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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.

24% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-four percent (24%) 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 17.

This finding is down three points from 27% the week before. Prior to that finding, the number who said the country is heading in the right direction had been steadily falling since mid-June. It 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 11-17, 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.

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 August 10.

This finding is up four points from the week before which marked the lowest level of confidence since the middle of October. Prior to this week, the number who said the country is heading in the right direction had been steadily falling since mid-June. It 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 4-10, 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.

Iowa Senate: Ernst (R) 43%, Braley (D) 43%

Will she or won’t she? The race to replace Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin couldn’t be any closer.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters finds Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Bruce Braley tied with 43% support each. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate and 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 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.

Kansas Governor: Davis (D) 51%, Brownback (R) 41%

Republican Governor Sam Brownback is in a 10-point hole in his bid for reelection in Kansas.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Kansas Voters finds Democratic challenger Paul Davis with 51% support to Brownback’s 41%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, while five percent (5%) 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 Kansas was conducted on August 6-7, 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%

For the second week in a row, Republicans lead Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending August 10 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 instead.

(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 4-10, 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.

Kansas Senate: Roberts (R) 44%, Taylor (D) 40%

Kansas may have a Senate race after all.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Kansas Voters finds incumbent Republican Senator Pat Roberts with just a four-point lead – 44% to 40% - over Democratic challenger Chad Taylor. Seven percent (7%) like some other candidate in the race, and 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 Kansas was conducted on August 6-7, 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 Want Health Care Choices When Their Money's At Stake

Attitudes toward the national health care law remain mostly negative, and voters continue to overwhelmingly favor consumer choice when buying health insurance. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters share a favorable opinion of the health care law, while 53% view it unfavorably. This includes 19% with a Very Favorable opinion and 39% 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 8-9, 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 August 9, 2014

What do voters really think?

On the one hand, they strongly believe the major differences between President Obama and congressional Republicans are mostly about politics and not honest disagreement over the issues.

Attorney General Eric Holder even suggested recently that the differences are motivated by racism, although voters strongly reject that claim.

Voters Think Parents Need More School Options

Voters remain strongly pro-choice when it comes to giving parents options on the kind of school they want their children to attend.

But they still give U.S. public schools mediocre grades, with just 28% of Likely U.S. Voters who rate their performance as good or excellent. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that slightly more (30%) rate the performance of the public schools as poor. This is in keeping with regular surveying for the past couple 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 4-5, 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.

Texas Governor: Abbott (R) 48%, Davis (D) 40%

The gubernatorial race in Texas is slightly closer than it was earlier this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Texas Voters finds Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott picking up 48% of the vote to Democratic State Senator Wendy Davis’ 40%. Three percent (3%) 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 850 Likely Voters in Texas was conducted on August 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 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 Bank on Green Energy Over Fossil Fuels

Most Americans still agree that finding new sources of energy is essential and think renewable sources are a better long-term investment than fossil fuels.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters feel that finding new energy sources is more important than reducing the amount of energy Americans now consume. Thirty-six percent (35%) disagree and consider energy conservation more important. This is consistent with regular surveying 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 July 31-August 1, 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.

North Carolina Senate: Tillis (R) 45%, Hagan (D) 40%

Republican challenger Thom Tillis has pushed slightly further ahead of Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely North Carolina Voters shows Tillis earning 45% support to Hagan’s 40%. Six percent (6%) prefer another candidate in the race, and 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 North Carolina was conducted on August 5-6, 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 3.

This finding, down one point from the week before, marks the lowest level of confidence since the middle of October when the country was in the midst of the temporary government shutdown. 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 July 28-August 3, 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.

Texas Senate: Cornyn (R) 47%, Alameel (D) 29%

After fending off Tea Party opposition in the state’s Republican primary, Texas Senator John Cornyn looks comfortably on the path to reelection.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Texas Voters finds Cornyn with 47% support to Democratic challenger David Alameel’s 29%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, while a surprisingly high 19% 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 850 Likely Voters in Texas was conducted on August 4-5, 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.

6% Think Congress Is Doing A Good or Excellent Job

As Congress heads off on a five-week recess, voters continue to express a very low opinion of the legislators they elect.

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, while 63% 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 July 29-30, 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.

Immigration? Obama’s Negatives Jump

Just over half of voters now give President Obama poor marks for his handling of immigration issues, the highest level of criticism we’ve found to date.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 27% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president is doing a good or excellent job when it comes to immigration. That’s down five points from 32% in June and his lowest positives in monthly surveying since January of last year. Fifty-one percent (51%) rate Obama’s performance on immigration issues as poor, a seven-point jump from 44% in the previous survey and a new high. (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 31-August 1, 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: Republicans 42%, Democrats 38%

Republicans have jumped out to a four-point lead over Democrats on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot after trailing for most weeks this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending August 3 finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Democrat instead. It's the highest level of support for the GOP since late December.

(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 July 28-August 3, 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.

Voters Still Fear The Worst Under New Health Care Law

Voters continue to give the U.S. health care system low marks but also remain convinced that Obamacare will only make things worse.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 34% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the nation’s health care system as good or excellent. Nearly as many (29%) give it poor marks, although that’s down from 35% in June, 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 August 2-3, 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.