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October 31, 2011

Wisconsin: Perry 46%, Obama 42%

Barack Obama carried Wisconsin easily in the 2008 presidential election, but he is slightly behind Texas Governor Rick Perry and runs just ahead of two other top Republican hopefuls in Rasmussen Reports’ first Election 2012 look at the Badger State.

Perry earns 46% support from Likely Wisconsin Voters to Obama’s 42% in a new statewide telephone survey. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, and another six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on October 26, 2011 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.

October 31, 2011

Scott Rasmussen Discusses Government Deficit Reduction on Fox News

Scott Rasmussen talks to Patti Ann Browne on America's Newsroom about spending cuts and voter confidence in the bipartisan super committee to reduce the federal deficit.

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October 31, 2011

Obama 44%, Paul 35%

President Obama continues to lead Texas Congressman Ron Paul in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama earning 44% support to Paul’s 35%.  Thirteen percent (13%) prefer some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

October 31, 2011

72% Think Middle-Class Tax Hike Likely In Any Budget-Cutting Deal

Voters have very little confidence that the bipartisan congressional super committee will find a way to significantly cut the federal deficit and believe overwhelmingly that taxes will be raised on the middle class in whatever budget-cutting deal Congress and the president reach.

As a result of last summer’s debt-ceiling deal, the 12-member super committee was created to find a way by Thanksgiving to cut the deficit by $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years, but just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters think the group is even somewhat likely to agree on a deficit-cutting plan by then.

The national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 28-29, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points witha 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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October 31, 2011

54% Favor Repeal of Health Care Reform Law

Most voters nationwide still favor repeal of the national health care law, but fewer than half of those who already have health insurance think the law will force a change in their coverage.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 54% at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, with 42% who Strongly Favor it. Thirty-nine percent (39%) at least somewhat oppose repeal, with 27% who are Strongly Opposed. (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 October 28-29, 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.

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October 31, 2011

In Foreign Affairs, Obama Needs Respect, Not Love By Michael Barone

The argument is being made in some quarters that, however unsuccessful Barack Obama's domestic policies have been, his record in foreign policy has been successful. But when you examine the claims of success, they seem a bit peculiar.

October 31, 2011

34% Plan To Pass Out Candy on Halloween

There's more commercial emphasis on Halloween than ever but little or no change in the number of adults getting into the spirit of the holiday.

October 30, 2011

31% Believe in Ghosts

It's that time of year again for visits to haunted houses and tales of ghastly ghouls.  How about this for a story?  More Americans than ever say they believe in ghosts.
 
 A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that now nearly one-in-three American Adults (31%) believe in spectral phenomena. Sixty-two percent (62%) do not, but seven percent (7%) aren't sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

October 30, 2011

64% Say U.S. Society Fair and Decent

Most voters expect those who move here to adopt America's culture but still believe American society is fair and decent.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that nearly two-out-of three Likely U.S. Voters (64%) think society in this country is fair and decent. Twenty-six percent (26%) disagree and feel American society is unfair and discriminatory.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

October 29, 2011

Wisconsin Governor: Walker's Approval Numbers Edge Up Slightly

Nearly seven months after large-scale protests first erupted in Wisconsin against his budget bill limiting collective bargaining rights for public employees, new polling shows state voters have a slightly improved opinion of Governor Scott Walker.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters shows that 38% Strongly Approve of the job Walker is doing, while the same number (38%) Strongly Disapproves.

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on October 26, 2011 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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October 29, 2011

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending October 29, 2011

For many conservatives and Tea Party voters, the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination boils down to “anyone but Romney.” Yet the former Massachusetts governor remains a frontrunner for the nomination, while the various conservative hopefuls rise and fall.

Romney is still the GOP presidential contender who voters consider most qualified to be president, although he falls short of the number who feel that way about President Obama.

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October 28, 2011

37% Say America's Best Days Are in the Future

With the economy still in the tank, unemployment hovering around nine percent (9%) and a Congress and president that cannot cooperate, a plurality of U.S. voters continues to believe America's best days are behind us.
 
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 37% of Likely Voters think America's best days are in the future, while 45% say those days are in the past.  Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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October 28, 2011

Obama 45%, Perry 38%

Texas Governor Rick Perry made a media splash Tuesday when he unveiled his flat tax proposal, but his numbers against President Obama in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup are little changed from last week.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows the president picking up 45% of the vote to Perry’s 38%.

(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 October 26-27, 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.

October 28, 2011

Romney Still Seen as GOP Candidate Most Qualified for White House

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney remains the Republican presidential contender who voters consider most qualified to be president, but he still falls short of the number who feel that way about President Obama. But most GOP voters think all four top hopefuls for their party’s presidential nomination have what it takes, although they’re a little less sure about Herman Cain.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds that 52% feel Obama is qualified to be president. Forty-three percent (43%) disagree and say the current occupant of the White House is not fit for the job. (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 October 26-27, 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.

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October 28, 2011

Speaking up for That '1 Percent' By Joe Conason

Lauded by the Washington press corps for his "courage" and "honesty" in confronting federal deficits and the national debt, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., wrote a budget that almost sank the Republican Party -- and may still damage its prospects -- because he proposed to dismantle Medicare. Yet his party still relies upon Ryan to speak on behalf of its most important constituency, now known in America and across the world as "the 1 percent."

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October 28, 2011

Wisconsin Senate: Thompson (R) 49%, Baldwin (D) 42%

Former Governor Tommy Thompson is the leading vote getter in Rasmussen Report’s first Election 2012 survey of the race in Wisconsin to replace retiring U.S. Senator Herb Kohl.

A telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Thompson, a Republican, earning 49% support, while Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, the only major declared Democratic candidate, picks up 42% of the vote. Given this matchup, four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

October 27, 2011

50% Prefer Candidate With Political Experience

Despite some candidates campaigning as political “outsiders”, half of voters nationwide still prefer a candidate with some political experience over one who has never held office. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 50% would rather vote for a candidate who has political experience over one who has never held office. Twenty-five percent (25%) would rather vote for someone who has never held office, while 24% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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October 27, 2011

Pelosi Remains Least Favorable Congressional Leader

While Congress’ overall job approval continues to hover around record lows, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi remains the most unpopular Congressional leader. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely Voters have at least a somewhat unfavorable opinion of Pelosi, just below her worst rating ever (64%) measured in July and February.

(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 Likely Voters was conducted on October 24-25, 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.

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October 27, 2011

New Hampshire: Romney 41% Cain 17% Paul 11%

The latest look at the Republican Primary race in New Hampshire shows former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney remains the clear frontrunner.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely GOP Primary voters shows Romney with 41% support. Georgia Businessman Herman Cain comes in a distant second with 17% of the vote while Texas Congressman Ron Paul picks up 11% support.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich receives support from eight percent (8%) while former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman attracts seven percent (7%). No other candidate reaches five percent (5%) support. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

October 27, 2011

New Low: 28% Give Obama Good or Excellent Marks on Economy

Perceptions of President Obama’s handling of the economy – the most important issue on voters’ minds – have fallen to a new low. 

The latest national telephone survey finds that 28% of Likely Voters believe the president is doing a good or excellent job on the economy.  While this finding has been hovered around 30% since early August, it’s the lowest level measured of Obama’s presidency. (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 October 24-25, 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.