|
Budget,
Taxes, Economic Policy
(p. 7) |
|
ABC News/Washington Post Poll. July 14-17, 2011. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin
of error ± 3.5. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are
handling the federal budget deficit?" |
|
|
|
Approve |
Disapprove |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/14-17/11 |
27 |
68 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are
handling creating jobs?" |
|
|
|
Approve |
Disapprove |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/14-17/11 |
26 |
65 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are
handling taxes?" |
|
|
|
Approve |
Disapprove |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/14-17/11 |
31 |
65 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"As you may know, there is a debate in Washington right now about
reducing the federal budget deficit and increasing the government's debt
limit. Who do you trust more to handle this issue: Obama or the Republicans
in Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Both (vol.) |
Neither (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
7/14-17/11 |
48 |
39 |
1 |
10 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of
small businesses: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Both (vol.) |
Neither (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
7/14-17/11 |
48 |
39 |
2 |
8 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of
you and your family: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Both (vol.) |
Neither (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
7/14-17/11 |
47 |
37 |
2 |
12 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of
Wall Street financial institutions: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Both (vol.) |
Neither (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
7/14-17/11 |
26 |
59 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of
large business corporations: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Both (vol.) |
Neither (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
7/14-17/11 |
24 |
67 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Thinking about the economic challenges facing the country would you say
the actions taken by the Obama administration made things better, made
things worse, or had no effect?" |
|
|
|
Better |
Worse |
No effect |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
7/14-17/11 |
29 |
37 |
33 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Thinking about the economic challenges facing the country would you say
the actions taken by the Bush administration made things better, made things
worse, or had no effect?" |
|
|
|
Better |
Worse |
No effect |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
7/14-17/11 |
16 |
57 |
24 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Thinking about the economic challenges facing the country would you say
the actions taken by the Republicans in Congress made things better, made
things worse, or had no effect?" |
|
|
|
Better |
Worse |
No effect |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
7/14-17/11 |
16 |
39 |
42 |
3 |
|
|
Quinnipiac University Poll. July 5-11, 2011. N=2,311 registered
voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 2. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you trust to do a better job handling the economy: President
Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" |
|
|
|
President
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/5-11/11 |
45 |
38 |
17 |
|
|
|
5/31 - 6/6/11 |
41 |
43 |
15 |
|
|
|
5/2-3/11 |
46 |
37 |
17 |
|
|
|
4/26 - 5/1/11 |
43 |
44 |
13 |
|
|
|
2/21-28/11 |
45 |
45 |
10 |
|
|
|
1/4-11/11 |
46 |
39 |
14 |
|
|
|
11/8-15/10 |
42 |
45 |
14 |
|
|
|
7/13-19/10 |
41 |
42 |
17 |
|
|
|
5/19-24/10 |
45 |
36 |
19 |
|
|
|
12/15-20/09 |
45 |
36 |
19 |
|
|
|
7/27 - 8/3/09 |
47 |
36 |
17 |
|
|
|
6/23-29/09 |
54 |
32 |
14 |
|
|
|
4/21-27/09 |
54 |
27 |
18 |
|
|
|
3/24-30/09 |
55 |
27 |
18 |
|
|
|
2/25 - 3/2/09 |
56 |
26 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"What do you think is more important: reducing the federal budget deficit
or reducing unemployment?"
Split sample A |
|
|
|
Reducing
the deficit |
Reducing
unemployment |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/5-11/11 |
32 |
62 |
7 |
|
|
|
4/26 - 5/1/11 |
35 |
54 |
11 |
|
|
|
1/4-11/11 |
31 |
63 |
6 |
|
|
|
7/13-19/10 |
30 |
64 |
6 |
|
|
|
2/2-8/10 |
23 |
71 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"What do you think is more important: reducing federal government
spending, or reducing unemployment?"
Split sample B |
|
|
|
Reducing
spending |
Reducing
unemployment |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/5-11/11 |
43 |
49 |
8 |
|
|
|
4/26 - 5/1/11 |
46 |
47 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you blame more for the current condition of the U.S. economy:
former President George W. Bush or President Barack Obama?" |
|
|
|
George W.
