What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending March 11, 2011
Americans don’t much like the way things are going these days.
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March 12, 2011
March 11, 2011
47% Have Unfavorable View of Napolitano
Thanks to TSA airport pat-downs and the continuing debate over illegal immigration, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano remains one of the better-known - and most unpopular - members of President Obama's Cabinet.
March 11, 2011
Americans Say Pay Should Be Based on Performance Instead of Education, Seniority
Most American Adults think how much money an individual is paid should depend more on what they get done on the job rather than their educational background or how long they’ve worked for a company.
March 11, 2011
63% Say Border Control Is Top Immigration Priority
Little is being said on Capitol Hill about immigration reform these days, but voters remain strongly convinced that border control should come first.
March 11, 2011
Unknown Unknowns By Lawrence Kudlow
Stocks got slammed today. The Dow dropped 228 points as the much anticipated correction appears to be taking hold. Year-to-date, the broadest index, the S&P 500, is still up 3 percent, and the Dow is up 3.5 percent. Curiously, a $2 drop in oil did not rescue the market. But a lot of worries about China growth, a Spanish credit downgrade, and a widening U.S. trade deficit weighed down the market right from the opening trade.
March 11, 2011
The Crystal Ball's Senate Ratings By Larry J. Sabato
It’s time for a quick update on the 2012 Senate and Governor contests. Even though only two months have passed since our January roll-out, a surprisingly large number of shifts have occurred.
March 11, 2011
Just 17% Believe American Muslims Are Treated Unfairly
Most voters don’t believe their fellow citizens are unfair to Muslim Americans. They also think Muslims in this country should be louder in their criticism of potential domestic terrorist attacks.
March 11, 2011
How Not to Fight Terrorism By Joe Conason
Despite the dubious credentials of Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., as an opponent of terrorism, owing to his years fronting for the Irish Republican Army, his controversial hearings on the "Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response" might still have proved useful. Had they included testimony from real experts, officials who are responsible for counter-terrorism and actual leaders from the Muslim community, the proceedings could have revealed fresh and important information.
March 10, 2011
Workers Less Optimistic About Future Earnings
Only one out of three (33%) workers nationwide expects to earn more money a year from now, marking the lowest level of optimism in nearly two years.
March 10, 2011
67% Favor Automatic Police Immigration Checks, Most Support Sanctions on Employers and Landlords
Most voters continue to favor strong sanctions on employers who hire illegal immigrants and landlords who rent to them. Voters also feel strongly that police should check the immigration status of drivers during routine traffic stops.
March 10, 2011
39% Say Government Not Focusing Enough on Threat of Domestic Islamic Terrorism
A House committee is expected to begin controversial hearings today about the potential danger of domestic Islamic terrorism, and a sizable number of voters think the government is not paying enough attention to this possible threat. Most voters still worry, too, about homegrown terrorist attacks.
March 10, 2011
Social Security: Why America Can and Should Allow Private Accounts By Howard Rich
The Social Security debate is no different than the debate over any other government program – there are just a lot more zeroes involved. Of course the more zeroes, the less willing Washington politicians usually are to confront the problem – particularly when so-called “guaranteed” benefits are at stake.
March 10, 2011
Who's Missing in Utah's Immigration Deal By Froma Harrop
Someone is missing at the celebration for the Utah Compact on immigration. Who could that be?
March 10, 2011
Americans Think New State Laws Will Reduce Number of Abortions
Pro-life state legislators are pushing several measures that critics view as restrictions on abortion, and most Americans agree that two of these proposals are at least somewhat likely to reduce the number of abortions in America.
March 10, 2011
Why NPR Should Urge Congress to End Its Subsidy By Michael Barone
What do they put in the water cooler over at NPR? First, they fire Juan Williams in October for comments he made on Fox News Channel -- and Vivian Schiller, the CEO of public radio, smilingly suggests he needs to have his head examined.
March 9, 2011
27% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
For the second week in a row, just 27% 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 6.
March 9, 2011
61% See President Obama As More Liberal Than They Are
A majority of voters still believe President Obama is more ideologically liberal than they are.
March 9, 2011
30% of Workers Looking For Job Outside Current Company
The number of employees looking for a new employer has reached its highest level in nearly two years.
March 9, 2011
48% of Wisconsin Voters Want Public Employee Pension Increases Approved by Voters
A plurality of Wisconsin voters think voters should have the right to approve or reject new pension plans agreed to by government officials and union members if they'll lead to increased government spending. They are evenly divided as to whether approval should be required for public employee pay raises that push spending higher.
March 9, 2011
Is the President Really in Good Shape for Re-Election? By Tony Blankley
The media tend to be filled with many items that are either untrue or obvious. Last week -- from Politico to cable television, from Karl Rove to Mike Huckabee -- was a moment for the obvious to be stated and restated: "The GOP should not underestimate how hard it will be to defeat President Obama next November; indeed, he has to be considered the favorite to win the next presidential election." True.
