National Review Institute Institute: National Survey. Presented by: John McLaughlin/Rob Schmidt November 2011

Transcription

1 Institute: National Survey Presented by: John McLaughlin/Rob Schmidt

2 Presentation Outline 1. Methodology 2. President Obama 3. Congress 4. Class Warfare and Taxes 5. Jobs and Taxes 6. Government Regulations 7. Medicare 2

3 Methodology This survey of political attitudes was conducted among 1,000 likely general election voters nationwide on November 14 th, 15 th and 16 th All interviews were conducted by professional interviewers via telephone. Interview selection was at random within predetermined election units. These units were structured to statistically correlate with actual voter distributions in a nationwide Presidential election. The accuracy of the sample of 1,000 likely general election voters is within +/- 3.1% at a 95% confidence interval. 3

4 President Obama President Obama is still upside down, but improving. 1. Still a net negative, President Obama s job rating is 47% approve, 51% disapprove. When looking at intensity, those who strongly disapprove of President Obama s job rating (41%) is nearly double than those who strongly approve (22%). 2. Only 26% say that they are better off since Obama took office and nearly twothirds (65%) say that they are not better off. 3. Three-fourths (75%) say Obama s economic policies have either made the economy worse (45%) or made no difference (%). Only 22% say his policies have made the economy better. 4

5 Job Approval: Barack Obama 1/ 11/11 Approve Disapprove APPROVE Strongly Smwht DISAPPROVE Smwht Strongly DK/REF 2 5

6 App. Dis. App. Dis. App. Dis. Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job 0 0 Disapprove Obama Job 0 0 Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP 0 0 Age: Over Retired Men Disapp. BO/Und. Cong. 0 0 Protestant Retired Women Dem. Help BO 92 6 White Protestant White GOP Chck/Balance BO 89 Catholic Black 92 8 DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

7 Since Barack Obama became President, are you and your family better off today than you were three years ago? Yes No DK/Refused 7

8 Yes No Yes No Yes No Total Agree w/tea Party 9 85 Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job 7 89 Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong. 84 Dem. Help BO Disagree w/tea Party Republican 9 88 Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO 9 87 Catholic Black DK/Refused (Q6) 0 0 Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres. 0 0 Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO 0 0 Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

9 In general, have President Obama s economic policies made the economy better, worse or no different? Better Worse No Different DK/Refused 3 9

10 Better Worse No Diff. Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter Better Worse No Diff. Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Better Worse No Diff. Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

11 Concerning the current bad economy, with whom do you agree more? Republicans in Congress who say the President s agenda has made the economy worse by increasing federal spending and raising costs for businesses with his health care reform law and new regulations OR President Obama who says Republicans are making the economy worse by opposing his plan to increase federal spending and raise taxes on wealthy Americans Republicans President Obama DK/Refused 11

12 GOP Obama GOP Obama GOP Obama Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO 8 84 Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life 64 Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced 63 Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO Catholic Black DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) 62 Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

13 Congress The Race for Congress Dead Heat. One in four voters are undecided. Republicans are back where they were in On the generic ballot for Congress, Republicans have a slight lead over the Democrats, 41% to 37%, with a large 23% undecided. 2. A majority (50%) still prefer a Republican congressman who will be a check and balance to President Obama rather than a Democratic congressman who will help Obama pass his agenda (40%). Assisting President Obama remains more of a liability to Democratic congressmen. 13

14 Generic Ballot / 11/11 Republican Democrat Undecided Republican Democrat Undecided 14

15 Rep. Dem. Und. Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter Rep. Dem. Und. Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Rep. Dem. Und. Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

16 Since Barack Obama is President, who would you prefer to represent you in Congress? A Democratic congressman who will help President Obama pass his agenda. OR A Republican congressman who will be a check and balance to President Obama Democratic Republican DK/Refused 16