Bush |
Barack
Obama |
Neither
(vol.) |
Both (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
7/5-11/11 |
54 |
27 |
8 |
7 |
3 |
|
1/4-11/11 |
57 |
21 |
11 |
7 |
4 |
|
7/13-19/10 |
53 |
25 |
10 |
7 |
4 |
|
1/5-11/10 |
55 |
20 |
14 |
7 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"As you may know, unless Congress and the President can agree to raise
the federal debt limit soon, the government will not be able to borrow more
money to fund its operations and pay its debts. If the limit is not raised,
who do you think would mainly be responsible for this: the Obama
Administration or the Republicans in Congress?" |
|
|
|
Obama
Administration |
Republicans
in Congress |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/5-11/11 |
34 |
48 |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"All things considered, which of these is your greater concern: that
raising the debt limit would lead to higher government spending and make the
national debt bigger, OR that not raising the debt limit would force the
government into default and hurt the nation's economy?" |
|
|
|
Raising limit/
Bigger debt |
Not raising/
Default |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/5-11/11 |
43 |
45 |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think any agreement to raise the national debt ceiling should
include only spending cuts, or should it also include an increase in taxes
for the wealthy and corporations?" |
|
|
|
Spending
cuts only |
Also a tax
increase |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
ALL |
25 |
67 |
8 |
|
|
|
Republicans |
48 |
43 |
9 |
|
|
|
Democrats |
7 |
87 |
6 |
|
|
|
Independents |
26 |
66 |
8 |
|
|
|
Gallup Poll. July 7-10, 2011. N=1,016 adults nationwide. Margin of
error ± 4. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"How closely are you following the news about discussions to raise the
U.S. debt ceiling, the maximum amount of money the U.S. government can
borrow by law: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at
all?" |
|
|
|
Very
closely |
Somewhat
closely |
Not too
closely |
Not
at all |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
7/7-10/11 |
22 |
36 |
24 |
18 |
- |
|
5/5-8/11 |
23 |
34 |
23 |
19 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"From what you know or have read about the discussion of raising the debt
ceiling, would you want your member of Congress to vote in favor of raising
the debt ceiling, vote against raising the debt ceiling, or don't you know
enough to say?" |
|
|
|
Vote
in favor |
Vote
against |
Don't know
enough |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/7-10/11 |
22 |
42 |
35 |
|
|
|
5/5-8/11 |
19 |
47 |
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you trust more to handle the issues concerning the federal budget
deficit and the federal debt ceiling: President Obama or the Republican
leaders in Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
President
Obama |
Republican
leaders |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
7/7-10/11 |
43 |
46 |
11 |
|
|
|
Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw &
Company Research (R). June 26-28, 2011. N=912 registered voters nationwide.
Margin of error ± 3. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Would you favor or oppose a balanced budget amendment -- that is, an
amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require the federal government
to produce a balanced budget?" |
|
|
|
Favor |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
6/26-28/11 |
72 |
20 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Would you favor or oppose a balanced budget amendment to the U.S.
Constitution if it meant major spending cuts to entitlement programs like
Medicare and Social Security?" |
|
|
|
Favor |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
6/26-28/11 |
31 |
63 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Would you favor or oppose a balanced budget amendment to the U.S.
Constitution if it meant major tax increases for every American?" |
|
|
|
Favor |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
6/26-28/11 |
34 |
62 |
4 |
|
|
|
CBS News/New York Times Poll. June 24-28, 2011. N=979 adults
nationwide. Margin of error ± 3. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you think is mostly to blame for the current
state of the nation's economy: the Bush administration, the Obama
administration, Wall Street and financial institutions, Congress, or someone
else?" |
|
|
|
|
6/24-28/11 |
3/18-21/11 |
10/21-26/10 |
9/10-14/10 |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Bush administration |
26 |
28 |
30 |
37 |
|
Wall Street, financial
institutions |
25 |
22 |
22 |
21 |
|
Congress |
11 |
10 |
13 |
11 |
|
Obama administration |
8 |
7 |
8 |
5 |
|
Someone else |
8 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
|
All of the above (vol.) |
7 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
|
Combination (vol.) |
12 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
|
Unsure |
3 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4/5-12/10 |
2/5-10/10 |
7/24-28/09 |
4/1-5/09 |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Bush administration |
32 |
31 |
30 |
33 |
|
Wall Street, financial
institutions |
22 |
23 |
29 |
21 |
|
Congress |
10 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
|
Obama administration |
4 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
|
Someone else |
7 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
|
All of the above (vol.) |
9 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
|
Combination (vol.) |
13 |
10 |
11 |
14 |
|
Unsure |
3 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think the government should extend
unemployment benefits for people who are currently out of work, even if it
means increasing the budget deficit, or shouldn't it do that?" |
|
|
|
Should |
Should not |
Depends
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
ALL |
47 |
44 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
Republicans |
31 |
64 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
Democrats |
64 |
28 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
Independents |
45 |
45 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Which comes closer to your own view? The federal
government should spend money to create jobs, even if it means it has to
borrow the money to do so. OR, The federal government should not spend money
to create jobs and should instead focus on lowering the country's debt." |
|
|
|
Spend to
create jobs |
Lower
country's debt |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
ALL |
42 |
52 |
6 |
|
|
|
Republicans |
20 |
75 |
5 |
|
|
|
Democrats |
61 |
34 |
5 |
|
|
|
Independents |
40 |
52 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the
Republican Party or the Democratic Party is more likely to ensure a strong
economy?" |
|
|
|
Republican
Party |
Democratic
Party |
Both (vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
6/24-28/11 |
35 |
39 |
3 |
12 |
11 |
|
2/5-10/10 |
42 |
37 |
4 |
8 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the
Republican Party or the Democratic Party is more likely to make the right
decisions about the nation's housing and mortgage situation?" |
|
|
|
Republican
Party |
Democratic
Party |
Both (vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
6/24-28/11 |
37 |
38 |
2 |
10 |
13 |
|
AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs &
Corporate Communications. June 16-20, 2011. N=1,001 adults nationwide.
