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     Budget, Taxes, Economic Policy  (p. 6)

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. Sept. 7-12, 2011. N=1,207 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"As you may know, the legislation to raise the federal debt ceiling that was passed by Congress and signed by the president at the end of July calls for the creation of a bipartisan committee, sometimes referred to as the 'super committee.' The committee is made up of 12 members of Congress -- six Republicans and six Democrats -- and must come up with a plan to cut at least $1.2 trillion from the federal budget deficit over the next 10 years. They must make their recommendations to Congress by November 23. If the committee doesn't reach consensus, or if Congress doesn't approve their recommendations by December 23, a series of automatic spending cuts would kick in. Do you think creating the bipartisan super committee was a good idea or a bad idea?" Options rotated

9/7-12/11

"How much do you trust [see below] to make the right recommendations about ways to reduce the federal budget deficit: a great deal, a fair amount, just a little, or not at all?"

"President Obama"

9/7-12/11

"Democrats in Congress"

9/7-12/11

"Republicans in Congress"

9/7-12/11

"The bipartisan super committee"

9/7-12/11

"How confident are you that the super committee will be able to come up with a proposal to cut $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit before the November deadline: very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?"

9/7-12/11

"How likely do you think it is that the super committee will be able to come up with a proposal that will get enough support from both parties in Congress in order to pass: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?"

9/7-12/11

"Thinking about different approaches the super committee might recommend to reduce the federal budget deficit, I'd like to know how big a role you think each of the following should play in an overall deficit reduction strategy. First/Next, should [see below] play a major role, minor role, or no role at all in reducing the federal budget deficit?"

"Closing tax loopholes for wealthy Americans" N=618 (Form A)

9/7-12/11

"Closing tax loopholes for large businesses" N=589 (Form B)

9/7-12/11

"Repealing the Bush tax cuts for wealthy Americans" N=618 (Form A)

9/7-12/11

"Increasing taxes for wealthy Americans" N=589 (Form B)

9/7-12/11

"Reducing spending on government programs and services"

9/7-12/11

"Repealing the Bush tax cuts for all Americans" N=589 (Form B)

9/7-12/11

"Increasing taxes for all Americans" N=618 (Form A)

9/7-12/11

"If the super committee recommends reducing the deficit by reducing federal spending, I'd like to know in which areas you would be willing to see spending reduced. For each area I name, please tell me if you would support major spending reductions, minor spending reductions or no reductions at all as a way to reduce the federal deficit. First, to reduce the deficit would you support major reductions, minor reductions, or no reductions to spending on [see below]?"

"Defense"

9/7-12/11

"Medicaid"

9/7-12/11

"Medicare"

9/7-12/11

"Social Security"

9/7-12/11

Pew Research Center/Washington Post. Sept. 1-4, 2011. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

"Thinking specifically about the job situation in the country, please tell me how much each of the following would do to help improve it. First, do you think [see below] would help improve the job situation a lot, a little, or would it not help at all?"

"Additional spending on roads, bridges, and other public works projects"

9/1-4/11

6/17-20/10

"Cutting taxes on businesses"

9/1-4/11

6/17-20/10

"Budget cuts to reduce the federal deficit"

9/1-4/11

6/17-20/10

"Cutting personal income taxes"

9/1-4/11

6/17-20/10

George Washington University/Politico Battleground Poll conducted by the Tarrance Group (R) and Lake Research Partners (D). Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 2011. N=1,000 likely voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.

"Now, thinking about the economy: As you may have heard, President Obama is planning to propose measures aimed at creating jobs. One of these proposals may be a large scale federally subsidized nationwide construction program putting Americans back to work building roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. With this in mind, would you favor or oppose this proposal, or are you undecided?"

8/28 - 9/1/11

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Aug. 27-31, 2011. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.

"President Obama is expected to outline a jobs plan in the coming weeks. I'm going to read some different proposals that could be considered by the president. For each one please tell me if you think this proposal is a good idea, a bad idea, or do you not know enough about it to have an opinion? . . ."

