http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/polls/ en-us Sun, 3 Jan 2010 21:51:29 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420204/posts When you don't like the message - shoot the messenger. That seems to be the attitude of liberal bloggers and pundits who have opened a new front in their war against conservatives by attacking the prolific pollster. Rasmussen's daily tracking poll of Obama support consistently shows the president doing much poorer than other polls. This is due to the fact that Rasmussen carefully screens respondents for those who are "likely voters" rather than simply polling all adults as Gallup and other pollsters do. This Politico piece by Alex Isenstadt explains further: Rasmussen is quick to point out the accuracy of... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420204/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 21:51:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419723/posts Democrats are turning their fire on Scott Rasmussen, the prolific independent pollster whose surveys on elections, President Obama’s popularity and a host of other issues are surfacing in the media with increasing frequency. The pointed attacks reflect a hardening conventional wisdom among prominent liberal bloggers and many Democrats that Rasmussen Reports polls are, at best, the result of a flawed polling model and, at worst, designed to undermine Democratic politicians and the party’s national agenda. On progressive-oriented websites, anti-Rasmussen sentiment is an article of faith. “Rasmussen Caught With Their Thumb on the Scale,” blared the Daily Kos this summer. “Rasmussen... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419723/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 23:41:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419254/posts The latest Rasmussen poll of likely voters gives President Obama an approval index of -18 percent. That figure is derived from subtracting the 24 percent of voters that strongly approve of the job that Obama is doing from the 42 percent that strongly disapprove. In the same poll, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. 53 percent now disapprove. The Gallup poll, of American adults 18 years and older, has Obama's current approval rating at 51 percent. According to Gallup, Obama has averaged a 50 percent job approval rating in December. Ronald Reagan's average... The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419254/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 00:47:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418790/posts They’re both steely, gutsy women, admired by some and loathed by others. And when the Gallup poll asked Americans to name, without prompting, which woman they admire most, Hillary Rodham Clinton beat Sarah Palin – barely. Mrs. Clinton won “most admired woman” for the 14th time since 1993, the year she became first lady, and has continued to win most of the time as a New York senator and now Secretary of State. She took the prize with 16 percent. Former Alaska Governor Palin, who debuted on the Top 10 list last year at No. 2, came in second again... The Christian Science Monitor http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418790/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 04:12:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417144/posts Data from the Rasmussen Consumer Index from the past seven days shows that a plurality of government workers think the economy is getting better while those who work in the private sector tend to have the opposite view. Those in the government sector are also more upbeat about the current state of the economy and their own personal finances. Rasmussen http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417144/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:26:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417903/posts For the second straight week, only 29% of U.S. voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Last week’s right direction finding was the lowest level measured since February. The percentage of voters who felt the country is heading in the right direction remained in the narrow range of 31% to 35% from July to early November. From late November until mid-December, confidence in the country’s current course held steady at 30%. The majority of voters (67%) continue to believe the nation is heading down the wrong track, the... Rasmussen Reports http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417903/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:37:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417847/posts Have recent revisions to ObamaCare in the Senate improved its standing with likely voters? According to the latest Rasmussen polling, not at all. And updating voters on the plan’s provisions make almost no difference at all: Many have questioned whether those who favor or oppose the health care plan in Congress really know what’s in it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey suggests that they have a decent understanding of the bill and that voter attitudes towards the legislation have hardened. While several individual components of the plan are popular, reminding voters of what’s included in the plan has... Hot Air http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417847/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:57:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416519/posts PRINCETON, NJ -- In Americans' estimation, the top three political winners of 2009 are all women closely linked with the Obama administration: Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Sonia Sotomayor. Among these, Michelle Obama has the broadest support with 73% calling her a "winner" in U.S. politics this year and 21% a "loser." However, Clinton's rating is nearly as positive. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416519/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:27:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416442/posts December 24, 2009 This Christmas, 78% of Americans Identify as Christian Over time, fewer Americans identify as Christian; more have no religious identity by Frank NewportPRINCETON, NJ -- This Christmas season, 78% of Americans identify with some form of Christian religion, a proportion that has been declining in recent decades. The major reason for this decline has been an increase in the percentage of Americans claiming no religious identity, now at 13% of all adults. Gallup http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416442/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:31:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415899/posts There's a new "chill" that has nothing to do with claims of global warming or climate change and everything to do with the failing confidence Americans feel in their own freedoms, according to a new poll. "More Americans this month felt that there was more of a climate of fear over their freedom of association – with more than one in three – 36 percent – saying that they believed Americans had reason to fear punishment or retribution based on who their friends were or who they met with. This is chilling stuff!" said Fritz Wenzel of Wenzel Strategies. The... WorldNetDaily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415899/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:12:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415796/posts The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, released Thursday, shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -16 (see trends). Thirty-eight percent (38%) now believe the economic stimulus plan passed earlier this year has hurt the economy. Just 30% believe it helped. That’s the first time since the legislation passed that a plurality offered a negative assessment. Most voters (52%) are concerned that the government will do too much in terms of responding to... Rassmussen Polls http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415796/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:41:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415171/posts One might expect Democrats to be euphoric during this holiday season. After recapturing control of Congress in 2006, and last year taking back the White House by electing America's first African-American president, Democrats are now on the verge of passing a historic health care reform law. But instead of celebrating, they are bitterly divided. Former Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean and liberal bloggers are urging the Senate to defeat the health care bill. Many are criticizing President Barack Obama for compromising too much, saying the proposal doesn't go far enough, while more moderate and conservative Democrats are petrified the bill... The London Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415171/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:34:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415105/posts Senate Democrats are celebrating this morning for passing their version of health care reform, but