Politics

53% in Wisconsin Now Approve Of Governor Walker’s Job Performance

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s approval ratings are up slightly following his victory in the state’s June 5 special recall election. Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely Voters in the Badger State now at least somewhat approve of the job Walker is doing as governor, according to a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey.  Forty-seven percent (47%) disapprove of his job performance.  Those figures include 45% who Strongly Approve and 39% who Strongly Disapprove.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on June 12, 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.

40% Think Holder Should Resign As Attorney General

The Justice Department’s Fast and Furious operation was conceived as a way to catch illegal gun runners but instead put guns in the hands of Mexican drug criminals.  Congress wants to know why and has been battling with Attorney General Eric Holder for more information. A sizable number of voters now think Holder should resign.

In fact, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters oppose Holder’s resignation. Forty percent (40%) are in favor of the attorney general stepping down, but another 33% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 13-14, 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.

72% Say Media Hurts National Security When They Release Secret Documents

In response to news outlets publishing top secret national security information, lawmakers in Congress are drafting legislation to limit access to such information and to create new penalties for revealing it. Seventy-two percent (72%) of Likely U.S. Voters say when media outlets release secret government documents, they are hurting national security.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 14% believe the media is providing a public service when it releases that information.  Another 15% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 11-12, 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.

62% Would Rather Be Called Good Citizen Than Patriot

More voters than ever would rather be called a good citizen than a patriot, but a plurality thinks they’re really one and the same.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Likely U.S. Voters would rather be called a good citizen, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This finding has been on the rise since May 2010 when 52% said they’d rather be called a good citizen. Fifty-seven percent (57%) said the same in May of last year.

Twenty-five percent (25%) now would rather be called a patriot, but 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Voters Still Trust Their Own Economic Judgment Over Romney's, Obama's

Most voters continue to trust themselves more on economic issues than President Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney. 

Sixty-one percent (61%) of Likely Voters say they trust their own judgment over the president’s when it comes to economic issues affecting the nation.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% trust Obama’s judgment more than their own.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.

47% Think Leaks of Classified Information Will Hurt President’s Campaign

Most voters are concerned about recent leaks of classified security data to the news media, and a plurality believes those leaks will hurt President Obama’s reelection chances.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 73% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat concerned that the security leaks will compromise national security, with 40% who are Very Concerned. Twenty-five percent (25%) don’t have that concern, but that includes just three percent (3%) who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 11-12, 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.

67% Rate Volunteer Work More Important Than Politics

Even as the presidential campaign increasingly catches fire, voters continue to believe overwhelmingly that doing volunteer work is more important than playing politics.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of Likely U.S. Voters feel that in terms of being a good citizen, it is more important to do volunteer work for church and community organizations than it is to get involved in politics and political campaigns. Only 16% disagree and put political involvement first, while another 16% 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 June 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.

Voters Trust Bill Clinton More Than Obama, Romney When It Comes to Economy

Former President Bill Clinton recently got himself in hot water in his own party when he disagreed with the current occupant of the White House and called for an extension of the so-called Bush tax cuts. But most voters support extending those tax cuts and express more confidence in Clinton’s economic judgment than that of both President Obama and Mitt Romney.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters trust Clinton’s judgment more than Obama’s when it comes to the economy. Just 26% trust the president’s judgment more. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

49% View United Nations Unfavorably

Voters are a little less enthusiastic about the United Nations these days.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters now view the international organization at least somewhat favorably. However, slightly more (49%) share at least a somewhat unfavorable opinion of it. This includes 10% with a Very Favorable view and 24% with a Very Unfavorable one. Another 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 1-2, 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.

61% in Colorado Favor Legalizing, Regulating Marijuana

Coloradoans will be voting whether to legalize marijuana this November, a ballot initiative that some say could impact the presidential race there. Most Colorado voters are in favor of legalizing the drug under certain conditions.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of Likely Voters in Colorado favor legalizing marijuana if it is regulated the way alcohol and cigarettes are. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Centennial State shows that 27% of voters oppose legalization even with government regulation, while 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Colorado was conducted on June 6, 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.

