Public Content

Most Recent Releases

January 10, 2012Election 2012:  Obama 46%, Gingrich 38%
For the first time since early December, Newt Gingrich is within single digits of President Obama in an Election 2012 matchup.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama earning 46% support to Gingrich’s 38%.  Ten percent (10%) prefer some other candidate, while six percent (6%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 5-6, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/most_recent_videos/2012_01/video_will_gop_voters_ever_fall_in_love_with_mitt_romney/654465-2-eng-US/video_will_gop_voters_ever_fall_in_love_with_mitt_romney.jpg" />
                
                            January 10, 2012Video: Will GOP Voters Ever Fall In Love with Mitt Romney?
The voting has begun in New Hampshire, America’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, and many are the questions we won’t have answered until this evening.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/general_politics/january_2012/only_18_like_iowa_new_hampshire_always_going_first_in_presidential_process/654377-1-eng-US/only_18_like_iowa_new_hampshire_always_going_first_in_presidential_process.jpg" />
                
                            January 10, 2012Only 18% Like Iowa, New Hampshire Always Going First in Presidential Process
Very few voters like the fact that Iowa and New Hampshire always go first in the presidential selection process, and most prefer the idea of regional primaries instead.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% think it’s good for the presidential nomination process that the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary are first every four years. Thirty-nine percent (39%) think it’s bad for the selection process, but a sizable 43% 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 was conducted on January 7-8, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/most_recent_videos/2012_01/video_looking_past_new_hampshire_who_s_winning_south_carolina/654360-1-eng-US/video_looking_past_new_hampshire_who_s_winning_south_carolina.jpg" />
                
                            January 10, 2012Video:  Looking Past New Hampshire, Who's Winning South Carolina?
The voting has begun in New Hampshire, America’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, and many are the questions we won’t have answered until this evening.
January 10, 2012Consumer Bureau Protects the Prudent, as Well By Froma Harrop
Let's set aside the back-and-forth over the recess appointment of
Richard Cordray as chief watchdog at the new Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau. President Obama named the former Ohio attorney general to lead the
agency when the Senate was supposedly out of session, which he's allowed to
do.  

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/most_recent_videos/2012_01/video_in_new_hampshire_mitt_romney_viewed_most_favorably_highest_electability/654264-2-eng-US/video_in_new_hampshire_mitt_romney_viewed_most_favorably_highest_electability.jpg" />
                
                            January 10, 2012Video: In New Hampshire, Mitt Romney Viewed Most Favorably, Highest Electability
The voting has begun in New Hampshire, America’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, and many are the questions we won’t have answered until this evening.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/new_hampshire/election_2012_new_hampshire_republican_primary/514611-9-eng-US/election_2012_new_hampshire_republican_primary.jpg" />
                
                            January 10, 2012New Hampshire: Romney 37%, Paul 17%, Huntsman 15%
Mitt Romney, the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts, remains well ahead of his nearest rival in Rasmussen Reports’ final survey of the New Hampshire Republican Primary race.
Romney earns 37% support, with Texas Congressman Ron Paul a distant second with 17% of the vote in the latest telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters taken Sunday night. Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is now in third with 15%, up slightly from 12% late last 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.
This New Hampshire survey of 722 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 8, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/most_recent_videos/2012_01/video_scott_rasmussen_talks_latest_new_hampshire_poll_numbers/654209-2-eng-US/video_scott_rasmussen_talks_latest_new_hampshire_poll_numbers.jpg" />
                
                            January 10, 2012Video: Scott Rasmussen Talks Latest New Hampshire Poll Numbers
The voting has begun in New Hampshire, America’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, and many are the questions we won’t have answered until this evening.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/most_recent_videos/2012_01/video_on_the_ground_in_new_hampshire_with_scott_rasmussen/654127-2-eng-US/video_on_the_ground_in_new_hampshire_with_scott_rasmussen.jpg" />
                
                            January 10, 2012Video: On the Ground in New Hampshire with Scott Rasmussen
The voting has begun in New Hampshire, America’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, and many are the questions we won’t have answered until this evening.
January 9, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot:  Republicans 44%, Democrats 38%
Republicans now hold a six-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 8.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Democrat instead.
(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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/january_2012/68_oppose_law_requiring_high_school_students_to_apply_to_college/653756-1-eng-US/68_oppose_law_requiring_high_school_students_to_apply_to_college.jpg" />
                
