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25% Say Country is Heading in the Right Direction

Just one-in-four Likely U.S. Voters (25%) think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending November 17.

This marks little change from the previous two weeks when 24% felt the country was headed the right way. Still, it's an improvement from early last month when confidence in the country’s course fell to 13% during the partial federal government shutdown. It was the lowest finding in five years. The week before Election Day a year ago, 43% 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 November 11-17, 2013. 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%

Have the woes of Obamacare trumped the government shutdown? Republicans have rebounded from a seven-point deficit a month ago to take a one-point lead on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending November 17.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows 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 November 11-17, 2013. 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. 

New High: 58% View Obamacare Unfavorably

Unfavorable views of the national health care law have risen to their highest levels this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 38% of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the new national health care law. That’s down seven points from 45% a month ago. Fifty-eight percent (58%) view the law unfavorably, up five points from the previous survey and the highest finding in regular surveying since early January. These findings include 15% with a Very Favorable opinion of the law and 45% with a Very Unfavorable one, another high for the 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 15-16, 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.

57% Think Private Business Best Bet for Alternative Energy

Most Americans continue to think it's more important to develop new sources of energy than to conserve what we've got. They also remain more confident that the private sector, not the federal government, will be the chief force behind new energy development.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that research by private businesses seeking a profit will do more to meet America's need for alternative energy sources than research by the government. This finding is up nine points from July. Only 25% think research by government agencies is the better way to go. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (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 November 11-12, 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.

57% Think Private Business Best Bet for Alternative Energy

Most Americans continue to think it's more important to develop new sources of energy than to conserve what we've got. They also remain more confident that the private sector, not the federal government, will be the chief force behind new energy development.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that research by private businesses seeking a profit will do more to meet America's need for alternative energy sources than research by the government. This finding is up nine points from July. Only 25% think research by government agencies is the better way to go. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (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 November 11-12, 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 Nov 16

Obamacare hasn’t been good for the political health of President Obama and his party this past week.

55% Rate Obama's Handling of Health Care As Poor

Most voters now think President Obama is doing a poor job when it comes to health care. 

Just 30% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the president's handling of issues related to health care as good or excellent. That’s down 14 points from October and the lowest finding to date. Fifty-five percent (55%) give the president poor marks in this area, up from October’s previous high of 47%. (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 November 13-14, 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. 

43% Say Obama is Very Liberal

Most voters still have little doubt that President Obama and Vice President Biden are liberals.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the president at least somewhat liberal in political terms, including 43% who believe he is Very Liberal. Twenty-four (24%) percent feel the president is politically moderate. Just three percent (3%) consider Obama conservative. (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 November 9-10, 2013. 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.

24% Say Country is Heading in Right Direction

For the second week in a row, 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 November 10.

Confidence in the country’s direction fell to 13% one month ago in the midst of the partial federal government shutdown. It was the lowest finding in five years. The week before Election Day a year ago, 43% 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 November 4-10, 2013. 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 41%, Republicans 39%

Democrats now have just a two-point lead over Republicans on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending November 10.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district's congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Republican 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 October 28-November 3, 2013. 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.

54% Oppose Health Care Law’s Individual Mandate

Most voters again oppose the new health care law’s individual mandate which requires every American to have health insurance by January 1 or else face financial penalties. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 34% of Likely U.S. Voters now support the mandate. Fifty-four percent (54%) are opposed, up from 50% in late September. Twelve percent (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 November 9-10, 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 November 9

The Founding Fathers in their wisdom set up a federal government with three equal branches – the executive, legislative and judicial – to ensure a system of checks and balances that would preserve our democracy. But what happens when most Americans doubt the integrity of all three?

12% Are Very Confident They'll Get All Promised Medicare Benefits

Most voters still view Medicare favorably but don't expect to get all their benefits from the federal health insurance system for retirees.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable impression of the Medicare system, including 26% with a Very favorable impression. Just 26% view Medicare unfavorably, with 10% who share a Very Unfavorable opinion. This is the most favorable view of the system that voters have held in a 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 5-6, 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.

24% Say Country is Heading in Right Direction

The number of U.S. voters who feel the country is heading in the right direction remains above 20% for the second week in a row.

Twenty-four percent (24%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say that the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending November 3. This is virtually unchanged from last week but is still well below the high of 43% the week before Election Day one 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 on October 28-November 3, 2013. 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 High: 75% Give Congress Poor Rating

The news goes from bad to worse for Congress, as voters offer their sharpest criticism of the legislature to date.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just seven percent (7%) of Likely Voters rate the job Congress is doing as good or excellent. Seventy-five percent (75%) now say Congress is doing a poor job. (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 November 3-4, 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.

47% Give Obama Poor Marks on Government Spending

With funding for the new health care law the focus of the government shutdown and the law's health insurance exchanges stumbling into existence, President Obama's positives - and negatives - have jumped when it comes to his handling of the health care issue.

Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters now rate Obama's performance in this area as good or excellent, up nine points from 35% last month but in line with most previous surveys this year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that slightly more (47%) give the president poor marks for his handling of health care. That's an eight-point increase from September and a high for the year to date. (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 November 1-2, 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.

Rasmussen Employment Index Falls to Further Low

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence fell another point in October to a new low for the year. 

At 81.2, worker confidence is down one point from September and down 13 points from this year’s high of 94.4 in May.  This is the lowest level of confidence measured since last November but still up slightly from 79.9 this time 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 9,625 working Americans was conducted in October 2013 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 43%, Republicans 37%

Democrats continue to maintain a six-point lead over Republicans on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, November 3.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 37% would choose the Republican 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 October 28-November 3, 2013. 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. 

What They Told Us: Week Ending November 2

Zombie nation?  For a sizable number of Americans, it’s a better alternative than the government we’ve got.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults believe zombies would do a better job than the federal government running the country today. An equal number (37%) have more confidence in the feds, but another 26% can’t decide between the two.

This should come as no surprise given that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters now view the federal government unfavorably, with 34% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of it.

Case in point: Obamacare, which is off to such a shambling start that even some Democrats are questioning it.

Obama’s Full-Month Approval Rating Up One in October

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 inched up a point to 49% in October, a month that saw both the implementation of the national health care law and the temporary government shutdown.  Still, that is down seven points from December’s recent high of 56%. The president’s ratings for the past four months are more in line with his approval during most of his first term in office.

(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.