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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 July 6.

This is down one point from 26% the week before and is the lowest finding this year. Voters haven't been this pessimistic since the beginning of last December. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been less than 30% for 19 out of 27 weeks 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 June 30-July 6, 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.

36% Rate Obama Positively on the Economy

Like his daily job approval ratings, President Obama's performance reviews for his handling of the economy and national security remain at levels seen for most of his time in office.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of Likely U.S. Voters now say the president is doing a good or excellent job handling economic issues. Forty-four percent (44%) rate him poorly in this area. (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 July 6, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 38%

For the third week in a row, Democrats lead Republicans by two points on the Generic Congressional Ballot. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday, June 29, finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.

This is unchanged from the week before. Democrats have been ahead for most weeks this year, with support ranging from 38% to 42%. Support for the GOP has ranged from 35% to 41% since January 1.  Democrats led Republicans 40% to 39% a year ago.

(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 June 16-22, 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. 

51% Remain Opposed to Obamacare’s Individual Mandate

Opposition to the health care law’s requirement that every American have health insurance remains at its highest level this year, but more people also report that someone in their family has signed up for insurance through a new health care exchange.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the government should require every American to buy or obtain health insurance. Fifty-one percent (51%) disagree and oppose this so-called individual mandate. (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 July 6, 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 Ending July 5, 2014

The separation of powers between Congress, the courts and the president is key to the Founding Fathers’ constitutional blueprint for America, but President Obama is chafing at the restraints this separation is putting on his agenda.

26% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-six percent (26%) 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 June 29.

This is down one point from 27% the week before and ties the lowest finding since early December 2013. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has now been less than 30% for 18 of the 26 weeks 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 June 23-29, 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.

Obama’s Monthly Job Approval Rating Drops A Point in June

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 fell back a point to 48% in June, down from his year-to-date high of 49% reached in May and in February. His job approval held steady at 47% in March and April. Obama’s approval rating hit a two-year low of 45% last November during the troubled rollout period for the new national health care law. Since then, however, his approval ratings have returned to levels seen for much of his time in the White House.

(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.

Rasmussen Employment Index Slips One Point in June

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence slipped a point in June after reaching its highest level in almost six years.

At 99.1, worker confidence is down from May’s finding of 100.1. In March, the index had hit a previous six-year high of 96.2. The index fell to a recent low of 81.2 in October but gained steadily after that. It stood at 93.0 in June 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 9,299 working Americans was conducted in June 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Colorado Governor: Hickenlooper (D) 44%, Beauprez (R) 44%

Colorado’s governor race is now a dead heat between incumbent Democrat John Hickenlooper and Republican nominee Bob Beauprez.

Both men draw 44% support in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Colorado Voters. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while eight percent (8%) 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 Colorado was conducted on June 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 38%

For the third week in a row, Democrats lead Republicans by two points on the Generic Congressional Ballot. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday, June 29, finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.

This is unchanged from the week before. Democrats have been ahead for most weeks this year, with support ranging from 38% to 42%. Support for the GOP has ranged from 35% to 41% since January 1.  Democrats led Republicans 40% to 39% a year ago.

(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 June 16-22, 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. 

Colorado Senate: Udall (D) 43%, Gardner (R) 42%

The U.S. Senate race in Colorado remains just as tight as it was before last week’s uncontested primary elections.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Colorado Voters shows incumbent Democrat Mark Udall with 43% of the vote to Republican Cory Gardner’s 42%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while nine percent (9%) 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 Colorado was conducted on June 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.

Voters Still Strongly Favor Consumer Choice When It Comes to Health Insurance

Attitudes toward the new national health care law are largely unchanged this week, with just over half of voters still viewing it unfavorably and support for individual choice when buying health insurance remaining high.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters share a favorable opinion of the health care law, while 51% view it unfavorably. This includes 19% with a Very Favorable opinion and 38% 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 June 6-7, 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 Ending June 28

Americans continue to worry about the state of the nation’s schools and believe the federal government still doesn’t get it.

69% Think U.S. Public Schools Don’t Provide A World-Class Education

Voters still don't believe U.S. schools are producing the kind of graduates needed for this country to remain competitive with the rest of the world.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely U.S. Voters continue to agree with President Obama that a “world-class education is the single most important factor in determining whether our kids can compete for the best jobs and whether America can out-compete countries around the world.” Only 20% disagree with the president's statement from three years ago, while 12% 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 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.

27% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-seven percent (27%) 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 June 22.

This is up one point from 26% the week before, the lowest finding since early December 2013. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has now been less than 30% for 15 of the 25 weeks 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 June 16-22, 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.

New Low: Only 25% Think Their Member of Congress Deserves Reelection

There’s more bad news for congressional incumbents this month: Fewer voters than ever think their local member of Congress deserves reelection.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Sixty-four percent (64%) rate its job 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 June 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.

26% Rate Supreme Court’s Performance Positively

Americans continue to take a dim view of the U.S. Supreme Court's performance, perhaps in part because most still think the justices base their decisions on their own political agenda rather than the law.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% of Likely U.S. Voters think the nation's highest court does a good or excellent job, while just as many (27%) rate its performance as poor. That's consistent with findings for the past year. (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 national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on June 18-19, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 38%

Democrats lead Republicans by two points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, June 22.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.

Democrats also led by two  points – 39% to 37% - the week before and have been ahead for most weeks this year, with support ranging from 38% to 42%. Support for the GOP has ranged from 35% to 41% since January 1.  Democrats led Republicans by a narrow 40% to 39% margin a year ago.

(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 June 16-22, 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. 

35% Rate Health Care System Poor; 51% Expect it To Get Worse

Voters are more negative than ever about the state of the U.S. health care system, and once again a majority believes the new national health care law will make it worse.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the current health care system as good or excellent. Thirty-five percent (35%) describe the system as poor, up from 31% in May  and the highest negative in regular tracking since November 2012. (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 June 6-7, 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 Ending June 21

Americans are more unhappy about the overall economy despite signs that the housing industry is recovering at last. Is government spending at least partially to blame?