"Paying for long-term unemployed workers to train at private companies for eight weeks, and then giving the companies an option to hire them" Half sample (Form B)

8/27-31/11

"Funding a new road construction bill" Half sample (Form A)

8/27-31/11

"Continuing to extend unemployment benefits" Half sample (Form B)

8/27-31/11

"Continuing to cut the payroll tax rate" Half sample (Form A)

8/27-31/11

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). Aug. 7-9, 2011. N=904 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"Now I'd like to ask you some questions about the agreement passed by Congress and signed into law by the President to raise the nation's debt limit. Do you approve or disapprove of the agreement between the President and Congress to raise the nation's debt limit?"

ALL

Democrats

Republicans

Independents

"Almost all members of Congress, whether they voted for the debt deal or not, said they were unhappy with parts of the agreement. If you were in Congress, how would you have voted on the debt agreement: yes or no?" If yes: "Would you have voted yes because you think it was necessary so the government could pay its bills, or because you think it was a good first step toward getting the nation out of debt?" If no: "Would you have voted no because you oppose raising the debt limit and putting the nation further in debt, or because the deal did not include any tax increases?" Combined responses.

8/7-9/11

"Do you think the debt limit agreement will make the economy better, worse or will it not have much of a difference either way?"

8/7-9/11

"Which do you think best describes the outcome of the debt limit negotiations? It's a good agreement that is truly in the best interest of Americans. It's a weak agreement that probably won't do much. It's a terrible agreement that will actually damage the country."

8/7-9/11

"Do you expect the federal government to continue to spend more than it takes in despite the new debt limit agreement?"

8/7-9/11

"In the debt limit negotiations, who do you think truly did the most to put politics aside and worked for the good of the country: congressional Democrats, congressional Republicans, members of the Tea Party movement, or President Obama?" Options rotated

President Obama

Congressional Republicans

Tea Party movement

Congressional Democrats

None of them (vol.)

All of them (vol.)

Unsure

"Who won the debt limit negotiations, that is, who do you think got more of what they wanted: Democrats or Republicans?" Options rotated

8/7-9/11

"Who do you think should get more credit for taking the leadership role in the debt negotiations: Congress or the President?"

8/7-9/11

"As a nation, taking into account all Americans, do you think we are over-taxed or under-taxed?"

8/7-9/11

Reuters/Ipsos Poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Aug. 4-8, 2011. N=1,055 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"Do you feel more positive or more negative towards each of the following as a result of the deal recently reached in Washington to raise the federal government debt ceiling? How about towards [see below]? Do you feel more positive or negative towards [see below], or has it made no difference?"

"President Barack Obama"

8/4-8/11

"Democrats"

8/4-8/11

"House Speaker John Boehner"

8/4-8/11

"The Tea Party"

8/4-8/11

"Republicans"

8/4-8/11

"Based on everything you've heard or seen, do you think this debt ceiling deal is a good thing or a bad thing for the United States?"

ALL

Democrats

Republicans

Independents

"Which of the following actions, if any, do you think the government should undertake to stimulate the national economy? . . ." Multiple responses accepted

"Cut government spending"

"Raise taxes on wealthy individuals"

"Invest in new infrastructure projects"

"Cut taxes for everyone"

"Extend financial aid to states"

"Extend unemployment benefits"

"Extend the payroll tax cut"

Unsure

CNN/ORC Poll. Aug. 5-7, 2011. N=1,008 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"As you may know, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law a bill that raises the federal government's debt ceiling through the year 2013 and makes major cuts in government spending over the next few years. Based on what you have read or heard, do you approve or disapprove of that bill?"

ALL

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

Tea Party - support

Tea Party - neutral

Tea Party - oppose

"Do you think the cuts in government spending included in that bill go too far, do not go far enough, or are about right?"

8/5-7/11

"Do you think that bill treats all Americans fairly, or do you think it benefits the rich at the expense of the poor and middle class?"

