Politics

68% View Margaret Thatcher Favorably

Americans have a strongly favorable view of Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister who died on Monday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Thatcher, including 36% who have a Very Favorable one. Just 15% view her somewhat or Very Unfavorably. But 17% are not sure what they think of the woman who served as Britain’s political leader from 1979 to 1990. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 8-9, 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.

14% Are Fiscal Liberals, 34% Liberal on Social Issues

Voters remain more conservative on money issues than on social policy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters identify themselves as conservative on fiscal issues such as taxes, government spending and business regulation. Just 14% are liberal in this area, while 39% view themselves as moderates. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

57% Think U.S. Should Continue Building a Fence Along Mexican Border

Most voters favor the use of U.S. military on the Mexican border to keep drug violence out, but they also still think the U.S. should continue building a fence along the border.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should continue building a border fence, while 29% disagree. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure if the government should keep building a fence along the Mexican border. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

13% Expect Reduced Spending Under New Obama Budget

Most voters don’t expect government spending to be reduced under President Obama’s new budget proposal. But even if Congress and the president come to a budget deal, voters think it’s unlikely the deficit will actually be reduced.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 13% of Likely U.S. Voters think government spending will be reduced under the president’s budget plan. Fifty percent (50%) think spending will keep going up, while 24% expect it to remain about the same. Another 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

69% Favor Use of U.S. Military on Border to Keep Mexican Drug Violence Out

Voters remain more concerned about Mexican drug violence coming to this country than they are about illegal immigration, and most favor use of the U.S. military on the border to prevent it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 34% of Likely U.S. Voters are more concerned about illegal immigration. Fifty-seven percent (57%) worry more about drug violence. (To see survey question wording, click here.) Those figures are little changed from four years ago.

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

61% View North Korean Nuclear Attack on U.S. As Unlikely

Despite North Korea’s increasing threats, Americans now view a nuclear attack by the communist regime as even less likely than they did a month ago. They’re also more willing to help South Korea if it is attacked by its neighbor to the north.

11% See Those Who Want To Secure Border As Racist

Eleven percent (11%) of Likely U.S. Voters think people who want to secure the border and prevent illegal immigration are racist, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. 

But two-out-of-three voters (67%) disagree with that assessment and say those who want more border control are not racist. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Just 26% Support Immigration Plan Without Tougher Border Control

President Obama argues that more border security is not a necessary first step before legalizing the status of illegal immigrants already here. But most voters are willing to support immigration reform only if it includes both border security and a way for some illegal immigrants to remain in the country.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Likely U.S. Voters favor an immigration plan that gives illegal immigrants legal status to stay in the United States provided the border is really secured to prevent future illegal immigration. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% are opposed to this plan. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 1-2, 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% Think Government Effort to Confiscate All Guns Likely

A sizable number of Americans think the federal government is coming after their guns.

Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that the government will try to confiscate all privately owned guns over the next generation or so, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty percent (50%) feel gun confiscation is unlikely. This includes 20% who think the government is Very Likely to make this move and 23% who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 30-31, 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.

55% See Major Cyberattack on U.S. As Act of War

Following the recent major computer attack on South Korea, Americans continue to worry about the safety of this nation’s computer systems, and most still believe a foreign attack on them should be viewed as an act of war.

Eight-four percent (84%) of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of America’s computer infrastructure from cyberattack, including 44% who are Very Concerned. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 14% are not very or Not At All concerned about such an attack. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 28-29, 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.

41% Think Government Should Keep A List of All Gun Owners

Voters are closely divided over whether the federal government should keep a list of every gun owner in the country. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters think the federal government should maintain a database with the name and address of all gun owners in the United States. Slightly more (47%) disagree and oppose a government database of all gun owners. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 30-31, 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.

61% Say Finding New Energy More Important Than Fighting Global Warming

Most Americans continue to view global warming as a serious problem, but they still put their economic concerns well ahead of fighting climate change.  New Rasmussen Reports polling finds, for example, that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters think, generally speaking, it is more important to find news sources of energy than fight global warming. Only half as many (30%) rate the fight against global warming as more important.

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51% Think Background Checks for Gun Buyers Will Not Reduce Violent Crime

Support for requiring a strict background check to buy a gun remains high, but most voters believe these checks will not reduce the level of violent crime in America.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of Likely U.S. voters believe a strict background check should be required for anyone to buy a gun in the United States. Only 16% disagree.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 30-31, 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.

58% Favor Building the Keystone XL Oil Pipeline

The U.S. State Department is expected to give the Keystone XL pipeline the go-ahead later this year after reviewing environmental concerns. Most voters continue to support constructing the oil pipeline from western Canada to Texas, and they are more confident this can be done without hurting the environment.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters favor building the pipeline, while 26% are opposed. This includes 34% who Strongly Favor the pipeline and 12% who Strongly Oppose it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

55% Want Government to Deport Those Who Overstay Their Visas

An estimated 40% to 45% of the 11 million illegal immigrants now in the United States are people who entered the country on legal visas and then stayed on after those visas expired. Most voters think the government should send those people home, but the Political Class disagrees.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the federal government should find these illegal immigrants and make them go home. Only 22% oppose such a policy, while just as many (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

68% Say Bigger Problem in Legal System Is Too Many Released Criminals

Americans feel even more strongly that the biggest problem with the criminal justice system is that too many criminals are set free. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 68% of U.S. Adults believe that the bigger problem with law enforcement and the legal system is that too many criminals are released, not that too many innocent people are arrested. Eighteen percent (18%) hold the opposite view and think the bigger problem is that too many innocent people are arrested. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

61% Favor Immigration Reform With English As Official Language

There is broad support in America for comprehensive immigration reform, but the devil is in the details.

This reality is highlighted by comparing two different proposals for comprehensive reform. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters support a proposal for securing the border and legalizing the status of illegal immigrants already in the country. Twenty-six percent (26%) are opposed.

However, the numbers shift when provisions are added to punish employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and to make English the official language. Overall, support for the more comprehensive plan increases two points to 61%, while opposition declines three points to 23%. (See wording for both questions.)

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

49% Worry Government Won't Do Enough to Help Economy

Nearly half of voters are still concerned that the federal government will not do enough to help the U.S. economy, and most still want spending cuts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think that, in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems, the federal government will not do enough, down slightly from last month’s high of 51%. Thirty-nine percent (39%) worry the government will do too much, up from 37% last month and generally in line with surveys since late 2012. Another 12% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

To Become U.S. Citizen, 54% Say Drop Previous Citizenship

Border security and a path to citizenship are the most talked about issues when it comes to immigration reform, but another part of the debate involves multiple citizenships. Thirty-four percent (34%) of Likely U.S. Voters say that if someone wants to become an American citizen, he or she should be allowed to remain a citizen of another country at the same time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 54% of voters don’t think potential U.S. citizens should be allowed to maintain dual citizenship. Another 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

44% See U.S. Justice System As Fair, 40% Disagree

Americans are increasingly critical of the fairness of the U.S. justice system, especially as far as the poor are concerned.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Adults in this country still believe the U.S. system of justice is fair to most Americans. Forty percent (40%) disagree, and 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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