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                            March 25, 2012Just 23% Rate U.S. Public Schools As Good Or Excellent
This past week, a task force led by former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and former New York City School Chancellor Joel I. Klein warned that the country’s economic and national security are at risk if schools do not improve. Adults nationwide overwhelmingly share this concern and give low marks to the performance of America's public schools.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 98% of adults believe the quality of public education is at least somewhat important to the future of U.S. economic and national security, including 83% who view it as Very 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 was conducted on March 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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                            March 24, 201222% Say Government Should Ban Tobacco Smoking
Most Americans still don't think tobacco smoking should be outlawed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% of American Adults think the U.S. government should ban the smoking of tobacco. That’s up from 17% in November 2010 but down from 25% in June 2009.  However, 71% disagree with a government ban on smoking. (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 14-15, 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 24, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending March 23, 2012
Friday marked the two-year anniversary of President Obama’s national health care law, and Republicans, unable to push repeal through the Democratic-controlled Senate, are now looking to the U.S. Supreme Court for relief. The high court will hold hearings this coming week on a multi-state challenge of the law’s constitutionality.
Most voters continue to favor repeal of the law as they have consistently since its passage in 2010. Public opinion has been remarkably stable on the law stretching back to late 2009.
Still, with most of the law’s provisions not scheduled to go into effect until 2014, 57% say the law has had no direct impact on their lives so far. Thirteen percent (13%) say they personally have been helped by the law to date, while twice as many (26%) say they have been hurt by it.

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                            March 23, 2012Obama Ahead of Romney, Santorum in Core Four States (FL, NC, OH, VA)
President Obama holds modest leads over both Republican front-runners in hypothetical Election 2012 matchups in combined polling of the key swing states Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. Obama now picks up 47% of the vote to Romney’s 42% in those states. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia was conducted on March 17-22, 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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                            March 23, 201262% Think Offshore Drilling Likely To Lower Gas Prices
Voters continue to believe the United States is not doing enough to develop its gas and oil resources and strongly support offshore drilling. Most also still think going ahead with offshore drilling is likely to bring down the price of gasoline at the pump.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 20% of Likely U.S. Voters feel this country is doing enough to develop its own gas and oil resources. Seventy percent (70%) disagree and 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
There is a huge gap between the Political Class and Mainstream voters on this question. Fifty-four percent (54%) of those in the Political Class think the United States already does enough to develop its own gas and oil resources; 77% of Mainstream voters disagree.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on March 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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                            March 23, 2012Wisconsin GOP: Romney, 46%, Santorum 33%, Paul 8%, Gingrich 7%
Mitt Romney holds a double-digit lead over Rick Santorum in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the Wisconsin Republican Primary race.
A new statewide telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Wisconsin favor Romney, while 33% prefer Santorum. Texas Congressman Ron Paul is a distant third with eight percent (8%) of the vote, closely followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at seven percent (7%). One percent (1%) favors some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Wisconsin survey of 1,000 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 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.
March 23, 2012Ryan's Budget Kicks the Can at Timorous Democrats By Michael Barone
As I listened to House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan describe his latest budget plan in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute this week, I couldn't help thinking how different things will be in Britain when Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne steps out of No. 11 Downing St. with a battered red briefcase holding his budget for the forthcoming year.

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                            March 23, 2012For Voters, Tax Reform Means Tax Equality By Scott Rasmussen
There's a reason President Obama, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and many others are touting tax reform these days. On the campaign trail, it taps into deeply held beliefs about the way American society ought to work and the role of government.

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                            March 23, 201262% Think Health Law Will Cause Companies To Drop Employee Health Insurance
Most voters still worry that the national health care law will cause some companies to drop employee health care coverage and think it would be bad if those employees were forced into a government insurance plan instead. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 62% believe it is at least somewhat likely that the health care law will cause some companies to drop health insurance coverage for their employees, while only 25% don’t see that as likely. These findings include 38% who view this as a Very Likely outcome but just three percent (3%) who see it as Not At All Likely. Another 13% 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 U.S. Voters was conducted on March 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.

