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What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending December 14, 2012

Since Election Day, the number of voters who like the idea of bigger government is up, but most still have the opposite view.

One-in-three Likely U.S. Voters (34%) now prefer a larger government with more services and higher taxes to one with fewer services and lower taxes. That's the highest level of support for bigger government we have ever measured. Most voters (56%), however, still favor smaller government.

Only 37% of voters now say they are conservative when it comes to fiscal issues such as taxes and government spending. That’s the first time that number has ever dipped below 40%. Thirty-nine percent (39%) consider themselves fiscally moderate. One-in-five (20%) now say they are fiscally liberal. More voters than ever describe themselves as socially liberal, too.

34% Prefer a Government With More Services, Higher Taxes

One-in-three Likely U.S. Voters (34%) now prefer a larger government with more services and higher taxes to one with fewer services and lower taxes. That's up 10 points from a month ago and the highest level of support for bigger government in over six years of regular surveying.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of voters still favor smaller government, but that's down from 64% in November. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge! You have until 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday to get your response in. 

(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 December 6-7, 2012 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.

38% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Confidence in the nation’s direction has fallen back to pre-Election Day levels.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, December 9.

That's down from 41% the previous three weeks. Since Election Day, confidence in the nation’s course has been tracking in the low 40s, the highest level of optimism during the Obama years. The latest finding is more in line with attitudes in September and October but is still slightly higher than was found earlier in 2012. This week’s finding is up 14 points from the beginning of the year and up 19 points from 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 December 3-9, 2012. 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 46%, Republicans 36%

Democrats hold a 10-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 9, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 36% 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 December 3-9, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point 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 December 8, 2012

The GOP is losing the messaging war in the ongoing debate over how to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff.” Voters are more confident that the president is willing to agree to a deal with both spending cuts and tax increases than Republicans are.

Just 40% think Obama will insist on tax increases only, while 51% feel the GOP will insist on spending cuts only. Most unaffiliated voters are skeptical that either side is really willing to accept a deal.

10% Think Congress is Doing a Good or Excellent Job

Congress is back in session after the election, but voters still aren't impressed.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 10% of Likely Voters rate Congress’ job performance as good or excellent, while 56% say they are doing a poor job.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)  

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 2-3, 2012 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.

41% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

For the third week in a row, 41% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, December 2.

That's unchanged from the previous two weeks and remains the highest level of optimism during the Obama presidency. The latest finding is up 17 points from the beginning of the year and up 24 points from 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 November 26-December 2, 2012. 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.

Rasmussen Employment Index Slips A Point in November

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence dipped a point in November but remains seven points above August’s 10-month low of 72.0.

At 79.0, the Employment Index is two points below the level measured in January but is up two points from 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 8,840 working Americans was conducted in November 2012 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 47%, Republicans 36%

Democrats have now jumped to an 11-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 2, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 36% would choose the Republican instead.

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. 

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from November 26-December 2, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point 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 December 1, 2012

How long will this current era of good feelings last?

President Obama, like most Election Day winners in years past, is enjoying a bounce in his job approval ratings in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. 

For the second week in a row, 41% of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction. That’s up 25 points from a year ago and close to the highest level of optimism during the Obama presidency.

Democrats Now Trusted More on Nine of 10 Key Issues

Prior to Election Day, voters trusted Republicans on seven-out-of-10 key issues.  Now, in the first survey following the presidential election, Democrats are trusted more on nine of these issues. 

However, voters still give the GOP a slight edge on the most important issue, the economy.  Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they trust Republicans more to handle that issue, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  But nearly as many (42%) place their trust in Democrats, and another 15% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge?  Check the leaderboard.

Two national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on November 26-27 and 28-29, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error 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.

41% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

For the second week in a row, 41% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, November 25.

That’s unchanged from the previous week and down just two points from two weeks earlier which marked the highest level of optimism during the Obama presidency. Still, the latest finding is up 17 points from the beginning of the year and up 25 points from 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 November 19-21 and on November 25, 2012. 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 45%, Republicans 40%

Democrats continue to lead Republicans by five points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the second week in a row, this time for the week ending November 25, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Republican instead.

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. 

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from November 19-21 and on November 25, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

44% Say U.S. Winning War on Terror

Confidence that the United States is winning the war on terror is down to its lowest level in over a year.  Voters also continue to strongly believe America should not send troops overseas unless there is a major national security concern. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely Voters believe the United States is winning the war on terror, while 22% think the terrorists are winning.  Another 24% say neither side has the advantage.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 20, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point 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 - For The Week Ending November 24, 2012

Americans have a grimmer view of the economy since President Obama was elected, although it hasn’t made a dent in their holiday shopping. Many seem more accepting, too, of higher taxes in the future.

Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults now believe the economy will be weaker in a year's time. That's a 27-point jump from October and the lowest finding since September of last year. Thirty-six percent (36%) predict the economy will be weaker five years from now, the highest level of pessimism in nearly four years.

The increase in pessimism comes from Republicans and those not affiliated with either major political party. Just before President Obama was reelected, Republicans were evenly divided as to whether the economy would be better or worse a year from now. Today, only 11% of Republicans believe the economy will be stronger in a year.  An overwhelming 74% in the GOP believe it will be worse.

41% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Forty-one percent (41%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, November 18.

That’s down a point from the previous week and down two from the week before, which marked the highest level of optimism during the Obama presidency. Still, the latest finding is up 17 points from the beginning of the year and up 24 points from 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 November 12-18, 2012. 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.

Elections Haven’t Changed Negative Views of Top Congressional Leaders

Despite the noise and the passions of this year’s elections, all four of the top congressional leaders from both parties are back and remain just as unpopular as they were before Election Day. The same goes for Vice President Joe Biden.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the House Democrats, is still the most unpopular as she has been since her years as Speaker of the House. But she’s closely followed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and current House Speaker John Boehner. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell continues to be the least well-known. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Given the holiday week, there will be no Rasmussen Challenge  this week. The contest will resume on Tuesday, November 27.

(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 18-19, 2012 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.

Voters Rate GOP More Partisan Than Democrats in Congress

Voters now consider Democrats in Congress more bipartisan than they have in several years and congressional Republicans as less so. However, most think both parties continue to behave in a partisan manner.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe congressional Democrats are acting on a bipartisan basis. By contrast, only 22% think the same of Republicans in Congress.

Similarly, while 61% feel congressional Republicans are acting like partisan Republicans, just 53% believe that to be true of Democrats in Congress. Roughly 16% are undecided when it comes to both parties. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Given the holiday week, there will be no Rasmussen Challenge this week. The contest will resume on Tuesday, November 27.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 16-17, 2012 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 45%, Republicans 40%

Democrats now lead Republicans by five points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending November 18, 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% 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 November 12-18, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point 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 -- For The Week Ending November 17, 2012

You can bet President Obama and Congress don’t want to leave Americans huge tax hikes and deep across-the-board spending cuts as a late holiday present, so official Washington is scrambling to avoid the end-of-the-year “fiscal cliff.” Voters think that’s a good idea.