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                            March 2, 201225% Say U.S. Doesn't Spend Enough on Defense
Most voters recognize that the United States is the world leader in defense spending, but one-in-four still don’t think that’s enough.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters correctly believe that the United States spends more on defense than any other nation. Only 15% disagree, but 29% are not sure. That's generally in line with findings since November 2010. (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 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 2, 201272% Want Members of Congress Banned From Trading and Investing
Voters overwhelmingly believe congressmen leave Washington, D.C. wealthier than when they got there and want the law to do something about it. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds, in fact, that 79% of Likely U.S. Voters think members of Congress leave office wealthier than when they were first elected. Just five percent (5%) disagree and say they are not. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 28-29, 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 2, 2012Georgia Primary: Gingrich 38%, Romney 26%, Santorum 20%, Paul 7%
Favorite son Newt Gingrich now holds a double-digit lead over his closest rival in the Georgia Republican Primary race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in Georgia shows Gingrich with 38% support to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s 26%. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum now runs third with 20% of the vote, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul trails with seven percent (7%).  Three percent (3%) prefer another candidate, and six percent (6%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
This Georgia survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 1, 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 2, 2012Snowepocalypse Greatly Harms Republican Chances of Senate Takeover By The Crystal Ball Team
And just when we thought we weren’t going to have any big Snowe storms this year, the decision by…
Eh, enough with the Snowe puns.
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) shockingly announced her retirement on Tuesday night, which greatly frustrates Republican efforts to win back the Senate. This was a race that Snowe almost certainly would have won: She and her moderate Republican colleague, Sen. Susan Collins, are institutions not only in the U.S. Senate, but also in the Pine Tree State. Despite grumbles to her left and right, Snowe would have been very difficult to defeat in a primary or general election.
March 2, 2012Romney's Budget-balancing for Dummies By Joe Conason
Seeking applause from a right-wing audience in Michigan, Mitt Romney vowed on Saturday: "I will cut spending, I will cap spending, and I will finally balance the budget," saying that he will end federal funding for all the usual Republican budgetary scapegoats -- the Public Broadcasting System, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. He has said much the same thing many times in recent months, hoping to woo the tea party extremists who keep rejecting his candidacy.
March 2, 2012Obama Full-Month Approval Numbers Rise To Year-High
When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.
Overall, approval of the president inched up further in February, continuing a trend first noted in January and last month resulting in his highest monthly approval index in one year.
Daily tracking results are collected via telephone surveys of 500 likely voters per night. The monthly numbers in this article are based on approximately 15,000 interviews each month with likely voters. The margin of sampling error is less than +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
March 2, 2012Why Politicians Can't Connect With the Middle Class By Scott Rasmussen
Nearly every national political campaign emphasizes the importance of connecting with the middle class. So how come in the 2012 presidential race, none of the candidates are able to make that connection? A hint may be found in the results of a Rasmussen Reports survey showing that just 27 percent of voters nationwide believe government management of the economy actually helps the economy. Fifty percent think government economic activism does more harm than good.

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                            March 1, 201210% Now Say Congress Doing A Good or Excellent Job
The number of voters who give Congress favorable marks for its job performance has reached double digits for the first time in nearly a year.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 10% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate Congress' performance as good or excellent. That's up from five percent (5%) last month and the highest positive finding since last March. But 63% still think Congress is doing a poor job, although that down from 70% a month ago.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 28-29, 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 1, 201224% Owe More on Their Credit Cards Now Than A Year Ago
One-in-four credit cardholders owes more money now than they did a year ago, but the number who’ve missed a payment hasn’t increased over the past year.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of Americans who have at least one credit card say they owe more than they did 12 months ago, but 42% say they owe less now. Thirty-two percent (32%) say their level of debt is about the same. (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 February 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 1, 2012Massachusetts Senate: Brown (R) 49%, Warren (D) 44%
Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, who won the 2010 special election to finish the term of the late Ted Kennedy, holds a modest lead over his expected Democrat challenger Elizabeth Warren in the first Rasmussen Reports’ look at his 2012 reelection bid in the Bay State.
The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Brown picking up 49% of the vote to Warren’s 44%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Massachusetts was conducted on February 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.

