Politics

Most Say IRS Broke Law When It Targeted Tea Party, But Few Expect Punishment

Most voters believe the Internal Revenue Service broke the law when it targeted conservative groups, but very few think any government employees will be charged with criminal activity.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters think the IRS broke the law when it targeted Tea Party and other conservative groups. Just 24% disagree, while nearly as many (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 24-25, 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.

17% Would Vote to Secede and Form New State

Some residents in Maryland, California, Michigan and Colorado are looking to secede from their respective states, and nearly one-out-of-five Americans think that's a good idea. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 17% of American Adults say they would vote for their section of their state to secede and form a new state. Seventy percent (70%) would vote to keep things the way they are, but another 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Just 22% believe sections of individual states have the right to secede and form a new state. Fifty-five percent (55%) disagree, but a sizable 23% are not sure.

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 23-24, 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.

63% Believe Most Americans Want Government to Have Less Power and Money

Most Americans continue to believe politicians want more power and money for the government while their fellow citizens want the opposite. Sixty-three percent (63%) of Adults nationwide believe most Americans want the government to have less power and money, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. Just 18% believe their fellow Americans want the government to have more power and money. Nine percent (9%) think they want things to remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 23-24, 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.

42% Conservative on Fiscal Issues, 36% Social Liberals

Voters remain more conservative on money issues than on those dealing with social policy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters identify themselves as conservative on fiscal issues such as taxes, government spending and business regulation. Just 21% are liberal in this area, while 34% view themselves as moderates. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 20-21, 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. 

66% Think Iran Unlikely To Slow or Stop Its Nuclear Program

The new president of Iran has signaled that he is looking for a less hostile relationship with the United States, although most U.S. voters still think that country is unlikely to halt its nuclear development efforts. But voters are even more opposed to U.S. military action against Iran.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is at least somewhat likely that Iran will slow or stop its nuclear program in the next year in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Sixty-six percent (66%) consider this unlikely. This includes four percent (4%) who say Iran is Very Likely to slow or stop its nuclear efforts in exchange for the lifting of sanctions and 23% who think it is Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 22-23, 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.

23% Use Social Media To Follow Unfolding News Events

Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are playing an increasing role in how people consume information worldwide, and nearly a quarter of Americans now say they regularly use social media to follow major news events in real time.

Forty-three percent (43%) of American Adults say that social media keep more people informed of major news events, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-nine percent (29%) don’t believe social media keep people more informed of major stories, but just as many (28%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 21-22, 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.

84% Think Most Major News Organizations More Concerned With Speed Than Accuracy

Americans strongly believe that news outlets should be more concerned with getting stories right than getting them first but feel it works the opposite way in most cases. An overwhelming 86% of American Adults believe that when it comes to reporting of news events, it is more important for the media to get the story right than to get it first. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) believe it’s more important for the news media to get the story first instead. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 21-22, 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.

Most Still Favor Stricter Controls on Coal Plants Despite Higher Energy Costs

Most voters agree with the Obama administration’s decision to go ahead with tougher controls on coal plant emissions even though they recognize it will drive up energy costs. A sizable number, however, overestimate the importance of coal to the production of electricity.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters favor new environmental regulations to place stricter limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants. Thirty-three percent (33%) are opposed, while 14% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 20-21, 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.

On Health Care, 43% Trust GOP More, 42% Democrats

While some Republicans in Congress hope to stop President Obama’s national health care law by defunding it, voters are evenly divided over which political party they trust more to handle health care.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters trust Republicans more to handle issues related to health care, but just as many (42%) trust Democrats more. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 12-13, 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. 

54% Think Media Cover Mass Shootings Too Much

Most Americans think the media overdo it when it comes to coverage of shooting incidents like the one Monday at the Washington Navy Yard.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults believe the media offer too much coverage of mass shootings like the one in Washington, DC. Just five percent (5%) think the media do not cover these incidents enough. Thirty-six percent (36%) rate the level of coverage about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 17-18, 2013 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.

62% Don't Trust Government to Fairly Enforce Gun Control Laws

Americans strongly believe it is not possible to entirely prevent mass shootings like the one in Washington, DC on Monday but think help for the mentally ill will do much more than gun control to reduce the number of incidents of this kind. Perhaps in part that's because most do not trust the government to fairly enforce gun control laws.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 16% of American Adults think it is possible to completely prevent mass shootings like the one in Washington. Seventy-one percent (71%) say it is not possible to fully stop shootings like this. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 17-18, 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.