Margin of error ± 4.1. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Overall, please tell me whether you approve, disapprove, or neither
approve nor disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling the
federal budget deficit?" If neither: "If you had to choose, do you
lean more toward approving or disapproving of the way the Democrats in
Congress are handling the federal budget deficit?" |
|
|
|
Approve |
Disapprove |
Neither |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
6/16-20/11 |
30 |
67 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
3/24-28/11 |
35 |
62 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Overall, please tell me whether you approve, disapprove, or neither
approve nor disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling
the federal budget deficit?" If neither:
"If you had to choose, do you lean more toward approving or disapproving
of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling the federal budget
deficit?" |
|
|
|
Approve |
Disapprove |
Neither |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
6/16-20/11 |
28 |
69 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
3/24-28/11 |
31 |
68 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"How worried are you that increasing federal debt will harm the financial
future of your children and grandchildren . . . ?" |
|
|
|
Very
worried |
Somewhat
worried |
Not too
worried |
Not at all
worried |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
6/16-20/11 |
55 |
26 |
10 |
8 |
|
|
Pew Research Center/Washington Post. June 16-19, 2011. N=1,003 adults nationwide. Margin
of error ± 4. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"As you may know, unless Congress and the president can agree to raise
the federal debt limit soon, the government will not be able to borrow more
money to fund its operations and pay its debts. If the limit is not raised,
who do you think would mainly be responsible for this: the Obama
Administration or the Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Obama
Administration |
Republicans
in Congress |
Both (vol.) |
Neither (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
6/16-19/11 |
33 |
42 |
13 |
4 |
7 |
|
CBS News Poll. June 3-7, 2011. N=1,024 adults nationwide. Margin
of error ± 3. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think significant spending cuts need to be part of any agreement
on the debt ceiling, or is the debt ceiling issue so serious that it needs
to be addressed on its own?" |
|
|
|
Spending
cuts needed |
Addressed
on its own |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
6/3-7/11 |
35 |
56 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"In the next few months, do you think the federal debt ceiling probably
will or probably will not be raised?" |
|
|
|
Probably
will |
Probably
will not |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
6/3-7/11 |
68 |
23 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think the debate in Washington concerning the federal debt
ceiling is mostly about honest disagreements over economic policy or is it
mostly about political gain?" |
|
|
|
Economy
policy |
Political
gain |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
6/3-7/11 |
8 |
85 |
7 |
|
|
|
Pew Research Center/Washington Post. May 19-22, 2011. N=1,004 adults nationwide. Margin
of error ± 4. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"How well do you feel you understand what would happen if the government
DOES NOT raise the federal debt limit: very well, fairly well, not too well,
or not at all well?" |
|
|
|
Very well |
Fairly well |
Not too
well |
Not at
all well |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
5/19-22/11 |
18 |
32 |
26 |
21 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"How concerned, if at all, are you that raising the debt limit would lead
to higher government spending and make the national debt bigger: very
concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?" |
|
|
|
Very
concerned |
Somewhat
concerned |
Not too
concerned |
Not at all
concerned |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
5/19-22/11 |
47 |
30 |
10 |
10 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"How concerned, if at all, are you that not raising the debt limit would
force the government into default and hurt the nation's economy: very
concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?" |
|
|
|
Very
concerned |
Somewhat
concerned |
Not too
concerned |
Not at all
concerned |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
5/19-22/11 |
37 |
36 |
13 |
10 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"All things considered, which of these is your greater concern: that
raising the debt limit would lead to higher government spending and make the
national debt bigger, OR that not raising the debt limit would force the
government into default and hurt the nation's economy?" |
|
|
|
Raising:
Higher
spending,
bigger debt |
Not raising:
Default, hurt
economy |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
5/19-22/11 |
48 |
35 |
17 |
|
|
|
Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw &
Company Research (R). May 15-17, 2011. N=910 registered voters nationwide.
Margin of error ± 3. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who would you trust more to deal with the federal budget deficit: a
president who is a Democrat or a president who is a Republican?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Democrat |
Republican |
Both (vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
5/15-17/11 |
44 |
35 |
3 |
11 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Let's say you had to balance the federal budget by cutting money from
national security and defense, OR from Social Security and Medicare. Which
would you choose?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
National
security,
defense |
Social
Security,
Medicare |
Both (vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
5/15-17/11 |
54 |
22 |
6 |
14 |
4 |
|
George Washington University/Politico Battleground Poll conducted by
the Tarrance Group (R) and Lake Research Partners (D). May 8-12, 2011.
N=1,000 likely voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Now, thinking about the federal government and fiscal policy: As you may
know, the federal government has a limit on how much debt it can incur. The
Treasury Secretary estimates that this limit will be reached in August.
