The Naked Capitalism blog also mentions Rasmussen's right-leaning tendencies.
I think the best explanation for how they got 1 out of every 5 (!!!) Americans to say they want socialism can be found at this blog entry at Pandagon:
<http://pandagon.net/index.php/site/comments/socialism_for_sucka_free_mcs/>
Basically, the right has over-used the term 'socialism' so much, to mean everything from school lunch programs to modest tax increases on the rich, that the chickens have come home to roost, and the public thinks, well, those things aren't bad, so maybe I *do* like socialism.
OTOH, was "mixed economy" an answer option, or was it just 'capitalism,' 'socialism,' or 'unsure.'
I can't make sense of the Rasmussen worldview that says there is a "political class" versus a "mainstream." Help? <http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/ideology/55_of_americans_are_populist_7_support_the_political_class>
-B.
Doug Henwood wrote:
"Rasmussen isn't the most reliable pollster - they often skew stuff in a right-wing direction. So this is very interesting. Must renew my AAPOR membership..."