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What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending February 9, 2013

What voters want isn’t often what they get.

Case in point: President Obama has indicated that gun control and immigration reform are his top priorities for the year and will be central to his State of the Union address this coming Tuesday night. But voters rate government spending and job creation as far more important issues than either gun control or immigration.

The issues the president cares about are important to Democrats, and that may be the key, Scott Rasmussen explains in his latest weekly newspaper column. “By focusing on the ability of Congress to block progress on these initiatives,” he writes, ”the president may give his base strong motivation to show up for the midterm elections.”

Voters Rate Spending, Job Creation Higher in Importance Than Gun Control

Voters rate government spending and job creation as far more important issues than gun control, but the Political Class disagrees. Rasmussen Reports has been asking voters to rate the importance of 10 core issues in surveys for years, but given news developments, we’ve now added five more issues to that list – job creation, the environment, government spending, issues affecting small business and gun control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of Likely U.S. Voters consider government spending a Very Important issue. (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 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.

39% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

For the second week in a row, 39% of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, February 3.

The latest finding is unchanged from the previous week, the highest level measured so far this year. Still, confidence is down from 43% the week prior to President Obama’s reelection, the highest level measured in over five years of weekly tracking. This time last year, only 29% said the country was heading in the right direction.

(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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen January 28-February 3, 2013. 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 44%, Republicans 38%

Democrats hold a six-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending February 3, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% 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.

(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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from January 28-February 3, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

80% Rate Their Health Care As Good or Excellent

Voters continue to give high marks to the health care they receive but worry that the U.S. health care system is going to get worse in the near future.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the overall quality of the health care they receive as good or excellent. Just three percent (3%) consider the health care they receive as poor. (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 2-3, 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% Think U.S., Allies Winning War on Terror

Confidence that the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror has slipped to the lowest level since the killing of Osama bin Laden nearly two years ago. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror. That’s down from 45% in December and the lowest level of confidence since April 2011. Confidence peaked at 55% in May 2011 just after bin Laden’s death was announced. (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 January 29-30, 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending February 2, 2013

The week began with a bipartisan immigration reform plan that includes a pathway to citizenship for the millions of illegal immigrants already here and ended with a worsening of the national unemployment rate. Voters have little faith in their elected representatives to set either issue right.

Voters continue to favor a welcoming immigration policy and rate both border control and legalizing the status of those here illegally as important goals. However, voters are dubious that the government will actually make more of en effort to stop illegal immigration if the plan is passed by Congress. 

“Despite the broad support for the outlines of the bipartisan legislation, the prospects for its passage are far from clear,” Scott Rasmussen explains in his latest weekly newspaper column. “The reason has little to do with the immigration issue itself and everything to do with the lack of public trust in the government.”

39% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, January 27.

The latest finding is up four points from the previous week and is the highest level measured so far this year. Still, confidence is down from 43% the week prior to President Obama’s reelection, the highest level measured in over five years of weekly tracking. This time last year, only 29% said the country was heading in the right direction.

(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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen January 21-27, 2013. 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.

Worker Confidence Slips in January

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence fell four points in January from a five-year high the month before, but the index remains above monthly levels measured for most of 2012.

At 87.1, the Employment Index is up six points from the start of 2012 and up 10 points from January 2011.

The survey of 9,476 working Americans was conducted in January 2013 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.

9% Rate Congress’ Job Performance Good or Excellent

Congress, it seems, can’t win as far as voters are concerned.

Even after going along with President Obama and compromising on a deal to avoid the end-of-the-year “fiscal cliff,” Congress receives good or excellent marks for its job performance from just nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% give the nation’s legislators poor marks. (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 January 27-28, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 45%, Republicans 37%

Democrats hold an eight-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending January 27, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% 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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from January 21-27, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

54% Expect Costs to Rise Under Health Care Law

Just over half have an unfavorable view of President Obama’s national health care law and still expect it to drive up the cost of health care in America. Seven-out-of-10 also believe the law is likely to cost more than its supporters have estimated.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters have a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, while 51% view it unfavorably. This includes 18% with a Very Favorable opinion of the law and 36% with a Very Unfavorable one. (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 January 25-26, 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% Favor Smaller Government With Fewer Services, Lower Taxes

Just 28% of Likely U.S. Voters now prefer a larger government with more services and higher taxes to a smaller one with fewer services and lower taxes, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That's down from December’s all-time high of 34%. 

Sixty-two percent (62%) prefer a smaller government, consistent with regular surveying for several years. Ten percent (10%) 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 January 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- Week Ending January 26, 2013

President Obama remains a popular leader, but voters are less certain about the activist big government he championed Monday in his second inaugural address.

A plurality (45%) of voters, for example, continues to believe the financial bailouts were a bad move, and they prefer an economic system with more competition and less government regulation moving forward. 

The president has called for more government help for homeowners with mortgage problems, but only 18% of Americans believe the government should assist those who cannot afford their increased mortgage payments. That ties the lowest level of support ever.

35% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-five percent (35%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, January 20.

The latest finding is down a point from the previous week and down eight points from 43% the week prior to President Obama’s reelection, the highest level measured in over five years of weekly tracking. Only 26% said the country was heading in the right direction this time last year. 

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The national telephone survey of 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen January 14-20, 2013. 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.

Only 32% Are Aware If Their State Is Establishing A Health Care Exchange

Most voters still aren’t sure if their state has created a health care exchange as a requirement of President Obama’s national health care law, but support for creating one is up slightly from last month. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters now would like to see their state set up a health care exchange to assist with the implementation of the health care law. That’s up three points from December.

Still, 31% are opposed to the creation of such an exchange, while 20% 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 January 19-20, 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% Think Terrorists Are Winning War on Terror

Belief that terrorists are winning the War on Terror is at its highest level in three years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror. That's up from 36% in October but down from a high of 55% in May 2011 just after the killing of Osama bin Laden. Thirty percent (30%) now believe the terrorists are winning the war, up from 26% three months ago and the highest level of pessimism since January 2011. Twenty-three percent (23%) think neither side is winning. (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 January 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. 

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 44%, Republicans 39%

Democrats hold a five-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending January 20, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% 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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from January 14-20, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point 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 January 19, 2013

So what’s the state of the union as President Obama prepares for the beginning of his second term on Monday?

Nearly six-out-of-10 voters plan to watch at least some of Obama's second inauguration live on Monday, but that’s a smaller crowd than planned to tune in four years ago. Most Democrats and unaffiliated voters intend to watch at least some of the ceremony; 61% of Republicans don’t plan to watch any at all.

Still, over 50% of all likely voters approve of the job Obama is doing as he continues to earn some of the highest job approval ratings of his presidency.

49% Are Not Willing To Pay More to Fight Global Warming

Most voters still consider global warming a serious problem, but less than half are willing to pay any more in taxes or higher utility bills to do something about it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters consider global warming to be at least a somewhat serious problem, while just 34% regard it as not serious. This includes 37% who view global warming as a Very Serious problem and 14% who describe it as Not At All Serious. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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