Politics

Most Say Feds Should Handle Banks; Look to States for Minimum Wage, Gambling

Americans want federal government rather than state governments to regulate banks and financial institutions, but think states should handle gambling and minimum wage. On other issues, adults are more evenly divided. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 67% of American Adults think it’s better for the federal government rather than state governments to deal with banks and other financial institutions. Twenty-seven percent (27%) prefer state governments more in this area. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 5, 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.

31% Give Obama Positive Marks on Handling Economic Issues

The economy has been the most important issue to voters for years, but ratings for the president’s performance in that area are at their lowest level since last November.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows just 31% of Likely Voters believe President Obama is doing a good or excellent job handling economic issues, including 12% who say he is doing an excellent job. Forty-eight percent (48%) believe Obama is doing a poor job in this area. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 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.

47% Consider Obama’s Political Views Extreme, 31% Say Same of Romney

A bare majority of voters still considers Mitt Romney in the political mainstream, while the number who think President Obama’s views are extreme has edged up for the second month in a row.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters describe the political views of the presumptive Republican presidential candidate as mainstream. Thirty-one percent (31%) consider his views extreme. 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.

This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on June 29-30, 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.

Views on Holder Unchanged: 40% Think Attorney General Should Resign

While much of the nation was reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on President Obama’s health care law last week, the House of Representatives voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for withholding information wanted for an ongoing investigation. It was the first vote of its kind against a sitting Cabinet member but hasn’t changed any minds about Holder.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 1-2, 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.

Americans Still Agree With Declaration of Independence

With Independence Day just around the corner, most Americans still strongly agree with the central tenets of the document that declared the nation's independence from Great Britain 236 years ago.

The Declaration of Independence, ratified by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, asserts that “governments derive their only just powers from the consent of the governed.” A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that 70% of American Adults agree with that statement, up from 66% last year and up from 56% in 2008. Just 13% now disagree with this assertion, but 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

30% Say America Better Off Today Than Four Years Ago

Most Americans don’t believe the county is better off today than it was four years ago, but they'd still rather live here than anywhere else in the world. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 30% of American Adults think the nation is better off today than it was four years ago. But twice as many (60%) don’t believe the United States is better off today. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

58% Say An Overly Powerful Government Is A Bigger Danger Than A Weak One

As they have for years, Americans feel a government that is too powerful is a bigger problem than a government that is not powerful enough. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of American Adults say a government that is too powerful is the bigger danger in the world today, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 24-25, 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.

60% Say Border Control Should Be Top Immigration Priority

Most voters continue to favor a welcoming immigration policy that focuses on gaining control of the border.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely Voters agree that the goal of immigration policy should be to keep out only national security threats, criminals and those who come to the United States to live off its welfare system. Twenty-five percent (25%) disagree.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 25-26, 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.

66% Put National Security Ahead of Human Rights

Former President Jimmy Carter complained earlier this week that the United States is “abandoning its role … as the global champion of human rights.” But most Americans put national security ahead of human rights when it comes to foreign policy and think the best thing the United States can do is be a good role model for others.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of American Adults think the United States is a positive role model for the rest of the world when it comes to human rights, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 19% disagree, but another 15% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on June 26-27, 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.

71% Say Democratic Leaders Liberal, Republicans Leaders Conservative

Voters continue to see a sharp ideological difference between the leaderships of the two major political parties, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Likely U.S. Voters describe the leadership of the Democratic Party as liberal, and the identical number (71%) believe the leadership of the Republican Party is conservative. These findings include 43% who think Democratic leaders are Very Liberal versus 36% who feel the GOP leadership is Very Conservative.  (To see survey question wording, click here).

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This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on June 23-24, 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.

New Low: 46% Think U.S. Economy Can Recover If Europe Remains Troubled

Fewer Americans than ever are confident that the U.S. economy can recover as long as Europe's fiscal problems continue.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults still have faith that the U.S. economy can recover even if the European economy remains troubled. Thirty percent (30%) do not believe the U.S. economy can recover as long as the European economic crisis continues. Twenty-five percent (25%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on June 22-23, 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.

