Budget, Taxes, Economic Policy  (p. 11)

.

"The national debt is the total amount of money the government owes individuals, banks and other countries. How concerned are you that increasing the national debt will create hardships for future generations of Americans: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not concerned at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

63

28

4

4

1

2/18-22/09

65

26

7

2

-

.

"Which comes closer to your view? The federal government should spend money to stimulate the national economy, even if it means increasing the budget deficit and the national debt. OR, The federal government should not spend money to stimulate the national economy and should focus instead on reducing the budget deficit and the national debt."

.

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

45

46

9

.

"Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? In order to fix the problems of the U.S. economy, the United States first needs to work with other countries to fix the problems facing the global economy."

.

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

60

37

3

.

"In general, which best describes your feelings about the Obama Administration's approach to addressing the nation's economic problems: enthusiastic, OR satisfied but not enthusiastic, OR dissatisfied but not angry, OR angry?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

28

40

22

9

1

.

"Do you think Barack Obama cares more about protecting the interests of ordinary working people or cares more about protecting the interests of large corporations?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

71

17

3

3

6

.

"How much have you heard or read about Barack Obama's proposed budget plan: a lot, some, not much so far, or nothing at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

29

42

21

7

1

.

Asked of those who have heard/read about plan:
"From what you've seen or heard, do you think Barack Obama's budget plan has the right priorities for the country, or not?"

.

.

%

%

%

.

4/1-5/09

56

32

12

.

.

"Do you think the new taxes proposed in the Obama Administration's budget will help the economy, hurt the economy, have no effect on the economy, or haven't you heard enough about the proposed taxes to say?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

32

21

7

37

3

.

"Do you think the spending proposed in the Obama Administration's budget will help the economy, hurt the economy, have no effect on the economy, or haven't you heard enough about the proposed spending to say?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

37

23

5

29

6

.

"The Obama Administration has proposed increasing federal income taxes for households making more than $250,000 a year. Some of the money raised by these new taxes would be used to help improve access to healthcare and provide tax cuts for households making less money. Do you think this proposal is a good idea or a bad idea?"

.

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

74

23

3

.

"Do you think the tax code should be changed so that middle and lower income people pay less in taxes than they do now and upper income people pay more in taxes than they do now, or don't you think the tax code should be changed?"

.

%

%

%

4/1-5/09

65

29

6

.

"How confident are you that Barack Obama will be able to turn around the economy? Are you very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

4/1-2/09

25

39

15

16

5

3/4-5/09

25

40

16

17

2

.

"Is it your impression that Republicans who have opposed Barack Obama's economic proposals have a plan of their own for turning the economy around, or not?"

.

%

%

%

4/1-2/09

29

58

13

3/4-5/09

31

58

11

.

"Thinking about the way the federal government has responded to the financial crisis in recent months, generally speaking, do you approve or disapprove of the expansion of the government's role in the economy?"

.

.

%

%

%

.

3/27-29/09

53

44

2

.

.

"Do you think President Obama's proposals to address the economic problems in the country call for too much government spending, the right amount, or not enough spending?" N=532 (Form A), MoE ± 5

.

%

%

%

%

3/27-29/09

55

33

9

3

.

"Do you think President Obama's proposals to address the economic problems in the country call for too big an expansion of government power, the right amount, or not a big enough expansion of government power?" N=475 (Form B), MoE ± 5

.

%

%

%

%

3/27-29/09

40

46

10

4

.

"Now, I'd like to ask your opinions on public figures and organizations in the news. I'd like to read you a list of various national public figures, and for each one, please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of them. If you haven't heard of them, just tell me and we'll move on. U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner."

.

%

%

%

%

%

3/26-29/09

37

30

19

11

3

.

"And, when thinking about how President Obama and his team of economic advisors are handling the economy, how confident are you that they will be successful in turning around the economy: very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?" Options rotated. N=396, MoE ± 4.9 (Form A).

.

%

%

%

%

%

3/26-29/09

20

41

18

18

2

.

"And, when thinking about how Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is handling the economy, how confident are you that he will be successful in turning around the economy: very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?" Options rotated. N=404, MoE ± 4.9 (Form B).

.

%

%

%

%

%

3/26-29/09

11

40

19

20

11

.