ALL

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Aug. 4-7, 2011. N=1,319 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

"Please tell me whether you favor or oppose each of the following as a way to reduce the federal debt. How about . . . ?"

"Increasing income tax rates for upper-income Americans"

8/4-7/11

"Increasing tax revenues by making major changes to the current federal tax code"

8/4-7/11

"Cutting spending for programs other than defense, Social Security and Medicare"

8/4-7/11

"Cutting defense spending"

8/4-7/11

"Making significant changes to the Social Security and Medicare programs to reduce their cost"

8/4-7/11

"As you may know, as part of the agreement to raise the debt ceiling, Congress will appoint a special committee to look at ways to further reduce federal spending and the national debt. If that committee does not reach an agreement, the law would impose major cuts in most federal spending, including Medicare and defense. What would you like the members of this committee who represent your views on spending and the debt to do? Should they hold out for a plan you would agree with, even if it prevents the committee from reaching an agreement, OR should they agree to a compromise plan, even if it is a plan you would disagree with?" Options rotated

8/4-7/11

CBS News/New York Times Poll. Aug. 2-3, 2011. N=960 adults nationwide who were first interviewed in two polls: a CBS News/New York Times Poll conducted June 24-28, 2011, and a CBS News Poll conducted July 15-17, 2011. Margin of error ± 3.

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama has handled the negotiations on the debt ceiling?"

8/2-3/11

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Republicans in Congress have handled the negotiations on the debt ceiling?"

8/2-3/11

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Democrats in Congress have handled the negotiations on the debt ceiling?"

8/2-3/11

"Who do you trust more to make the right decisions about the nation's economy: the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama?"

8/2-3/11

"Who do you think is mostly to blame for most of the current federal budget deficit: the Bush administration, the Obama administration, Congress, or someone else?"

8/2-3/11

"Which of these should be the higher priority for the nation right now: cutting government spending or creating jobs?"

ALL

Republicans

Democrats

Independents

"Do you feel mostly relieved that an agreement on the debt ceiling has been reached, or mostly frustrated about the outcome of the negotiations?"

8/2-3/11

"The debt ceiling agreement calls for more than $2 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years, a new Congressional committee to recommend a deficit-reduction proposal by late November, and a two-stage increase in the debt ceiling. From what you've heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the debt ceiling agreement?" If approve: "Do you strongly approve or somewhat approve?" If disapprove: "Do you somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove?"

8/2-3/11

"From what you know so far, do you think the debt ceiling agreement should have included some increase in tax revenue or should it have relied entirely on cuts in government spending?"

8/2-3/11

"Do you think the spending cuts included in the debt ceiling agreement went too far, didn't go far enough, or are they about right?"

8/2-3/11

"In general, do you think the debt ceiling agreement will make the economy better, make the economy worse or have no impact on the economy?"

8/2-3/11

"Do you think the recent disagreements in Washington about raising the debt ceiling were mostly about doing what was best for the country or mostly about gaining political advantage?"

8/2-3/11

"As a result of the debt ceiling negotiations in Washington, do you think the image of United States in the world has gotten better, gotten worse, or have the debt ceiling negotiations had no effect on the United States' image in the world?"

8/2-3/11

"During the recent debt ceiling negotiations in Washington, do you think Barack Obama has shown strong qualities of leadership, or not?"

8/2-3/11

"Who do you blame more for the difficulties in reaching an agreement on the debt ceiling: the Republicans in Congress, or Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress?"

8/2-3/11

"In order to lower the nation's budget deficit, do you think taxes should be increased on households earning $250,000 a year or more, or should the government address the budget deficit without increasing taxes on those households?"

8/2-3/11

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Aug. 2, 2011. N=1,012 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

"I'd like to ask you about the agreement reached by the President and Congress to raise the federal debt ceiling. Based on what you know or have read about this agreement, do you approve or disapprove of it?"

8/2/11

"Next, please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of the way each of the following handled the negotiations to raise the federal debt ceiling. How about . . . ?"