Exceeding this limit requires a vote of approval from Congress. If Congress
does not approve an increase in this limit, the U.S. could default on its
debts and be unable to pay its creditors. Which of the following best
describes the implications you believe will occur if Congress does NOT vote
to raise the debt limit? It will be disastrous to the U.S. economy. OR, It
will not have a serious impact on the U.S. economy."
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Disastrous |
Not a serious
impact |
Combination
(vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure/
Refused |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
5/8-12/11 |
56 |
32 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
|
AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs &
Corporate Communications. May 5-9, 2011. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin
of error ± 4.2. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think it is possible for the federal government to balance its
budget without cutting spending on Medicare, or do you think spending on
Medicare will have to be cut?" |
|
|
|
Cuts are not
necessary |
Cuts are
necessary |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
5/5-9/11 |
54 |
44 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think it is possible for the federal government to balance its
budget without cutting spending on Social Security, or do you think spending
on Social Security will have to be cut?" |
|
|
|
Cuts are not
necessary |
Cuts are
necessary |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
5/5-9/11 |
59 |
39 |
2 |
|
|
|
Quinnipiac University Poll. May 2-3, 2011. N=834 registered voters
nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.4. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you trust to do a better job handling the economy: President
Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" |
|
|
|
President
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
5/2-3/11 |
46 |
37 |
17 |
|
|
|
4/26 - 5/1/11 |
43 |
44 |
13 |
|
|
|
2/21-28/11 |
45 |
45 |
10 |
|
|
|
1/4-11/11 |
46 |
39 |
14 |
|
|
|
11/8-15/10 |
42 |
45 |
14 |
|
|
|
7/13-19/10 |
41 |
42 |
17 |
|
|
|
5/19-24/10 |
45 |
36 |
19 |
|
|
|
12/15-20/09 |
45 |
36 |
19 |
|
|
|
7/27 - 8/3/09 |
47 |
36 |
17 |
|
|
|
6/23-29/09 |
54 |
32 |
14 |
|
|
|
4/21-27/09 |
54 |
27 |
18 |
|
|
|
3/24-30/09 |
55 |
27 |
18 |
|
|
|
2/25 - 3/2/09 |
56 |
26 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you trust to do a better job handling the federal budget deficit:
President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"
2/11: "Who do you trust to do a better job handling the budget deficit,
President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" |
|
|
|
President
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
5/2-3/11 |
42 |
44 |
14 |
|
|
|
4/26 - 5/1/11 |
42 |
46 |
11 |
|
|
|
2/21-28/11 |
43 |
46 |
11 |
|
|
|
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. April 29-May 1, 2011. N=1,034
adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"When it comes to dealing with the tough choices involved both in cutting
programs to reduce the budget deficit and still maintaining needed federal
programs, whose approach do you prefer: the Republicans in Congress or
President Obama's?" |
|
|
|
Republicans' |
Obama's |
Neither
(vol.) |
Both (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
4/29 - 5/1/11 |
42 |
50 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
4/9-10/11 |
43 |
48 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
|
3/18-20/11 |
45 |
46 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
|
3/11-13/11 |
47 |
43 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
|
1/14-16/11 |
43 |
46 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"When it comes to dealing with Medicare, whose approach do you prefer:
the Republicans in Congress or President Obama's?" |
|
|
|
Republicans' |
Obama's |
Neither
(vol.) |
Both (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
4/29 - 5/1/11 |
40 |
49 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"As you may know, there is a limit to the amount of money the government
can owe that is sometimes called the 'debt ceiling.' The government will
reach that limit sometime this summer and unless a bill is passed that would
raise the debt ceiling, the government will not have enough money to pay all
of its bills and other financial obligations. Would you favor or oppose a
bill that would raise the debt ceiling?" |
|
|
|
Favor |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/29 - 5/1/11 |
37 |
60 |
4 |
|
|
|
The Washington Post/Pew Research Center. April 21-22 & 25, 2011. N=1,001
adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Which of these statements do you think best describes the federal budget
deficit? It is a major problem that the country must address now. It is a
major problem that should be addressed when the economy is better. It is not
much of a problem for the country." |
|
|
|
Must
address now |
Address when
the economy
is better |
Not much of
a problem |
Unsure/
Refused |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/21-22 & 25/11 |
81 |
14 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
12/1-5/10 |
70 |
23 |
1 |
5 |
|
|
USA Today/Gallup Poll. April 20-23, 2011. N=1,013 adults nationwide.