17 Dem. Rep. Dem. Rep. Dem. Rep. Total Agree w/tea Party 7 86 Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job 79 Disapprove Obama Job 5 87 Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO 0 0 Disagree w/tea Party Republican 7 89 Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO 0 0 Catholic Black DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again 62 Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

18 Class Warfare and Taxes Agenda Challenges: 1. Fifty-three percent (53%) agree more that the wealthy have received many unfair advantages and are not paying their fair share of taxes than that politicians should stop demonizing high income earners because they are dividing Americans (39%). 2. The public is evenly divided (47% agree, 46% disagree) thinking that it s possible to balance the federal budget by raising taxes on the wealthy. 3. The Democrats are seen as the better protectors of the middle class, 44%-37%. 4. The opinion is divided about the rich not paying their fair share in taxes to fund Medicare and Social Security, 49% to 45% 18

19 Class Warfare and Taxes (Cont.) Agenda Opportunities: 1. When informed that the top 1% paid 36% of all federal income taxes, 39% believe that the wealthiest Americans do not pay enough in taxes. Fifty-one percent (51%) believe that they either pay the right amount (%) or that they pay more than enough (21%) in taxes. 2. When given a choice, 49% support the Republicans proposed 20% across the board tax cut for small business and the regulation reductions compared to 45% who support President Obama s tax the rich jobs plan. 3. Regarding federal spending, Republicans win the arguments that federal spending shouldn t be increased to pay for the irresponsible budget decisions of local governments (51%) and that we shouldn t avoid necessary spending cuts by raising taxes (55%). Also, by a 20 point margin, voters agree more that Congress shouldn t avoid necessary spending cuts by raising taxes (55%) rather than not cutting any federal spending unless taxes are raised on the wealthy (35%). 4. When voters are told the federal spending will be higher next year, two-thirds (67%) agree that no taxes should be increases on anyone until Washington D.C. gets federal spending under control, while only 28% disagree. 19

20 Concerning the ongoing debate about the wealthy in America, with whom do you agree more? (Some/Other) people who say that politicians should stop demonizing and attacking high income earners because they are dividing Americans at a time when we need leaders to bring us together and work on solutions. OR (Other/Some) people who say that the wealthy have received many unfair advantages and are not paying their fair share of taxes Dividing Americans Wealthy/Unfair Adv. DK/Refused 20

21 Divide Unfair Divide Unfair Divide Unfair Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO 82 Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative 62 Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO Catholic Black DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

22 Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: It s possible to balance the federal budget by raising taxes on the wealthy AGREE Strongly Smwht DISAGREE Smwht Strongly DK/REF

23 Agree Disagr. Agree Disagr. Agree Disagr. Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican Live: Rural South Democrat Pro Life West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng. 65 Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

24 Between Republicans and Democrats, who is better described by the following statement? Is more likely to protect middle class interests Republicans Democrats Both Neither DK/Refused 24

25 GOP Dems GOP Dems GOP Dems Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican 70 Live: Rural South Democrat 8 83 Pro Life 50 West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job 5 80 Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO 4 88 GOP Chck/Balance BO 69 DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) 48 Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal 8 81 Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black 7 84 Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

26 On the issue of cutting the deficit, with whom do you agree more? The Republicans who want to cut spending and not raise taxes. They say tax increases on the so-called wealthy hurt small businesses and other job creators, which will slow down the economy and cause people to lose their jobs. OR President Obama and the Democrats who want to make smaller spending cuts and increase revenues by raising taxes on the wealthy. They say that the wealthy are not paying their fair share of taxes and raising taxes on the wealthy is necessary to fund critical government services like Medicare and Social Security Republicans Obama/Democrats DK/Refused 26

27 GOP Dems. GOP Dems. GOP Dems. Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job 7 86 Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO 4 90 Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat 9 85 Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal 86 Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO Catholic Black 7 84 DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