"Now I would like to switch gears for a few minutes and ask you several questions related to the economy. First, how closely have you been paying attention to and reading about the details of the various economic plans being discussed in Washington: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all closely?" Options rotated

.

%

%

%

%

3/26-29/09

25

51

18

7

.

"I would like to read you two statements about government involvement in the economy and ask you which statement comes closer to your own opinion, in general: More government involvement in the economy is a GOOD IDEA because given the economic crisis, the private sector is unable to stimulate the economy and create jobs, and it is necessary for government to step in and fund programs to get the economy back on track. More government involvement in the economy is a BAD IDEA because there is too much risk that short-term stimulus programs will turn into long-term entitlement programs and efforts to regulate the economy will make the private sector inefficient and hurt the economy in the long run." Options rotated

.

%

%

%

3/26-29/09

49

45

7

.

"Again, thinking ahead to the 2010 elections for Congress, which of the following two statements comes closer to your opinion? I would be more likely to vote for the candidate who SUPPORTED the stimulus bill. I would be more likely to vote for the candidate who OPPOSED the stimulus bill."

.

%

%

%

%

%

3/26-29/09

48

36

6

11

1

.

"Do you approve or disapprove of the federal government's overall response to the economic situation?"

.

%

%

%

3/26-29/09

49

48

3

12/11-14/08

23

72

4

.

"How much blame do you think [see below] deserve(s) for the country's economic situation: a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

.

"Banks and other financial institutions, for taking unnecessary risks"

3/26-29/09

56

24

15

4

-

.

"Large business corporations, for poor management decisions"

3/26-29/09

57

23

14

5

1

.

"Consumers, for taking on too much debt"

3/26-29/09

39

33

20

7

-

.

"Would you describe yourself as angry or not angry about the role [see below] have/has played in the economic situation?"

.

.

%

%

%

.

.

"Banks and other financial institutions"

3/26-29/09

68

31

1

.

.

"The Bush administration"

3/26-29/09

60

39

2

.

.

"Large business corporations"

3/26-29/09

68

31

1

.

.

"Consumers"

3/26-29/09

41

56

2

.

.

"The Obama administration"

3/26-29/09

21

77

2

.

.

"Which of these do you think is more important right now: increasing federal spending to try to improve the economy, even if it sharply increases the federal budget deficit; or avoiding a big increase in the federal budget deficit, even if it means not increasing federal spending to try to improve the economy?" Options rotated

.

.

%

%

%

.

3/26-29/09

49

47

5

.

1/13-16/09

51

44

4

.

.

"How closely have you been following the news about Barack Obama's proposed 10-year federal budget plan: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?"
2/27-28/09: "How closely have you been following the news about the 10-year federal budget plan announced by President Barack Obama on Thursday: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

3/25/09

28

43

19

9

2

2/27-28/09

25

42

20

12

1

.

"From what you know or have heard about Barack Obama's budget plan, is your impression of it generally positive or generally negative, or don’t you know enough to say?"
2/27-28/09: "From what you know or have heard about Barack Obama's budget plan, is your FIRST impression of it generally positive or generally negative, or don't you know enough to say?"

.

%

%

%

%

3/25/09

39

27

33

1

2/27-28/09

44

26

30

1

.

"If the economy does not improve over the next 12 months, whose policies would you blame for that: the policies of George W. Bush and the Republicans, or the policies of Barack Obama and the Democrats?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

3/12-15/09

54

32

9

4

1

.

"As you may know, Congress passed and President Obama has signed a bill that will attempt to stimulate the economy by increasing federal government spending and cutting taxes at a total cost to the government of about eight hundred billion dollars. Based on what you have read or heard about this, do you favor or oppose that bill?"

.

%

%

%

3/12-15/09

54

44

2

2/18-19/09

60

39

1

.

"Some of the money in that bill is meant to go to the state governments in all 50 states, but some governors have said that they will refuse to take that money from the federal government. Do you think the governors who refuse the money in the stimulus bill that is meant for their state are acting appropriately or inappropriately?"

.

%

%

%

3/12-15/09

47

52

2

.

"Do you think that bill will or will not result in a significant improvement in the nation's economy?"

.

%

%

%

3/12-15/09

52

47

1

2/18-19/09

53

44

2

.