Margin of error ± 4. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think the Republicans in Congress or the Democrats in Congress
would do a better job of dealing with each of the following issues and
problems? How about the federal budget?" |
|
|
|
Republicans |
Democrats |
No difference
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/20-23/11 |
48 |
36 |
9 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Which do you think is the better long-term plan for dealing with the
federal budget deficit: the Republican plan put forth by Congressman Paul
Ryan or the Democratic plan put forth by President Barack Obama?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Republican
plan |
Democratic
plan |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/20-23/11 |
43 |
44 |
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Are you worried or not worried that the Democratic plan for reducing the
federal budget deficit in the long-term would . . . ?" |
|
|
|
Worried |
Not worried |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
|
"Not go far enough to fix the
problem" |
|
4/20-23/11 |
71 |
24 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Use the deficit as an excuse
to raise taxes" |
|
4/20-23/11 |
62 |
36 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Cut defense spending too
much" |
|
4/20-23/11 |
49 |
48 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Are you worried or not worried that the Republican plan for reducing the
federal budget deficit in the long-term would . . . ?" |
|
|
|
Worried |
Not worried |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
|
"Cut Medicare too much" |
|
4/20-23/11 |
66 |
31 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Cut Social Security too much" |
|
4/20-23/11 |
65 |
33 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Take away needed protections
for the poor and disadvantaged" |
|
4/20-23/11 |
64 |
34 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Protect the rich at the
expense of everyone else" |
|
4/20-23/11 |
64 |
35 |
2 |
|
|
|
ABC News/Washington Post Poll. April 14-17, 2011. N=1,001 adults
nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you trust to do a better job protecting the middle class: Obama
or the Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated
1/11 & earlier: "Who do you trust to do a better job helping the middle
class: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" |
|
|
|
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Both
(vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
4/14-17/11 |
51 |
39 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
|
1/13-16/11 |
51 |
37 |
1 |
8 |
3 |
|
12/9-12/10 |
53 |
38 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Obama, the Democrats in Congress and the Republicans in Congress agreed
last week to cut about 38 billion dollars from the federal budget, avoiding
a partial shutdown of the federal government. Given what you've heard or
read about it, do you support or oppose this budget agreement?" |
|
|
|
Support |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/14-17/11 |
59 |
33 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The national debt is the total amount of money the U.S. government owes
to its bondholders and to some programs, such as Social Security. Who do you
trust more to handle the national debt: Obama or the Republicans in
Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Obama |
Republicans
in Congress |
Both
(vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
4/14-17/11 |
42 |
46 |
1 |
9 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"In order to reduce the national debt, would you support or oppose . . .
?" |
|
|
|
Support |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
|
"Raising taxes on Americans
with incomes over 250 thousand dollars a year" |
|
4/14-17/11 |
72 |
27 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Cutting military spending" |
|
4/14-17/11 |
42 |
56 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Cutting spending on Medicaid,
which is the government health insurance program for the poor" |
|
4/14-17/11 |
30 |
69 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Cutting spending on Medicare,
which is the government health insurance program for the elderly" |
|
4/14-17/11 |
21 |
78 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Say the national debt could be reduced significantly by raising taxes on
all Americans by a small percentage and making small reductions in Medicare
and Social Security benefits. Is this something you would support or
oppose?" |
|
|
|
Support |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/14-17/11 |
45 |
53 |
2 |
|
|
|
McClatchy-Marist Poll. April 10-14, 2011. N=555 registered voters
nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.5. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you support or oppose doing each of the following to deal with the
federal budget deficit? . . ." |
|
|
|
Support |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
|
"Increase taxes on income over
250,000 dollars" |
|
4/10-14/11 |
64 |
33 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Reduce military spending" |
|
4/10-14/11 |
44 |
54 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Raise the federal debt
ceiling" |
|
4/10-14/11 |
24 |
69 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Cut Medicare and Medicaid" |
|
4/10-14/11 |
18 |
80 |
2 |
|
|
|
USA Today/Gallup Poll. April 13, 2011. N=1,004 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.
Interviews conducted as part of Gallup Daily tracking. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Next, we'd like to ask you about federal income taxes. Would you favor
or oppose eliminating each of the following tax deductions as part of a plan
to lower the overall federal income tax rate? How about . . . ?"
N=491 (Form C), MoE
±
5 |
|
|
|
Favor |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
|
"Eliminating the deduction on
home mortgage interest" |
|
4/13/11 |
31 |
61 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Eliminating the deduction for
state and local taxes" |
|
4/13/11 |
30 |
62 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Eliminating the deduction for
contributions to charities" |
|
4/13/11 |
26 |
71 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Next, we'd like to ask you about federal income taxes. Would you favor
or oppose eliminating each of the following tax deductions as part of a plan
to reduce the federal budget deficit? How about . . . ?"
N=513 (Form D), MoE
±
5 |
|
|
|
Favor |
Oppose |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
|
"Eliminating the deduction for
state and local taxes" |
|
4/13/11 |
33 |
58 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Eliminating the deduction on
home mortgage interest" |
|
4/13/11 |
33 |
60 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Eliminating the deduction for
contributions to charities" |
|
4/13/11 |
29 |
68 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Please tell me whether you, personally, claim each of the following
deductions on your federal income tax return. How about . . . ?" |
|
|
|
Yes, claim |
No, do
not claim |
Do not pay
taxes (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
"The deduction for state and
local taxes" |
|
4/13/11 |
58 |
32 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The deduction for
contributions to charities" |
|
4/13/11 |
51 |
44 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The deduction on home
mortgage interest" |
|
4/13/11 |
43 |
52 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
USA Today/Gallup Poll. April 11, 2011. N=1,004 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.
