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November 11, 2011

Missouri 2012: Romney 45%, Obama 42%

So goes Missouri, so goes the nation. No state has supported the winner in more presidential elections than the Show Me State, and right now Mitt Romney is the only Republican presidential hopeful who leads President Obama among Missouri voters.

The first Rasmussen Reports Election 2012 survey of Likely Missouri Voters finds Romney with 45% support to the president’s 42%.

November 11, 2011

Obama Trails Generic Republican in Ohio

Most voters in the important swing state of Ohio disapprove of the way President Obama is handling his job, and an overwhelming majority believe the nation has gotten off on the wrong track.

(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 Ohio was derived from nightly presidential tracking poll surveys conducted October 17-November 8, 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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November 11, 2011

Election 2012: Obama 43%, Romney 42%

President Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney remain in a dead heat in the latest Election 2012 hypothetical matchup.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows Obama picking up 43% of the vote,  while Romney draws support from 42%. Eight percent (8%) prefer some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Romney and the president have been neck-and-neck for nearly two months, separated by two points or less in a series of surveys.

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 9-10, 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.

November 11, 2011

Just 25% Have Favorable Opinion of Rick Perry

Of the top contenders for the Republican presidential nomination, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is viewed most favorably by all voters, while Texas Governor Rick Perry is the least liked. Among Republican voters, Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich still earn mostly positive reviews, while Perry and Ron Paul do not.  

Following his devastating debate freeze, just 25% of voters nationwide now have a favorable opinion of Perry.

(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 November 9-10, 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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November 11, 2011

Mindless -- But Always Talking Loud By Joe Conason

At a time when nations that tax, spend, regulate and invest more consistently outstrip the United States in many measures of progress, leading Republicans speak only of smashing government and ending vital programs. In this constantly escalating rhetorical game, it became inevitable that one of them would eventually expose the emptiness of this vainglorious display. And it was unsurprising that the ultimate faker would turn to be Rick Perry.

November 11, 2011

86% Give U.S. Military Positive Marks

As the nation marks Veterans Day today, voters nationwide continue to strongly praise the performance of the U.S. military.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 86% rate the military's performance as good or excellent, including a majority (58%) who thinks the military is doing an excellent job.

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November 10, 2011

46% Say U.S. and Allies Winning War on Terror

Voters continue to believe the United States is winning the war on terror, and they are still confident the nation is safer today than before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely Voters say the United States and its allies are winning the war on terror, while 14% feel the terrorists are winning that war.  Twenty-nine percent (29%) think neither is ahead, and another 11% are not sure.

(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 November 7-8, 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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November 10, 2011

Missouri Senate: McCaskill Bid for Reelection a Toss-Up

Democratic Senator from Missouri Claire McCaskill runs essentially even with two Republican challengers in the first Rasmussen Reports look at her reelection bid in 2012.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Missouri Likely Voters shows former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman with 47% support against McCaskill’s 45%.

This Missouri survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on November 9, 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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November 10, 2011

Scott Discusses Latest Obama v. Cain Matchup on FOX

Scott Rasmussen discusses the latest Election 2012 matchup between President Obama and Herman Cain.

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November 10, 2011

In Florida, Obama Trails Generic Republican by Six

In the swing state of Florida, President Obama’s job approval rating is below the 50% mark and the economy is the top issue on the minds of voters.

New Rasmussen Reports polling data shows that 47% of Florida’s Likely Voters approve of the way the president is handling his job and 52% disapprove.

November 10, 2011

PSU Gets Poor Marks for Initial Handling of Sex Abuse Reports

As the child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State University continues to unfold,  most Americans say the school's officials did a poor job handling the initial allegations that eventually led to the grand jury investigation of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that eight percent (8%) rate the way Penn State officials handled the initial allegations of child sex abuse as good or excellent.  Fifty-seven percent (57%) rate the initial handling of the situation as poor.

(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 November 8-9, 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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November 10, 2011

Defining Poverty in the Land of Plenty By Froma Harrop

The "poverty issue" opens a vast highway system of social and economic observations headed in every direction. Some say poverty is a national disgrace. Some say it's the poor people's own fault. Some say the government must end it through bigger subsidies and more services for the poor -- others by reducing that help and instead expanding economic opportunity.

November 10, 2011

Most Believe Reporters Publish Damaging Info First, Check Facts Later

If it hurts a candidate they don’t like, most voters believe that reporters would publish damaging allegations first and seek to verify the facts later.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 54% of likely voters nationwide believe most reporters would follow the “publish first” approach while 34% believe the reporters would try to verify the facts before publishing them.

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November 9, 2011

17% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

Seventeen percent (17%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, November 6.   

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November 9, 2011

Florida Primary: Cain 30%, Romney 24%, Gingrich 19%

As he continues to battle media coverage over past sexual harassment allegations, businessman Herman Cain leads other Republican hopefuls in the first Rasmussen Reports look at the GOP primary race in Florida.

The latest statewide telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary voters shows Cain with 30% support while former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney picks up 24% of the vote. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich draws support from 19% of Florida GOP voters with no other candidate picking up double-digits.

(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 Florida survey of 788 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on November 8, 2011 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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November 9, 2011

Obama 48%, Cain 37%

Businessman Herman Cain is losing ground in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup against President Obama. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters finds Obama earning 48% support to Cain’s 37%. 

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 7-8, 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.

November 9, 2011

51% Now Say Allegations Against Cain Likely to Be Serious and True

Most voters now say that the sexual harassment allegations made against Herman Cain may be both serious and true. At the same time, two-thirds believe Cain’s ethics are at least as good as most politicians. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of voters nationwide say it is at least somewhat likely the allegations against Cain are both serious and true.

(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 November 7-8, 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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November 9, 2011

GOP Primary Deadlock? By Tony Blankley

Here's a thought: The GOP presidential primaries may well prove to be inconclusive, with the nominee actually being chosen at the convention in Tampa, Fla., in the fourth week of August next year.

November 9, 2011

24% Think Stimulus Plan Reduced Unemployment, 30% Say It Added to Problem

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insists that the $787 billion stimulus plan passed in early 2009 kept the national unemployment rate from being much worse than it is, but Americans believe overwhelmingly that the stimulus did not help the economy and did not reduce unemployment.

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November 8, 2011

Election 2012: Generic Republican 46%, Obama 42%

A generic Republican candidate continues to lead President Obama in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup, this time by four points for the week ending Sunday, November 6.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds the generic Republican earning 46% support, while the president picks up 42% of the vote.  Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted October 31-November 6, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.