Politics

41% Recognize Simpson-Bowles Commission Focused On Deficit Cutting

Many in official Washington are now championing the recommendations of the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles Commission for a “balanced approach” to reducing the deficit that includes tax hikes and spending cuts. But for most voters, Simpson-Bowles doesn’t mean a thing. 

Just 41% of Likely U.S. Voters are correctly able to identify the primary focus of the Simpson-Bowles Commission as deficit reduction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But 36% are not sure what the purpose of the commission is. Twenty-three percent (23%) thought it had some other focus. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

35% Support U.S. Aid For Syrian Rebels

Secretary of State John Kerry announced last week that the United States will provide financial and humanitarian aid to Syrian rebels battling to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Voter support for this aid is mixed, and most continue to think the United States should leave the Syrian crisis alone.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters favor giving U.S. financial and humanitarian aid to forces attempting to overthrow the Syrian government. Forty-two percent (42%) oppose this aid, while another 24% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 28 – March 1, 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.

51% Rate Obama's Handling of National Security As Good or Excellent

Voters continue to think President Obama is doing a better job handling national security area than dealing with the economy. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way the president is handling economic issues as good or excellent, while 43% rate his performance in this area as poor. This is generally consistent with surveys for the past couple of years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 26-27, 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.

79% Put Emphasis on Accuracy Over Justice in Journalism

Is it the role of journalists to fairly and accurately cover a news story, or is it more important for them to use their reporting to right wrongs that they see in society? That was the crux of the argument in a recent Washington Post ombudsman’s analysis of his paper’s coverage of the issue of gay marriage.  

52% Want More Gun Control Laws; 10% Favor Handgun Ban

Just over half of voters think the country needs more gun control, but most feel safer living in a neighborhood where someone can own a gun for their own protection.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States needs stricter gun control laws. Forty-two percent (42%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 26-27, 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.

65% Say Ban Lobbyists for Firms That Live Off Government

Politico, an inside-the-Beltway publication, reported this week that big business groups did not join in the collective panic coming from official Washington over automatic reductions in the growth of federal spending. It did note an exception, however, among defense firms that are dependent upon government. “Northrop Grumman, for instance, derived 90 percent of its 2012 revenue from the U.S. government. The company recently warned the sequester could cause a new recession and 2 million job losses.” 

Voters are clearly unhappy with a system that many see as crony capitalism. As a result, 65% believe that companies that earn most of their revenue from the government should be banned from hiring lobbyists. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 15% of voters nationwide oppose such a ban. 

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Only 6% Rate News Media As Very Trustworthy

Most voters still get their news from television and consider the news reported by the media generally trustworthy.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they get most of their news from TV, including 32% who get it from cable news networks and 24% who get it from traditional network news. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that another 25% use the Internet as their main source of news, while only 10% still rely on print newspapers. Seven percent (7%) get most of their news from radio. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 26-27, 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.

46% Think Obama's Policies Are Too Hostile Toward Small Business

Voters continue to feel President Obama is friendlier toward big business than small business.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just two percent (2%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president's policies are too friendly to small business, compared to 19% who say they are too friendly to big business. Thirty-four percent (34%) think his policies are too hostile toward big business, but nearly half (46%) believe that to be true of his policies toward small business. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 24-25, 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.

43% Rate Obama’s Handling of Gun Control as Good or Excellent

President Obama continues to earn mixed reviews on the issues of gun control and immigration, with distinctly partisan differences of opinion in both cases.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way the president is handling issues related to gun control as good or excellent. Thirty-four percent (34%) think he is doing a poor job in this area.

Similarly, 43% give the president good or excellent marks on his handling of immigration issues, while 35% rate his job performance in this area as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 22-23, 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.

50% Think Medicare Costs Can Be Cut Without Hurting Quality of Care

Voters are less certain that Medicare costs can be reduced without hurting the quality of care, but most are not confident that they will get their full promised benefits anyway. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is possible to reduce the cost of Medicare without hurting the quality of health care for senior citizens. Twenty-four percent (24%) disagree, while just as many (26%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 20-21, 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.