Interviews conducted as part of Gallup Daily tracking. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"As you may know, Democratic and Republican leaders reached an agreement
late Friday night on the federal budget, avoiding a federal government
shutdown. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of that agreement?" |
|
|
|
Approve |
Disapprove |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/11/11 |
62 |
25 |
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Based on what you have heard or read about the budget agreement, do you
think it was a victory for the Democrats, a victory for the Republicans, a
victory for both sides, or not a victory for either side?" |
|
|
|
Democrats |
Republicans |
Both sides |
Neither side |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
4/11/11 |
5 |
8 |
20 |
56 |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Now looking ahead to next year's federal budget, do you think it should
or should not include higher taxes for families with household incomes of
$250,000 and above?" |
|
|
|
Should |
Should not |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/11/11 |
59 |
37 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Now looking ahead to next year's federal budget, do you think it should
or should not include significant additional cuts in spending on domestic
programs?" |
|
|
|
Should |
Should not |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/11/11 |
45 |
47 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think the government should completely overhaul Medicare to
control the cost of the program, make major changes to Medicare but not
completely overhaul it, make minor changes to Medicare, or should the
government not try to control the costs of Medicare?" |
|
|
|
Completely
overhaul |
Make major
changes |
Make minor
changes |
Not try to
control costs |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
4/11/11 |
13 |
18 |
34 |
27 |
8 |
|
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. April 9-10, 2011. N=824 adults
nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"As you may know, an agreement between the Republicans and Democrats in
Congress and Barack Obama prevented the federal government from shutting
down all non-essential services. Based on what you have read or heard, do
you approve or disapprove of that budget agreement?" |
|
|
|
Approve |
Disapprove |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
ALL |
58 |
38 |
5 |
|
|
|
Democrats |
66 |
28 |
5 |
|
|
|
Independents |
56 |
39 |
5 |
|
|
|
Republicans |
47 |
49 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"If a government shutdown had occurred, would you have personally viewed
it as a crisis, as a major problem, as a minor problem, or as not a problem
at all?" |
|
|
|
Crisis |
Major
problem |
Minor
problem |
Not a
problem |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/9-10/11 |
24 |
39 |
24 |
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you think is more responsible for the budget agreement that
prevented the government shutdown? 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?" |
|
|
|
Obama and
Democrats |
Republicans |
Both
equally (vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
4/9-10/11 |
48 |
35 |
11 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Next, please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of the way each
of the following has handled the budget negotiations in Washington over the
past few days. . . ." |
|
|
|
Approve |
Disapprove |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
"Barack Obama" |
|
4/9-10/11 |
54 |
45 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The Republican leaders in
Congress" |
|
4/9-10/11 |
44 |
54 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The Democratic leaders in
Congress" |
|
4/9-10/11 |
44 |
54 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"In your view, did the Republicans in Congress give up too much in the
budget agreement, or don't you think so?" |
|
|
|
Gave up
too much |
Did not give
up too much |
Should have
given up
more (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/9-10/11 |
25 |
67 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"In your view, did Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress give up too
much in the budget agreement, or don't you think so?" |
|
|
|
Gave up
too much |
Did not give
up too much |
Should have
given up
more (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/9-10/11 |
18 |
76 |
2 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"As you may know, a bill has been passed which will fund all government
actions until Thursday. In order to make sure the government is funded until
the end of the fiscal year, Congress will have to pass a different bill and
President Obama will have to sign that bill into law. Based on what you have
read or heard about that bill, do you think it should or should not become
law?" |
|
|
|
Should |
Should not |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/9-10/11 |
47 |
35 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The events of the past few days have dealt with this year's budget, but
during that time Republican leaders in Congress also announced their
proposals for the federal budget for next year and beyond. Here are a few
questions specifically about that budget. In your view, do current
Republican proposals to cut spending go too far, or not?" |
|
|
|
Too far |
Not too far |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/9-10/11 |
47 |
51 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do Republican proposals to cut spending apply fairly to all groups in
society, or do they unfairly favor some groups more than others?" |
|
|
|
Fair |
Unfair |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/9-10/11 |
29 |
68 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"As far as you know, would the current Republican proposals to cut
spending affect you or someone in your immediate family, or would they only
affect other people?" |
|
|
|
You, family |
Only other
people |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/9-10/11 |
