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44% Are Confident They Will Receive All Promised Social Security Benefits

Most voters still have a favorable opinion of the Social Security system but also continue to doubt that they will receive all their benefits from the federal retirement system.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that the Social Security system will pay them all their promised retirement benefits during their lifetime, with 19% who are Very Confident. Fifty-five percent (55%) lack that confidence, including 25% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 38%

Democrats have reclaimed their lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday, February 9 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. Thirty-eight percent (38%) would choose the Republican instead. Republicans led by a point – 40% to 39% - the previous week which was the first time the GOP had been ahead since the week ending December 22. Democrats had led for four weeks in a row in January.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from February 3-9, 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.

74% Rate Their Health Insurance Good or Excellent

Voters are a bit more critical of the U.S. health care system four months into Obamacare, but most still have high praise for their health insurance coverage and the care they personally receive.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the nation’s health care system as good or excellent, while just as many (32%) describe it 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 February 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 February 8, 2014

Republicans are counting on a health care fix to help them capture the Senate, and in several key races, the early signs are favorable to the GOP.

Arkansas Governor: Ross (D) 44%, Hutchinson (R) 41%

Democratic hopeful Mike Ross has an early edge on his best-known Republican opponent, Asa Hutchinson, in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 gubernatorial race in Arkansas. A statewide survey of Likely Arkansas Voters finds Ross, a former U.S. congressman, leading Hutchison 44% to 41%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on February 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Arkansas Senate: Cotton (R) 45%, Pryor (D) 40%

Congressman Tom Cotton holds a five-point lead over incumbent Democrat Mark Pryor in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 U.S. Senate race in Arkansas.

A new statewide survey of Likely Arkansas Voters finds Cotton with 45% support to Pryor’s 40%. Five percent (5%) like some other candidate in the race, and 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on February 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

29% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-nine percent (29%) 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 February 2.

That’s down one point from the week before. This finding has fluctuated between 29% and 30% every week since mid-December and is consistent with attitudes for much of the Obama presidency. A year ago, 39% said the country was heading in the right direction.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on January 20-26, 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: Republicans 40%, Democrats 39%

Republicans have taken the lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the first time this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending February 2 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. Thirty-nine percent (39%) would choose the Democrat instead. Democrats led by five points - 42% to 37% - the previous week. This is the first time since the week ending December 22, 2013 that the Republicans have held the lead. Democrats had led for four weeks in a row.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from January 27-February 2, 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.

Kentucky Senate: McConnell (R) 42%, Grimes (D) 42%

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell runs dead even with Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 U.S. Senate race in Kentucky. But McConnell’s GOP primary rival Matt Bevin leads Grimes by four points.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Kentucky Voters finds that McConnell and Grimes earn 42% support each. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate in the race, and 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Kentucky was conducted on January 29-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Obama’s Full-Month Rating Up Another Point in January

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 total job approval rose a point to 48% in January. That’s up from 45% in November, the president’s lowest monthly approval in two years, but still down eight points from December 2012’s recent high of 56%. The president's rating took a hard hit in November from the problems surrounding the rollout of the new national health care law but gained two points by the end of the year. Through much of November and early December, Obama’s daily job approval ratings were at the lowest levels of his entire presidency.

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77% Think Health Care Law Likely To Cost More Than Projected

More voters than ever predict the new national health care law is likely to cost more than projected, and most continue to believe it will cost them more personally, too.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters share a favorable opinion of the health care law, while 53% view it unfavorably. This includes 18% with a Very Favorable opinion and 42% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 2013 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 February 1, 2014

It’s game time and blame time this week, with the Super Bowl tomorrow and President Obama vowing last Tuesday night in his State of the Union address to go around Congress if necessary.

37% Rate Obama Good or Excellent on Economic Issues

Positive views on President Obama’s economic leadership have dropped slightly, but are still above the recent low reached in December 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Likely U.S. Voters now give the president good or excellent marks for his handling of economic issues. That’s down from 39% in early January, but it’s still up from a year-and-a-half low of 32% in early December. Forty-five percent (45%) still rate the president’s economic performance as poor, up four points from earlier in the month, but still down from a recent high of 48% in early December. (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 January 27-28, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Louisiana Senate: Cassidy (R) 44%, Landrieu (D) 40%

Incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu runs slightly behind Republican challenger Bill Cassidy in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 U.S. Senate race in Louisiana.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Louisiana Voters finds Cassidy, a U.S. congressman, with 44% support to Landrieu’s 40%. Five percent (5%) like some other candidate in the race, while 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Louisiana was conducted on January 28-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

30% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters continue to think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending January 26.

That’s unchanged from the week before. A year ago, 39% said the country was heading in the right direction.

(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 January 20-26, 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 42%, Republicans 37%

Democrats hold a five-point lead over Republicans on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.
 
 A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending January 26 finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district's congressional race if the election were held today. Thirty-seven percent (37%) would choose the Republican instead. Democrats led by six points the previous week, 41% to 35%: That was the GOP's lowest level of support in a year. The Democrats have now led for four weeks in a row.

(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 January 20-26, 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.

North Carolina Senate: Tillis (R) 47%, Hagan (D) 40%

Incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan trails her two leading Republican challengers in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 U.S. Senate race in North Carolina.

A new statewide survey of Likely North Carolina Voters shows Thom Tillis, the Republican speaker of the state House of Representatives, leading Hagan by seven points - 47% to 40%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, 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 500 Likely Voters in North Carolina was conducted on January 22-23, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

32% Say Health Insurance Changed Because of Obamacare

Nearly one-out-of-three voters now say their health insurance coverage has changed because of the new health care law, and most continue to view the law unfavorably.

Forty-three percent (43%) of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, while 52% regard it unfavorably, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This includes 18% who view the law Very Favorably and 38% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of it. (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 January 25-26, 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 January 25, 2014

Voters are increasingly pessimistic about the War on Terror even as they continue to question the National Security Agency’s spying efforts to fight it.

41% Think School Performance Would Not Improve With More Funding

Voters continue to agree that taxpayers are not getting a good return on their investment in education and are not inclined to think spending more will make any difference. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of Likely Voters are aware the United States on average spends about $11,000 on education per student per year. Forty-five percent (45%) believe the country spends less than that amount, including 36% who believe it spends $7,000 or less. Another nine percent (9%) believe the country spends more than $13,000 per student per year. A sizable 38%, however, say they're not sure how much the nation spends on the average student. (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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 15-16, 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.