"If that bill does not improve economic conditions, would you favor or oppose another bill that would increase government spending even further in an attempt to stimulate the economy?"

.

%

%

%

3/12-15/09

32

66

3

.

"Would you favor or oppose a proposal for the federal government to spend several billion dollars to help other countries whose economies are in danger of collapsing?"

.

%

%

%

3/12-15/09

17

81

1

.

"Who do you trust more to solve the United States' economic problems: the U.S. government or U.S. businesses?" Options rotated

.

%

%

%

3/5-8/09

53

42

5

.

"Which ONE of the following three statements best describes your opinion of the 800 billion dollar stimulus package recently signed into law by the President? It's the right amount of government spending to help turn the economy around. OR, It's a good start, but more spending will be needed for it to be effective. OR, It won't work and government should NOT be spending money for economic stimulus."

.

%

%

%

%

3/4-5/09

15

40

37

8

.

"Do you favor or oppose allowing the tax cuts for Americans with annual incomes over $250,000 to expire at the end of next year?"

.

%

%

%

3/4-5/09

49

42

9

.

"I would like to read you several goals that Barack Obama has said he plans to accomplish. For each one, please tell me how likely you think it is that he will achieve it during his term as president. Is it very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely that he will [see below]?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

.

"Get the economy back on track"

2/26 - 3/1/09

25

41

14

18

2

.

"Reduce taxes for the middle class" Half sample (Form B), MoE ± 4.4

2/26 - 3/1/09

31

34

15

17

3

.

"Create and save three-and-a-half million jobs"

2/26 - 3/1/09

21

41

16

19

3

.

"Eliminate waste and fraud in the federal budget" Half sample (Form A), MoE ± 4.4

2/26 - 3/1/09

18

31

17

32

2

.

"Cut the federal deficit in half by the end of his first term"

2/26 - 3/1/09

9

24

21

43

3

.

"Let me read you a couple of programs that are being discussed right now. For each one please tell me whether you tend to support this program or tend to oppose this program. President Obama's economic stimulus package." Half sample (Form A), MoE ± 4.4

.

%

%

%

2/26 - 3/1/09

57

34

9

.

"Let me read you a couple of programs that are being discussed right now. For each one please tell me whether you tend to support this program or tend to oppose this program. The economic stimulus package?" Half sample (Form B), MoE ± 4.4

.

%

%

%

2/26 - 3/1/09

57

34

9

.

"And thinking about the next twelve months, how much do you think the economic stimulus package will help the American economy: a great deal, quite a bit, only a little, or not at all?" Half sample (Form A), MoE ± 4.4

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/26 - 3/1/09

8

23

51

15

3

.

"And thinking about the next two to four years, how much do you think the economic stimulus package will help the American economy: a great deal, quite a bit, only a little, or not at all?" Half sample (Form B), MoE ± 4.4

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/26 - 3/1/09

12

25

47

12

4

.

"Which of the following concerns you more -- that the federal government will spend too MUCH money to try to boost the economy and as a result will drive up the budget deficit, OR, that the federal government will spend too LITTLE money to try to boost the economy and as a result the recession will be longer?"

.

%

%

%

2/26 - 3/1/09

61

29

10

1/9-12/09

60

33

7

12/5-8/08

56

36

8

.

"Which party do you think could do a better job of getting the country out of a recession: the Democratic Party or the Republican Party?" Half sample (Form A), MoE ± 4.4

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/26 - 3/1/09

48

20

8

16

8

12/90

33

33

7

17

10

10/90

31

36

6

13

14

.

"As you may know, the federal government has taken many steps to deal with problems in the economy in recent months. Please tell me whether, in general, you favor or oppose the government doing each of the following. How about [see below]?"

.

%

%

%

.

"Funding new government programs to help create jobs"

2/20-22/09

83

17

1

.

"Giving aid to state governments in serious financial trouble"

2/20-22/09

67

30

3

.

"Giving aid to homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure"

2/20-22/09

64

33

3

.

"Giving aid to U.S. automakers who are in danger of going bankrupt"

2/20-22/09

41

58

1

.

"Giving aid to U.S. banks and financial companies in danger of failing"

2/20-22/09

39

59

2

.

"Regardless of whether you favor or oppose the steps the government has taken in recent months to address economic problems, how worried are you about each of the following: very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all? How about [see below]?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

.