69 |
28 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Are you very angry about the amount of federal income taxes you or your
family paid last year, or fairly angry, or fairly satisfied, or very
satisfied -- or don't you have any particular feeling one way or the other
about the amount of federal income taxes you or your family paid last year?" |
|
|
|
Very angry |
Fairly angry |
Fairly
satisfied |
Very
satisfied |
No feeling |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
4/9-10/11 |
17 |
23 |
31 |
7 |
21 |
|
4/9-11/10 |
15 |
25 |
29 |
7 |
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think that people in the government waste a lot of money we pay
in taxes, waste some of it, or don't waste very much of it?" |
|
|
|
A lot |
Some |
Not very much |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/9-10/11 |
73 |
23 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
4/9-11/10 |
74 |
23 |
3 |
- |
|
|
Gallup Poll. April 5, 2011. N=1,014 adults nationwide. Margin of
error ± 4. Interviews conducted as part of Gallup Daily tracking. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Who do you think is doing the better job in the current efforts to agree
on a new federal budget: Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress or the
Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Obama/
Democrats |
Republicans |
Both
equally (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/5/11 |
41 |
34 |
5 |
20 |
|
|
2/22/11 |
39 |
42 |
3 |
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think the budget proposals being made by Barack Obama and the
Democrats in Congress go too far in cutting federal spending, are about
right, or do not go far enough in cutting federal spending?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Go too far |
Are about
right |
Do not go
far enough |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/5/11 |
15 |
26 |
45 |
14 |
|
|
2/22/11 |
13 |
29 |
48 |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think the budget proposals being made by the Republicans in
Congress go too far in cutting federal spending, are about right, or do not
go far enough in cutting federal spending?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Go too far |
Are about
right |
Do not go
far enough |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/5/11 |
32 |
22 |
30 |
15 |
|
|
2/22/11 |
25 |
25 |
37 |
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"As you may know, if the Republicans in Congress and President Obama do
not agree on federal spending goals by April 8, the federal government will
have to shut down all of its nonessential services until a budget is passed.
What would you like the people in government who represent your views on the
budget to do in this situation? Should they hold out for the basic budget
plan they want, even if that means the government shuts down, or should they
agree to a compromise budget plan, even if that means they pass a budget you
disagree with?"
Options rotated.
2/11: "As you may know, if the Republicans in Congress and President Obama
do not agree on federal spending goals by March 4 . . . ." |
|
|
|
Hold out |
Compromise |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
4/5/11 |
33 |
58 |
9 |
|
|
|
2/22/11 |
32 |
60 |
8 |
|
|
|
Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw &
Company Research (R). April 3-5, 2011. N=914 registered voters nationwide.
Margin of error ± 3. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you feel like you pay more than your fair share in taxes, less than
your fair share, or do you feel the amount of taxes you pay is pretty close
to your fair share?" |
|
|
|
More than
fair share |
Less than
fair share |
Pretty close
to fair share |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/3-5/11 |
43 |
3 |
52 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you believe your tax money is spent more carefully today than it was
five years ago, less carefully, or is it being spent with about the same
amount of care as before?" |
|
|
|
More
carefully |
Less
carefully |
Same amount
of care |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/3-5/11 |
14 |
49 |
34 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Thinking about all the things the government does and all the services
you use that are paid for with your taxpayer dollars, do you feel like you
personally are getting a good or bad deal for the taxes you pay?" |
|
|
|
A good deal |
A bad deal |
A fair deal
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
4/3-5/11 |
29 |
60 |
6 |
4 |
|
|
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling
organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). March 31-April 4,
2011. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Let me read you a number of decisions that President Obama and his
administration have made in the past few months. For each tell me if you
strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove, or strongly
disapprove. Proposing a budget freeze on federal spending for domestic
programs." |
|
|
|
Strongly
approve |
Somewhat
approve |
Somewhat
disapprove |
Strongly
disapprove |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
3/31 - 4/4/11 |
25 |
33 |
20 |
17 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Now, thinking about the recent debate over the federal budget: Do you want Democratic leaders in the House and Senate to make
compromises to gain consensus on the current budget debate, or do you want
them stick to their positions even if this means not being able to gain
consensus on the budget?"
Asked of Democrats and independents |
|
|
|
Make
compromises |
Stick to their
positions |
Depends
(vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Democrats |
68 |
26 |
1 |
- |
5 |
|
Independents |
76 |
18 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Now, thinking about the recent debate over the federal budget: Do you want Republican leaders in the House and Senate to make
compromises to gain consensus on current budget debate, or do you want them
stick to their positions even if this means not being able to gain consensus
on the budget?"
