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Voters Continue to Strongly Support Consumer Choices in Health Plans

Support remains high for allowing Americans to choose the level of health insurance they want based on how it impacts their pocketbooks. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of Likely U.S. Voters think individuals should have the right to choose between different types of health insurance plans including some with higher deductibles and lower premiums and others with lower deductibles and higher premiums. Just six percent (6%) disagree, while 13% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording,click here.)

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

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- For the Week Ending June 22, 2013

Webster’s Dictionary defines “trust” as “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something.” Americans don’t have a lot of it these days as far as the federal government is concerned.

45% Give Obama Poor Marks on Health Care

President Obama’s health care reform law has been a point of contention among voters for much of his presidency, and they continue to give the president lukewarm marks for his handling of health care. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters rate Obama’s handling of health care issues as good or excellent, down from 44% in February and the lowest finding this year. Forty-five percent (45%) score his handling of these issues as poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 14-15, 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.

40% Say Supreme Court Is Too Politically Liberal

With the U.S. Supreme Court poised to issue several major end-of-the term rulings, more voters than ever think the justices are too liberal. Overall ratings for the high court are near all-time lows.

Thirty percent (30%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the Supreme Court is doing a good or excellent job, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-four percent (24%) give the court poor marks for its performance. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

29% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-nine percent (29%) 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, June 16.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on June 10-16, 2013. 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 Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 16, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 39% 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.

This is the first time since June 2009 that both parties are below 40%.  “This could be a sign that voters are just fed up with both parties,” noted Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from June 10-16, 2013. 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.

Booker Clear Favorite to Replace Lautenberg

With two months to go until the Democratic primary and four months until Election Day, Newark Mayor Cory Booker is in a strong position to become New Jersey’s next United States Senator.

Booker, a graduate of Stanford University, Yale Law School and a Rhodes Scholar, currently attracts 54% support in the Democratic primary competition. A Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of the race finds three other candidates far behind. Congressman Rush Holt picks up 11% of the vote, Congressman Frank Pallone draws eight percent (8%), and Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly Sheila Oliver earns five percent (5%) of the vote. Three percent (3%) would prefer some other candidate and 18% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

In a general election match-up against Republican hopeful Steve Lonegan, Booker enjoys a 17-point advantage, 50% to 33%. Lonegan, former mayor of Bogota and former State Director of the New Jersey chapter of Americans for Prosperity. Perhaps recognizing the political realities of a statewide run in a solidly “blue” state, many other Republicans have declined to enter the race.

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The state survey of 416 Likely Democratic Primary Voters in New Jersey was conducted June 12-13, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. The general election survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted June 12-13, 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% Expect Health Care System to Get Worse in Coming Years

While opinions remain mixed about the current U.S. health care system, voters continue to grow increasingly pessimistic about the short-term prospects for health care.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of Likely Voters rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent. Twenty-seven percent (27%) rate it as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 14-15, 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.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - For the Week Ending June 15, 2013

The news that the National Security Agency is monitoring everybody’s phone records and reading emails dominated the news last week. Most voters (57%) fear other government agencies will use the NSA data to harass political opponents. Just 26% support the government monitoring effort. 

44% Are Confident They Will Receive All Promised Social Security Benefits

Most voters are still not confident that they will receive all promised Social Security benefits during their lifetime. There is overwhelming support for the view that voter approval should be required before any changes in the program are made.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that the Social Security system will pay them all their promised retirement benefits during their lifetime. Fifty-three percent (53%) are not confident.

There is a huge generation gap on this question. Seniors are overwhelmingly confident that they will receive their benefits. Just 22% of voters under 40 share that view. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted June 12-13, 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.

NJ Governor: Christie Has Big Lead, Seen as Most Effective Candidate to Work With Obama

New Jersey’s Republican Governor Chris Christie holds a huge lead in his bid for reelection partly because he is seen as the most effective candidate to work with Democratic President Barack Obama.  The first Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of the race finds Governor Christie attracting 58% of the vote, while State Senator Barbara Buono earns the vote from 28%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate and 10% are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The state survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted June 12-13, 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.

31% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-one percent (31%) 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, June 9.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on June 3-9, 2013. 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.

Just 39% Think Medicare Is a Good Deal

Fewer voters than ever now see Medicare as a good deal and think they’ll receive all of their promised benefits.  But most still have a favorable opinion of the government insurance program for older Americans. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 39% of Likely Voters believe Medicare is a good deal for working Americans today.  That’s down from 50% in late December and is the lowest level measured since regular tracking began in November 2011. 

Thirty-three percent (33%) don’t think Medicare is a good deal, but another 28% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 10-11, 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.

34% Think Americans Selfish for Putting Economy Ahead of Global Warming

Voters continue to recognize there is a conflict between economic growth and environmental protection and don’t view themselves as selfish for putting the economy first. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters believe there is a conflict between growing the economy and protecting the environment. Twenty-six percent (26%) don’t see any conflict between the two, but just as many (25%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 6-7, 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.

36% Give Obama Positive Marks for Economic Fairness

President Obama continues to draw low marks for his handling of deficit reduction and economic fairness.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of Likely U.S. Voters give Obama good or excellent ratings for his handling of deficit reduction, tying last month’s all-time low in that area.  Forty-five percent (45%) think he is handling deficit reduction issues poorly. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

41% Willing to Pay More to Fight Global Warming, 47% Are Not

Belief that humans are to blame for global warming remains near an all-time high, but that doesn't mean voters are ready to reach into their pockets to fight it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters believe global warming is caused primarily by human activity. Thirty-seven percent (37%) blame long-term planetary trends instead. Just six percent (6%) say global warming is caused by something else, but 11% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 6-7, 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.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 38%

Democrats are ahead again on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending June 9, 2013.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.

For the last seven weeks, the gap between the two parties has been two points or less. In the previous survey, the two parties were tied for the first time since the week before Election Day in early November. Although Democrats have held a slight advantage most weeks since last November, their support is down from a high of 47% in early December.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from June 3-9, 2013. 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.

46% Think Free Market Policies More Important Than Closing Income Gap

Most voters continue to place more importance on policies that promote the free market over ones that reduce the income gap between rich and poor.  But they’re more closely divided when asked to choose between the two.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of Likely Voters view economic policies that allow and encourage free market competition to be at least somewhat important, including 48% who regard them as Very Important. By comparison, 63% consider economic policies that reduce the income gap between rich and poor as at least somewhat important, with 42% who feel they are Very Important. 

Just eight percent (8%) say free market-oriented policies are not very or Not At All Important. But 30% think income gap-focused policies are not that important, including 13% who say they are Not At All Important.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 4-5, 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.

Virginia Governor: McAuliffe (D) 44%, Cuccinelli (R) 41%

Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the Virginia gubernatorial race shows a close contest between two well-known candidates.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters shows Democrat Terry McAuliffe picking up 44% of the vote to Republican Ken Cuccinelli's 41%. Just three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, but 12% are currently undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on June 5-6, 2013 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. 

60% Expect Costs To Rise Under Federal Health Care Law

Most voters continue to view President Obama’s national health care law unfavorably. Two-out-of-three expect it to increase the federal budget deficit, six-out-of-10 expect it to increase health care costs and half expect it to hurt the quality of care.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters hold at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the health care law, while 53% view it unfavorably. This includes 16% with a Very Favorable opinion and 38% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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