28 As you may or may not know, the top 1% of American households earned 17% of the nation s income and paid 36% of all federal individual income taxes. Do you feel that the amount of taxes paid by the top 1% of American households is not enough, the right amount or more than enough? Not Enough Right Amount More Than Enough DK/Refused 28

29 Not Enough More Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter Not Enough More Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Not Enough More Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

30 Concerning the ongoing debate about how to encourage economic growth and job creation, which of the following plans do you think would do the MOST to create jobs? The Republicans who say that most jobs are created by small businesses and those small businesses need stability and capital to create jobs. Republicans propose a 20% across the board tax cut for small businesses and want to roll back many regulations which cost businesses millions of dollars and oppose new regulations and mandates on businesses. OR President Obama has proposed a new $450 billion dollar jobs plan. He says that the wealthy are not paying their fair share and proposes raising taxes on the wealthy to fund new school and road construction and the hiring of more teachers and firefighters Republicans President Obama DK/Refused

31 GOP Obama GOP Obama GOP Obama Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO 8 86 Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO Catholic Black DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

32 Concerning the ongoing debate about fixing the American economy, with whom do you agree more? Congressman A who says that taxes should be raised on the wealthiest Americans so federal spending can be increased. These increases in spending would be used to help finance local government jobs, including teachers. OR Congressman B who says that raising taxes is bad for the economy and federal spending shouldn t be increased to pay for the irresponsible budget decisions of local governments Congressman A Congressman B DK/Refused 32

33 A B A B A B Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO Catholic Black DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

34 When it comes to reaching an agreement on reducing the deficit, with whom do you agree more? Congressman A who says we shouldn t cut any federal spending unless we also raise taxes on the wealthy because there should be shared sacrifice and Washington needs additional revenues. OR Congressman B who says we shouldn t avoid necessary spending cuts by raising taxes and additional revenues should come from tax reforms that cause economic growth, not from higher tax rates that hurt the economy Congressman A Congressman B DK/Refused 34

35 A B A B A B Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men 60 Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total 59 Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White 58 GOP Chck/Balance BO Catholic Black DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

36 If taxes were to be raised on any income group, what do you think would be more likely to happen? The increased revenue would be used to reduce America s budget deficit OR America will continue to have an increasing budget deficit because Washington politicians want to raise taxes to avoid necessary spending cuts Reduce Deficit Increase Deficit/Taxes DK/Refused 36

37 Reduce Def. Increase Def./Taxes Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter Reduce Def. Increase Def./Taxes Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men 59 Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend 59 Catholic Regularly Attend Reduce Def. Increase Def./Taxes Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

38 Despite the debt crisis, next year federal spending will be higher than it was this year. Knowing that federal spending continues to increase, please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement - there should be no tax increases on anyone until Washington D.C. gets federal spending under control AGREE Strongly Smwht DISAGREE Smwht Strongly DK/REF 38

39 Agree Disagree Total East Mid-West South West 62 Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job 88 9 Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong. 84 Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO 89 8 DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) 0 0 Disagree No Tax Incr. 0 0 Ticketsplitter Agree Disagree Agree w/tea Party 87 Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K 68 Income Over $0K 67 Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Agree Disagree Live: Urban Live: Suburban 65 Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single 62 Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women- 66 White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

40 Jobs and Taxes Economic issues continue to be overwhelmingly important to voters. 1. Forty percent (40%) believe that President Obama s jobs plan - which would raise taxes on upper income households in order to pay for an additional $400 billion in federal spending - would improve the economy. Thirty-six percent (36%) say it would hurt the economy and 19% say it would have no effect. 2. Fifty-six percent (56%) believe creating jobs should be more important to Republicans in Congress than cutting spending (38%). 40

