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23% View Harry Reid Favorably, 57% Don't

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner are the leaders of their respective legislative chambers, but neither rates very high in the estimation of voters.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of Likely U.S. Voters share a somewhat favorable opinion of Reid, while 57% view him unfavorably. This includes six percent (6%) with a Very Favorable regard for the Nevada Democrat and 37% who see him Very Unfavorably. Twenty-one percent (21%) have no opinion. Reid’s overall unfavorables tie findings in January which marked his highest negatives since the beginning of 2009.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 8-9, 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending May 11, 2012

President Obama ended the week with media praise loud in his ears over his endorsement of gay marriage, while his Republican challenger Mitt Romney crossed the 50% threshold against the president for the first time in Rasmussen Reports’ daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

It’s a long way to Election Day, but Romney’s lead was a reminder that this contest is still all about the economy. Just 37% of Likely Voters nationwide give the president good or excellent marks for his handling of economic issues, down from a two-year high of 42% in March. Forty-eight percent (48%) say he’s doing a poor job in this area.

Wisconsin: Obama 49%, Romney 45%

President Obama still leads Mitt Romney in a head-to-head matchup in Wisconsin but by a much narrower margin.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Badger State finds Obama with 49% of the vote to Romney’s 45%.  Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) 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.

This Wisconsin survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted May 9, 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.

Wisconsin Senate: Thompson (R) 50%, Baldwin (D) 38%

Former Governor Tommy Thompson remains the leader in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race, while two other Republican contenders continue to struggle against Democratic hopeful Tammy Baldwin.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Wisconsin shows Thompson with 50% support to Baldwin’s 38%. Five percent (5%) like some other candidate in the race, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on May 9, 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.

31% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

For the second week in a row, 31% 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, May 6.

That's unchanged since last week, which was the highest finding since mid-March.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports April 30-May 6, 2012. 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.

58% Say D.C. Politics Will Grow More Partisan Over Next Year

Most voters nationwide continue to believe that politics in the nation’s capital will grow more partisan during the next year, but the number that feels that way ties the lowest measured in over a year. Voters also view congressional Republicans as acting more bipartisan than they have in years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 58% believe politics in Washington will become more partisan over the next year. Seventeen percent (17%) believe D.C. politics will become more cooperative, and 25% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 6-7, 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% Say D.C. Politics Will Grow More Partisan Over Next Year

Most voters nationwide continue to believe that politics in the nation’s capital will grow more partisan during the next year, but the number that feels that way ties the lowest measured in over a year. Voters also view congressional Republicans as acting more bipartisan than they have in years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 58% believe politics in Washington will become more partisan over the next year. Seventeen percent (17%) believe D.C. politics will become more cooperative, and 25% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 6-7, 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.

Massachusetts: Obama 56%, Romney 35%

Mitt Romney has called Massachusetts home, but he now trails President Obama by the widest margin yet in an Election 2012 matchup there.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Massachusetts Voters shows Obama leading Romney by 21 points – 56% to 35%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) remain 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.

This Massachusetts survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted May 7, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Massachusetts Senate: Brown (R) 45%, Warren (D) 45%

Despite the ongoing controversy about Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren’s past claims of Native American heritage in professional circles, she and Republican incumbent Scott Brown remain tied in Massachusetts’ U.S. Senate race. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows both Brown and Warren picking up 45% of the vote. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Massachusetts was conducted on May 7, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 44%, Democrats 41%

Republicans hold a three-point lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the third week in a row, this time for the week ending Sunday, May 6. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 41% would choose the Democrat instead. This is nearly identical to last week’s findings and those the week before.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from April 30-May 6, 2012. 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 For The Week Ending May 5, 2012

President Obama officially launches his reelection campaign today with appearances in  Ohio and Virginia, states critical to his reelection, and recent polling shows both are in play. But overall, it’s been another so-so week for the president, with his well-received plan for winding down the war in Afghanistan offset by another anemic jobs report.

The president continues to holds a slight lead over likely GOP nominee Mitt Romney in combined polling of the key swing states of Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. During 2008, Obama picked up 52% of the vote in these states to Republican nominee John McCain's 48%. The so-called Core Four states have 75 Electoral College votes, and if the president wins even two of these states, it will be just about impossible for the GOP candidate to win the White House.

But as Scott Rasmussen explains in a Rasmussen Report radio update, Romney needs to win all of the Core Four states. Scott is now doing three Rasmussen Report radio updates every weekday, syndicated nationally by the WOR Radio Network.

8% Give Congress Good or Excellent Marks

Voters continue to voice an overwhelmingly negative assessment of Congress’ performance.

Just eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the national legislature is doing a good or excellent job, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-four percent (64%) rate Congress' job performance as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on May 2-3, 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.

Montana: Romney 51%, Obama 44%

Mitt Romney has crossed the 50% mark now against President Obama in Montana. 

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Treasure State finds the likely Republican presidential nominee with 51% support to Obama’s 44%.  Three percent (3%) favor some other candidate in the race, while one percent (1%) 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.

This Montana survey of 450 Likely Voters was conducted on May 2, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 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.

Montana Senate: Rehberg (R) 53%, Tester (D) 43%

Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg holds his largest lead yet over Democratic incumbent Jon Tester in Montana’s U.S. Senate race.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Rehberg ahead of Tester 53% to 43%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and another two percent (2%) 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.

This Montana survey of 450 Likely Voters was conducted on May 2, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 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.

51% Think U.S., Allies Winning War on Terror

On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, just over half of voters believe the United States and its allies are winning the war on terror, but they’re slightly less sure the country is safer today than it was before his terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 46% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States is safer today than it was before 9/11. Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree while 26% 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.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 30-May 1, 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% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-one percent (31%) 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, April 29.

That's up two points from last week and the highest finding since mid-March.

Nevada: Obama 52%, Romney 44%

President Obama continues to lead Mitt Romney in a head-to-head matchup in Nevada. 

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Obama earning 52% support, while Romney picks up 44% of the vote.  Two percent (2%) prefers some other candidate, and another two percent (2%) 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.

This Nevada survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on April 30, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Obama Full-Month Approval Slips Again in April

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.

Overall, approval of the president has stayed within the narrow two-point range it has been in for all of 2012.

In March, 26% of voters Strongly Approved of the president’s job performance, showing no change since February but up two points from January. The number who Strongly Disapproved of the job Obama is doing was at 41% in March, up two points from last month.

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.

Nevada Senate: Heller (R) 51%, Berkley (D) 40%

Incumbent Republican Senator Dean Heller has crossed the 50% mark of support against his likeliest Democratic challenger in his bid for election to his first full term in Nevada.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Nevada finds Heller picking up 51% of the vote against Congresswoman Shelley Berkley who draws 40% support. Just two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) 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.

This Nevada survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on April 30, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Rasmussen Employment Index Falls Back to January Level

The Rasmussen Employment Index slipped another three points in April, bringing the index down to the level measured at the start of 2012. At 80.7, the index is still above findings throughout 2011 and matches the level measured in January. In February, the index hit a three-year high of 87.7. April’s index is up six points from a year ago and seven points from two years ago.

The survey of 8,891 working Americans was conducted in April 2012 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.