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                            February 27, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 39%
Republicans hold a four-point lead over Democrats on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, Feb. 26. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% 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. Last week, the Republican led by just one point.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from February 20-26, 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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                            February 27, 201263% Believe Reducing Dependence on Foreign Oil More Important Than Low Gas Prices
Americans continue to believe strongly than the country needs to lessen its dependence on foreign oil. They tend to think that free market solutions are the best way to achieve that goal. 
Sixty-three percent (63%) of American Adults agree that reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil is more important that reducing the price of gasoline. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only half that many (32%) rate reducing the price of gasoline as more important. (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 February 23-24, 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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                            February 27, 201233% Favor Letting People Buy Homes With No Money Down
Though most Americans continue to believe the federal government should only back mortgages for those who can repay them, one-out-of-three thinks letting people buy homes with no money down is good for the housing market.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that a majority (55%) thinks it is better for the housing market to require a 20% down payment from people buying a home rather than letting people buy homes with no money down. Thirty-three percent (33%) say it's better to let people buy homes without a down payment. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on February 25-26, 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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                            February 27, 2012Michigan GOP Primary: Romney 38%, Santorum 36%
Front-runners Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are in a virtual tie with the former Massachusetts governor up by just two points as the Michigan Republican Primary race comes down to the wire.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Michigan, taken Sunday night, finds Romney with 38% support to Santorum’s 36%. Texas Congressman Ron Paul and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich remain far behind with 11% and 10% of the vote respectively. One percent (1%) likes another candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) remains undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Michigan survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on February 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.
February 27, 2012Romney, Santorum Represent Different White Americas By Michael Barone
If you were listening reasonably carefully to last Wednesday's Republican presidential candidate debate, you heard Rick Santorum say, "Charles Murray just wrote a book about this."
The question was about Santorum's remarks on contraception, but his answer addressed the broader issue of "the increasing number of children being born out of wedlock in America." That is indeed one of the subjects -- but only one -- of Murray's new book "Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960 to 2010."

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                            February 27, 201239% Favor Free Health Care for All Americans
While the political debate continues over mandated free contraception for women, most voters now oppose the idea of free health care for all Americans. Opposition is even higher if voters are required to change their current insurance coverage to a government plan to make that free health care possible.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters believe health care should be made available free to all Americans.  Fifty-one percent (51%) disagree and oppose universal free care. Eleven percent (11%) 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 February 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.

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                            February 26, 201255% Oppose Affirmative Action Policies for College Admissions
The U.S. Supreme Court last week agreed to hear a case involving the use of race as a factor in college admissions. Most voters oppose the use of so-called affirmative action policies at colleges and universities and continue to believe those policies have not been successful despite being in place for 50 years.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 24% of Likely U.S. Voters favor applying affirmative action policies to college admissions. Fifty-five percent (55%) oppose the use of such policies to determine who is admitted to colleges and universities. Twenty-one percent (21%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted February 22-23, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for each survey 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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                            February 26, 201268% Say Newcomers Should Adopt America's Culture and Language
Americans appear a little less insistent that those who move here from another country adopt our culture.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely Voters say when people move to the United States from other parts of the world, they should adopt America’s culture, language and heritage. Twenty percent (20%) disagree and think those immigrants should try to maintain the culture, language and heritage of their own country. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 12-13, 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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                            February 25, 2012“The Help,” Clooney and Streep Lead Among Oscar Watchers
There are five actors, five actresses and nine films up for the night’s biggest awards at the 84th Academy Awards airing this Sunday, and Oscar watchers already are calling the winners.
Ten percent (10%) hope the Alexander Payne-directed film, “The Descendants,” will win the Best Picture Oscar. After that the hoped-for winners and their level of support are the Brad Pitt sports vehicle “Moneyball” (7%), Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris" (5%), the 9/11-themed “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” (4%), the Martin Scorcese-directed “Hugo” (4%), “The Tree of Life” (3%) by famed auteur Terrence Malick and Steven Spielberg's latest, “War Horse” (3%). Twenty-five percent (25%). however, don't have a preference.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 762 Adults who are likely to watch the Oscars was conducted on February 19-22, 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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                            February 25, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending February 24, 2012
Tuesday will tell us a lot about the race for the Republican presidential nomination, and right now the numbers are running Mitt Romney’s way. Things are a little murkier when it comes to the following week’s Super Tuesday.
The former Massachusetts governor has widened his lead over leading challenger Rick Santorum in Arizona with that state’s primary looming on Tuesday. It’s now Romney 42%, Santorum 29%, with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Congressman Ron Paul far behind.
February 24, 201252% Say U.S. Safer Today Than Before 9/11
Fewer voters than ever think the United States is a more dangerous place today than it was before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. At the same time, most believe the United States is winning the war on terror.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters believe America is safer than it was before those attacks. Only 26% disagree and think the country is not as safe today. That's down eight points from last month and the lowest finding since regular surveying began on the question in November 2006. Twenty-two percent (22%) still are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 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.

