Politics

52% Recognize U.S. Spends More on Defense Than Any Other Nation

More voters than ever believe that the United States is not spending enough on the military and national security, but they are also less aware of how much the country actually spends in this area.

Thirty-one percent (31%) of Likely Voters believe the United States does not spend enough on the military and national security, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just as many (30%) say the United States spends too much in this area, while another 31% say the amount spent is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

New Low: 39% Think U.S. Elections Are Fair

Belief that U.S. elections are fair continues to fall and has now reached its lowest level in nine years of surveys.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 39% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe American elections are fair to voters. That’s down only one point from May, but prior to that survey, the finding has run in the high 40s and low 50s in surveys since September 2004. Forty-four percent (44%) say U.S. elections are not fair, while 17% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

47% Think a Randomly Selected Group Could Do a Better Job Than Congress

More voters than ever now believe a group of people randomly selected from the phone book could do a better job addressing the nation’s problems than the current Congress. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters think such a randomly selected group could do a better job than Congress, up two points from May and matching the highest finding in regular surveying for nearly five years. One-in-three (33%) disagree and do not think a randomly selected group could do a better job. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Democrats Tend to Identify More with Their Congress Members Than GOP Voters Do

Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Republican voters think the average Republican in Congress shares their views, while 45% of Democrats believe the average congressional Democrat is about the same as they are. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of Likely GOP Voters think the average congressional Republican is more conservative than the average Republican voter. Thirty percent (30%) think the average Republican in Congress is more liberal than the average GOP voter. 

Twenty-three percent (23%) of Likely Democratic Voters think the average congressional Democrat is more conservative than the average voter in their party, while 22% say that member of Congress is more liberal. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

17% of GOP Voters Think Republicans in Congress Should Put Working with Obama First

Most Republican voters continue to think their representatives in Congress are not listening to them and feel overwhelmingly that they should stand up for what the GOP believes in. Most Democrats like the job their congressional representatives are doing. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely Republican Voters think Republicans in Congress have lost touch with GOP voters from throughout the nation over the last several years. Just 24% think their legislators have done a good job of representing Republican values. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Just 11% Think NSA Less Likely Now to Monitor Phone Calls of Innocent Americans

President Obama in a press conference on Friday announced tighter restrictions on the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance program, but most voters still don’t trust the government to protect their constitutional rights. Very few expect the program to cut back on monitoring the phone calls of innocent Americans. 

Despite the president’s pronouncement of greater “transparency,” only 11% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is now less likely that the federal government will monitor the private phone calls of ordinary Americans. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% believe it is more likely now that the government will monitor these calls, while 49% expect the level of surveillance to remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

31% Think Internet Has Had Bad Influence on U.S. Politics

Americans are becoming even less enthused about the Internet’s influence on American culture, politics and journalism.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% now say the Internet’s impact on American culture overall has been good for the country, down from 37% in April.  Twenty-nine percent (29%) think the Internet’s impact on American culture has been bad for the nation, while 30% say neither. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 6-7, 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% Think Americans Selfish For Putting Economy Ahead of Global Warming

Voters remain concerned about global warming, but they still express more urgency about the economy and don’t feel selfish for doing so.

When given a choice, 67% of Likely U.S. Voters say creating jobs is more important than taking steps to stop global warming, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-four percent (24%) say taking action on global warming is more important. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 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% Buy Print Copy of Their Local Paper Daily or Nearly Every Day

The news media was abuzz this week when it was announced that the longtime owners of The Washington Post had sold the newspaper to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, a move seen by many as a no-confidence vote in the newspaper business. Fewer Americans than ever prefer reading a print newspaper to an online version, but there's also less confidence that online and other news sources can fill the void left by vanishing traditional papers.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Americans, when given the choice, prefer to read a printed version of a newspaper over the online version, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-nine percent (29%) prefer the online versions of papers, while 12% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted August 6-7, 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.

36% Think A New U.S.-Russia Cold War Likely in Next Few Years

Following President Obama’s decision to snub Russian President Vladimir Putin during an upcoming trip to Europe, U.S. voters’ views of Putin have worsened, but most think it’s unlikely the United States and Russia will reenter a Cold War period.

A plurality (49%) of Likely U.S. Voters, however, agrees that Russia’s decision to grant temporary asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden is bad for U.S.-Russian relations. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just four percent (4%) view granting asylum to Snowden as good for the relationship, while 31% believe it will have no impact. 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 August 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.

62% Would Feel Safer If Their Child Attended A School With An Armed Guard

Arkansas’ state attorney general last week limited the ability of local school districts to have armed guards. But most Americans with school-age children continue to say they would feel safer if their child attended a school with an armed guard and think the decision to put armed guards in the schools should be made by local government officials.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Americans with children of elementary or secondary school age would feel safer if their child attended a school with an armed security guard. Just 24% say they would feel safer if their child went to a school where no adults were allowed to own a gun. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on August 4-5, 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.

