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34% Say Supreme Court Doing Good or Excellent Job

Ratings for the U.S. Supreme Court’s performance are a bit less negative than they were immediately following the health care ruling.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 34% say the Supreme Court is doing a good or excellent job. Twenty-two percent (22%) give the Supreme Court a poor rating. (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 U.S. Voters was conducted on July 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.

Employment Index Slips to 2012 Low

The Rasmussen Employment Index slipped two points in July to 80.5, marking the lowest level of confidence since December 2011.

Still, worker confidence is up 10 points from a year ago and 12 points from two years ago.

Now, however, just 20% of working Americans report that their firms are hiring while 22% report layoffs. This marks the first time in nine months that the number laying off workers has topped the number hiring. 

Generally speaking, a decrease in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be weaker than the prior month's. However, perceptions of the labor market have been somewhat erratic lately.

Missouri: Romney 50%, Obama 44%

Mitt Romney has once again reached the 50% mark of support in Missouri.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Romney earning 50% of the vote, while Obama receives 44% support.  Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and another three percent (3%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Missouri was conducted on July 30, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 40%

Republicans lead Democrats by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the fourth week in a row, this time for the week ending Sunday, July 29.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Democrat instead.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from July 23-29, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

55% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law

Most voters continue to support repeal of the health care law, and the number who fears they will have to change their health care coverage has jumped to its highest level since October of last year. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, including 41% who Strongly Favor repeal.  Thirty-nine percent (39%) oppose repeal, with 30% who are Strongly Opposed.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Democrats’ Baldwin Now Leads GOP Pack in Wisconsin Senate Race

With Republicans engaged in a bitter primary fight, Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has a lead over all her potential GOP rivals in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters shows Baldwin receiving 45% to 48% of the vote regardless of which Republican she is matched against. She leads by margins ranging from three to ten points.

The most competitive Republican at the moment is Eric Hovde, a wealthy political newcomer who has been advertising heavily in his primary battle. He trails Baldwin by just three points (45% to 42%). Former GOP Congressman Mark Neumann trails by six (48% to 42%), former Governor Tommy Thompson is seven points behind Baldwin (48% to 41%). The weakest showing comes from Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald who is behind by double digits (47% to 37%). (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 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on July 25, 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending July 28, 2012

During this past week, Mitt Romney opened his biggest lead in over a month over President Obama. During the same week, consumer confidence fell to the lowest level of 2012.  It’s no coincidence that they happened during the same week.

Long-term optimism about the U.S. Economy Fell to a new low this month. Just 40% believe the economy will be stronger in FIVE years. That’s down from 46% a year ago, 50% two years ago and 58% three years ago.  Most Americans (56%) believe the Housing market will take more than three years to fully recover.

As Scott Rasmussen noted in his weekly newspaper column, “Declining Views of the Economy Put Obama's Reelection at Risk.”  He added that, for Obama to win, “he will need to improve his own job approval rating between now and Election Day. For that to happen, perceptions of the economy will have to reverse their current downward trend.”

Wisconsin: Obama 49%, Romney 46%

It’s still a three-point presidential race in Wisconsin, but now President Obama has a modest edge over Mitt Romney in the Badger State.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Wisconsin Likely Voters shows the president drawing 49% of the vote to Romney’s 46%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on July 25, 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.

Nevada Senate: Heller (R) 51%, Berkley (D) 42%

Nevada’s U.S. Senate race is little changed this month, with Republican incumbent Dean Heller holding a nine-point lead over his Democratic challenger, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Nevada Voters shows Heller with 51% support to Berkley’s 42%. Two percent (2%) favor some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) 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.

This Nevada survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on July 24, 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.

Nevada Senate: Heller (R) 51%, Berkley (D) 42%

Nevada’s U.S. Senate race is little changed this month, with Republican incumbent Dean Heller holding a nine-point lead over his Democratic challenger, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Nevada Voters shows Heller with 51% support to Berkley’s 42%. Two percent (2%) favor some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) 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.

This Nevada survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on July 24, 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.

49% Trust Romney More On Economy; 43% Trust Obama More

Voters continue to trust likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney more than President Obama when it comes to the economy and taxes but are more narrowly divided on three other key issues.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 50% trust Romney more to handle the economy, while 42% trust the president more. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters 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. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

30% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, July 22.

That's up two points from 28% the week before.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports July 16-22, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

55% See Renewable Energy Better Investment Than Fossil Fuels

With gas prices continually in flux, most voters believe the nation should look to renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels for the future. Most also continue to put finding new sources of energy ahead of energy conservation.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% say investing in renewable energy sources like solar and wind is a better long-term investment for the United States than investing in fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil.  Thirty-six percent (36%) think fossil fuels are a better long-term investment. (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 July 19-20, 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.

Michigan Senate: Stabenow Still Leads Top GOP Rivals

Incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow is still outrunning her two leading Republican challengers in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Michigan Voters shows Stabenow with 47% support, while businessman Clark Durant picks up 39% of the vote. Four percent (4%) like another candidate in the contest, and 10% 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 500 Likely Voters in Michigan was conducted on July 23, 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.

Michigan: Obama 48%, Romney 42%

Michigan voters think the economy is in rough shape, but President Obama continues to lead Mitt Romney in that state.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Michigan Voters shows Obama with 48% support to Romney’s 42%. Five percent (5%) favor some other candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Michigan was conducted on July 23, 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.

Nevada: Obama 50%, Romney 45%

The presidential race in Nevada is a little tighter this month, with President Obama now leading Mitt Romney by five points in the Silver State.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Nevada shows the president drawing 50% of the vote to Romney’s 45%. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Nevada was conducted on July 24, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 40%

Republicans lead Democrats by three points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the third week in a row, this time for the week ending Sunday, July 22.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Democrat instead.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from July 9-15, 2012. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

52% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law, 45% Say Repeal is Likely

Most voters continue to favor repeal of the president’s health care law, and the belief that repeal is at least somewhat likely is still significantly down from the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, including 41% who Strongly Favor repeal.  Forty-three percent (43%) oppose repeal, with 35% who are Strongly Opposed.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on July 21-22, 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.

Pennsylvania Senate: Casey (D) 49%, Smith (R) 38%

Incumbent Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. continues to attract support from about half of Pennsylvania voters and holds a significant lead over his Republican rival in the U.S. Senate race.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Pennsylvania Voters shows Casey earning 49% support, while Tom Smith picks up 38% of the vote.  Four percent (4%) like another candidate in the race, and nine percent (9%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This Pennsylvania survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on July 18, 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For The Week Ending July 21, 2012

Central to the race between President Obama and Mitt Romney is the question of how big a role the government should play in the economy.

Voters strongly believe that it’s important for the government to create an environment that encourages economic growth and ensures economic fairness, but growth is seen as the higher priority. Most believe Romney champions growth, while Obama is more focused on fairness.