40% Give Obama Positive Marks for Job Creation

While a sizable number of U.S. voters see job creation and issues affecting small business as very important, they're narrowly divided over how President Obama is performing in these areas.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the president’s handling of issues related to job creation as good or excellent.  Forty percent (40%) also give him a poor rating in this area.

On issues related to small business, the president also gets good or excellent ratings from 40%, while another 40% think he is doing a poor job.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

For a look at how all voters rate the president’s performance in a number of key areas, look 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 February 20-21, 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.

27% Think It's Too Easy to Vote in America

Most Americans like the idea of voting by mail but not same-day registration.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 17% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is now too hard to vote in the United States. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think it's too easy to vote in America today, while 50% feel the level of difficulty is about right. (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 February 20-21, 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.

27% Say Calling Someone 'Illegal Immigrant' is Offensive

Most voters think legal immigration is good for America but don’t think it’s offensive to regard those who come here illegally as “illegal" immigrants.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 67% of Likely U.S. Voters believe, when done within the law, immigration is good for America. Just 18% think legal immigration is bad for the United States, while another 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 18-19, 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% Have Favorable Opinion of Rubio, 35% of Rand Paul

A plurality (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters now has a favorable opinion of Marco Rubio, the Florida senator who gave the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union address last week, including 22% with a Very Favorable opinion.  That’s up from 36% last month but comparable to his favorability rating last June when his name was in the news as a possible running mate for Mitt Romney. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% have an unfavorable opinion of Rubio, including 14% with a Very Unfavorable one. This is generally unchanged from previous surveys. Still, 27% do not know enough about Rubio to venture even a soft opinion of him. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Joining Scott Rasmussen this coming weekend on "What America Thinks" will be Senator Paul. “What America Thinks” airs on 61 stations. Find a station near you.

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 16-17, 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.

48% Think Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants Will Encourage More to Come

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told Congress last week that the U.S.-Mexico border is more secure than ever and that immigration reform legislation should focus its attention elsewhere. But most voters think more border security is needed, and half believe offering citizenship to illegal immigrants already here will just encourage more to come.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with Napolitano that the U.S. border is now more secure than it has ever been. Forty-seven percent (47%) disagree with her assessment, while 28% more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 18-19 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.

44% Give Obama Positive Marks on Health Care, 42% Poor

As President Obama’s national health care law enters the major implementation stage, voters are closely divided on the president’s handling of health care issues. They also give him mixed marks on the way he’s dealing with Social Security.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the president’s handling of issues related to health care as good or excellent. Nearly as many (42%) consider his performance in this area to be poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on February 14-15, 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.

43% Support Hagel Confirmation, 37% Oppose

Support for Senator Charles “Chuck” Hagel, President Obama’s nominee to be secretary of Defense, is down slightly, although most voters still feel he is likely to be confirmed for the high-level Cabinet position.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 28% of Likely U.S. Voters now hold a favorable opinion of Hagel while 38% view him unfavorably. Still, 35% of voters don’t know enough about Hagel to venture any kind of opinion, and that’s unchanged from earlier this month.  (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 February 16-17, 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.

Only 11% Say Congress is Good Reflection of Americans’ Views

Despite a deeply held belief in Washington that Congress reflects the views of the people, most Americans don’t share that sentiment.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 11% of Adults believe Congress is a good reflection of the views of the American people. Seventy-four percent (74%) say Congress is not a good reflection of those views, while another 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 13-14, 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.

22% See More Gun Control As Best Curb to Mass Murders

Support for banning semi-automatic and assault-type weapons has changed little, but Americans feel more strongly than ever that treating mental illness will do more than stricter gun control laws to help prevent incidents like the Connecticut school shooting. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 55% think there should be a ban on the purchase of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons, showing no change from late December. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

40% Think Major Energy Legislation Likely to Reduce Global Warming

Voters think it’s important for Congress to pass legislation to deal with global warming this year even though they think it's unlikely to significantly reduce the problem. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 61% of Likely Voters believe it’s at least somewhat important for Congress to pass major energy legislation aimed at reducing global warming this year, including 38% who say it’s Very Important. Thirty-seven percent (37%) don’t see such legislation as important, with 22% who say it’s Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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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.