Politics

Many Voters See U.S.-Israel Relations Deteriorating

While American voters aren’t entirely convinced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should address Congress about Iran despite protest from the White House, a plurality also believes the relationship between the United States and Israel has gotten colder since President Obama took office.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely Voters think Netanyahu should accept Republican congressional leaders’ invitation to address Congress about Iran even if President Obama does not want him to come. Thirty-five percent (35%) disagree and don’t think the Israeli prime minister should address Congress. Twenty-three percent (23%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 29-30, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Want Spending Cuts With No Sacred Cows Protected

President Obama has proposed a near $4 trillion budget to Congress that includes spending and tax  increases. However, most voters still want federal spending cuts across the board but think it’s unlikely cuts will actually happen.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters think thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government. This finding is consistent with surveying over the past year but remains below the high of 63% found in October 2013. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, while 18% are not sure. (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 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 27-28, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Prefer Federal Budget With Spending Cuts, No New Taxes

President Obama is expected to propose a near $4 trillion federal budget today that includes tax and spending increases, but most voters still prefer to cut spending and don’t see a need for higher taxes.

Just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a federal budget that increases spending, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-four percent (54%) like a budget that cuts spending, while 21% think spending levels should remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

GOP Voters Agree With Romney on Need for A New Face

Republican voters agree with Mitt Romney that their party should look for someone new to run in 2016.

In announcing his decision today not to seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, Romney said:  “I believe that one of our next generation of Republican leaders, one who may not be as well known as I am today, one who has not yet taken their message across the country, one who is just getting started, may well emerge as being better able to defeat the Democrat nominee. In fact, I expect and hope that to be the case.”

Do Democratic Voters Like Their Party Leaders?

Democratic voters have their complaints with Washington, D.C., but they remain more content with their party’s political representation than Republican voters are.

Here are some findings from a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Democratic Voters:

-- Forty-six percent (46%) believe Democrats in Congress have done a good job representing Democratic values over the past several years. By comparison, just 24% of Republican voters think their representatives have done a good job upholding party values. But now 42% of Democrats think their legislators have lost touch with Democratic voters throughout the nation, up from 33% last September. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 648 Likely Democratic Voters was conducted on January 18-19, 2015 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.

Voters Don’t Want Next Attorney General To Be Like Holder

Loretta Lynch is soon likely to be the most powerful cop in America, and a big chunk of voters don’t even know who she is. But one thing they do know: They don’t want her to be like Eric Holder, the current U.S. attorney general.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of the federal prosecutor from Brooklyn, N.Y., whom President Obama has nominated to be the next attorney general. Twenty-nine percent (29%) view her unfavorably. This includes 11% with a Very Favorable opinion and 12% with a Very Unfavorable one. But 38% don’t know enough about her to voice any kind of opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 27-28, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters More Skeptical Of Right-To-Work Laws

As Kentucky, Illinois and several other states consider adopting right-to-work laws, voters aren’t as convinced that such laws which ban compulsory union dues have a positive impact on state economies. However, those who currently live in right-to-work states paint a rosier picture.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters believe right-to-work laws are good for a state’s economy. That’s down 10 points from December 2012. But 26% now say such laws are bad for a state’s economy, up from 22% two years ago. Eleven percent (11%) think right-to-work laws have no impact, while a sizable 28% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 25-26, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Are GOP Voters to the Right of Their Representatives in Congress?

Republicans are definitely a conservative bunch. Consider these findings from a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Republican Voters:

-- Sixty percent (60%) want to repeal the national health care law and start over, compared to 30% of all voters. Only 34% of Republicans want to go through the law piece by piece to improve it.

-- Just 13% think Congress should take no action to stop President Obama’s executive order protecting up to five million illegal immigrants from deportation. Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans say Congress should find ways to stop it. Among all voters, 43% want to let the president’s action stand, while 48% want Congress to stop it.

-- Eighty-three percent (83%) of GOP voters agree with the late Ronald Reagan that big government is the problem, not the solution. Just seven percent (7%) say it’s the solution instead.

-- Is America overtaxed? Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans think so. Only 11% disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 787 Likely Republican Voters was conducted on January 18-19, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Hillary’s Still The One for Most Democrats

The race to be the Democratic Party’s 2016 presidential nominee is still Hillary Clinton’s to lose.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey asked Likely Democratic Voters to choose among six of the early presidential hopefuls from their party as if their state primary were held right now. Clinton remains far and away the leader with 59% support. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is in second place, but she earns just 12% of the vote.

The remaining four candidates each get single-digit support: Vice President Joe Biden (6%), Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (4%), former Virginia Senator Jim Webb (3%) and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (2%). Five percent (5%) like some other candidate, and nine percent (9%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 648 Likely Democratic Voters was conducted on January 18-19, 2015 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.

Clinton vs. Warren, and the Winner Among Democrats Is…

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is increasingly the favorite of left-leaning Democrats, but Hillary Clinton trounces her in a head-to-head matchup for their party’s 2016 presidential nomination. One-in-five Democratic voters, however, say they’ve never heard of Warren at this early stage of the game.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that Clinton beats Warren 62% to 22% among Likely Democratic Voters asked whom they would vote for if their state’s primary was held today. But 16% are undecided given those two choices only. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 648 Likely Democratic Voters was conducted on January 18-19, 2015 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.