                            January 9, 201268% Oppose Law Requiring High School Students to Apply to College
Members of the Washington, D.C. City Council are proposing a law that would make all high school students take college entrance exams and apply to at least one post-secondary school as requirements for graduation. But most Americans don't like the proposals.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 24% of Adults favor a law in their community that would require all high school students to apply to at least one college as a requirement for graduation. Sixty-eight percent (68%) oppose such a law.  (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 Adults was conducted on January 4-5, 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.
January 9, 2012Election 2012:  Obama 46%, Santorum 39%
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, surging among Republican voters, also earns his highest level of support to date in an Election 2012 matchup with President Obama but still trails the incumbent by seven points.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama receiving 46% of the vote to Santorum’s 39%.  Nine percent (9%) prefers some other candidate, while another six percent (6%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 5-6, 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.
January 9, 2012Romney’s Only Republican Most Voters Think Is Likely To Beat Obama
While the Republican presidential hopefuls continue to fight it out on the campaign trail, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is the only GOP contender that most voters view as having a chance against President Obama.
Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Romney is at least somewhat likely to beat the president in November.
(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 January 5-6, 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.
January 9, 2012The Weakness That Saps the Strength of GOP Candidates By Michael Barone
A presidential campaign exposes candidates' strengths and weaknesses. The strengths they're eager to tell you about. So let's look at the weaknesses.
Start with Rick Santorum, whose poll numbers in New Hampshire and South Carolina have been surging since (by last count) he lost the Iowa caucuses by the Chinese lucky number of 8 votes.
January 9, 201254% Think Repeal of Health Care Law Likely
Most voters still want to see the national health care law repealed and believe repeal of the controversial measure is likely.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the law, while 39% are at least somewhat opposed. This includes 42% of voters who Strongly Favor repeal versus 29% who Strongly Oppose it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 7-8, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/january_2012/6_of_gop_voters_ready_to_vote_third_party_if_their_favorite_isn_t_the_nominee/653223-1-eng-US/6_of_gop_voters_ready_to_vote_third_party_if_their_favorite_isn_t_the_nominee.jpg" />
                
                            January 8, 20126% of GOP Voters Ready to Vote Third Party If Their Favorite Isn’t The Nominee
Texas Congressman Ron Paul at a debate Saturday night in New Hampshire refused to rule out a third party run for the presidency if he fails to win the Republican nomination. But there’s minimal support for a third party candidate among Republican voters even if their favorite candidate is not the nominee.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that six percent (6%) of Likely Republican Primary voters nationwide say they would vote for a third party candidate if the candidate they’re backing for the GOP nomination comes up short. Slightly more (8%) say they would vote for President Obama if that was the case. But 78% of these GOP voters plan to vote for the Republican candidate no matter what. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 4, 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.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/january_2012/66_say_military_service_is_good_for_young_people/653137-1-eng-US/66_say_military_service_is_good_for_young_people.jpg" />
                
                            January 8, 201266% Say Military Service Is Good For Young People
Most Americans agree that military service is good for the young but also acknowledge that it's a more stressful line of work than most other jobs.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults believe serving in the military service is good for young people, Just 17% disagree, while another 17% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 30, 2011 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.
January 7, 201230% Say Global Warming A Very Serious Problem
Belief that global warming is a serious problem is at its highest level in two-and-half-years, but fewer voters than ever give President Obama positive marks on his handling of this issue.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters finds that 64% say global warming is at least a somewhat serious problem, including 30% who say it’s Very Serious.  One-in-three voters (33%) believe climate change is not a serious problem, with 14% who feel it’s Not At All Serious.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 3-4, 2011 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.
January 7, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending January 6, 2012
Like a weathered old gunslinger who has to face down every newcomer who thinks he’s faster on the draw, Mitt Romney has yet another challenger stepping out of the pack. First it was Michele Bachmann followed by Rick Perry; then it was Herman Cain. Next came Newt Gingrich, and now it’s Rick Santorum.
After his photo finish with Romney in last Tuesday’s Iowa caucuses, Santorum is now in second place among Republican voters in the race for the party’s 2012 presidential nomination.  Romney’s back in first place with support from 29%, followed by Santorum with 21%. Gingrich, who led in late November with 38% of the vote, now runs third with 16%. Texas Congressman Ron Paul, the third place finisher in Iowa, picks up 12% of the vote, up from eight percent (8%) in the previous survey.
In the short term, Romney doesn’t appear to have any worries. Next up is the first-in the-nation New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, and the former Massachusetts governor is pulling far ahead.  His nearest rival now trails him by more than 20 points.
The night before the primary, Scott Rasmussen will host a political talk show, “What New Hampshire Thinks with Scott Rasmussen,” in partnership with WBIN-TV, based in Derry, N.H.  The 9 pm Eastern program on Monday will include new Rasmussen Reports numbers on the New Hampshire primary race. Segments from the program will be released Tuesday on the Rasmussen Reports website.

                    <img src="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/var/plain/storage/images/_aliases/wide_266/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/january_2012/38_say_government_should_pay_for_college_for_those_who_can_t_afford_it/652691-1-eng-US/38_say_government_should_pay_for_college_for_those_who_can_t_afford_it.jpg" />
                
                            January 6, 201238% Say Government Should Pay for College for Those Who Can't Afford It
Most Americans still believe any good student can find a way to get into college, and if a student is accepted at a college but can't afford it, a sizable number of adults think the government should pay for it.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 60% of adults believe that just about any good student who wants to attend college can find a way to do so in America today.  That’s up from 54% in early May 2009.   Twenty-nine percent (29%) don’t believe this to be true, while 11% 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 4-5, 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.