Politics

Voters Say ‘No’ to Lame Duck Congress, ‘Maybe’ on Obama’s Nominees

The current Congress is expected to return this week for a final lame duck session, but most voters consider such sessions a waste of time. They’re almost evenly divided over whether any of President Obama’s nominations should be handled by this Congress or put off until the next one. 

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters agree that the time between Election Day and the swearing-in of the new Congress should be shorter, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree and think the current two-month wait is fine. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on November 8-9, 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.

Just 10% Think It’s Good That bin Laden’s Killer Has Gone Public

Americans don’t think it’s great for the country that the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden has identified himself to the public, but they also don’t believe the government should be able to shut him up.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 10% of American Adults think it’s good for U.S. national security that former Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill is now saying publicly that he killed bin Laden, the Islamic terrorist mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Thirty-four percent (34%) say it’s bad for national security that he has gone public with his story, while slightly more (37%) say it will have no impact. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 orFacebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 7-8, 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.

Voters Doubt Obama, GOP Congress Can Work Together

Voters question whether President Obama set the right tone in his first press conference after Election Day, and most aren’t optimistic about his working relationship with the new Republican congressional majority.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 24% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that the president and the new Republican majority in Congress can work together and do what’s best for the American people. Seventy-three percent (73%) lack that confidence. This includes just six percent (6%) who are Very Confident the two sides can work together and 33% who are Not At All Confident. (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 November 6-7, 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.

2014 Midterm Elections: How Did We Do in the Governor’s Races?

There were governor’s races in 36 states this fall, and as usual we polled them all. But as in the case of the Senate races, the ones that we determined were not competitive were only polled once or twice at most.

A couple states we didn’t revisit for this reason surprised us. Democratic nominee Anthony Brown seemed a shoo-in in July in deep blue Maryland, but Republican hopeful Larry Hogan picked up momentum in October and won instead. In Vermont, incumbent Democrat Peter Shumlin is ahead as we expected, but since neither candidate got more than 50% of the vote, the state legislature will make the final decision.

59% Think New GOP Congress Likely to Be A Disappointment

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? The ink’s scarcely dry on Tuesday’s ballots, and most voters already expect the new Republican majority in Congress will let them down.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that most voters will be disappointed with Republicans in Congress before the 2016 elections. That includes 36% who say it’s Very Likely.

Just 26% consider it unlikely that the new congressional GOP will be a disappointment to most voters, with seven percent (7%) who say it is Not At All Likely. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on November 4-5, 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.

How Did We Do in the Senate Races?

There were 36 U.S. Senate races this year, and as usual most of them weren’t close and weren’t polled much, if at all. We pride ourselves on polling every race at least once, although we generally looked at ones that weren’t expected to be close only once or twice at most. That was a mistake in the case of Virginia where a popular Democratic incumbent ended up winning by less than a point.

But we clearly saw the Republican wave coming, although the margins in the races in some cases proved to be bigger than some of our final polls projected.

56% of GOP Voters Felt ‘Compelled’ to Vote Vs. 43% of Democrats

Republicans were the most enthusiastic voters this election cycle as the final results indicate. The economy and the overall competence of the government were the two most important issues for all voters.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely Republican Voters say they felt more compelled to vote this year than in previous years, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-one percent (41%) of GOP voters say they didn’t feel this way.

By comparison, just 43% of Democrats felt more compelled to vote this year, but 48% did not. Similarly, among voters not affiliated with either major party, 44% felt more motivated to vote versus 49% who didn’t share this motivation. (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 onTwitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on November 4-5, 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.

America’s Got the Blues

Americans are a pessimistic lot these days.

With Election Day upon us, most predictions see a Republican Congress in the making, and certainly our final surveying suggests that. Changes in the nation’s governorships are likely to be a bit less dramatic.

But some things are more definite, attitudes we've seen again and again that aren't subject to partisan projections and day-to-day news events.

(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.

Just 4% Say Candidates Keep Their Campaign Promises

After all the partisan debating leading up to today’s elections, voters of all parties agree that the candidates won’t deliver on what they promise. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only four percent (4%) of Likely U.S. Voters think most politicians keep their campaign promises. Eighty-three percent (83%) say most don’t keep the promises they make on the campaign trail. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 November 2-3, 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.