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                            March 22, 201251% Favor Candidate Who Promises To Raise Taxes Only On Rich
Most voters support a candidate who promises to raise taxes only on the wealthiest Americans.  At the same time, the number who feels increases in government spending will help the economy is at a new high.  
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely Voters favor a candidate who would raise taxes only on the rich.  Thirty-eight percent (38%) would rather support a candidate who promises to oppose all tax increases, while 11% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 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.

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                            March 22, 201274% Have Allergies or Know Someone Who Does
Spring is upon us, and for many, that means allergy season.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults suffer from allergies or know someone who does. That’s unchanged from last year. A lucky 22% do not suffer or know someone who does. (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 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.
March 22, 2012Virginia: Obama Widens Lead Over Romney, Santorum
President Obama now clears the 50% mark in support against his top two potential Republican challengers in the battleground state of Virginia.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds the president leading former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney by nine points - 51% to 42%. It was a six-point race a month ago – Obama 49%, Romney 43%. Four percent (4%) now prefer another candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on March 20, 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 22, 2012Virginia: Obama Widens Lead Over Romney, Santorum
President Obama now clears the 50% mark in support against his top two potential Republican challengers in the battleground state of Virginia.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters finds the president leading former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney by nine points - 51% to 42%. It was a six-point race a month ago – Obama 49%, Romney 43%. Four percent (4%) now prefer another candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on March 20, 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 22, 2012Sky Not Falling With Japanese Birthrates By Froma Harrop
There's one complaint visitors to Tokyo rarely make, and that is "not enough people." With a population of 36 million, the Tokyo metropolitan area stuffs an average 6,800 people in each square mile. By contrast, the New York metro area, with 19 million residents, has a density of 2,800 people per square mile.

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                            March 22, 2012Louisiana GOP: Santorum 43%, Romney 31%, Gingrich 16%, Paul 5%
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is comfortably ahead in Louisiana with that state’s Republican Primary just two days away.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely GOP Primary Voters in Louisiana finds Santorum with a 12-point lead over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney – 43% to 31%. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich who has pinned his hopes on capturing other Southern states beyond South Carolina and his native Georgia runs a distant third with 16% support. Texas Congressman Ron Paul comes in last with five percent (5%). One percent (1%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Louisiana survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 21, 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 22, 2012Paul Ryan's Plan for American Decline By Joe Conason
If the foreign adversaries and competitors of the United States imagined a future that would fulfill their most ambitious objectives, it might begin with a government crippled by the House Republican leadership's "Ryan budget" released on Tuesday. Followed to its absurd conclusion, this document would lead America toward a withered state, approaching the point where Marxian dreams and Randian dogma converge.

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                            March 22, 201269% Say Those Struggling With Mortgage Should Sell, Buy Cheaper Home
While most Americans agree now is not the best time to sell a home, they feel stronger than ever that those struggling to pay their mortgage should sell their home and buy a cheaper one rather than receive help from the government.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 19% believe the government should assist those struggling homeowners in making their mortgage payments. Sixty-nine percent (69%) think someone who can’t afford to make increased mortgage payments should sell their home and find a less expensive one. That’s up three points from January and the highest finding in nearly two years of regular tracking. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 18-19, 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 21, 201231% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty-one percent (31%) 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, March 18.
The latest finding is down a point from the previous survey and down three 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 12-18, 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.
March 21, 201233% Say Spring Is Their Favorite Season
It seems at least some Americans really have spring fever.
Spring has officially sprung as of yesterday, and a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that one-third (33%) of American Adults see that as a good thing since spring is their favorite season. Almost as many (29%) will be happiest in a few months when their favorite season, summer, starts. Twenty-seven percent (27%) like fall the best, but just six percent (6%) prefer the colder months of winter. (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 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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                            March 21, 201256% Say Federal Government Encourages Illegal Immigration
Most voters continue to believe the policies of the federal government encourage illegal immigration, but fewer voters than ever think it’s a good idea to put the U.S. military along the border to stop the flow of illegals into this country.  
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely Voters say the policies and practices of the federal government encourage people to enter the United States illegally.  Twenty-seven percent (27%) disagree, while 17% 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 U.S. Voters was conducted on March 19-20, 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.