Voters Expect More Of The Same Under New Saudi King

Few U.S. voters think Saudi Arabia will become a more liberated society following the passing of King Abdullah and the quick succession of his half-brother, King Salman. While fewer voters view the kingdom as an enemy of the United States these days, they criticize its handling of Islamic terrorism and think it gets away with too many human rights abuses.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is at least somewhat likely that Saudi Arabia will become a freer and more democratic society over the next few years. Sixty-one percent (61%) see those changes as unlikely. This includes just two percent (2%) who think Saudi Arabia will be a more open society and 18% who think that’s Not At All Likely. A sizable 17% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 23-24, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Like State of the Union Plans But Say Economic Crisis Not Over

While voters generally favor some of the proposals outlined by President Obama in his State of the Union address, they don’t agree that we’ve completely turned the corner economically.

The president in his speech said that "the shadow of crisis has passed,” but a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 21% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the U.S. economic crisis is over. Sixty-six percent (66%) disagree, while 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 21-22, 2015 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.

Romney Leads the GOP Pack – For Now

Generally, at this stage of the game, it’s mostly about name recognition, and Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, is the leader in the race to be the party’s standard-bearer in 2016.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey asked Likely Republican Voters to choose among nine of the early Republican wannabes if their state primary were held right now, and Romney earns 24% support. Three candidates are closely grouped together for second place: former Florida Governor Jeb Bush at 13%, retired neurosurgeon and conservative columnist Ben Carson with 12% of the vote and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker at 11%.

Earning single-digit support are Kentucky Senator Rand Paul (7%), New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (7%), Florida Senator Marco Rubio (5%) and former Texas Governor Rick Perry (5%). Four percent (4%) of GOP voters like some other candidate, and 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 787 Likely Republican Voters was conducted on January 18-19, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Bush vs. Romney, and the Winner Among GOP Voters Is…

For most voters, it’s the battle of the best-known last names on the Republican side. For many GOP voters, it’s the battle of the moderates seeking the party’s 2016 presidential nomination. Call it what you will: Right now, Mitt Romney holds a double-digit lead over Jeb Bush in a head-to-head matchup.

If the 2016 Republican presidential primary were held in their state right now and Romney and Bush were the only names on the ballot, 49% of Likely Republican Voters would choose the party’s 2012 presidential nominee, while 32% would opt instead for the former Florida governor. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a sizable 19% are undecided given only these two candidates to choose from. (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 787 Likely Republican Voters was conducted on January 18-19, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Are Less Skeptical About Elections

Following last November's midterm elections, voters are more confident in the fairness of U.S. elections than they have been in over two years, but they're still highly skeptical of their representatives in Congress.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters now think elections are generally fair to voters, up from 39% in July and the highest level of confidence since October 2012.  Forty percent (40%), however, say elections are not fair. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 15-16, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Have a State of the Union Message: No New Spending

Voters have a message of their own for President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight: Don’t spend any more money. But fewer than ever plan to follow the speech.

Just 17% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president should focus on new spending programs in his latest State of the Union speech. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% believe the president should focus instead on programs that can be accomplished within current spending levels. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 17-18, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Strongly Suspect Released Gitmo Prisoners Will Attack U.S.

President Obama in an effort to close the terrorist prison camp at the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba recently has begun stepping up the release of inmates there to their native countries. Most voters still oppose closing the Guantanamo prison and worry that the suspected terrorists who are released will attack the United States and its allies again.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the Guantanamo prison camp should be closed. While that’s up slightly from last May and up from  23% in April 2013, support for the prison’s closure is still down from a high of 44% in January 2009 when President Obama first announced his plans to do so. Fifty-three percent (53%) remain opposed to closing Gitmo. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 15-16, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

60% Think U.S. Society is Fair and Decent

The new year has voters feeling more positive about American society that they have in quite a while.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters think American society is generally fair and decent. This finding is up six points from October’s seven-year low and is the highest finding since April 2013. Prior to 2013, belief that American society was fair and decent ran regularly in the low-to-mid 60s. Twenty-eight percent (28%) say American society is generally unfair and discriminatory, a near two-year low. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (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 telephone survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on January 13-14, 2015. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Voters Still Wary of How Government Does Business

Voters are more convinced than ever that the government gives special treatment to companies with the most political connections, but they save some skepticism for the private sector as well. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of Likely U.S. Voters believe most government contracts are awarded to the company with the most political connections rather than one that can provide the best service for the best price. That’s up from 63% a year ago and 66% in 2012. Just 18% disagree and think most government contracts go to the company that can provide the best service for the best price, down from 25% last year. Eleven percent (11%) 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 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 13-14, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Feds Still Have Few Friends

Most voters don't like the federal government and think it should downsize. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 35% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of the federal government, while 62% view it unfavorably. This includes five percent (5%) with a Very Favorable opinion and 25% with a Very Unfavorable one. That's consistent with past surveys. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 11-12, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.