41 Agenda Opportunities: Jobs and Taxes(Cont.) 1. Three-fourths of voters (75%) list some type of economic issue as most important, with unemployment/jobs being the highest of this group, at %. 2. Only 22% agree that Congress should eliminate tax breaks and loopholes in order to raise more revenue to spend on federal programs, while 68% agree that these changes to the tax code should be part of an overall reform that lowers tax rates and creates jobs. 3. Seventy-nine percent (79%) approve of tax relief for parents with minor children and 65% approve of lowering the corporate tax rate. 4. Seventy-two percent (72%) believe that if Congress eliminates tax breaks and loopholes, it should either lower the tax rates across the board to promote economic growth (39%) or use that money to reduce the deficit (33%). Only 23% believe the extra revenue should be spent on investments like health care, transportation and the environment. 5. Voters are more favorable to Republicans in Congress when they are told that Republicans have a plan to create jobs by cutting taxes and regulations (53%) and that House Republicans have already passed 15 job-creation bills that are stalled in the Senate (47%). 6. Republicans are seen as better able to create jobs than the Democrats, 39%-32%. 41

42 Under his latest jobs plan, President Obama wants to raises taxes on the wealthiest Americans in order to pay for an additional $400 billion in federal spending. Do you think that his plan will improve the economy, hurt the economy or have no effect on the economy? Improve Hurt No Effect DK/Refused 6 42

43 Improve Hurt No Effect Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter Improve Hurt No Effect Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Improve Hurt No Effect Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

44 Which economic goal do you think should be more important to the Republicans in Congress creating jobs or cutting spending? Create Jobs Cut Spending DK/Refused 44

45 Jobs Spend. Jobs Spend. Jobs Spend. Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single 67 Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO Catholic Black DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs 0 0 Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng. 0 0 Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

46 What is the MOST important issue facing the United States today that you would like to see your member of Congress take action on? ECONOMIC Unemployment/Jobs Economy Budget/Deficit SOCIAL Health Care GOVERNMENT DEFENSE/SECURITY MORALS OTHER DON T KNOW

47 When it comes to changes in the tax code, with whom do you agree more? Congressman A who says we should eliminate tax breaks and loopholes in order to raise more revenue to spend on federal programs. OR Congressman B who says we should eliminate tax breaks and loopholes as part of an overall tax reform that lowers tax rates and helps to create jobs Congressman A Congressman B DK/Refused 47

48 A B A B A B Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO Catholic Black DK/Refused (Q6) Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

49 Both Democrats and Republicans have talked about reforming the federal tax system. Please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of each of the following proposals dealing with tax reform There should be tax relief for parents with minor children in the household APPROVE Strongly Smwht DISAPPROVE Smwht Strongly DK/REF 49

50 App. Diapr. App. Diapr. App. Diapr. Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican Live: Rural South Democrat Pro Life West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal 88 7 Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced 86 Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

51 Both Democrats and Republicans have talked about reforming the federal tax system. Please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of each of the following proposals dealing with tax reform The corporate tax rate should be lowered so U.S. companies can better compete internationally APPROVE Strongly Smwht DISAPPROVE Smwht Strongly DK/REF 51

52 App. Diapr. App. Diapr. App. Diapr. Total Agree w/tea Party 84 Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican Live: Rural South Democrat Pro Life West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep. 82 Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church 61 Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men 63 Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

53 Both Democrats and Republicans have talked about reforming the federal tax system. Please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of each of the following proposals dealing with tax reform The deduction of large mortgages should be limited in exchange for lower tax rates APPROVE Strongly Smwht DISAPPROVE Smwht Strongly DK/REF 53

54 App. Diapr. App. Diapr. App. Diapr. Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban 46 Mid-West 45 Republican 45 Live: Rural South Democrat Pro Life West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job 47 Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO 46 GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant 45 White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women 46 Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

55 Both Democrats and Republicans have talked about reforming the federal tax system. Please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of each of the following proposals dealing with tax reform All income should be taxed at the same rate so there is only one tax bracket APPROVE Strongly Smwht DISAPPROVE Smwht Strongly DK/REF 55

