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August 15, 2011

GOP Has Momentum, Needs Clear Direction By Michael Barone

This has been quite a week or 10 days for Republicans. As this is written, down in South Carolina Rick Perry has just announced he's running for president, while here in Ames most of the votes have been cast but none has yet been counted in the Iowa Republican straw poll.

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August 14, 2011

54% See Obama As More Liberal Than They Are

Most U.S. voters continue to believe President Obama is more liberal than they are.

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August 14, 2011

New High: 93% Say They're Paying More for Groceries Than A Year Ago

Americans nationwide continue to lose faith in the Federal Reserve Board to keep inflation under control, with the number who say they are paying more for groceries now at an all-time high.

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August 13, 2011

34% Say London Rioting Could Force Move of 2012 Olympics

Americans aren’t impressed with the way the British government has responded to the riots in London, but most don’t think the violent incidents put the city’s hosting of next year’s Summer Olympics at risk.

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August 13, 2011

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending August 13, 2011

Most Americans these days would agree with Thomas Paine’s famous declaration in 1776: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” We lack confidence in the economy, government, elections, the president, Congress, both political parties, even our military missions abroad, with little hope in sight.

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August 12, 2011

Voters Favor Tax Cuts Over Government Job Programs

When it comes to job creation and improving the overall economy, voters think tax cuts will work better than government solutions.

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August 12, 2011

Rasmussen talks GOP debate, Iowa straw poll this Sunday

Chicago, IL/ Washington DC– August 11, 2011  – The Rasmussen Report, the hour-long radio talk show hosted by public opinion pollster and analyst Scott Rasmussen, is set to air again this Sunday – and every Sunday this month – on the top news talk radio stations in Chicago and Washington DC.  WMAL/630AM in Washington and WLS/890AM in Chicago will simulcast the show at 3pm ET/2pm CT for the next four weeks. 

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August 12, 2011

44% Say U.S. and Allies Winning War on Terror

Confidence in the course of the War on Terror which surged following the killing of Osama bin Laden continues to fall.

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August 12, 2011

48% Think Spending Cuts Could Trigger Violence

Nearly one-out-of-two Americans (48%) think that cuts in government spending are at least somewhat likely to lead to violence in the United States, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes just 13% who feel it’s Very Likely.

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August 12, 2011

Letting States Make Policy By Froma Harrop

Majorities in liberal states often back policies that most folks in conservative states abhor -- and vice versa. The difficulty of reaching accord among warring but heartfelt views partly explains Washington's paralysis.

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August 12, 2011

Franken Calls for Oversight of Ratings Agencies By Joe Conason

With world markets suddenly sagging under the weight of the Standard & Poor's Aug. 5 downgrade of Treasury bonds, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., is disturbed by the monopolistic power of the ratings agencies -- and still determined to curb their abuses, as he tried to do last year with an amendment to the Dodd-Frank banking reform bill.

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August 12, 2011

President Wins Approval from 85% of Liberal Democrats, 67% of Conservative Democrats

There has been much talk lately about declining enthusiasm for President Obama among the political left.

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August 11, 2011

58% Favor Sales Tax Holidays for School Shopping

There are currently 17 states that offer a “sales tax holiday” – a brief suspension of sales taxes – to encourage back-to-school shopping.  Most Americans nationwide support this idea. 

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August 11, 2011

37% Confident in U.S. Banking System

Confidence among Americans in the stability of the nation’s banking industry has hit rock bottom.

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August 11, 2011

Bachmann Shows Why She's the Straw Poll Favorite By Michael Barone

Things look different in the Midwest. Back in Washington, people are talking about President Barack Obama's poor showing this past week. (Did you see that Maureen Dowd has turned against him?) In Iowa, they're focused on the state Republicans' presidential straw poll in Ames next Saturday. And in Wisconsin, they just got through counting the votes in a recall election that has great national significance.

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August 11, 2011

59% Want Troops Home from Afghanistan

Support for bringing home U.S. troops from Afghanistan is on the rise as few American voters think we have a clearly defined mission anymore in that troubled country.

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August 11, 2011

It's Debatable By Larry J. Sabato

Tonight marks the third televised debate of the 2012 campaign for the Republican contenders, and by far the most important one yet. It's not that the audience in Iowa or on TV will be enormous in the midst of August vacations and summer doldrums.

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August 11, 2011

24% Say Government Should Hire Long-Term Unemployed

The number of Americans who believe the federal government should assume financial responsibility for the long-term unemployed has increased throughout 2011. Most, however, still reject that approach.

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August 10, 2011

16% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

Just 16% 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, August 7.

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August 10, 2011

54% Predict Government Spending Will Go Up Under Obama, Lowest Finding of Presidency

While voters aren’t convinced government spending will actually be cut, the number that thinks government spending will increase under President Obama is at the lowest level since he took office.