"President Barack Obama"

8/2/11

"Members of Congress aligned with the Tea Party movement"

8/2/11

"Speaker of the House John Boehner"

8/2/11

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid"

8/2/11

"Based on what you know or have read about the agreement, do you view it as a step forward, a step backward, or neither in terms of addressing the federal debt situation?"

8/2/11

"What effect do you think the agreement will have on the U.S. economy? Will it make the economy better, not have much effect, or will it make the economy worse?" Options rotated

8/2/11

CNN/ORC Poll. Aug. 1, 2011. N=860 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

"As you may know, an agreement between Barack Obama and the Republicans and Democrats in Congress would raise the federal government's debt ceiling through the year 2013 and make major cuts in government spending over the next few years. Based on what you have read or heard, do you approve or disapprove of that agreement?"

ALL

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

Tea P. - support

Tea P. - neutral

Tea P. - oppose

"As you may know, the agreement would raise the debt ceiling through the year 2013. Regardless of how you feel about the overall agreement, do you approve or disapprove of raising the debt ceiling at this time?"

8/1/11

"As you may know, the agreement would cut about one trillion dollars in government spending over the next ten years with provisions to make additional spending cuts in the future. Regardless of how you feel about the overall agreement, do you approve or disapprove of the cuts in government spending included in the debt ceiling agreement?"

8/1/11

"As you may know, the agreement would cut about one trillion dollars in government spending over the next ten years with provisions to make additional spending cuts in the future. Regardless of how you feel about the overall agreement, do you approve or disapprove of the cuts in government spending included in the debt ceiling agreement?" If disapprove: "Do you disapprove because you think those cuts in government spending go too far, or do you disapprove because you think those spending cuts don't go far enough?" Combined responses

8/1/11

"And as you may know, the agreement does not include any tax increases for business or higher-income Americans. Regardless of how you feel about the overall agreement, do you approve or disapprove of the fact that the debt ceiling agreement does not include tax increases for those groups?"

8/1/11

"Overall, do you think the debt ceiling agreement would be good for the U.S. economy or bad for the U.S. economy?"

8/1/11

"Do you think that a failure to raise the debt ceiling by Tuesday would create a crisis for the United States, major problems, minor problems, or no problems at all?"

8/1/11

"Who do you think is more responsible for the debt ceiling agreement? Do you think Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress are more responsible for that agreement, or do you think the Republicans in Congress are more responsible for that agreement?"

8/1/11

"Next, please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of the way each of the following has handled the negotiations over the debt ceiling in Washington over the past few days. . . ."

"Barack Obama"

8/1/11

"The Democratic leaders in Congress"

8/1/11

"The Republican leaders in Congress"

8/1/11

"As you know, both the Republicans and the Democrats compromised with the other party by giving up some proposals on issues which were important to them. In your view, did the Republicans in Congress give up too much in the debt ceiling agreement, or don't you think so?"

8/1/11

"In your view, did Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress give up too much in the debt ceiling agreement, or don't you think so?"

8/1/11

"In general, do you think the elected officials in Washington who have dealt with the debt ceiling in the past few days have behaved mostly like responsible adults or mostly like spoiled children?"

8/1/11

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. July 28-31, 2011. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.6.

"In the debate over whether to raise the federal debt ceiling, who do you believe has behaved more responsibly: President Obama or Republicans in Congress?" Options rotated

7/28-31/11

"Thinking about the elections for Congress NEXT year, please tell me whether you would be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate with each of the following characteristics, or whether it would make no difference in your vote either way. . . ."

"If a candidate voted to allow the government to borrow more money by increasing the federal debt ceiling"

7/28-31/11

"If a candidate voted to allow the government to default on its financial obligations by NOT raising the debt ceiling"

7/28-31/11

Pew Research Center/Washington Post. July 28-31, 2011. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

"As a result of the budget negotiations in Washington over the last several weeks, have you come to have a MORE favorable opinion of [see below], a LESS favorable opinion of [see below], or hasn't your opinion of him / them changed?"