56 App. Diapr. App. Diapr. App. Diapr. Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican 60 Live: Rural South Democrat Pro Life West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO 63 DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

57 If Congress eliminates tax breaks and loopholes, what should it do with the money it raises? 1. Spend the money on critical investments like health care, transportation and the environment. 2. Lower tax rates across the board so that we have a tax code that promotes economic growth and new jobs. 3. Reduce the deficit Invest Lower Taxes Reduce Deficit DK/Refused 4 57

58 58 Invest Taxes Def. Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter Invest Taxes Def. Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Invest Taxes Def. Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women- 37 White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

59 Regarding Republicans in Congress, if you knew each of the following were true, would it make you much more favorable, somewhat more favorable, somewhat less favorable or much less favorable towards Republicans in Congress? Republicans have a plan to create jobs by cutting taxes and regulations MORE Much Smwht LESS Smwht Much No Diff. DK/REF 59

60 More Less No Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter More Less No Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend More Less No Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

61 Regarding Republicans in Congress, if you knew each of the following were true, would it make you much more favorable, somewhat more favorable, somewhat less favorable or much less favorable towards Republicans in Congress? House Republicans have already passed 15 different bills which would help create jobs, but they are stalled by Democrats in the Senate MORE Much Smwht LESS Smwht Much No Diff. DK/REF 61

62 More Less No Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter More Less No Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend More Less No Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

63 Between Republicans and Democrats, who is better described by the following statement? Is better able to create jobs Republicans Democrats Both Neither DK/Refused 63

64 GOP Dems GOP Dems GOP Dems Total Agree w/tea Party 71 5 Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican 78 4 Live: Rural South Democrat 7 67 Pro Life West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job 6 63 Disapprove Obama Job 70 5 Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO 3 71 GOP Chck/Balance BO 73 3 DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal 8 66 Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K 45 Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic 39 Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church 40 Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black 7 66 Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women 36 Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

65 Government Regulations Voters believe that government regulation hinders job growth and support a competitive and free enterprise system. Agenda Opportunities: 1. Fifty-four percent (54%) believe that America has too much regulation, compared to 37% who believe that America needs more regulation to protect workers, consumers and the environment. 2. Fifty-one percent (51%) believe that the federal government should reduce regulations so the government can stop financing favored industries, compared to 38% who believe that the federal government should regulate more and should encourage new technologies by financing certain industries. 3. Sixty-five percent (65%) agree that all new federal regulations that create significant costs for employers should be suspended until the unemployment level is lower. Additionally, 63% agree that the federal government threatens free enterprise when it gets involved in the private sector. 4. The majority of voters, 53%, prefer equal opportunity and a fair playing field for competition, versus only 38% who say that American capitalism is unfair. 65

66 With whom do you agree more? Congressman A who says we have too much regulation. Red tape at home drives American companies and jobs overseas. OR Congressman B who says we need more regulations to ensure that companies treat workers, consumers and the environment properly Congressman A Congressman B DK/Refused 66

67 A B A B A B Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican Live: Rural 60 South Democrat Pro Life West Independent Pro Choice Economic Independent Men Single Social Independent Women Married Total Security Liberal Married Men Generic Vote Cong. Rep Moderate Separated/Divorced Generic Vote Cong. Dem Conservative Widowed Generic Vote Cong. Und. 55 Income Under $60K Employed Generic: White Und. 57 Approve Obama Job 58 Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

68 Concerning the ongoing debate about the federal government s involvement in the private sector, with whom do you agree more? Congressman A who says that the federal government should reduce regulations and stop the crony capitalism that finances favored businesses and industries because America needs an innovative economy where the private sector can freely compete and grow. OR Congressman B who says that the federal government should regulate more to protect workers and the environment and should encourage new technologies by financing certain industries because public/private partnerships spur the most innovation Congressman A Congressman B DK/Refused 68

