Eighty-one percent (81%) of voters nationwide say it’s important to keep the promised middle-class tax cuts in President Obama's $3.6 trillion budget. That figure includes 55% who say it’s Very Important.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 15% do not see the tax cuts as important.

Voters also see the president’s call for health care reform, new energy sources, expanded educational opportunities and deficit reduction as important priorities. However, in all cases but deficit reduction, they place more importance on tax cuts that on Obama's new policy initiatives.

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By a 51% to 38% margin, voters say the tax cuts are more important than new spending on health care reform. While voters remain divided over the president’s budget, health care reform has emerged as the most significant policy battleground.

By a 50% to 42% margin, voters say tax cuts also are more important than new spending on energy initiatives. It’s a closer call on education, with 48% saying the tax cuts are more important while 45% hold the opposite view.

For all three trade-offs, a majority of Democrats see the new spending initiatives as more important while a majority of Republicans and unaffiliated voters favor the tax cuts.

While voters are reluctant to give up tax cuts for additional spending, there is a different response when it comes to deficit reduction. Fifty-one percent (51%) of all voters say deficit reduction is more important while 39% opt for the middle-class tax cuts. In this case, most Republicans and unaffiliated voters favor deficit reduction while Democrats are evenly divided.

Earlier polling has shown that Democrats see health care as the most important budget priority while other voters see deficit reduction as the top goal. Deficit reduction is seen as the least likely to be achieved.

Moderate Senate Democrats already concerned about the high level of new spending in the president's budget and their long-term deficit implications are seeking cutbacks in his policy initiatives and a lower level of tax cuts. The president has promised to raise taxes only on those earning over $250,000 per year and to cut taxes for 95% of Americans. Two-thirds of voters are skeptical and believe taxes will be hiked for those earning under $250,000 a year.

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