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     Budget, Taxes, Economic Policy

See also:  Business | Economic outlook | Obama's ratings on the economy, deficit, etc.

CBS News Poll. March 20-24, 2013. N=1,181 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"What effect do you think reducing the federal budget deficit would have on the nation's economy? Would it make it better, worse, have no effect, or don't you know enough to say?"

3/20-24/13

"In your opinion, does the federal budget deficit affect your own family's financial situation, or not?"

3/20-24/13

"Overall, what do you think is the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit -- by cutting federal spending, by increasing taxes, or by a combination of both?"

3/20-24/13

3/1-3/13

2/6-10/13

1/11-15/13

"I'm going to read you some suggestions that have been made to reduce the size of the federal budget deficit. Please tell me whether you would favor or oppose each of the following.

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose reducing defense spending?"

3/20-24/13

12/12-16/12

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose reducing spending on Social Security?"

3/20-24/13

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose reducing spending on Medicare, the government health insurance program for seniors?"

3/20-24/13

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose reducing some government programs and services that benefit people like you?"

3/20-24/13

1/11-15/13

12/12-16/12

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose increasing the capital gains tax rate on income from investments?"

3/20-24/13

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose personally paying more in taxes?"

3/20-24/13

12/12-16/12

"As you may know, automatic spending cuts to military and domestic programs are in effect because President Obama and Republicans in Congress could not agree on a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit. These automatic spending cuts are commonly referred to as the Sequester. Who do you blame more for the failure to reach an agreement and avoid the automatic spending cuts known as the Sequester: the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress?"

3/20-24/13

"Over the long run, do you think the spending cuts in the Sequester will be good for the country, because it forces the government to cut spending; bad for the country, because it forces cuts to important programs and services, or it will have no real impact on the country?"

3/20-24/13

3/1-3/13

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). March 17-19, 2013. N=1,002 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"Which one of the following should be the higher priority for the President and Congress right now: increasing government spending to create jobs, or cutting government spending to reduce the budget deficit." If both: "Well, if you had to pick . . . ."

3/17-19/13

"Which one of the following best describes the national debt? An immediate problem. A problem that can be handled several years down the road. Not a problem at all."

3/17-19/13

"Do you think reducing the federal budget deficit is a worthy goal in and of itself, or not?"

3/17-19/13

"Automatic across-the-board budget cuts took effect on March 1, after the President and Congress failed to reach an agreement on the budget. In general, do you think these cuts in government spending are a good thing or a bad thing?"

3/17-19/13

"In the current budget debate, who do you agree with most when it comes to handling the budget deficit: Republicans in Congress or President Obama?"

3/17-19/13

CNN/ORC Poll. March 15-17, 2013. N=1,021 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"Now here are some questions about the current debate concerning the federal government's budget and fiscal policies, including spending, taxes, the federal deficit, and the amount of money the government borrows.

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Barack Obama is currently handling the federal budget and the way the government raises and spends money?"

3/15-17/13

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way that the Republicans in Congress are currently handling the federal budget and the way the government raises and spends money?"

3/15-17/13

"And if you had to choose, whose approach toward those issues do you prefer: the Republicans in Congress, or Barack Obama?"

3/15-17/13

"As you may know, Congress and the President agreed to a set of automatic forced spending cuts -- sometimes known as 'the sequester' -- that took effect on March 1. Have those forced spending cuts affected the nation's economy a great deal, some, not much, or not at all?"

3/15-17/13

"Have those forced spending cuts affected your personal financial situation a great deal, some, not much, or not at all?"

3/15-17/13

"As you may know, on a regular basis, Congress must pass bills that authorize the federal government to spend money for a certain amount of time. When that time expires, the government must shut down until Congress passes a new spending bill.

"Suppose the federal government had to shut down for a few days because Congress did not pass a new spending bill. Would you consider that a good thing for the country or a bad thing for the country?"

3/15-17/13

9/23-25/11

3/11-13/11

"Now suppose the federal government had to shut down for a few weeks because Congress did not pass a new spending bill. Would you consider that a good thing for the country or a bad thing for the country?"

3/15-17/13

3/11-13/11

"If the federal government shuts down, do you think that Barack Obama or the Republicans in Congress would be more responsible for that?"

3/15-17/13

9/23-25/11

3/11-13/11

Pew Research Center. March 13-17, 2013. Adults nationwide.

