Lifestyle

33% Believe Zimmerman Guilty of Murder in Trayvon Martin Case

Despite round-the-clock media coverage of the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida, most Americans haven’t come to a conclusion yet whether it’s a case of murder or self-defense.

One-third (33%) of adults believe crime watch volunteer George Zimmerman should be found guilty of murder in the shooting death of the Florida teenager, while 15% think Zimmerman acted in self-defense, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But 52% of Americans are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

65% Say Most High School Graduates Lack Skills to Enter the Workforce

Americans strongly believe that most high school graduates lack the skills needed for college or a job. They also tend to believe students who are home-schooled learn more than those in the public schools.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 21% of American Adults think most of those graduating high school have the skills needed for college. Sixty-four percent (64%) disagree and say those graduates don’t have the necessary skills for college. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 20-21, 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.

82% Oppose Ban on Donating Food to Homeless Shelters

Americans nationwide strongly oppose a policy similar to the one New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg enacted that bans food donations to homeless shelters. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that only nine percent (9%) favor a policy that forbids people from donating food to the homeless in their communities. Most adults (82%) oppose such a ban. (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 Adults was conducted on March 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.

Just 23% Rate U.S. Public Schools As Good Or Excellent

This past week, a task force led by former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and former New York City School Chancellor Joel I. Klein warned that the country’s economic and national security are at risk if schools do not improve. Adults nationwide overwhelmingly share this concern and give low marks to the performance of America's public schools.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 98% of adults believe the quality of public education is at least somewhat important to the future of U.S. economic and national security, including 83% who view it as Very Important. (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 Adults was conducted on March 20-21, 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.

22% Say Government Should Ban Tobacco Smoking

Most Americans still don't think tobacco smoking should be outlawed.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% of American Adults think the U.S. government should ban the smoking of tobacco. That’s up from 17% in November 2010 but down from 25% in June 2009.  However, 71% disagree with a government ban on smoking. (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 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 14-15, 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.

74% Have Allergies or Know Someone Who Does

Spring is upon us, and for many, that means allergy season.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults suffer from allergies or know someone who does. That’s unchanged from last year. A lucky 22% do not suffer or know someone who does. (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 Adults nationwide 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.

33% Say Spring Is Their Favorite Season

It seems at least some Americans really have spring fever.

Spring has officially sprung as of yesterday, and a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that one-third (33%) of American Adults see that as a good thing since spring is their favorite season. Almost as many (29%) will be happiest in a few months when their favorite season, summer, starts. Twenty-seven percent (27%) like fall the best, but just six percent (6%) prefer the colder months of winter. (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 Adults nationwide 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.

8% Rate St. Patrick’s Day As An Important Holiday

More Americans than ever consider St. Patrick’s Day one of the nation’s least important holidays, but a sizable number still plan to wear green. One-in four will have an alcoholic drink to celebrate. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that just eight percent (8%) feel St. Patrick’s Day is one of the nation’s most important holidays.  Fifty-seven percent (57%) consider the holiday one of the least important, while another 32% say it’s somewhere in between.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 14-15, 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. 

31% See Facebook As Bad For Society

Like it or not, the social networking site Facebook has had a big impact on today’s society, and Americans aren’t sure that’s a good thing. But regular Facebook users are much more enthusiastic than those who don't use the site.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 28% believe Facebook has been good for society. Thirty-one percent (31%) say the wildly popular site has been bad for society, while another 27% say neither is true. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 Adults was conducted on March 8-9, 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.

One Week in America

Americans were pretty busy last week.

Rasmussen Reports asked Americans what they did the previous week, and this is what our new national telephone survey found out. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Eighty-four percent (84%) of American Adults watched the news on television.

Seventy-one percent (71%) went out to eat.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) played a sport or did some kind of physical activity.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 4-5, 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.

