Politics

16% Think Budget Can Be Balanced Without Spending Cuts

Voters are evenly divided over whether the federal budget can be balanced without tax increases but strongly believe spending cuts are necessary to achieve that goal.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is possible to balance the federal budget without cutting spending. Seventy-one percent (71%) disagree and say it is not possible. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

46% Oppose Single-Payer Health Care System

Nearly half of voters nationwide continue to oppose a health care system in which the government provides coverage for everyone, but there is predictable partisan disagreement.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely Voters favor a single-payer health care system, while 46% oppose such a system.  Another 16% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Voters Unhappy With Both Ryan and Murray Budget Plans

Senate Democrats and House Republicans last week introduced widely different plans for reducing the federal budget deficit over the next 10 years. Neither one excites voters very much, although they’re slightly less negative about the GOP plan that calls for spending cuts only.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the Republican plan proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan. Half (49%) of all voters oppose the Republican plan, but another 16% are not sure. It was described as a plan to balance the budget in 10 years without raising taxes but cutting spending by nearly $5 trillion in areas including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security but not defense.

However, only 19% favor the Democrats' option proposed by Senator Patty Murray. Sixty percent (60%) of voters oppose the Democratic plan. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure. It was described as a plan to reduce the deficit by cutting spending a trillion dollars and raising taxes a trillion dollars over the next 10 years that also includes $100 billion in new stimulus spending and does not balance the budget. 

It’s important to note that the questions did not mention the political party or individual that proposed each plan. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

43% See President Obama as Very Liberal

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Likely U.S. Voters say Barack Obama is at least somewhat liberal, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That figure includes 43% who see the president as Very Liberal. 

Twenty-three percent (23%) feel Obama is politically moderate, while only three percent (3%) believe he is conservative.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

35% View Paul Ryan Favorably, 54% Unfavorably

Even Republicans have a lower opinion these days of Congressman Paul Ryan, the party’s 2012 vice presidential nominee and the chief author of the new House GOP budget plan.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 35% of all Likely U.S. Voters now view Ryan favorably. That's down 15 points from 50% in August just after Mitt Romney chose him as his running mate.

Fifty-four percent (54%) have an unfavorable opinion of the Wisconsin congressman. These figures include 17% with a Very Favorable view of him and 23% with a Very Unfavorable one. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

46% View Biden Favorably, 48% Don’t

Some things don’t seem to change. Unlike President Obama’s approval ratings which jumped after his reelection, Vice President Joe Biden’s favorables remain largely the same as they’ve been for the last four years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters have a somewhat favorable opinion of Biden, while 48% regard him unfavorably. That includes 22% with a Very Favorable view of the vice president and 35% 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 March 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.

68% of GOP Voters Have Favorable View of Jeb Bush

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the Sunshine State’s newest senator, Marco Rubio, are both mentioned as possible 2016 Republican presidential candidates, and they’re popular choices right now as far as GOP voters are concerned. But Rubio has a slight advantage for now over Bush and another possible contender, Senator Rand Paul.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely Republican Voters have a favorable opinion of Bush, while 22% view him unfavorably. This includes 28% with a Very Favorable regard for the son of President George H.W. Bush and the brother of President George W. Bush. Only seven percent (7%) have a Very Unfavorable opinion of him. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

GOP Voters Give Rand Paul Much Higher Marks Than McCain, Graham

Republican Senator Rand Paul drew the criticism of two senior GOP senators, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, for his recent filibuster forcing the Obama administration to say categorically it would not use drones to attack U.S. citizens in this country. But Republicans now have a much more favorable view of Paul than of former presidential candidate McCain.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of Likely GOP Voters have a favorable opinion of the first-term Kentucky senator. That’s up nine points from 58% less than a month ago and includes 35% with a Very Favorable opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Most Americans Reject Bloomberg Ban on Big Soft Drinks

A state Supreme Court judge has stopped New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ban on the sale of large sugary drinks, and Americans couldn’t agree more.

Rasmussen Reports polling found that only nine percent (9%) of American Adults believed the government has the constitutional authority to prevent people from buying sugary drinks when Bloomberg announced his ban last May. Eighty-five percent (85%) disagreed  and said the government does not have that authority.