37% Say It’s Bad For U.S. When Candidates Criticize President’s Foreign Policies

In the early years of the Cold War, most politicians subscribed to the adage that "politics stops at the water's edge," but since the Vietnam war, partisan sniping at a president's foreign policy has become commonplace. Just over a third (37%) of Likely U.S. Voters think it's bad for the country when candidates for the presidency criticize the foreign policy of the sitting president, but, not surprisingly, there's a partisan component to the findings.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 16% say such criticism is good for the United States, while 30% say it has no impact. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 5-6, 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.

49% Say Medicare Is a Good Deal for Working Americans

More voters than ever feel Medicare is beneficial to working Americans, but most still lack confidence that the government-run health insurance program will make good on all its promised benefits. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think Medicare is a good deal for working Americans today. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, and 23% more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 3-4, 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.

Voter Support for U.S. Involvement in Syria Remains Low

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton again today called on Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down as anti-government violence continues in his country. But most U.S. voters still think America should stay out of the situation in Syria.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 20% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States should get more involved in the Syrian crisis. Fifty percent (50%) say America should leave the situation there alone, although that’s down six points from February. Thirty percent (30%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 5-6, 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.

New High: 41% Favor One-Party Rule in Washington, D.C.

Partisan feelings are at an all-time high this election year: More voters than ever like the idea of one party running the whole show in Washington, D.C.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s better for the country with one political party in charge of both the White House and Congress. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree and feel the country is better off with each branch of government being run by a different party. One-in-four voters (25%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters U.S. Voters was conducted on June 3-4, 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.

Voters Think Obama, Dems More Likely To Raise Taxes, Spending Than Romney, GOP

Voters are much more convinced that taxes and spending will go up if President Obama is reelected and Democrats regain control of Congress than if Republicans win in November. But they’re not so sure the GOP will cut taxes and spending if it’s in charge. Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters think taxes will go up if Obama is returned to the White House and Democrats take over Congress, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 31% expect taxes to go up if Mitt Romney is elected and Republicans take control of the House and Senate. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 3-4, 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.

80% Oppose U.N. Control of the Internet

Russia, China and several Arab countries are pushing for international control of the Internet through the United Nations, but U.S. voters overwhelmingly oppose the idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of Likely U.S. Voters think an agency of the United Nations should be given the authority to regulate the Internet. Eighty percent (80%) oppose U.N. control of the international computer communications network. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 1-2, 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.

Clinton Remains the Most Popular Cabinet Member, Holder the Least

Hillary Clinton continues to be the most favored member of President Obama’s Cabinet, and she’s also the most well-known.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of the secretary of State. Conversely, just seven percent (7%) hold a favorable view of the newest Cabinet member, Chief of Staff Jack Lew.

To see favorability ratings for all Cabinet members, click here.

Attorney General Eric Holder is the least-liked Cabinet member, with 47% of voters who share an unfavorable opinion of him. Holder has been at the center of several controversies while in office.

Clinton, Holder, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner are the only Cabinet members who are recognized by more than 50% of voters. In the case of all the other Cabinet members, the majority of voters do not know enough about them to formulate an opinion.

51% See Federal Government As Threat to Their Rights

Just over half  (51%) of Americans continue to believe that the government is more of a threat to individual rights than a protector of them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 34% of Adults in this country regard the federal government more as a protector of individual rights. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 May 29-30, 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.

24% Say States Have Right to Secede

While belief in the right of individual states to break away from the United States continues to rise, the likelihood of such a move remains doubtful to most Americans.

Twenty-four percent (24%) of Adults nationwide now think states have the right to leave the United States and form an independent country, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. Most (59%) still disagree, but another 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 29-30, 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.

52% See Romney As Mainstream, 45% Say Same of Obama

Most voters now see Mitt Romney as politically mainstream, but they're evenly divided over whether President Obama’s political views are mainstream or extreme. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds that 52% say it’s more accurate to describe the putative Republican nominee’s views as mainstream, while 30% regard them as extreme. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. 

When it comes to the president's political views, 45% of voters say they're in the mainstream, but an identical 45% say it's more accurate to describe them as extreme. (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 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on May 30-31, 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.