system is generally fair to most Americans, according to a new national Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. Thirty one percent (31%) don’t regard the system as fair to most Americans, while another 21% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on May 19-20, 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.
May 23, 2012Radio Update:  Republican Efforts to Exempt Military from Budget Cuts Out of Step with Voters
Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. 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.

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                            May 23, 201215% Say It’s More Honorable To Work for Government Than For Private Company
Voters give low marks to government service compared to working in the private sector.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is more honorable to work for the government than it is to work for a private company. Sixty-one percent (61%) disagree and say it is not more honorable. But a sizable 24% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on May 20-21, 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.
May 23, 2012Pennsylvania: Obama 47%, Romney 41%
President Obama now holds a six-point lead over Mitt Romney in Pennsylvania, a state considered essential to his reelection bid.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Keystone State shows the president with 47% support, while the putative Republican presidential nominee picks up 41% of the vote. Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) 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 Pennsylvania survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted May 21, 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.