9% Think North Korean Nuclear Attack on U.S. Very Likely

Most voters think a North Korean nuclear strike on the United States is unlikely, and less than half favor the use of U.S. military force to stop North Korea from using nuclear weapons. But they do support helping South Korea if its neighbor to the north attacks.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s at least somewhat likely that North Korea will use a nuclear weapon to attack the United States, but 55% view such an attack as unlikely. This includes only nine percent (9%) who say it’s Very Likely and 13% who regard it as 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 March 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.

36% Think Radiation From Japanese Nuclear Disaster Hurt the U.S.

It’s been two years since an earthquake and tsunami triggered an explosion at Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, and more than a third of Americans think radiation from that accident is likely to have done significant harm to the United States. Still, most Americans believe nuclear power plants at home are safe.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of American Adults believe it is at least somewhat likely that radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plant did significant harm to the United States. However, that includes just nine percent (9%) who think that scenario is Very Likely. Fifty percent (50%) of adults say it’s not likely the radiation did any harm, including 17% who say it’s Not At All Likely. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 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.

12% Like Job Senate Is Doing, 19% Say Same of House

Over half of voters think both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives are doing a poor job, but nearly as many also prefer having them run by different political parties the way Congress is now. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. Senate is doing a good or excellent job. Fifty-three percent (53%) rate the Senate’s performance as poor.

Nineteen percent (19%) of voters believe the House is doing a good or excellent job, while 51% view its performance as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

6% View Hugo Chavez Favorably

Very few voters have a favorable opinion of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez who died earlier this week, but they’re also not very optimistic that U.S. relations with Venezuela will get any better.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of Likely U.S. Voters share a favorable opinion of Chavez. Sixty-seven percent (67%) view the late Venezuelan leader unfavorably, while 27% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

New High: 50% Expect Taxes To Go Up Under Obama

More voters than ever expect their taxes to go up under the Obama administration.

Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters say their own personal taxes will go up under the Obama administration, up 13 points from late 2012 and the highest finding in nearly five years of surveying.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just seven percent (7%) think their taxes will go down under Obama. Thirty-eight percent (38%) expect their taxes to stay about the same, down from 45% in December. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 28-March 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.

67% Favor Limits on Drone Use

Attorney General Eric Holder continues to defend the use of unmanned drones to kill U.S. citizens abroad suspected of terrorism and hasn’t ruled out their use on targets here in the United States. 

But Rasmussen Reports polling finds that just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the American government’s use of unmanned drones to kill U.S. citizens in other countries who pose a terrorist threat.

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63% Think Congress Can Always Make Things Worse

Few voters believe Congress cares what they think which helps explain why most feel their legislators can always make a bad situation worse.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the average member of Congress listens to the voters he or she represents more than to congressional party leaders. Eighty-one percent (81%) believe the average member listens most to his or her party’s leaders in Congress. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

41% Recognize Simpson-Bowles Commission Focused On Deficit Cutting

Many in official Washington are now championing the recommendations of the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles Commission for a “balanced approach” to reducing the deficit that includes tax hikes and spending cuts. But for most voters, Simpson-Bowles doesn’t mean a thing. 

Just 41% of Likely U.S. Voters are correctly able to identify the primary focus of the Simpson-Bowles Commission as deficit reduction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But 36% are not sure what the purpose of the commission is. Twenty-three percent (23%) thought it had some other focus. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

35% Support U.S. Aid For Syrian Rebels

Secretary of State John Kerry announced last week that the United States will provide financial and humanitarian aid to Syrian rebels battling to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Voter support for this aid is mixed, and most continue to think the United States should leave the Syrian crisis alone.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters favor giving U.S. financial and humanitarian aid to forces attempting to overthrow the Syrian government. Forty-two percent (42%) oppose this aid, while another 24% 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 February 28 – March 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.

51% Rate Obama's Handling of National Security As Good or Excellent

Voters continue to think President Obama is doing a better job handling national security area than dealing with the economy. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way the president is handling economic issues as good or excellent, while 43% rate his performance in this area as poor. This is generally consistent with surveys for the past couple of years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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(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 26-27, 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.

79% Put Emphasis on Accuracy Over Justice in Journalism

Is it the role of journalists to fairly and accurately cover a news story, or is it more important for them to use their reporting to right wrongs that they see in society? That was the crux of the argument in a recent Washington Post ombudsman’s analysis of his paper’s coverage of the issue of gay marriage.