If it's in the News, it's in our Polls. Public opinion polling since 2003.

Public Content

Most Recent Releases

White letter R on blue background
May 14, 2011

Obama's National Security Positives Fall Slightly From Last Week's High

Voter ratings for President Obama’s handling of national security issues have dipped from last week's high following the killing of Osama bin Laden, but the president’s grades on economic issues remain weak.

White letter R on blue background
May 13, 2011

Just 23% Have A Favorable Opinion of Napolitano

President Obama this week praised Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for her efforts to fight illegal immigration, but she remains the most unpopular member of the president's Cabinet.

White letter R on blue background
May 13, 2011

51% Blame Extreme Weather on Long-Term Planetary Trends, 19% Blame Human Activity

U.S. meteorologists say the deadly storms tearing up the South are not a result of climate change. None the less, the extreme weather has rekindled the global warming debate in Washington, D.C.

White letter R on blue background
May 13, 2011

Only 30% Say U.S.-Mexico Border Secure, 64% Say It’s Not

President Obama on Tuesday encouraged Congress to move forward on immigration reform, saying his administration has “strengthened border security beyond what many believed was possible.” But most voters don’t share the president’s view.

White letter R on blue background
May 13, 2011

Billionaire Babies By Susan Estrich

Raj Rajaratnam should be about the last person in the world that I have any sympathy for. I don't know him. I don't have a lot in common with billionaires who would cheat to save $3 million, as he was convicted of doing. I dislike insider trading, not so much because it's unfair (it's also unfair that so many people are so much better than me at investing) but because it undermines confidence in the markets, and our economy depends on that confidence.

White letter R on blue background
May 13, 2011

The Return of the Real McCain By Joe Conason

For the longest time, a certain admirable, independent senator from Arizona disappeared from public life, replaced by an irresponsible, opportunistic and occasionally demagogic figure, who seemed to have been warped by his presidential ambitions and his disappointment in losing. But John McCain has now returned, just in time to refute the sinister attempt by his fellow Republicans to justify torture as the instrument of Osama bin Laden's demise.

White letter R on blue background
May 13, 2011

Just 23% Say Federal Government Has Consent of the Governed

Most voters nationwide continue to feel disconnected from their government and overwhelmingly believe that Congress puts party politics ahead of its constituents' concerns.

White letter R on blue background
May 13, 2011

Are You On Obama’s “Enemies List?” By Howard Rich

Wherever possible President Barack Obama has sought to dilute or disguise the ideological war his administration has been waging against capitalism over the past twenty-seven months. As a result, his massive bureaucratic bailout became an “economic stimulus.

White letter R on blue background
May 12, 2011

64% of GOP Voters See Divide Between Public and Government As Biggest Since the American Revolution

Republican primary voters are pretty skeptical about the nation’s political leadership.

White letter R on blue background
May 12, 2011

50% Give Government Positive Marks for Response to Weather Disasters

The recent severe weather hammering the South and the Midwest is garnering much media attention, and Americans are generally favorable to the government's response so far.

White letter R on blue background
May 12, 2011

53% Say Elections Are Rigged To Help Incumbents in Congress

Voters are still wary of the congressional election process but just over half believe elections are fair to voters.

White letter R on blue background
May 12, 2011

History Weeps at the Partition of India and Pakistan By Michael Barone

When you get into discussions about the Middle East with certain people, you start hearing that the great mistake was the partition of Palestine and the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. If that had somehow just not happened, you hear, everything would be all right.

White letter R on blue background
May 12, 2011

The Naked and the Red: Republicans Exposed By Froma Harrop

Two is a coincidence, they say, but three is a trend. Hot body shots of three Washington politicians are all over the Internet. All three are of Republicans, and all three are men. Do we have a trend here or just a creepy coincidence?

White letter R on blue background
May 12, 2011

Immigration Flight Clutters the Path By Debra J. Saunders

President Obama addressed an enthusiastic crowd Tuesday when he spoke in El Paso, Texas, about liberalizing federal immigration laws. Audience members exhorted the president to "tear down" the border fence and called immigration hard-liners "racist." 

White letter R on blue background
May 12, 2011

54% Expect Higher Interest Rates A Year From Now

Most American adults continue to believe interest rates will be higher in one year's time, but a majority says the rates they're paying now haven't changed over the past year.

White letter R on blue background
May 11, 2011

29% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-nine percent (29%) 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, May 8.

White letter R on blue background
May 11, 2011

29% Say They’re Conservative On Both Fiscal and Social Issues

Voters remain more conservative fiscally than socially, but 29% characterize themselves as both fiscal and social conservatives. By contrast, only 10% of Likely U.S. Voters say they are liberal in both areas, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

White letter R on blue background
May 11, 2011

Newt and Callista By Susan Estrich

It was probably ironic that in at least one of the online papers I was reading, the story of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver's separation played literally back to back with the story of Newt and Callista Gingrich's ascension and how it is expected that she will turn the liability of his infidelity, which led to their marriage, into an asset.

White letter R on blue background
May 11, 2011

Americans Spending More On Groceries Than Ever Before

Adults nationwide remain heavily concerned about inflation, and the number who says they are paying more for groceries now compared to a year ago has reached a new high.

White letter R on blue background
May 11, 2011

65% Want U.S. To Stay Out of Syrian Crisis

Dictatorial Syria appears to be cracking down harder on anti-government protestors than any other country in the region except Libya, but U.S. voters are adamant about staying out of the problems of yet another Arab country.