"What is more important: taking steps to reduce the national debt or keeping Social Security and Medicare benefits as they are?" N=749 (Form 1), margin of error ± 4.2

3/13-17/13

"What is more important: taking steps to reduce the budget deficit or keeping Social Security and Medicare benefits as they are?" N=752 (Form 2), margin of error ± 4.2

3/13-17/13

8/16-19/12

9/22 - 10/4/11

6/15-19/11

2/95

Gallup Poll. March 11-12, 2013. N=1,022 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

"As you may know, automatic cuts in the federal budget -- known as sequestration -- went into effect on March 1. All in all, do you think the sequestration is a good thing or a bad thing for the country, or don't you know enough to say?"

3/11-12/13

3/2-3/13

"All in all, do you think the sequestration is a good thing or a bad thing for you personally, or don't you know enough to say?"

3/11-12/13

3/2-3/13

Gallup Poll. March 4-5, 2013. N=1,023 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

"Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a federal government program that would spend government money to put people to work on urgent infrastructure repairs?"

3/4-5/13

"Would you vote for or against a federal law that would spend government money for a program designed to help create more than 1 million jobs?"

3/4-5/13

"Would you vote for or against a law that would spend government money to establish federal and state programs making high-quality preschools available to every child in America?"

3/4-5/13

Gallup Poll. March 2-3, 2013. N=1,028 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

"Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would lower tax rates for businesses and manufacturers that create jobs in the United States?"

3/2-3/13

"Would you vote for or against a federal government program that would put people to work on urgent infrastructure repairs?"

3/2-3/13

"Would you vote for or against a federal jobs creation law designed to create more than 1 million new jobs?"

3/2-3/13

"Would you vote for or against a law establishing federal and state programs that would make high-quality preschools available to every child in America?"

3/2-3/13

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Feb. 27-March 3, 2013. N=1,017 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

"Overall, do you support or oppose a five percent across-the-board cut in overall federal spending this year?"

2/27 - 3/3/13

"Overall, do you support or oppose an eight percent across-the-board cut in U.S. military spending this year?"

2/27 - 3/3/13

CBS News Poll. March 1-3, 2013. N=861 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"In the current discussions over tax increases and spending cuts, which do you think Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress should do: compromise some of their positions in order to come to an agreement, or stick to their positions even if it means not coming to an agreement?" 12/12: "In the current negotiations...."

3/1-3/13

12/12-16/12

"In the current discussions over tax increases and spending cuts, which do you think the Republicans in Congress should do: compromise some of their positions in order to come to an agreement, or stick to their positions even if it means not coming to an agreement?" 12/12: "In the current negotiations...."

3/1-3/13

12/12-16/12

"As you may know, automatic spending cuts to military and domestic programs were scheduled to go into effect on March 1st because President Obama and Republicans in Congress could not agree on a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit. These automatic spending cuts are commonly referred to as the Sequester. How closely have you been following news about these automatic spending cuts? Would you say you have followed this very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely?"

3/1-3/13

"Who do you blame more for the failure to reach an agreement by March 1st and avoid the automatic spending cuts known as the Sequester: the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress?"

3/1-3/13

"Which comes closest to your view about the Sequester? (1) We should cut spending with the Sequester, even if that means cuts to important programs. (2) We should cut spending, but should find a different way to do it without the Sequester. OR, (3) We shouldn't cut spending right now."

3/1-3/13

"Do you think you will be personally affected by the spending cuts in the Sequester, or not?"

3/1-3/13

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). Feb. 25-27, 2013. N=1,010 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"As you may know, unless the president and Congress reach an agreement on the budget by March 1, some 85 billion dollars in automatic across-the-board budget cuts will start taking effect on government programs this year, including military programs. How much have you heard about these automatic spending cuts, known in Washington as 'the sequester': [see below]?"

2/25-27/13

"Which of the following comes closer to your view? Lawmakers know how to get the deficit under control and will be able to reach an agreement to make that happen. The only way to get the deficit under control is through actions like the automatic spending cuts because Congress can't do it otherwise."

2/25-27/13

"In January, the president and Congress reached a budget agreement that raised tax rates on wealthy Americans and postponed making cuts to government spending. This time, would you prefer the budget deal reduces the deficit by focusing only on cutting government spending; mostly on cutting spending, and a small number of tax increases; on an equal mix of spending cuts and tax increases; only on adding further tax increases?"

Only spending cuts

Mostly spending cuts, small number of tax increases

Equal mix of spending cuts and tax increases

Only on adding further tax increases

Unsure

"Some people say if the automatic spending cuts happen that the consequences would be devastating, including cutbacks in funding for emergency responders and the downgrading of the country's military. Others point out that the 85 billion dollars in cuts would be a small reduction -- only about two and a half percent of the government's projected spending this year -- and could be good for the economy in the long-term. What about you? What do you think the effect of automatic spending cuts would be: [see below]?"

