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Obama's Full-Month Approval Hits 2014 Low in July

When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.  

The president’s monthly job approval rating fell two points to 46% in July, his lowest monthly approval rating this year. It's up just a point from his two-year low of 45% reached in November during the troubled rollout period for the new national health care law. Obama’s approval rating hit a year-to-date high of 49% in May and in February.

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Daily tracking results are collected via telephone surveys of 500 likely voters per night. The monthly numbers in this article are based on approximately 15,000 interviews each month with likely voters. The margin of sampling error is less than +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

Illinois Governor: Rauner (R) 44%, Quinn (D) 39%

Republican challenger Bruce Rauner has edged further ahead in his battle with Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn for the governorship of Illinois.

The latest Rasmussen Report telephone survey of Likely Illinois Voters finds Rauner with a five-point lead – 44% to 39% - over Quinn. Seven percent (7%) like some other candidate in the race, 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 750 Likely Voters in Illinois was conducted on July 29-30, 2014 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.

Florida Governor: Scott (R) 42%, Crist (D) 41%

Republican Governor Rick Scott and his predecessor Charlie Crist are now neck-and-neck in Florida’s 2014 gubernatorial race.

Scott picks up 42% of the vote to Crist’s 41% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Florida Voters. Eight percent (8%) prefer some other candidate, while nine percent (9%) are undecided. (To 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 900 Likely Voters in Florida was conducted on July 29-30, 2014 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 Governor: Snyder (R) 45%, Schauer (D) 42%

Republican Governor Rick Snyder runs only slightly ahead of Democratic challenger Mark Schauer in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at his bid for reelection in Michigan.

Snyder picks up 45% of the vote to Schauer’s 42%, according to a new statewide telephone survey of Likely Michigan Voters. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate in the race, 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 750 Likely Voters in Michigan was conducted on July 28-29, 2014 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.

24% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-four percent (24%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending July 27.

This finding, down two points from last week, is the lowest since the beginning of November when the country was fresh off the temporary government shutdown and in the midst of the disastrous rollout of the national health care law. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been less than 30% 22 out of 30 weeks this year.

(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 telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on July 21-27, 2014. 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.

Michigan Senate: Peters (D) 45%, Land (R) 39%

Democratic Congressman Gary Peters has now taken the lead over Republican Terri Lynn Land in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Michigan Voters finds Peters with a six-point advantage – 45% to 39% - over Land, a former Michigan secretary of state.  Six percent (6%) like some other candidate in the race, 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 750 Likely Voters in Michigan was conducted on July 28-29, 2014 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.

Belief U.S. Is Winning War on Terror Falls to 10-Year Low

Belief that America is winning the War on Terror and is safer than before the 9/11 terrorist attacks have fallen to their lowest levels in three years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the United States and its allies are winning the War on Terror. But that’s down from 39% in January and is the most pessimistic assessment since April 2011. Fifty percent (50%) felt America and its allies were winning a year ago. 

Twenty-seven percent (27%) say the terrorists are winning the War on Terror, down from a recent high of 30% in January. Just as many (28%) say neither side is winning. (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 April 17-18, 2014 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 39%

Democrats have taken the lead over Republicans again on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending July 27 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 39% would choose the Republican instead.

(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 telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from July 21-27, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

New Mexico Senate: Udall (D) 54%, Weh (R) 33%

Unlike his cousin in Colorado, Democratic incumbent Tom Udall is comfortably ahead of his Republican challenger in New Mexico’s U.S. Senate race.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely New Mexico Voters finds Udall with 54% support versus Republican Allen Weh’s 33%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, 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 860 Likely Voters in New Mexico was conducted on July 21-22, 2014 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.

57% View Health Care Law Unfavorably

Dislike of the new national health care law is at its highest level in several months, with half or more of voters continuing to question its impact on the quality and cost of care.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters share a favorable opinion of Obamacare for the second month in a row, a low for the year to date. Fifty-seven percent (57%) have an unfavorable view of the law, up three points from 54% last month and just short of April’s high of 58%. The latest findings include 17% with a Very Favorable view of the law and 41% with a Very Unfavorable one. (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 July 25-26, 2014 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.

Georgia Governor: Carter (D) 45%, Deal (R) 44%

Republican Governor Nathan Deal has pulled even with Democratic challenger Jason Carter in his bid for reelection in Georgia.

Forty-five percent (45%) of Likely Georgia Voters support Carter to Deal’s 44% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate in the race, 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 750 Likely Voters in Georgia was conducted on July 23-24, 2014 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending July 26, 2014

Some of America’s attention has shifted overseas in recent days, but major problems persist on the homefront.

Voters Trust GOP More on Economy, Immigration and Government Spending

Republicans continue to be trusted more by voters on the majority of issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports including major concerns like the economy, government spending and immigration.

The economy remains the most important issue to voters as the next elections approach. Republicans have a 44% to 39% lead in voter trust in that area. Since June 2009, the GOP has led in voter trust on the economy in all but one survey. (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 

Three national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on July 17-18, July 21-22 and July 23-24, 2014 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.

Georgia Senate: Perdue (R) 46%, Nunn (D) 40%

Businessman David Perdue, coming off his Republican runoff win on Tuesday, holds a six-point lead over Democrat Michelle Nunn in Georgia’s closely-watched U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Georgia Voters finds Perdue with 46% support to Nunn’s 40%. Four percent (4%) like another candidate in the race, 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 750 Likely Voters in Georgia was conducted on July 23-24, 2014 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.

38% Rate Obama Positively on National Security

Despite the United States' growing involvement in headline-grabbing areas like Gaza and Ukraine, voters continue to give mediocre reviews to President Obama's handling of national security issues.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president is doing a good or excellent job in the area of national security, but slightly more (41%) still rate his performance as poor. That's generally in line with findings for the past year. A year ago, Obama earned positives of 40% and a negative of 35% for his national security dealings. (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 July 21-22, 2014 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 Mexico Governor: Martinez (R) 43%, King (D) 43%

Incumbent Republican Susana Martinez is tied with Democratic challenger Gary King in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the governor’s race in New Mexico.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely New Mexico Voters finds Martinez and King each with 43% support. Seven percent (7%) like some other candidate, and another seven percent (7%) 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 860 Likely Voters in New Mexico was conducted on July 21-22, 2014 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.

47% Rate Obama's Handling of Health Care As Poor

Even as Obamacare's troubled rollout process is surrounded by new allegations of fraud, nearly half of voters view President Obama's handling of health care issues negatively.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks for his dealings with health care. But 47% rate Obama’s handling of health care issues as poor. This marks a negative shift from June and are Obama's worst numbers since April of this year.  (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 July 20-21, 2014 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.

26% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-six percent (26%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending July 20.

This is up one point from the previous two weeks, the lowest finding since the beginning of December. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been less than 30% 21 out of 29 weeks this year.

(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 telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on July 14-20, 2014. 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 39%, Republicans 39%

Democrats and Republicans are now tied on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending July 20 finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, and the same number (39%) would choose the Republican instead. The last time the two parties were even was in March.

(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 telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from July 14-July 20, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

Voters Are Less Hot for Obamacare Repeal But Still Think It May Be Coming

Voters still expect Republicans to repeal Obamacare if they take control of Congress in November, but they’re slightly more sympathetic now to a piece-by-piece approach to changing the law rather than a total overhaul.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the new national health care law as a success, while 42% view it as a failure. Thirty-four percent (34%) see it as somewhere in between the two. (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 July 19-20, 2014 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.