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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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week of August 23

Is America becoming an even more divided nation? We ask voters last month if America is a more divided nation now than it was four years ago, and 67% said yes.

That was before racial tensions exploded following a police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. Blacks and whites have sharply different views on what happened in Ferguson and what should happen next. Most black Americans (57%) are already convinced that the police officer who shot a black teenager should be found guilty of murder, a view shared by just 17% of whites and 24% of other minority adults.

38% Think the Economy Is Fair

Most voters still view the U.S. economy as unfair.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 38% of Likely U.S. Voters think the economy today is at least somewhat fair, and that includes only five percent (5%) who view it as Very Fair. Fifty-six percent (56%) feel the economy is not fair, with 19% who say it is Not At All Fair. This is generally in line with findings for the past year. In 2012 and the first half of last year, the number who thought the economy was fair generally ran in the mid-40s. (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 18-19, 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.

Connecticut Governor: Foley (R) 45%, Malloy (D) 38%

Incumbent Democrat Dan Malloy is trailing Republican challenger Thomas Foley by seven points in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at their gubernatorial rematch.

Foley picks up 45% of the vote to Malloy’s 38% in a new statewide telephone survey of Likely Connecticut Voters. Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and 10% 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 Connecticut was conducted on August 18-19, 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.

West Virginia Senate: Capito (R) 50%, Tennant (D) 33%

Is the West Virginia Senate race turning into a rout?

(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 West Virginia was conducted on August 19-20, 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.

Minnesota Governor: Dayton (D) 49%, Johnson (R) 41%

Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton has an eight-point advantage in his bid for a second term as governor of Minnesota.

(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 Minnesota was conducted on August 13-14, 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 39%, Republicans 39%

For the second time in a month, Democrats and Republicans are tied on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending August 17 finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while the same number (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 11-17, 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.

Minnesota Senate: Franken (D) 50%, McFadden (R) 42%

Live from Minnesota, it’s Democratic Senator Al Franken’s bid for reelection, and he’s got an eight-point lead over Republican challenger Mike McFadden.

(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 Minnesota was conducted on August 13-14, 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.

Business Is Steadily Growing At New Health Insurance Exchanges

Nearly half of voters remain unaware whether their state has established a health insurance exchange under the new national health care law, but the number who are buying health insurance through one of these exchanges is steadily increasing.

Nineteen percent (19%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say they or a member of their immediate family has bought health insurance though a new health care exchange, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up from 15% last month and up from just four percent last November after the problem-plagued launch of the federally-operated exchange and state-run exchanges around the country. (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 16-17, 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.

Iowa Governor: Branstad (R) 52%, Hatch (D) 35%

Incumbent Republican Terry Branstad has widened his lead over Democratic challenger Jack Hatch in Iowa’s gubernatorial race.

Branstad picks up 52% of the vote to Hatch’s 35% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, while seven percent (7%) 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 Iowa was conducted on August 11-12, 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.

Iowa Governor: Branstad (R) 52%, Hatch (D) 35%

Incumbent Republican Terry Branstad has widened his lead over Democratic challenger Jack Hatch in Iowa’s gubernatorial race.

Branstad picks up 52% of the vote to Hatch’s 35% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, while seven percent (7%) 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 Iowa was conducted on August 11-12, 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls: Week of August 16

Get out of my face: That’s the message most voters still have for the federal government six years into the presidency of the man who hoped to make us all believers in big government.

Sixty percent (60%) of Americans believe instead that the federal government plays too big a role in the lives of average Americans.  

Of course, it doesn't help that voters by a two-to-one margin consider the federal government today a threat to individual liberty rather than a protector. Only 19% trust the feds to do the right thing most or nearly all the time.

Wisconsin Governor: Walker (R) 48%, Burke (D) 47%

It may be the nation’s closest-watched governor’s race, and it remains dead even.

(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 Wisconsin was conducted on August 13-14, 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.