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Partisan Trends: The Number of Democrats Falls To New Low

The number of Republicans in the country inched up half a percentage point in January, while the number of Democrats dipped to the lowest level ever recorded by Rasmussen Reports.

During January, 35.9% of Americans considered themselves Republicans. That’s up from 35.4% in December and the highest number of Republicans measured since December 2010.

Rasmussen Reports tracks this information based on telephone interviews with approximately 15,000 adults per month and has been doing so since November 2002. The margin of error for the full sample is less than one percentage point, with a 95% level of confidence.

5% Say Congress Doing Good or Excellent Job

Positive ratings for Congress remain at an all-time low, and a plurality of voters continues to believe most members of Congress are corrupt.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only five percent (5%) of Likely U.S. Voters rate the job Congress is doing as good or excellent.  Seventy percent (70%) view Congress’ job performance as poor, just a point lower than the highest level ever measured.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 40%

For the first time in roughly two-and-a-half years, Democrats lead Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot, this time for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 29.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 40% would choose the Republican instead.

Voters Still Trust GOP More on Economy

Voters continue to trust Republicans more than Democrats on the number one issue of the economy, but they now trust Democrats at least slightly more on five of the 10 most important issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports. The two parties are nearly tied on five of the 10, though. This is the first survey since May 2009 in which the GOP doesn't have an edge on a majority of the issues.

The latest national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters trust the GOP more when it comes to handling the economy, while 40% have more faith in President Obama's party. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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Two national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on January 23-24 & 25-26, 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.

Florida GOP Primary: Romney 39%, Gingrich 31%, Santorum 12%, Paul 9%

Mitt Romney has jumped back ahead in the fevered Florida Republican Primary race with his support back to where it was before Newt Gingrich’s big win Saturday in South Carolina.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Florida Republican Primary Voters, taken Wednesday night, shows Romney with 39% support to Gingrich’s 31%. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum earns 12%, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul runs last with nine percent (9%). Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and seven percent (7%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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This Florida survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

26% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

Twenty-six percent (26%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, Jan. 22.  That’s the highest level of optimism measured in over seven months.

The latest finding is up two points from the previous week. From July 25 through Dec. 11, the number of voters who were confident in the nation's current course had resembled levels measured in the final months of the Bush administration, with voter confidence remaining in the narrow range of 14% to 19%. But that finding has been in the low 20s since mid-December.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports January 16-22, 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.

New Low: 15% Say Situation In Iraq Will Get Better

As insurgent violence in Iraq grows following the withdrawal of U.S. troops, voters’ perceptions that the situation there will get better have fallen to an all-time low. There's similar pessimism about Afghanistan, but voters are still relatively confident that the United States and its allies are winning the war on terror. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% of Likely Voters say the situation in Iraq will get better in the next six months, down from 24% last month. Forty-three percent (43%) say the situation there will get worse, while 30% say it will stay about the same.  Another 12% are undecided.  (To see survey question wording,  click here.)

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

2012 Presidential Election Matchups

Rasmussen Reports is now tracking the four named Republicans remaining in the race in regular matchups with the President Obama.  Rasmussen Reports will match up Obama with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the current leaders in the contest for the GOP presidential nomination, every day. These numbers will be reported on a three day rolling average.  We will test former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum and Texas Congressman Ron Paul against the president weekly.

The tables on this page will be updated each day by 9:30am and will contain the entire history of these matchups.  This page can only be viewed if you have a Rasmussen Reader membership.

National Poll: Gingrich 35%, Romney 28%, Santorum 16%, Paul 10%

After his game-changing win in South Carolina, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich continues to ride his surge to the front of the pack among likely Republican primary voters nationwide. He now leads Mitt Romney by seven points.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely GOP Primary Voters shows Gingrich with 35% of the vote, representing an eight-point increase in support from last week. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney now draws 28%. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum’s support is little changed at 16%, while Texas Congressman Ron Paul picks up 10%.

Just two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while nine percent (9%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 23, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 42%, Democrats 39%

Republicans hold a three-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 22.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Democrat instead.

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52% Still Favor Repeal of National Health Care Law

Most voters still want to repeal the national health care law even though they’re not overly worried that it will force them to change their insurance coverage.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law, with 39% who Strongly Favor it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% are opposed to repeal, including 30% who are Strongly Opposed. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

24% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction

Twenty-four percent (24%) 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, Jan. 15.