69 A B A B A B Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job 57 Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White GOP Chck/Balance BO Catholic Black 53 DK/Refused (Q6) 57 Jewish Hispanic Better off Since BO Pres Born Again Men Not Better of Since BO Not Born Again Women GOP Goal/Create Jobs Regularly Attend Church Women Over GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

70 Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: All new federal regulations that create significant costs for employers should be suspended until the unemployment level is lower AGREE Strongly Smwht DISAGREE Smwht Strongly DK/REF 70

71 Agree Disagr. Agree Disagr. Agree Disagr. Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican Live: Rural South Democrat Pro Life West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

72 Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: The federal government threatens America s free enterprise system when it gets involved in the private sector, picking winners and losers AGREE Strongly Smwht DISAGREE Smwht Strongly DK/REF 72

73 Agree Disagr. Agree Disagr. Agree Disagr. Total Agree w/tea Party 85 8 Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican 82 Live: Rural South Democrat Pro Life West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO 84 9 DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church 56 Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married Ticketsplitter

74 Think for a moment about what kind of country you want America to be. That is, thinking about what you feel is the "American Dream" Whose vision do you agree with more? (Some/Other) people say that in America there is equal opportunity for all so your success is determined by your own abilities and efforts. The government should only ensure a fair playing field because prosperity depends on free enterprise which is threatened by government interference. OR (Other/Some) people say that American capitalism is unfair, that the lucky few are not paying their fair share and are exploiting the system for their own gain. These people believe that there is no equal opportunity unless the government levels the playing field by forcing the wealthy to share more with the less successful Equal Opportunity Gov't Level Playing Field DK/Refused 74

75 Equal Opp. Gov t Level Total East Mid-West South West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) 62 Disagree No Tax Incr Ticketsplitter Equal Opp. Gov t Level Agree w/tea Party Disagree w/tea Party Republican Democrat Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Equal Opp. Gov t Level Live: Urban Live: Suburban Live: Rural Pro Life 64 Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married

76 Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: The federal government should use tax dollars to support new, green energy technologies that cannot find funding in the private sector AGREE Strongly Smwht DISAGREE Smwht Strongly DK/REF 76

77 Agree Disagr. Agree Disagr. Agree Disagr. Total Agree w/tea Party Live: Urban East Disagree w/tea Party Live: Suburban Mid-West Republican Live: Rural South Democrat Pro Life West Economic Social Security Generic Vote Cong. Rep Generic Vote Cong. Dem Generic Vote Cong. Und Generic: White Und Approve Obama Job Disapprove Obama Job Disap. BO/Not Vote GOP Disapp. BO/Und. Cong Dem. Help BO GOP Chck/Balance BO DK/Refused (Q6) Better off Since BO Pres. 59 Not Better of Since BO GOP Goal/Create Jobs GOP Goal/Cut Spdng Agree No Tax Incr. (Q17) Disagree No Tax Incr Independent Independent Men Independent Women Liberal Moderate Conservative Income Under $60K Income Over $60K Income Over $0K Age: Under Age: Over Age: Over Protestant White Protestant Catholic Jewish Born Again Not Born Again Regularly Attend Church Not Reg. Attend Church Protestant Reg. Attend Catholic Regularly Attend Pro Choice Single Married Total Married Men Separated/Divorced Widowed Employed Unemployed Employed: Men Employed: Women Retired Men Retired Women White Black Hispanic Men Women Women Over Live: Suburban Women Married Women Women Not Married 59 Ticketsplitter

78 Medicare While more voters believe that Democrats are better able to protect Medicare than Republicans, voters are more favorable to Republican approaches when contrasted with the Democratic proposal of Medicare reform. Agenda Challenges: 1. By a 9 point margin, voters believe Democrats (38%) are better able to protect and secure Medicare than Republicans (29%). 2. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of voters believe it s possible to solve the debt crisis without restraining entitlement spending for Social Security and Medicare. 78