What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending July 15, 2011
President Obama continues to insist that tax increases be part of any deal to raise the federal debt ceiling before he agrees to the level of spending cuts Republicans are seeking. But most voters don’t see it that way.
In fact, just 34% of Likely U.S. Voters think a tax hike should be included in any legislation to raise the debt ceiling. Of course, there is a huge partisan divide on the question. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Democrats want a tax hike in the deal, while 82% of Republicans and 51% of voters not affiliated with either major party do not.
At the same time, most voters nationwide (52%) continue to feel that failing to make significant cuts in government spending is more dangerous in the short-term than the government defaulting on the federal debt.
But then voters believe more strongly than ever that decreasing government spending is good for the economy and that tax increases of any kind are bad economic medicine. Fifty-five percent (55%) think decreases in government spending help the economy. Just 24% feel that tax increases help.
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