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                            March 1, 2012National GOP: Romney 40%, Santorum 24%, Gingrich 16%, Paul 12%
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, coming off his primary wins in Arizona and Michigan, has jumped to a 16-point lead over Rick Santorum in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters shows Romney with 40% support to 24% for the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania. This is Romney's biggest lead to date and the highest level of support any GOP candidate has earned in regular surveying of the race. Two weeks ago, it was Santorum 39%, Romney 27%. 
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich earns 16% support, closely followed by Texas Congressman Ron Paul at 12%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and six percent (6%) are undecided. The new findings mark virtually no change in national support for Gingrich and Paul. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on February 29, 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 1, 2012Tax the Rich ... First By Froma Harrop
We who've been going on and on about the need to raise taxes on the rich need to catch our breath. There's no need to reverse course, but also no obligation to totally love President Obama's approach for doing what we've been asking for. An explanation is in order.

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                            March 1, 2012National GOP: Romney 40%, Santorum 24%, Gingrich 16%, Paul 12%
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, coming off his primary wins in Arizona and Michigan, has jumped to a 16-point lead over Rick Santorum in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters shows Romney with 40% support to 24% for the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania. This is Romney's biggest lead to date and the highest level of support any GOP candidate has earned in regular surveying of the race. Two weeks ago, it was Santorum 39%, Romney 27%. 
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich earns 16% support, closely followed by Texas Congressman Ron Paul at 12%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and six percent (6%) are undecided. The new findings mark virtually no change in national support for Gingrich and Paul. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The national survey of 1,000 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on February 29, 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 1, 2012Why Liberals Like Taxing the Wealthy By Michael Barone
I have long been puzzled by the enthusiasm with which many young liberal bloggers cheer on proposals to raise tax rates on high earners. I can understand why they might favor them, but not why they seem to invest so much psychic energy in the issue.   
Some of this may just be team ball: You cheer when your side puts up numbers on the scoreboard. So Democratic cheerleaders are rah-rahing what they insist on calling repeal of the Bush tax cuts (which have been in effect now longer than the Clinton tax increases they rolled back).   
March 1, 2012Romney's Sigh of Relief By Larry Sabato, Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley
Phew! The sound you hear is the loud sigh of relief from the Romney campaign. A great deal was on the line for Mitt Romney in the oddest of places -- the state of his birth, the state where his dad served as governor, the state he won against John McCain four years ago. A few months ago, no one could have imagined Mitt Romney being hard-pressed in Michigan, and yet it happened.
March 1, 2012Partisan Trends: GOP Holds Steady, Democrats Fall To New Low
The number of Republicans in the country was virtually unchanged in February, while the number of Democrats fell to a new low for the third month in a row. During February, 36.0% of Americans considered themselves Republicans. That’s up from 35.9% in January and the highest number of Republicans measured since December 2010.
Rasmussen Reports tracks this information based on telephone interviews with approximately 15,000 adults per month and has been doing so since November 2002. The margin of error for the full sample is less than one percentage point, with a 95% level of confidence.

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                            March 1, 2012OHIO: Santorum 33%, Romney 31%, Gingrich 15%, Paul 11%
The Republican Primary race in Ohio is one of the biggest prizes on Super Tuesday, and it’s now a tossup. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Primary Voters in Ohio, taken last night, shows former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum attracting 33% of the vote and Mitt Romney earning 31%. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is now in third place with 15% of the vote, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul runs last with 11% support. Two percent (2%) prefer another candidate, and eight percent (8%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
This Ohio survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on March 1, 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.
(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.
February 29, 201232% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty-two percent (32%) 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, February 26.
The latest finding is up one point from a week ago but down two points from two weeks ago, the highest level of optimism since April 2010. From July 25 through December 11 of last year, the number of voters who were confident in the nation's current course resembled levels measured in the final months of the Bush administration, with voter confidence remaining in the narrow range of 14% to 19%. But that finding has climbed steadily since then.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports 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 29, 2012Just 27% Think Government Management Helps Economy
A major partisan divide exists over whether government efforts to manage the economy do more harm than good. Overall, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 27% of American Adults believe government management helps the economy, while 50% think it hurts. Six percent (6%) say it has no impact, and 17% are not sure. (see question wording)
(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 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.
February 29, 2012Obama Leads Romney, Santorum In Wisconsin
President Obama holds modest leads over the top two Republican presidential hopefuls in Wisconsin.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the Badger State finds Obama ahead of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney 47% to 42%. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
In a matchup with former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Obama leads 46% to 41% among Wisconsin voters. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and eight percent (8%) remain undecided.
This Wisconsin survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted February 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.