Extremely negative

Somewhat negative

No real difference either way

Somewhat positive

Extremely positive

Unsure

Pew Research Center/Washington Post. Feb. 21-24, 2013. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.7.

"How well do you feel you understand what would happen if automatic federal spending cuts take place next week: very well, fairly well, not too well, or not at all well?"

2/21-24/13

"If automatic federal spending cuts take place, do you think they would have a major effect, a minor effect, or no effect on [see below]? How about on [see below]?"

"The U.S. economy"

2/21-24/13

"Your own personal financial situation"

2/21-24/13

"The federal budget deficit"

2/21-24/13

"The U.S. military"

2/21-24/13

"If an agreement to prevent automatic federal spending cuts is not reached before next week's deadline, who do you think would be more to blame: Republicans in Congress or President Obama?" Options rotated
2/13-18/13: "If a deficit reduction agreement is not reached before the deadline, who do you think would be more to blame: Republicans in Congress or President Obama?"

2/21-24/13

2/13-18/13

Bloomberg National Poll conducted by Selzer & Company. Feb. 15-18, 2013. N=1,003 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.

"I'm going to mention some aspects of the national economic situation. For each, please tell me if you expect things to be better in the next 12 months, worse, or about the same as the last 12 months. The size of the national debt."

2/15-18/13

"Let's turn to the federal budget deficit. This is the amount the government spends that is more than the amount it takes in from taxes and other revenue. Is it your sense that this year the deficit is getting bigger or getting smaller, or is it staying about the same as last year?"

2/15-18/13

"Which of the following approaches is more likely to be successful in growing the U.S. economy and creating jobs? Spending cuts and tax cuts will give businesses more confidence to hire. Government spending in infrastructure, education, and alternative energy will create jobs." Options rotated

2/15-18/13

"I'm going to mention some areas of government spending. For each, please tell me your sense of how big a part of the federal budget it is -- at least 20% of the budget, less than 20% but more than 2%, or 2% or less. . . ."

"Education"

2/15-18/13

"Defense"

2/15-18/13

"Medicare and Medicaid"

2/15-18/13

"Social Security"

2/15-18/13

"Foreign aid"

2/15-18/13

"The social safety net, including food stamps and unemployment payments to those who lost their jobs"

2/15-18/13

"There has been ongoing debate on raising the debt ceiling, which allows the U.S. government to borrow money to pay for spending already approved by Congress. Which better reflects your view of how the U.S. debt ceiling should be viewed by Congress? The full faith and credit of the U.S. should be protected at any cost; the debt ceiling should be raised when necessary, with no conditions. It is necessary to limit the amount the U.S. can borrow because Congress lacks discipline on spending, so it is right to require spending cuts when the debt ceiling is raised." Options rotated

2/15-18/13

"Thinking about the budget deficit overall, do you think the better way to reduce it is to focus exclusively on cutting spending, or do you think the better way is to cut spending combined with increasing revenue by raising taxes on companies and high-income earners?"

2/15-18/13

"Which do you think is the better course for Congress to take: act now to make steep cuts to reduce the deficit before it gets out of control, or delay steep cuts to give the economy a chance to continue recovering which would help reduce the deficit?"

2/15-18/13

"If Congress and the president cannot agree on a budget, one possibility is that the federal government would shut down all non-critical services. Do you think a shutdown should be avoided or would it not be all that harmful?"

2/15-18/13

Pew Research Center. Feb. 13-18, 2013. N=1,504 adults nationwide.

"If you were making up the budget for the federal government this year, would you increase spending, decrease spending or keep spending the same for [see below]? What about for [see below]?" Each item asked of half the sample.

"Health care"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Energy"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Anti-terrorism defenses in the U.S."

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Veterans benefits and services"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Natural disaster relief programs"

2/13-18/13

"The State Department and American embassies"

2/13-18/13

6/18-21/09

"Social Security"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

"Rebuilding highways, bridges and roads"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

"Economic assistance to needy people in the U.S."

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

"Scientific research"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Military defense"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Government assistance for the unemployed"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Agriculture"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Medicare"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Combating crime"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Environmental protection"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Economic assistance to needy people around the world"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Education"

2/13-18/13

2/2-7/11

6/18-21/09

"Food and drug inspection"

2/13-18/13

Pew Research Center/USA Today. Feb. 13-18, 2013. N=1,504 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.9.

"In your view, as Congress and the president discuss steps to reduce the budget deficit over the coming months, should they focus ONLY on spending cuts, ONLY on tax increases, or should they do a combination of both?"

2/13-18/13