33% Think Stricter Gun Laws Might Have Prevented Navy Yard Shooting

Despite the horrific mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, support for more gun control has fallen to its lowest level in over a year. Most Americans don't think tougher gun control would have prevented this week's killings anyway. 

Just 33% of American Adults believe it’s at least somewhat likely that stricter gun control laws would have prevented the mass shooting in Washington, DC, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That includes 15% who say it is Very Likely stricter laws would have prevented the tragedy. Fifty-nine percent (59%) think it’s unlikely tougher gun laws would have prevented the shooting, including 26% who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 17-18, 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.

2016? Christie (R) 39%, Biden (D) 35%

Many suspect that Vice President Joe Biden went to Iowa this week to test the presidential waters. It's a long way off, but Biden's the winner matched against most of the current leading Republican contenders for 2016 - except New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. In a face-off with fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton, however, the vice president gets blown away.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% of Likely Democratic Voters chose Clinton, while 11% prefer Biden. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate, and another six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 16-17, 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. 

51% Favor Government Shutdown Until Congress Cuts Health Care Funding

President Obama yesterday criticized congressional Republicans for insisting on spending cuts in any budget deal that continues government operations past October 1, saying they risk "economic chaos." Most voters agree a federal government shutdown would be bad for the economy, but they're willing to risk one until Democrats and Republicans in Congress agree on ways to cut the budget, including cuts in funding for the new national health care law.

Just 20% of Likely U.S. Voters believe a partial shutdown of the federal government would be good for economy, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-six percent (56%) say such a shutdown would be bad for the economy, even though payments for things like Social Security, Medicare and unemployment would continue. Sixteen percent (16%) think it would have no impact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 14-15, 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.

59% Think U.S. More Exceptional Than Other Nations

Most U.S. voters still subscribe to the view that there is something special about America.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States is more exceptional than other nations. Just 27% disagree, with 14% more who are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 12-13, 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. 

Just 23% Think U.S. Should Be UN’s Biggest Financial Contributor

U.S. voters are more critical of the United Nations these days and strongly believe the United States should not be the UN’s chief source of money. But the Political Class firmly disagrees.

The United States currently gives more money by far to the UN than any other nation, providing 22% of the international organization’s budget and 27% of its peacekeeping budget. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should continue to give more money to the UN than any other country in the world. Sixty percent (60%) disagree and believe America should not be the UN’s chief source of funds. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 10-11, 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.

19% Think UN Control of Syria’s Chemical Weapons Very Likely to Prevent U.S. Attack

Americans are fairly confident that international control of Syria’s chemical weapons will prevent a U.S. military attack on the Syrian government.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters think that United Nations control of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal will prevent future U.S. military action against Syria, although that includes just 19% who say it’s Very Likely. Thirty-one percent (31%) feel UN control of these weapons is unlikely to stop a U.S. attack, but only seven percent (7%) say it’s Not At All Likely to prevent it. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 10-11, 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.

30% Say Another 9/11 Very Likely in Next Decade

As the nation observes the 12th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, most Americans continue to believe a similar terrorist attack is at least somewhat likely in the next 10 years. But fewer Americans than ever believe the country has forgotten the impact of the events that horrific day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults believe another 9/11 is at least somewhat likely in the next 10 years, with 30% who say it's Very Likely. Twenty-one percent (21%) say another 9/11 is unlikely during the next decade, but that includes only three percent (3%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 7-8, 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% Trust GOP More on National Security, 32% Trust Democrats More

As President Obama faces increasing opposition over his plans for a military attack on Syria, voters increasingly trust Republicans more to handle issues related to national security.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters now trust Republicans more when it comes to dealing with national security and the War on Terror. That’s up four points from July and the highest level of trust in the GOP on this issue since October. Just 32% now trust Democrats more, down from 40% and the lowest level of confidence in the president's party since October 2009. One-in-five (20%) are not sure which party they trust more. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 8-9, 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.

Voters Still Consider NSA Spying As Least Serious Scandal but Most Likely to Linger

Roughly half of voters still think the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups, the Obama administration’s handling of the Benghazi matter and the Justice Department’s secret probe of reporters’ records are serious scandals. The National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance program is viewed less seriously but seen as the most likely to be a lingering story.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters regard the NSA’s secret surveillance of Americans’ phone and e-mail communications as a serious scandal. That’s down slightly from 43% two months ago. Thirty-two percent (32%) now think it’s an embarrassing situation but not a scandal. Twenty-one percent (21%) say it’s no big deal. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 8-9, 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.