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Rasmussen Employment Index Hits Six-Year High in May

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence jumped five points in May to its highest level in over six years of monthly tracking.

At 100.1, worker confidence is up from last month’s finding of 95.6. In March, the index had hit a previous six-year high of 96.2. The index fell to a recent low of 81.2 in October but gained steadily after that. It stood at 94.4 in May of last year.

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The survey of 9,176 working Americans was conducted in May 2014 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 41%, Republicans 38%

Democrats lead Republicans by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, June 1.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from May 26-June 1, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

Obama’s Full-Month Approval Up Two Points in May

When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture.  To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.  

The president’s monthly job approval rating climbed to 49% in May, up two points from April and matching his previous high for the year reached in February. His job approval held steady at 47% in March and April. Obama’s approval rating hit a two-year low of 45% in November during the troubled rollout period for the new national health care law. Through much of November and early December, his daily job approval ratings were at the lowest levels of his entire presidency. Since then, however, his approval ratings have returned to levels seen for much of his time in the White House.

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Daily tracking results are collected via telephone surveys of 500 likely voters per night. The monthly numbers in this article are based on approximately 15,000 interviews each month with likely voters. The margin of sampling error is less than +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

51% Oppose Obamacare Mandate That All Must Be Insured

Opposition to the new health care law’s requirement that every American have health insurance has risen to its highest level this year.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 39% of Likely U.S. Voters continue to believe the government should require every American to buy or obtain health insurance. That’s down slightly from the first of the year but consistent with surveys for the past couple months. However, 51% now oppose this so-called individual mandate, up six points from late April and the highest level of opposition since December. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 31-June 1, 2014 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending May 31

President Obama this week spoke of the diminished role of the military in his foreign policy and at week’s end dumped the former general in charge of veterans’ retirement benefits.

Kentucky Senate: McConnell (R) 48%, Grimes (D) 41%

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell now holds a seven-point lead over Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky’s U.S. Senate race following last week’s state party primaries.

McConnell earns 48% support to Grimes’ 41% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Kentucky Voters. Five percent (5%) like some other candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Kentucky was conducted on May 28-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Arkansas Governor: Hutchinson (R) 48%, Ross (D) 41%

In a gubernatorial race between two former U.S. congressmen, Republican Asa Hutchinson has pulled ahead of Democrat Mike Ross in Arkansas following last week’s party primaries.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Arkansas Voters shows Hutchinson with 48% of the vote to Ross’ 41%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on May 27-28, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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% Say It’s Possible To End U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil

Voters are more optimistic than ever that the United States can completely end its dependence on oil imports, although most still think the country is not doing enough to develop its own resources.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States does enough to develop its own gas and oil resources. Sixty-one percent (61%) disagree, but that’s down from 65% in September and is the lowest level of pessimism measured since 2011. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 May 25-26, 2014 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.

29% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-nine (29%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending May 25.

This has held steady for three weeks now. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been in the narrow range of 28% to 30% for 19 out of the 23 weeks since mid-December.

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 The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on May 19-25, 2014. 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.

Just 19% Think High School Grads Have Skills for College or Workforce

As high school graduation nears, fewer voters than ever think high schoolers have the skills necessary to enter the workforce, and they’re no more confident in their readiness for college.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters think most high school graduates today have the skills needed to enter the workforce, down from February’s high of 25% and the lowest level of confidence since polling began in March 2012. Sixty-nine percent (69%) do not think high school graduates have the skills for a job, up five points and the highest finding to date. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 21-22, 2014 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 42%, Republicans 38%

Democrats continue to lead Republicans by four points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, May 25.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from May 19-25, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Georgia Governor: Carter (D) 48%, Deal (R) 41%

Incumbent Republican Nathan Deal trails Democratic challenger Jason Carter by seven points in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the Georgia gubernatorial race.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Georgia Voters finds Carter with 48% support to Deal’s 41%. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, while seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Georgia was conducted on May 21-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Georgia Governor: Carter (D) 48%, Deal (R) 41%

Incumbent Republican Nathan Deal trails Democratic challenger Jason Carter by seven points in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the Georgia gubernatorial race.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Georgia Voters finds Carter with 48% support to Deal’s 41%. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, while seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Georgia was conducted on May 21-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

44% Favor Government Mandated Levels of Health Insurance Coverage

Most U.S. voters continue to view the national health care law unfavorably and to strongly favor choice when it comes to their own level of health insurance based on what it covers and how much it costs. But they are slightly more supportive of the law’s required levels of health insurance coverage.

Forty-two percent (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters now view the health care law at least somewhat favorably, while 53% continue to hold an unfavorable opinion of it, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This includes 17% with a Very Favorable view and 41% 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 May 23-24, 2014 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.

Oregon Senate: Merkley (D) 47%, Wehby (R) 37%

Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley holds a 10-point lead over Republican challenger Monica Wehby in his bid for reelection in Oregon.

The first Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Oregon Voters this year shows Merkley with 47% of the vote to Wehby’s 37%. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Oregon was conducted on May 21-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points 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 May 24

American voters have more information than ever, it seems, but the real question is, do they know it?

Georgia Senate: Nunn (D) Holds Slight Edge Over GOP Finalists

Georgia Republicans won’t have a specific nominee for a couple more months, but the final two contenders are running slightly behind Democrat Michelle Nunn in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the U.S. Senate race in Georgia.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Georgia Voters finds Nunn leading Congressman Jack Kingston 47% to 41%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, while nine percent (9%) are undecided.

In a matchup with businessman David Perdue, Nunn earns 45% support to her GOP rival’s 42%. Seven percent (7%) favor another candidate in this contest, and six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Georgia was conducted on May 21-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

61% Still Think Congress Is Doing A Poor Job

Congress in May earns its best marks this year, but that’s not saying much. Plus more voters than ever think most members of Congress cheat to get reelected.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters now think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, but that’s up from six percent (6%) a month ago, its lowest positives since last June.  Sixty-one percent (61%) still rate Congress’ job performance as poor. That’s down only slightly from April but is the lowest finding since November 2012. A high of 75% gave Congress poor marks last November. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 19-20, 2014 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.

29% Say U.S. is Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-nine (29%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending May 18.

This is unchanged from the week before. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction had been in the narrow range of 28% to 30% for 17 out of the 21 weeks since then.

(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 on May 12-18, 2014. 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 41%, Republicans 37%

Democrats lead Republicans by four points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday May 18.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 37% 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 May 12-May 18, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.