Politics

33% Say U.S. Legal System Puts National Security Ahead of Individual Rights

One third (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the legal system in this country worries more about protecting national security rather than about individual rights. Twenty-five percent (25%) think the U.S. legal system worries too much about protecting individual rights instead, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down five points from last month but generally in line with findings prior to that. Thirty percent (30%) think the balance is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 12-13, 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% Say U.S. Should Stay Out of Escalating Gaza Situation

Voters tend to blame the Palestinians for the escalating violence in Gaza but also are slightly more inclined to think the United States should stay out of the situation rather than help Israel.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the Palestinians are more to blame for the escalating military conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Just 12% think the Israelis are more to blame, but a sizable 38% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

46% See Congressional Democrats’ Agenda As Mainstream, 37% Say Same of GOP’s

As Congress enters a lame duck session, voters view the Democratic agenda as more mainstream than the Republican one.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely Voters believe it is more accurate to describe the agenda of Democrats in Congress as mainstream, while 41% see it as extreme. Another 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

53% Favor Automatic Immigration Checks During Traffic Stops

Over half of voters still think police officers should automatically check someone’s immigration status if they pull them over, but that is the lowest finding to date.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters think police should automatically check immigration status during traffic stops, down from 60% in August. Thirty-seven percent (37%) do not think police should automatically check immigration status, the highest finding in surveys since November 2007. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

55% Rate Government Response to Hurricane Sandy Positively

Most voters give positive marks to the governmental response to Hurricane Sandy on the Atlantic Coast. But they’re almost evenly divided when asked whether states or the federal government should be responsible for most post-storm cleanup costs.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way government agencies responded to the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy as good or excellent. Only 15% view that response as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

32% Favor Raising Taxes to Shore Up Medicare

Nearly one-out-of-three Likely U.S. Voters (32%) now think raising taxes is the best way to make sure Medicare has enough money to cover all promised benefits. That's the highest finding to date.

Slightly more (34%) believe the best option is raising the eligibility age for future generations, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Ten percent (10%) support cutting the promised level of benefits, and 25% are not sure which is the best option. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 14, 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.

59% Favor A Welcoming Immigration Policy

Most voters continue to welcome newcomers to this country as long as they pose no threat to public safety.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the goal of immigration policy should be to keep out only criminals, national security threats and those who come here to life off the welfare system. Just 25% disagree with an immigration policy like this, while 16% more are not sure. (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 November 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.

56% Have Favorable Opinion of Hillary Clinton

Two of the most influential members of President Obama's Cabinet, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, will reportedly be leaving their posts soon. Clinton continues to be the most popular Cabinet member, while Geithner remains one of the least-liked.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that Clinton is viewed favorably by 56% of Likely U.S. Voters and unfavorably by 40%. This includes 33% with a Very Favorable opinion of her and 22% with a Very Unfavorable one. Only four percent (4%) have no opinion of the former first lady and U.S. senator from New York. (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 November 14, 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.

52% View Petraeus Resignation As Appropriate

Most voters agree CIA Director David Petraeus should have resigned after it was discovered he was having an extramarital affair, but they also feel there’s little likelihood the affair exposed any of the nation’s top secrets.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is appropriate for Petraeus, to have resigned. Just 29% disagree, while another 19% are not sure. (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 November 14, 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.

42% See Need for Big Cuts in Defense, Entitlements to Reduce Deficit, 31% Don’t

Voters still tend to think defense spending and entitlement programs need to go on the chopping block to reduce the record federal deficit, but they’re not overly confident that President Obama and Congress will reach a long-term agreement to make those cuts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is necessary to significantly reduce the cost of entitlement programs and military spending to reduce the long-term federal deficit. But 31% disagree and don’t see a need for major cuts in these areas. Nearly as many (27%) are not sure. (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 November 12-13, 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% Think Deal To Avoid ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Likely by January 1

President Obama will hold a press conference today to push his deficit-cutting plan as lawmakers in Washington battle over ways to prevent the massive tax hikes and spending cuts scheduled for January 1.  Given the partisan bickering, a bare majority of voters thinks a deal to avoid going over the so-called “fiscal cliff” is likely to emerge before then.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe it is likely that Congress and the president will agree on a plan to stop the tax increases and spending cuts before the first of the year. Forty-two percent (42%) think a deal is unlikely to emerge. These findings include only 15% who feel a deal is Very Likely and just as many (14%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (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 November 12-13, 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.