voters still don’t like much of what they see. At the start of the week, 41% of voters nationwide were in favor of the health care bill, but 55% were opposed. This is the fifth straight week with support for the legislation between 38% and 41%. Rasmussen Report is continuing to track support for the plan on a weekly basis and will have new numbers on Monday morning. Part of the opposition comes from a general skepticism about Congress, rather than specific policy issues. But... Rasmussen Reports http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415105/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:58:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414957/posts A new Battleground Poll shows that “voters tend to describe themselves as angry, pessimistic, anxious, and depressed,” says Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners, a political strategy firm that works for Democratic candidates. Ms. Lake and Republican pollster Ed Goeas jointly oversee the Battleground Poll. Things may get worse for office holders after Christmas, as voters deal with holiday bills and with the effects of layoffs that often come just before the end of the year. “Whatever mood the voters are in right now, they are likely to be in a particularly ornery mood toward every elected official by... Christian Science Monitor http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414957/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:34:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2414430/posts This current administration in Washington has managed to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye on the general populace of the country. With Obama's approval rating flying south for the winter, you would think some attention would be given to the polling data on his job approval and current issues of the day. Not so with this current group of Democrats. Their vision has become myopic, they're oblivious to whats going on in the streets, or they simply choose to ignore it. The liberal left ideology is the language of the day and has shut out the majority voice.... The Edisto Joe Outlook http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2414430/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:12:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414287/posts The Left, since the release of Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue, and its million plus sales in a matter of weeks, have been wandering the streets in a benighted stupor, tugging at their unkempt hair, and shrieking at whomever will listen with their question of “why”? “Why is she popular, why is she on television, why is she on magazine covers, why, why, why?” “This is Sarah Palin, not Barack Obama, why?” Despite the equitably challenged mainstream media’s shilling Barack Obama like snake-oil out the back of a mountebank’s wagon, and the very same media’s non-stop offensive on Sarah Palin,... CFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414287/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:08:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413962/posts It hasn't been a very good week for President Obama in public opinion polls on several different fronts. Not only do 60% trust their own economic judgment more than President Obama's, but 18% more strongly disapprove of the president's performance than those who strongly approve. This was the highest gap of strong disapproval over strong approval since President Obama took office. THE FREEDOM POST http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2413962/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:46:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413784/posts George W. Bush used to insist that he didn't read polls, and on the off chance that he did, he didn't care anyway. "I don't give a darn," the former President famously said early this year just before the end of his term, when CNN's Larry King pointed to his anemic approval ratings. Aides to President Obama, by contrast, have charted a more nuanced course, alternately embracing and dismissing the polls. During a recent meeting with reporters, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs compared the President's daily approval ratings to a heart monitor, saying, "I don't put a lot of stake in,... TIME http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413784/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:11:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413403/posts Barack Obama gave himself a B+ on Oprah Winfrey’s White House Christmas Special on ABC, but the American public is far less generous. The latest influential Rasmussen Daily Presidential Tracking Poll of likely US voters gives Obama a thumping 56 percent disapproval rating – an F grade by any measure. 46 percent strongly disapprove of the president’s job performance, while just 25 percent strongly approve. That’s a Presidential Approval Index rating of -21 percentage points, a staggering figure for a president just 11 months into his term of office. These are historically low approval ratings for a US president, that... The London Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413403/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:34:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412931/posts The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 25% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (46%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -21 Rasmussen Reports http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412931/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:33:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2413088/posts Fifty-three percent (53%) of men Strongly Disapprove along with 39% of women http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2413088/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:24:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412887/posts Over the weekend, the Democrats in Washington celebrated the fact that they were able to wheel and deal amongst themselves to clear all the hurdles necessary to pass a massive healthcare reform package. Their mood is one of euphoria but the rest of the nation does not seem to be sharing in it. In fact, for the rest of the nation the mood could be characterized more as one of skepticism and fear rather than one of hope and happiness. That mood is not surprising since according to Gallup polling only 25% of Americans view the Democrat-controlled Congress favorably. And... Examiner.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412887/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:14:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412583/posts There's no point in the White House saying this, so it won't. But an official predicted to me the other day that Obama's numbers would hit 60 after the health care bill passes, and Chuck Schumer seems to think roughly the same thing: that the public polling on the Democratic reform bill will turn around "soon." When people see what is in this bill and when people see what it does, they will come around," Schumer said. "The reason people are negative is not the substance of the bill, but the fears that the opponents have laid out. When those... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412583/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:45:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412301/posts When only 30% of a state’s likely voters support the one piece of legislation on which the incumbent has worked for most of the year, they tend to get a little chippy about the idea of sending him back to Washington. When paired up with Republican Governor John Hoeven in a 2010 midterm election, Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan trails by 22 points, 58%-36%: Incumbent Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan may have a serious problem on his hands if Republicans recruit Governor John Hoeven to run for the U.S. Senate in North Dakota next year. The first Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 telephone... Hot Air http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412301/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:51:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412258/posts Slumping in the polls and struggling to pass climate and financial legislation, President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders are counting on an historic health care victory to buoy their electoral prospects in 2010. But Republicans argued Sunday that the issue is breaking their way, and liberal infighting indicates the party leadership has to win back its base along with the larger electorate. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has been telling Democrats a win on the health issue will reverse the slide in public opinion, just as passage of another controversial proposal, the North American Free Trade Agreement, lifted... WSJ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412258/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:52:42 GMT