The latest finding shows no change from the previous week, which marked the highest level of confidence measured since the first week in July.  From July 25 through Dec. 11, the number of voters who were confident in the nation's current course had resembled levels measured in the final months of the Bush administration, with voter confidence remaining in the narrow range of 14% to 19%. But the finding has been in the low 20s since then.

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports January 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.

National GOP Poll: Romney 30%, Gingrich 27%

The race for the Republican presidential nomination is now nearly even with Mitt Romney still on top but Newt Gingrich just three points apart.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters nationwide shows Romney with 30% support and Gingrich with 27% of the vote. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, who was running second two weeks ago, has now dropped to 15%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 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.

Election 2012: Generic Republican 47%, Obama 42%

A generic Republican candidate now holds a five-point lead over President Obama in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 15.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters would support the generic Republican candidate if the presidential election were held today, while 42% would vote for Obama.  Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted January 9-15, 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.

South Carolina: Romney 35%, Gingrich 21%, Santorum 16%, Paul 16%

Jon Huntsman’s endorsement seems to be already paying off for Mitt Romney in South Carolina. With the former Utah governor’s decision to drop out of the Republican presidential race, Romney moves even further ahead in the latest Rasmussen Reports survey of Saturday’s South Carolina Primary.

The former Massachusetts governor now earns 35% support from likely South Carolina GOP Primary Voters, according to the latest telephone survey in the state. That’s up from 28% late last week. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich remains in second place with 21% of the vote, followed by former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum and Texas Congressman Ron Paul, each with 16%. The vote totals for Gingrich, Santorum and Paul are unchanged from the previous survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This South Carolina survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 16, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Election 2012: Obama 47%, Gingrich 38%

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, working hard to convince South Carolina Republicans that he is the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, remains within single digits of President Obama in their latest national 2012 matchup.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. voters shows Obama grabbing 47% of the vote to Gingrich’s 38%. Eleven percent (11%) prefer some other candidate, while four percent (4%) are undecided. This survey was taken prior to Jon Huntsman's decision to drop out of the GOP race. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 44%, Democrats 38%

For the second week in a row, Republicans hold a six-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot, this time for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 15.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Republican in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Democrat instead.

Election 2012: Obama 43%, Paul 37%

Although Texas Congressman Ron Paul has had strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, his support remains little changed nationally in the latest hypothetical election 2012 matchup with President Obama.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters finds Obama earning 43% support to Paul’s 37%.  Eleven percent (11%) prefer some other candidate, while eight percent (8%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on January 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.

South Carolina: Romney 28%, Gingrich 21%, Santorum 16%, Paul 16%

Mitt Romney still holds first place in the South Carolina Primary field, while his opponents jockey for second with the voting eight days away.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters in South Carolina finds Romney ahead with 28% support, but now former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is in second place with 21% of the vote.  Support for former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum who was in second a week ago has fallen back to 16%, putting him dead even with Texas Congressman Ron Paul who also earns 16%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This South Carolina survey of 750 Likely Republican Primary Voters was conducted on January 12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Favorability Ratings For Top Congressional Leaders Hit Rock Bottom

Unfavorable reviews for all four top congressional leaders are at their highest levels in three years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains the best-known but least-liked leader, with 66% sharing at least a somewhat unfavorable opinion of her. Twenty-six percent (26%) share a favorable view of the San Francisco Democrat. These numbers include Very Favorable marks from 10% and Very Unfavorable reviews from 48%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
 

Pelosi’s negative rating is up from 62% last month.

Ratings for current Speaker John Boehner are also his worst measured. Thirty-five percent (35%) view the Ohio Republican congressman favorably, including eight percent (8%) who share a Very Favorable opinion. Forty-nine percent (49%) view Boehner unfavorably, including 27% who share a Very Unfavorable opinion of him. Sixteen percent (16%) still don’t know enough about him to venture any kind of opinion.

Negative reviews for Boehner are up from 42% in December and have ranged from 34% to 46% since he took over as speaker last January.

The new findings are perhaps no surprise given that voter approval of the entire Congress is at the lowest level ever recorded by Rasmussen Reports. More voters than ever also believe most members of Congress are corrupt.

(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 January 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.