60% Think Muslims Are Not Treated Unfairly in America

Many Americans are suspicious of Muslims in this country, but most continue to believe that American Muslims are not treated unfairly here.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters think American Muslims living in this country are treated unfairly because of their religion and ethnicity. Sixty percent (60%) disagree and say Muslims in the United States are not treated unfairly. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

46% Favor Stricter Gun Control Laws, 46% Disagree

Americans are evenly divided on whether the United States needs tougher gun control laws, but most still agree that existing laws need to be more strictly enforced.

Forty-six percent (46%) of U.S. Adults believe the United States needs stricter gun control laws, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But just as many (46%) say the country does not need stricter gun laws. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 4-5, 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.

58% Favor Death Penalty for Fort Hood Killer

Most voters continue to believe the Muslim-American U.S. Army officer now being tried for killing 13 of his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas should be sentenced to death if convicted.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters think Major Nidal Malik Hasan should receive the death penalty if convicted. That’s down from 65% in November 2009 just after the shootings occurred.  Twenty-one percent (21%) oppose the death penalty for Hasan, while another 21% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Christie Is Candidate GOP Voters Want Least As Their 2016 Nominee

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie holds a narrow lead among Republicans for the party’s 2016 presidential nomination, but even more GOP voters say he’s the candidate they least want to see nominated.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that Christie earns 21% support when Republican voters are asked whom they would vote for if the party’s primary in their state were held today. Florida Senator Marco Rubio runs a close second with 18% of the GOP vote, followed by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush at 16% and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul with 15% of the vote.

Congressman Paul Ryan, the unsuccessful Republican vice presidential candidate in 2012, picks up 13% of the Republican vote, with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker dead last at six percent (6%). Just three percent (3%) prefer another candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

32% Say Child Born in U.S. to Illegal Immigrant Should Receive Automatic Citizenship

The August recess will allow members of Congress to hear concerns from constituents and other interests on some major legislation before next year’s mid-term elections, perhaps the biggest being immigration reform.  A majority of voters continue to see border security as the most important goal but also value a welcoming immigration policy that only excludes criminals and those looking to cheat the system. Fewer voters, however, favor automatic citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely Voters believe gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers already living in the United States, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. While a majority of voters have felt this way for years, that finding ties the lowest level measured to date.  Thirty-six percent (36%) say it’s more important to legalize the status of undocumented workers in the United States. (To see survey question wording,click here.)

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

Hillary Clinton Is Leading Favorite – And Unfavorite – in Democratic Presidential Pack

Hillary Clinton is the Democrat voters most want to see win her party’s presidential nomination in 2016 – and least want to see win that nomination, too. Among Democrats, she’s the overwhelming favorite.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely Democratic Voters would choose Clinton if the 2016 Democratic presidential primary were held in their state today. Vice President Joe Biden is a distant second with 12% support. Several other prominent Democrats muster five percent (5%) or less support from voters in their own party. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

50% See U.S. Involvement in Middle East as Bad for U.S.

An unprecedented 19 U.S. embassies and consulates remain closed today throughout the Middle East and North Africa in response to a terrorist threat from al Qaeda.  While the Middle East has been a major focus of U.S. policy for decades, pluralities of U.S. voters say the country’s involvement in Middle East politics has had a negative effect on both sides. In addition, more voters than ever believe most Muslims view the United States as an enemy.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe that U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern politics hurts stability in that region, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 25% believe it helps stability. Nineteen percent (19%) believe U.S. involvement has had no impact on that region, while just as many (19%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

38% Agree with Obama’s Plan Linking Corporate Tax Cuts, New Jobs Program

President Obama in budget negotiations with congressional Republicans has proposed cuts in corporate tax rates in exchange for a new federal jobs program to tackle infrastructure needs. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Likely U.S. Voters view Obama’s combination approach as the better way to create new jobs, but nearly as many (36%) think cutting corporate tax rates alone would be more effective. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% believe creating a new government jobs program alone is a better way to create new jobs. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 30-31, 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.

11% Still Think Snowden A Hero, 32% A Traitor

Even before a military judge handed down his verdict against Bradley Manning yesterday, nearly half of U.S. voters still believed the former Army intelligence analyst was a traitor for leaking government secrets. But voters remain more undecided when it comes to Edward Snowden, the private contractor who exposed the National Security Agency’s spying on domestic phone calls.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters consider Snowden a traitor who endangered lives and national security, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That compares to 46% who feel that way about Manning. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 28-29, 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.