Setting legislative priorities has been one of the chief tasks of American presidents for the past century. Sometimes, they concentrate on changing public policy. At other times, they highlight issues for political reasons, with an eye to the next election.
In its quest to ram perpetual bank bailouts and draconian new government regulations through the U.S. Congress under the guise of “financial services reform,” the administration of Barack Obama and its allies have seized upon a convenient new enemy – Goldman Sachs.
Forty-nine percent (49%) of U.S. voters now believe relations between whites and Hispanics in America are getting worse, up 15 points from 34% in December.
Like voters across the nation, most Arizona voters (57%) favor an immigration policy that welcomes all immigrants except “national security threats, criminals and those who would come here to live off our welfare system.” A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Arizona voters finds that just 27% oppose such a welcoming policy.
Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln has fallen to her lowest levels of support yet in her bid for reelection, while her five top Republican challengers now pull over 50% support from Likely Voters in the state.
In the last few weeks, I have found myself debating on radio and TV programs whether various financial instruments have any social utility -- any "real world" purpose other than "speculation or gambling." (Disclosure: I give professional advice to a number of financial organizations.)
Last week, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed an immigration law that launched a national debate. It has also at least temporarily helped her own chances of remaining Arizona’s governor.
Republican senators are playing with fire. And Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is perfectly content to pile on the logs.
Congressman Nathan Deal shapes up for now as the strongest Republican vote-getter against likely Democratic nominee Roy Barnes in Georgia's race for governor.
Governor John Hoeven continues to hold a commanding lead over his Democratic challenger, state senator Tracy Potter, in the U.S. Senate race in North Dakota.
Twenty-two percent (22%) of hockey fans expect the Pittsburgh Penguins to repeat as Stanley Cup champions this year.
Michigan’s Democratic Primary voters remain less than enthusiastic about their current choices for governor, judging by the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the race. Combined support for the three leading candidates adds up to only 34%, while 51% of likely primary voters are currently undecided. Last month, 53% were undecided.
Homeowners are expressing a bit more optimism about the short-term prospects for the U.S. housing market this month but continue to place more confidence in the market five years from now.
Most U.S. voters think it is at least somewhat important for Congress to pass major energy legislation aimed at reducing global warming this year - as long as it doesn’t cost them more in taxes and raise their utility bills.
Congressman Peter Hoektsra has a slight lead over his Republican rivals in the party’s wide-open primary race for governor of Michigan.
Michigan voters won’t definitely know the gubernatorial candidates of the two major parties until their August 3 primaries, but for now the Republican has a slight edge.
President Obama is right that Arizona's tough immigration law is "misguided." And Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is right that her state has been "more than patient waiting for Washington to act." The two are not unrelated.
Former Senator Lincoln Chafee and Democratic State Treasurer Frank Caprio now earn the same level of support from voters in Rhode Island’s gubernatorial election.
Building on an already sizable advantage over the likely Democratic nominee, Republican Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard now earns 53% support from likely voters in South Dakota’s gubernatorial race, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state.
Several public health groups are urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to set new federal standards for the amount of salt Americans eat, but most adults don’t like the idea.