Asked of Republicans and independents |
|
|
|
Make
compromises |
Stick to their
positions |
Depends
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Republicans |
38 |
56 |
1 |
5 |
|
|
Independents |
66 |
30 |
- |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think the budget disagreement between President Obama and
Democrats in Congress with Republicans in Congress will lead to a major
shutdown of the federal government, or do you think they will reach an
agreement in time to avoid a shutdown?" |
|
|
|
Will lead to
a major
shutdown |
They will
avoid a
shutdown |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
3/31 - 4/4/11 |
19 |
76 |
5 |
|
|
|
2/24-28/11 |
25 |
71 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"And, if the budget disagreement should lead to a major shutdown of the
federal government, in your view, who will be more to blame for this:
President Obama, the Democrats in Congress or the Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Obama |
Democrats
in Congress |
Republicans
in Congress |
Obama and
Democrats
(vol.) |
All (vol.)/
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
3/31 - 4/4/11 |
20 |
20 |
37 |
2 |
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Is there a particular type of budget cut that is so unacceptable to you
personally that you would prefer to have a budget stalemate and federal
government shutdown rather than make this cut, or is there no type of cut
that you feel this way about, and you would prefer to make the necessary
compromises to keep the federal government running?" |
|
|
|
Would prefer
shutdown to a
particular cut |
Would prefer
necessary
compromises |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
3/31 - 4/4/11 |
32 |
61 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you favor or oppose a balanced budget amendment to the U.S.
Constitution?" |
|
|
|
Favor |
Oppose |
Depends
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
3/31 - 4/4/11 |
61 |
28 |
2 |
9 |
|
|
1/95 |
71 |
16 |
4 |
9 |
|
|
12/94 |
68 |
19 |
3 |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Would you favor or oppose a balanced budget amendment to the
Constitution if that would require a twenty percent cut in spending on
entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits?" |
|
|
|
Favor |
Oppose |
Depends
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
3/31 - 4/4/11 |
27 |
69 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
1/95 |
28 |
65 |
3 |
4 |
|
|
12/94 |
33 |
61 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Now, talking a moment about something called the federal debt ceiling:
The federal debt ceiling acts as a check and limit on the country's overall
liabilities, including the federal deficit and other debts. When the U.S.
Treasury needs to issue debt above the ceiling, Congress needs to vote to
raise the ceiling. Congress is again currently considering whether and how
much to extend the debt ceiling. Do you think Congress should or should not
raise the debt ceiling? If you don't know enough to have an opinion, please
just say so." |
|
|
|
Should raise |
Should not
raise |
Don't know
enough |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
3/31 - 4/4/11 |
16 |
46 |
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"And, thinking some more about the debt ceiling: Now, I'm going to read
you two statements about the debt ceiling and please tell me which comes
closer to your point of view. Some people say raise the debt ceiling because
otherwise the government will be unable to pay the nation's bills, including
making payments to people who participate in various government programs,
government workers cannot be paid, and the government will default on its
current debt payments; while other people say do not raise the debt ceiling
because doing so will make it harder to get the government's financial house
in order, will increase the U.S. debt that is held by other countries, and
will increase the debt that will be passed on to the next generation."
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Raise the
debt ceiling |
Do not raise
the debt
ceiling |
Mixed (vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
3/31 - 4/4/11 |
32 |
62 |
1 |
5 |
|
|
Washington Post Poll. March 31-April 3, 2011. N=1,008 adults
nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"If the federal government shuts down because Republicans and the Obama
administration can't agree on a budget, who do you think would be more to
blame: Republicans or the Obama administration?"
Options rotated. 2/11: Co-sponsored by Pew Research Center. |
|
|
|
Republicans |
Obama
administration |
Both
equally (vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
3/31 - 4/3/11 |
37 |
37 |
15 |
2 |
9 |
|
2/24-27/11 |
36 |
35 |
17 |
1 |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think the Obama administration is honestly trying to resolve the
budget issue, or is it just playing politics?" |
|
|
|
Trying to
resolve |
Playing
politics |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
3/31 - 4/3/11 |
43 |
51 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Do you think the Republicans in Congress are honestly trying to resolve
the budget issue, or are they just playing politics?" |
|
|
|
Trying to
resolve |
Playing
politics |
Unsure |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
3/31 - 4/3/11 |
31 |
62 |
7 |
|
|
|
Pew Research Center. March 30-April 3, 2011. N=1,507 adults
nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"If there is not a budget agreement by the end of next week the federal
government will have to shut down nonessential services until a budget is
passed. What would you like lawmakers who share your views on this issue to
do? Should they stand by their principles, even if that means the government
shuts down, OR, should they be more willing to compromise, even if that
means they pass a budget you disagree with?"
Options rotated |
|
|
|
Stand by
their
principles |
Be more
willing to
compromise |
Unsure/
Refused |
|
|
|
|
% |
% |
% |
|
|
|
ALL |
36 |
55 |
10 |
|
|
|
Republicans |
50 |
43 |
7 |
|
|
|
Independents |
38 |
53 |
8 |
|
|
|
Democrats |
21 |
69 |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"If the federal government shuts down because Republicans and the Obama
administration can't agree on a budget, who do you think would be more to
blame: Republicans or the Obama administration?"
Options rotated. 2/11: Co-sponsored by The Washington Post. |
|
|
|
Republicans |
Obama
administration |
Both
equally (vol.) |
Neither
(vol.) |
Unsure/
Refused |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
3/30 - 4/3/11 |
39 |
36 |
16 |
2 |
7 |
|
2/24-27/11 |
36 |
35 |
17 |
1 |
10 |
|
Budget, taxes, economic policy continued
|