34% See Daylight Saving Time As An Energy Saver

Tonight's the night to change the clocks for Daylight Saving Time (DST), and Americans continue to have decidedly mixed feelings about the need for that change.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults think DST is worth the hassle, but nearly as many (40%) disagree. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Just 12% Say Schools Can Be Made Safe From Violence Like in Ohio

Despite the shooting deaths of three students at an Ohio high school earlier this week, most Americans don’t believe schools can ever be made risk-free from that kind of violence.  

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of American Adults think schools can be made completely safe against violence like the incident in Ohio.  Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree and say schools cannot ever be made that safe. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 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.

“The Help,” Clooney and Streep Lead Among Oscar Watchers

There are five actors, five actresses and nine films up for the night’s biggest awards at the 84th Academy Awards airing this Sunday, and Oscar watchers already are calling the winners.

Ten percent (10%) hope the Alexander Payne-directed film, “The Descendants,” will win the Best Picture Oscar. After that the hoped-for winners and their level of support are the Brad Pitt sports vehicle “Moneyball” (7%), Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris" (5%), the 9/11-themed “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” (4%), the Martin Scorcese-directed “Hugo” (4%), “The Tree of Life” (3%) by famed auteur Terrence Malick and Steven Spielberg's latest, “War Horse” (3%). Twenty-five percent (25%). however, don't have a preference.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 762 Adults who are likely to watch the Oscars was conducted on February 19-22, 2012 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.

Washington, Lincoln More Popular Than Their Holiday

Americans continue to have an overwhelmingly favorable opinion of Abraham Lincoln but are strongly opposed to celebrating his February 12 birthday as a separate holiday. They’re satisfied instead to celebrate Lincoln’s birthday along with George Washington’s on Presidents’ Day today.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the president known as the Great Emancipator, including 60% with a Very Favorable view of him. Just 10% hold a somewhat unfavorable or Very Unfavorable regard for the 16th U.S. president who served during the U.S. Civil War. (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 Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 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.

40% Consider Reagan Most Influential President Of Last 50 Years

Americans continue to believe Ronald Reagan is the most influential president of the last half century, but they are a bit more divided over which president should be next in line to be honored by a federal holiday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 40% regard Reagan as the most influential president of the past 50 years. Bill Clinton is a distant second with 16%, closely followed by John F. Kennedy with 14%. Barack Obama, who is making his first appearance in this question, comes in fourth with 11%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Just five percent (5%) say Richard Nixon was most influential, followed by Lyndon B. Johnson (4%). Both Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush are seen as the most influential by three percent (3%), while just one percent (1%) see George H.W. Bush that way.

(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 Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 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.

68% Likely To Buy Girl Scout Cookies This Year

For some adults, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Not Christmas, but the arrival of Girl Scout cookies.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults are at least somewhat likely to buy Girl Scout cookies this year, including 47% who are Very Likely to do so. That’s up slightly from last year. Thirty-one percent (31%) are not planning on buying any cookies, including 11% who are Not at All Likely to buy. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 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.

Americans Strongly Support Scouting But Say It's Tough To Get Kids Involved

Most Americans think the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are good for young people but say it's harder to get them involved in scouting these days. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 77% say scouting is good for the young.  Only eight percent (8%) disagree, and 15% 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 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 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.

57% Believe Violence in Movies Leads to Violence in Society

Most adults continue to feel that violence in movies is reflected in real life and believe movies have a negative impact on society.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults think violent movies lead to more violence in society, although that's down five points from 62% a year ago. Just 26% do not believe violent movies encourage violence in real life, but 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 3-4, 2012 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% Say Too Hard To Get Rid of Bad Teachers

Most Americans continue to view teachers’ unions negatively and believe even more strongly that it's too hard to get rid of bad teachers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 66% feel teachers’ unions are more interested in protecting their member’s jobs than they are in the quality of education. Just 20% feel the quality of education is paramount to the union. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 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.

51% Support More Funding For New Math and Science Teachers

Just over half of Americans nationwide like President Obama’s proposal to boost government funding to increase the number and quality of math and science teachers, but they also agree that teaching now is not a desirable profession to go into.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 51% think the federal government should spend more on training to improve the teaching of math and science nationwide. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disagree, while another 12% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 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.