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                            February 24, 2012Montana: Romney 48%, Obama 41%
President Obama lost Montana to Senator John McCain in 2008 by a 50% to 47% margin. Now he draws even less support against the top two Republican hopefuls in the first Rasmussen Reports Election 2012 survey in the Treasure State.
The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide survey of Likely Voters in Montana shows former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leading the president 48% to 41%. Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum picks up 45% of the vote to Obama’s 41%. Nine percent (9%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) remain 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 February 22, 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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                            February 24, 2012Obama, Romney Nearly Tied in Pennsylvania, Santorum Trails
Mitt Romney runs neck-and-neck with President Obama in the key electoral state of Pennsylvania, but Rick Santorum, a former U.S. senator from the Keystone State, trails the incumbent by six points. Most voters in the state disapprove of the job the president is doing.
New Rasmussen Reports data shows that if Romney is the Republican presidential nominee, Obama leads 45% to 44%. (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 438 Likely Voters was conducted February 8-23, 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.

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                            February 24, 2012Arizona GOP Primary: Romney 42%, Santorum 29%
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has widened his lead over leading challenger Rick Santorum in the Arizona Republican Primary race with the vote just four days away.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Arizona Republican Primary Voters finds Romney leading Santorum 42% to 29%. The survey, taken after the last scheduled debate of the GOP candidates, finds Romney up three points and Santorum down two from a week ago when it was a 39% to 31% race.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich earns 16% support, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul trails with eight percent (8%), marking virtually no change for either man from the previous survey. Only one percent (1%) favors another candidate in the race, and three percent (3%) remain undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Arizona survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on February 23, 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.
February 24, 2012I Tried to Open a Lemonade Stand By John Stossel
Want to open a business in America? It isn't easy.
In Midway, Ga., a 14-year-old girl and her 10-year-old sister sold lemonade from their front yard. Two police officers bought some. But the next day, different officers ordered them to close their stand.

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                            February 24, 2012Michigan GOP Primary: Romney 40%, Santorum 34%
True to a primary season already marked by sudden and surprising ups and downs, Mitt Romney has jumped back into the lead in Michigan’s Republican Primary race. The vote’s on Tuesday.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Michigan shows Romney with 40% of the vote and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum with 34%. The poll was conducted on Thursday night, following the last scheduled debate among the GOP candidates. (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 Michigan survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on February 23, 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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                            February 24, 2012Trickle Down Environmentalism Has Little Public Support By Scott Rasmussen
As a candidate in 2008, Barack Obama declared his support for green energy development. "For the sake of our economy, our security and the future of our planet," he said, "we must end the age of oil in our time."

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                            February 23, 201259% Say Border Control More Important to Immigration Reform
Voters continue to name border control as the more important issue in immigration reform, but they also still support a welcoming immigration policy.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters think when it comes to immigration reform, gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of illegal immigrants who are already in this country. That’s down two points from last month but in line with findings on the question since February 2007.
Thirty-four percent (34%) of voters think it is more important to legalize the status of undocumented workers already living here, unchanged from last month. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 16-17, 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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                            February 23, 2012Obama Tied With Romney, Santorum in Core Four States (FL, NC, OH, VA)
Four years ago, President Obama won a solid victory in the Electoral College by carrying the big swing states and adding a couple of states that had been in the Republican column for decades. As he seeks reelection, attention will likely focus on four key states—Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.
February 23, 2012Montana Senate: Rehberg (R) 47%, Tester (D) 44%
Democratic incumbent Jon Tester runs slightly behind his leading Republican challenger in his bid for reelection in Montana’s U.S. Senate race.
A new telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg earning 47% support to Tester’s 44% in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at this contest.  Four percent (4%) prefers some other candidate, while 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 Montana survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on February 22, 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.