Just 51% Think Most Immigrants Work Hard to Pursue the American Dream

While most voters continue to have a favorable opinion of those who move to this country to work hard, support their family and pursue the American Dream, barely half believe most immigrants are like that.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of immigrants who come to the United States to do just that, in line with surveys dating back to May 2013. Just 13% have an unfavorable opinion of such immigrants, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 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.

Governor Races Scramble Down to the Wire

While they may not determine which party controls the U.S. Senate, 2014’s gubernatorial races have provided plenty of excitement and will have significant consequences for their states.

Overall, there are 36 governor races this year, including nine Toss-Ups, five that Lean Republican, two that Lean Democrat, 11 that are Safe Republican, eight that are Safe Democrat and one that Leans Independent.

GOP Appears on the Brink of Senate Control

Six is the magical number if you’re a Republican. The GOP needs a net gain of six seats in tomorrow’s elections to take control of the U.S. Senate - and by extension the entire Congress since Republicans are highly unlikely to lose their majority in the House.

But the key phrase is “net gain” which means Republicans have to win six seats now held by Democrats and not lose any of the seats currently held by GOP senators. Unfortunately, for Republicans, Kansas and Georgia aren’t being as cooperative as they’d like.

Thirty-six U.S. Senate seats are on the line tomorrow. Presently, 21 of them are held by Democrats and 15 by Republicans. Democrats currently have a 53-to-45 majority over Republicans in the Senate. In addition, there are two independent senators who caucus with the Democrats.

78% Say Politicians Play ‘Race Card’ Just to Get Elected

Voters, regardless of race, agree that most politicians play the so-called “race card” just to pick up votes. Still, blacks strongly believe that those who oppose President Obama are racist.

Just nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters think most politicians raise racial issues to address real problems, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-eight percent (78%) say they bring up race just to get elected. Thirteen percent (13%) aren’t 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 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 31-November 1, 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.

Connecticut Governor: Malloy (D) 48%, Foley (R) 47%

Does Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy have a chance to keep his job after all?

The final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Connecticut Voters finds Malloy picking up 48% of the vote to Republican Tom Foley’s 47%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) 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 977 Likely Voters in Connecticut was conducted on October 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.

Iowa Governor: Branstad (R) 55%, Hatch (D) 37%

Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad looks comfortably on his way to reelection next Tuesday.

This year’s final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters shows Branstad with 55% of the vote to Democratic challenger Jack Hatch’s 37%. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) 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 990 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on October 28-30, 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.

Alaska Governor: Walker (I) 50%, Parnell (R) 43%

Independent Bill Walker remains ahead of Republican Governor Sean Parnell in the final days of Alaska’s gubernatorial contest.

(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 887 Likely Voters in Alaska was conducted on October 27-30, 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.

New Hampshire Governor: Hassan (D) 51%, Havenstein (R) 42%

Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan appears on her way to reelection in New Hampshire in the closing days of that contest.

(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 940 Likely Voters in New Hampshire was conducted on October 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.

New Hampshire Senate: Shaheen (D) 52%, Brown (R) 45%

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen remains ahead of Republican challenger Scott Brown heading into the final weekend of New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race.

Shaheen picks up 52% of the vote to Brown’s 45% in the final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely New Hampshire Voters. One percent (1%) prefer another candidate, and two percent (2%) 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 940 Likely Voters in New Hampshire was conducted on October 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.

Iowa Senate: Ernst (R) 48%, Braley (D) 47%

Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Bruce Braley are in a near tie in the closing days of Iowa’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters shows Ernst with 48% of the vote and Braley with 47%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and another three percent (3%) 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 990 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on October 28-30, 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.

Alaska Senate: Sullivan (R) 47%, Begich (D) 42%

Republican challenger Dan Sullivan has pulled to his biggest lead yet over Democratic incumbent Mark Begich in the final Rasmussen Reports survey of Alaska’s U.S. Senate race.

(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 887 Likely Voters in Alaska was conducted on October 27-30, 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.