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25% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-five percent (25%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending August 31.

This is up two points from the week before which tied the lowest level of confidence since last October during the temporary government shutdown. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been below 30% for most of this year.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on August 25-31, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Kentucky Senate: McConnell (R) 46%, Grimes (D) 41%

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell still holds the lead in Kentucky’s U.S. Senate race.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Kentucky Voters finds McConnell with 46% support to Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes’ 41%. Seven percent (7%) like some other candidate, and six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Kentucky was conducted on September 1-2, 2014 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.

Voters Think Congress Cheats to Get Reelected

Most voters still think Congress is doing a poor job and believe most of its members only get reelected because a fix is in.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, unchanged from a month ago. Sixty-five percent (65%) rate its performance as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 August 28-29, 2014 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.

Rasmussen Employment Index Reaches New High in August

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence reached a new all-time high in August after falling for two months in a row.

At 101.2, worker confidence is up nearly three points from July’s 98.4 and marks the highest finding in six years of regular tracking. The index reached its previous high in May at 100.1. The index fell to a recent low of 81.2 last October but gained steadily after that. It stood at 86.5 in August of last year.

Generally speaking, an increase in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government report on job creation will be stronger than the prior month’s reports.

Obama’s Full-Month Approval Remains at 2014 Low

When tracking President Obama’s job approval  on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.  

The president’s monthly job approval rating held steady at 46% in August for the second month in a row and remains his lowest monthly approval rating this year. It's up just a point from his two-year low of 45% reached in November during the troubled rollout period for the new national health care law. Obama’s approval rating hit a year-to-date high of 49% in February and May.

(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.

Daily tracking results are collected via telephone surveys of 500 likely voters per night. The monthly numbers in this article are based on approximately 15,000 interviews each month with likely voters. The margin of sampling error is less than +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 41%, Democrats 40%

It’s still a one-point race on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending August 31 finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Democrat.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from August 25-31, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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. 

39% of Consumers, 57% of Investors Rate Personal Finances Postively

The Rasmussen Consumer Index, which measures consumer confidence on a daily basis, dipped less than a point on Monday to 109. Consumer confidence is still up six points from a week ago, one point from a month ago and five points from three months ago.

The Rasmussen Investor Index held relatively steady on Monday at 129.1, just shy of the 2014 high. Investor confidence is up seven points from a week ago, five points from a month ago and eight points from three months ago.

Detailed supplemental information, including a daily history and month-by-month trend data, is available for Platinum Members. 

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Voters Favor Piece-by-Piece Changes in Obamacare Over Repeal

Nearly half of voters now think Congress should go through the new national health care law to fine tune it rather than repeal it entirely, but most feel repeal is likely if Republicans take charge of Congress.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of Likely U.S. Voters still want Congress to repeal Obamacare in its entirety and start over again. But 47% think Congress should go through the law piece by piece and improve it. Only 12% want to leave the law as is. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The number of voters who say their insurance coverage has changed because of the new national health care law (37%) is at its highest level since April of last year. (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 August 30-31, 2014 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.

Arizona Governor: Ducey (R) 40%, DuVal (D) 40%

The race to be Arizona’s next governor is a dead heat.

Arizona is rated a Toss-Up on the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Gubernatorial Scorecard. The race will determine the successor to Republican Jan Brewer who is term-limited. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 850 Likely Voters in Arizona was conducted on August 27-28 2014 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week of August 30

We’re off to the races. In nine weeks, America will elect a new Congress. Will it be more of the same, or will there be a new sheriff in town?

Voters Won't Back Their Global Warming Worries With Cash

Most voters continue to consider global warming a serious problem but remain unwilling to pay much to do anything about it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely Voters consider global warming at least a somewhat serious problem. That's the lowest level of concern since February of last year but still generally consistent with findings in regular surveys since 2009. Thirty-six percent (36%) don't share that concern. The latest findings include 38% who regard global warming as a Very Serious problem and 16% who say it’s Not At All Serious. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 26-27, 2014 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.

Arkansas Governor: Ross (D) 46%, Hutchinson (R) 44%

Republican Asa Hutchinson has lost his lead and is now running slightly behind Democrat Mike Ross in Arkansas’ gubernatorial contest.

The latest statewide telephone survey of Likely Arkansas Voters finds Ross with 46% support to Hutchinson’s 44%. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on August 25-26, 2014 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.

23% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-three percent (23%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending August 24.

This is down one point from the week before and marks the second time this month this finding has fallen to a level of confidence last seen during the temporary government shutdown in October. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been steadily falling since mid-June and has been less than 30% for most of this year.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on August 18-24, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Arkansas Senate: Pryor (D) 44%, Cotton (R) 43%

Support for Republican challenger Tom Cotton has slipped a bit, turning the Arkansas Senate race into a dead heat.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Arkansas Voters finds Democratic Senator Mark Pryor with 44% of the vote to Cotton’s 43%. Six percent (6%) like another candidate in the race, and another six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 750 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on August 25-26, 2014 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.

Arkansas Senate: Pryor (D) 47%, Cotton (R) 43%

Republican challenger Tom Cotton still holds a narrow lead over incumbent Democrat Mark Pryor in Arkansas’ U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide survey of Likely Arkansas Voters finds Cotton, a U.S. congressman, with 47% support to Pryor’s 43%. Four percent (4%) like some other candidate in the race, while six percent (6%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 750 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on May 27-28, 2014 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.

Boehner Is Congress’ Least Liked Leader Again This Month

House Speaker John Boehner remains Congress’ most unpopular leader, but both parties’ bosses in the Senate continue to operate below the radar for many voters.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 28% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of Boehner, including four percent (4%) with a Very Favorable one. But 60% view the Ohio Republican unfavorably, with 32% who hold a Very Unfavorable opinion. Boehner’s overall unfavorables match the findings in June and again put him just ahead of House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi who held the title for years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 August 24-25, 2014 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.

Alaska Governor: Parnell (R) 47%, Mallott (D) 36%

Incumbent Republican Sean Parnell holds a double-digit lead over Democratic challenger Byron Mallot in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the governor’s race in Alaska.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Alaska Voters shows Parnell with 47% support to Mallott’s 36%. Eleven percent (11%) prefer another candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 750 Likely Voters in Alaska was conducted on August 20-21, 2014 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%

Republicans have edged ahead of Democrats again on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending August 24 finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat.

(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 national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from August 18-24, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

Alaska Senate: Sullivan (R) 47%, Begich (D) 45%

Alaska is critical to Republican hopes of taking control of the Senate, and, coming off last week’s state GOP primary, the Alaska Senate race is a near tie.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Alaska Voters shows Republican Dan Sullivan with a 47% to 45% lead over incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Begich. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 750 Likely Voters in Alaska was conducted on August 20-21, 2014 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.

More Say Obamacare Forcing Them to Change their Insurance

The number of voters who say their insurance coverage has changed because of the new national health care law is at its highest level since April of last year, but most still say the law hasn’t helped or hurt them personally.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 43% of Likely U.S. Voters share a favorable opinion of the health care law, while 53% view it unfavorably. This includes 15% with a Very Favorable opinion and 37% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(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 August 22-23, 2014 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.