"The amount of money being added to the federal debt"

2/20-22/09

54

28

11

5

1

.

"The possibility these steps might not work and the economy will get worse"

2/20-22/09

46

37

11

6

1

.

"The possibility that increased government borrowing could produce inflation"

2/20-22/09

43

35

14

6

2

.

"The increasing role of the government in the U.S. economy"

2/20-22/09

34

35

19

10

2

.

"Regardless of whether you favor or oppose the economic stimulus bill that Congress passed, do you think it would have been better for the government to spend more money to stimulate the economy, better for the government to spend less money, or is the amount of spending in the bill about right?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/20-22/09

14

41

40

4

.

"In thinking about the trade-offs between spending government money to improve the economy versus adding considerable amounts of money to the federal debt, which do you think is the greater risk: spending too little to improve the economy or adding too much to the federal debt?" Options rotated

.

%

%

%

2/20-22/09

37

59

4

.

"As you may know, the federal government will spend about 800 billion dollars on tax cuts, construction projects and aid to states and individuals to try to stimulate the economy. Do you support or oppose this plan?"

.

%

%

%

2/19-22/09

64

35

1

.

"How confident are you that this economic stimulus plan will make the current economic downturn less severe than it would be otherwise: very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/19-22/09

13

45

19

22

1

.

"Do you think the economic stimulus plan will help or hurt the local economy in your area?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/19-22/09

62

25

10

3

.

"Do you think the economic stimulus plan will help or hurt your own personal financial situation?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/19-22/09

46

26

25

3

.

"In terms of tax cuts, do you think the stimulus package goes too far, does not go far enough, or is it about right?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/19-22/09

15

33

46

6

.

"In terms of spending on construction projects and aid to states and individuals, do you think the stimulus package goes too far, does not go far enough, or is it about right?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/19-22/09

24

24

46

6

.

"Do you think this plan will be enough to improve the economy, or do you think more economic stimulus by the government will be needed?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/19-22/09

20

63

6

3

8

.

"How confident are you that the federal government will put in place adequate controls to avoid waste and fraud in the use of federal money in the economic recovery effort? Are you very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/19-22/09

8

37

22

30

2

.

"How concerned, if at all, are you about the size of the federal budget deficit: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not concerned at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/19-22/09

59

28

9

3

1

12/11-14/08

49

37

9

5

-

.

"How long do you think it will take the Obama Administration to make real progress on fixing the nation's economy: one year, two years, three to four years, more than four years, or won't they be able to?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/18-22/09

16

30

29

11

12

.

"Congress passed and President Obama signed a stimulus package designed to get the economy moving again. How much have you heard or read about the stimulus package: a lot, some, not much or nothing at all?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/18-22/09

40

40

15

4

1

.

"From what you know, what impact will the stimulus package have on the current economic crisis? Will it make things better, make things worse, or will it have no impact?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/18-22/09

53

13

24

10

.

"In general, the stimulus package provides tax cuts for individuals and businesses, extends unemployment benefits and tries to create jobs by spending money on technology and infrastructure programs like building highways. From what you know, do you think the package is large enough to stimulate the economy or will more money be needed in the months ahead to stimulate the economy?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/18-22/09

18

69

4

9

.

"From what you know so far, do you think the economic stimulus package will create a substantial number of new jobs, or won't it create a substantial number of new jobs, or don't you know enough yet to say?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/18-22/09

32

28

38

2

.

"From what you know so far, what do you think about the number of tax cuts for businesses and individuals included in the economic stimulus package? Are there too many tax cuts, too few tax cuts, about the right amount of tax cuts, or don't you know enough yet to say?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/18-22/09

9

20

17

51

3

.

"From what you know so far, what do you think about the government spending on technology and infrastructure projects included in the economic stimulus package? Is there too much spending on technology and infrastructure projects, too little spending on technology and infrastructure projects, about the right amount of spending on technology and infrastructure projects, or don't you know enough yet to say?"

.

%

%

%

%

%

2/18-22/09

18

16

25

39

2

.

"Do you think the economic stimulus bill recently passed by Congress and signed by the President will shorten the length of the current recession, or not?" If yes: "Will the economic stimulus bill shorten the recession significantly, or not?"

.

%

%

%

%

2/18-22/09

19