54% Are Pro-Choice, 38% Pro-Life

More voters than ever now identify themselves as pro-choice when it comes to abortion, and most rate the issue as important to how they vote.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 54% describe themselves as pro-choice on the issue of abortion, while 38% say they are pro-life. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 10-11, 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.

53% Favor Bush Tax Cuts For All But The Wealthy

Most voters favor continuing the so-called Bush tax cuts but not for higher-income Americans.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters prefer extending the Bush administration tax cuts for all Americans. But 53% favor continuing those tax cuts for everyone except the wealthy. (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 November 10-11, 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.

As Fiscal Cliff Looms, Voters Want to Extend Tax Cuts Past 2012

There’s been a lot of talk around the so-called “fiscal cliff”, the result of a potential combination of tax increases and automatic cuts in government spending scheduled to begin on January 1. Most voters believe Congress and the president should work to extend the tax cuts set to expire at the end of this year, but don’t think they should allow the automatic spending cuts to take effect at that time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 60% of Likely Voters believe the government should extend the variety of tax cuts, including those implemented during the George W. Bush administration, past the end of the year. Just 28% believe Congress and the president should let those tax cuts expire. 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 November 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.

Voters More Conservative on Fiscal Issues Than Social Issues

As voters headed to the polls this week, they remained a bit more conservative on fiscal matters than social issues. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% of Likely Voters are ideologically conservative on fiscal issues such as taxes and government spending. Thirty-six percent (36%) see themselves as moderate on those issues, while 17% say they are have liberal views on those topics. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 2,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 6, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 2 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% Consider Obama a Good or Excellent Leader

Just days after his reelection, nearly half of American voters see President Obama as a good leader.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters rate Obama as a good or excellent leader. Thirty-eight percent (38%) think he is a poor leader. (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 November 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.

Most Want GOP to Work With Obama, GOP Voters Disagree

Most voters feel it’s more important for Republicans to work with President Obama than stand up for what their party believes in. GOP voters overwhelmingly disagree, even as their party’s congressional leaders reach out to Obama to make a budget deal.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president set the right tone for the future with his victory speech Tuesday night. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree and think he did not set the right tone. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 7, 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.

29% Say U.S. Doesn’t Spend Enough on Defense, 27% Say Too Much

With big defense spending cuts looming unless President Obama and the lame-duck Congress reach a deficit-cutting agreement, voters remain evenly divided over whether the United States spends too much or too little in this area. Slightly more rate the level of defense spending as about right.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States spends too much on the military and national security, but that’s down eight points from 37% in October 2011.  Nearly as many (27%) say the country doesn’t spend enough in this area. Thirty-eight percent (38%) view the amount spent on defense as 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 6, 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.

12% Made Their Presidential Pick Within The Last Week

For most voters, their decision to vote for President Obama or Mitt Romney wasn’t a last-minute thing. But four percent (4%) of Likely U.S. Voters finally made up their minds on Election Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% made up their minds about how to vote more than a month ago, while another 18% decided within the last month.

But five percent (5%) decided within the last week and three percent (3%) within the last few days. Combined with the four percent (4%) who reached a final decision at the very last minute, this means 12% of voters decided whom to vote for in the last seven days of the race. (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 November 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.

56% Favor Eliminating the Electoral College

After yesterday’s election, voters by better than two-to-one favor getting rid of the Electoral College.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters favor eliminating the Electoral College, while one-in-four (25%) are opposed. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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