60% Favor Building Keystone Pipeline

Completion of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas remains on hold, but most voters continue to support the building of the pipeline and believe it will be good for the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor building the Keystone XL pipeline, including 33% who Strongly Favor it. Just 22% oppose construction of the pipeline, with eight percent (8%) who are Strongly Opposed. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here).

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 25-26, 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

Health Care Law Has Already Lost in Court of Public Opinion

A week after President Obama’s health care law was passed, 54% of voters nationwide wanted to see the law repealed.  Now, as the Supreme Court is set to issue a ruling on the law’s constitutionality, the numbers are unchanged: 54% want to see the law repealed.

In polls conducted weekly or biweekly for over two years since the law's passage in March 2010, the numbers have barely moved. In fact, for more than a year before the law was passed, a similar majority opposed its passage.

The dynamics have remained the same throughout as well. Most Democrats oppose repeal, while most Republicans and unaffiliated voters support it. Older voters, those who use the health care system more than anyone else, favor repeal more than younger voters. The number who Strongly Favor repeal has remained over 40%, while the number Strongly Opposing has remained in the 20-something percent range.

Most voters have consistently expressed the view that the law will hurt the quality of care, drive up costs and increase the federal deficit. They also don’t like the government ordering people to buy health insurance and don’t think the Constitution permits that anyway.

This strong and consistent opposition led Scott Rasmussen to conclude in a recent syndicated newspaper column that the “health care law is doomed regardless of what the court decides.”

Arizona Voters Blame Government, Employers for Illegal Immigration

Arizona is at the forefront of the national debate over stopping illegal immigration, but voters in the state are more likely to blame those who encourage the immigrants than those who come here illegally.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Arizona finds that 42% are angry about current immigration policy, and another 33% are mildly frustrated by it. Only 23% consider immigration policy just one of many issues they have an opinion on. (To see survey question wording, click here.)\

This Arizona survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on June 26, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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% Say Constitution Should be Left Alone

As Independence Day nears, most Americans still believe the U.S. Constitution should be upheld and left as is.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults think the Constitution should be left alone, although that's down from 63% last year.  Thirty-nine percent (39%) think the Constitution needs some minor changes, and just three percent (3%) think it needs major changes.  Though the option was given, no one thinks the United States should scrap the foundational document and start over. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 24-25, 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.

58% Think Federal Government Encourages Illegal Immigration

Most voters continue to believe the federal government encourages rather than discourages illegal immigration.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters think the policies and practices of the federal government encourage illegal immigration. Just 24% disagree, while 18% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 25-26, 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.

53% Say Neither Party Represents American People

Most voters think for the first time that Republicans have a plan for the future, but they remain more divided over whether the same is true of Democrats. However, more voters than ever believe neither party represents the American people.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the Republican Party has a plan for where it wants to take the nation. That’s up 19 points from 35% in February 2010 and the first time a majority of voters has said that of either major party. Just 27% believe the GOP does not have a plan for the future, but another 19% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here).

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 23-24, 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.

77% Oppose More U.S. Help to Bail Out Europe

Americans agree Europe’s economic problems are worsening but feel more strongly than ever that the United States should do nothing more to help its longtime allies recover. 

Just six percent (6%) of American Adults believe the economic situation in Europe is getting better. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% think the continent’s economic woes are getting worse, while 16% say they are staying about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on June 22-23, 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.

55% Want U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold Arizona Immigration Law

Most voters still want an immigration law like Arizona’s in their own state and hope the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the legality of the Arizona law this week.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters would like to see the Supreme Court uphold the law that Arizona adopted to reduce illegal immigration in the state. Just 26% would like to see the high court overturn the law. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 21-22, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points ith a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

63% Believe U.S. Society is Fair and Decent

Voters now have a more positive view of American society than they have had for the past couple of months.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters now feel U.S. society is generally fair and decent, up from 57% last month and 60% in April.  May was the first time the finding had fallen into the 50s since December 2008.

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 19-20, 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.