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     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?"

7/14-17/11

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling creating jobs?"

7/14-17/11

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling taxes?"

7/14-17/11

"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

7/14-17/11

"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of small businesses: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" Options rotated

7/14-17/11

"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of you and your family: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" Options rotated

7/14-17/11

"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of Wall Street financial institutions: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" Options rotated

7/14-17/11

"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of large business corporations: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" Options rotated

7/14-17/11

"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?"

7/14-17/11

"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?"

7/14-17/11

"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?"

7/14-17/11

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?"

7/5-11/11

5/31 - 6/6/11

5/2-3/11

4/26 - 5/1/11

2/21-28/11

1/4-11/11

11/8-15/10

7/13-19/10

5/19-24/10

12/15-20/09

7/27 - 8/3/09

6/23-29/09

4/21-27/09

3/24-30/09

2/25 - 3/2/09

"What do you think is more important: reducing the federal budget deficit or reducing unemployment?" Split sample A

7/5-11/11

4/26 - 5/1/11

1/4-11/11

7/13-19/10

2/2-8/10

"What do you think is more important: reducing federal government spending, or reducing unemployment?" Split sample B

7/5-11/11

4/26 - 5/1/11

"Who do you blame more for the current condition of the U.S. economy: former President George W. Bush or President Barack Obama?"

7/5-11/11

1/4-11/11

7/13-19/10

1/5-11/10

"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?"

7/5-11/11

"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?"

7/5-11/11

"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?"

ALL

Republicans

Democrats

Independents

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?"

7/7-10/11

5/5-8/11

"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?"

7/7-10/11

5/5-8/11

"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

7/7-10/11

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?"

6/26-28/11

"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?"

6/26-28/11

"Would you favor or oppose a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution if it meant major tax increases for every American?"

6/26-28/11

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?"

Bush administration

Wall Street, financial institutions

Congress

Obama administration

Someone else

All of the above (vol.)

Combination (vol.)

Unsure

Bush administration

Wall Street, financial institutions

Congress

Obama administration

Someone else

All of the above (vol.)

Combination (vol.)

Unsure

"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?"

ALL

Republicans

Democrats

Independents

"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."

ALL

Republicans

Democrats

Independents

"Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican Party or the Democratic Party is more likely to ensure a strong economy?"

6/24-28/11

2/5-10/10

"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?"

6/24-28/11

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?"

6/16-20/11

3/24-28/11

"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?"

6/16-20/11

3/24-28/11

"How worried are you that increasing federal debt will harm the financial future of your children and grandchildren . . . ?"

6/16-20/11

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

6/16-19/11

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?"

6/3-7/11

"In the next few months, do you think the federal debt ceiling probably will or probably will not be raised?"

6/3-7/11

"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?"

6/3-7/11

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?"

5/19-22/11

"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?"

5/19-22/11

"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?"

5/19-22/11

"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?"

5/19-22/11

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

5/15-17/11

"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

5/15-17/11

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

5/8-12/11

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?"

5/5-9/11

"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?"

5/5-9/11

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?"

5/2-3/11

4/26 - 5/1/11

2/21-28/11

1/4-11/11

11/8-15/10

7/13-19/10

5/19-24/10

12/15-20/09

7/27 - 8/3/09

6/23-29/09

4/21-27/09

3/24-30/09

2/25 - 3/2/09

"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?"

5/2-3/11

4/26 - 5/1/11

2/21-28/11

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?"

4/29 - 5/1/11

4/9-10/11

3/18-20/11

3/11-13/11

1/14-16/11

"When it comes to dealing with Medicare, whose approach do you prefer: the Republicans in Congress or President Obama's?"

4/29 - 5/1/11

"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?"

4/29 - 5/1/11

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."

4/21-22 & 25/11

12/1-5/10

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?"

4/20-23/11

"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

4/20-23/11

"Are you worried or not worried that the Democratic plan for reducing the federal budget deficit in the long-term would . . . ?"

"Not go far enough to fix the problem"

4/20-23/11

"Use the deficit as an excuse to raise taxes"

4/20-23/11

"Cut defense spending too much"

4/20-23/11

"Are you worried or not worried that the Republican plan for reducing the federal budget deficit in the long-term would . . . ?"

"Cut Medicare too much"

4/20-23/11

"Cut Social Security too much"

4/20-23/11

"Take away needed protections for the poor and disadvantaged"

4/20-23/11

"Protect the rich at the expense of everyone else"

4/20-23/11

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?"

4/14-17/11

1/13-16/11

12/9-12/10

"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?"

4/14-17/11

"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

4/14-17/11

"In order to reduce the national debt, would you support or oppose . . . ?"

"Raising taxes on Americans with incomes over 250 thousand dollars a year"

4/14-17/11

"Cutting military spending"

4/14-17/11

"Cutting spending on Medicaid, which is the government health insurance program for the poor"

4/14-17/11

"Cutting spending on Medicare, which is the government health insurance program for the elderly"

4/14-17/11

"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?"

4/14-17/11

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? . . ."

"Increase taxes on income over 250,000 dollars"

4/10-14/11

"Reduce military spending"

4/10-14/11

"Raise the federal debt ceiling"

4/10-14/11

"Cut Medicare and Medicaid"

4/10-14/11

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