Just 33% of Americans think it is even somewhat likely that the federal government will ever get back the $50 billion in bailout funds it has advanced to General Motors to keep the company in business. Only 11% say it’s very likely.

In a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, 58% say it’s not likely the government will ever be paid back. That figure includes 21% who say it’s not at all likely. Investors are even less confident.

While a plurality of Democrats (49%) say a payback is at least somewhat likely, that view shared by just one-quarter of both Republicans and those not affiliated with either political party.

In fact, far from expecting to be paid back, two-thirds of all Americans (66%) say it is likely that GM come back and ask for more bailout funding. Only 18% don’t expect that to happen.

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The gap between the Political Class and Mainstream American on the payback question exceeds the partisan division, as is often the case. Sixty-six percent (66%) of the Political Class says GM is at least somewhat likely to repay the government, a view shared by only 23% of populist or Mainstream Americans.

A plurality (41%) of Americans expect the quality of GM cars to get worse with the government as the majority owner of the company. Only 42% of those who currently own a GM car say they are even somewhat likely to buy a GM product for their next car.

As part of GM’s ongoing structured bankruptcy, the federal government is expected to take at least a 60% ownership stake in the company in exchange for the $50 billion bailout and the forgiveness of over $20 billion in taxpayer-backed loans it has already received. The government expects to make money on its investment if GM returns to profitability. Just 26% of adults say that deal was a good idea and 17% say Americans should protest the bailout by boycotting GM.

Voters have consistently opposed a government bailout for GM since it was first proposed late last year.

Just 18% think the government will do a good job running GM.

Among all Americans, just 25% say they would buy an automobile from a bankrupt automaker.

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