Do you think Barack Obama is really trying to find a solution to the standoff about the debt ceiling with the Republicans in Congress, or not?
- Really trying 60%
- Not really trying 34%
Among Democrats
- Really trying 81%
- Not really trying 15%
Among Republicans
- Really trying 36%
- Not really trying 56%
Among Independents
- Really trying 56%
- Not really trying 37%
Do you think the Republicans in Congress are really trying to find a solution to the standoff about the debt ceiling with Barack Obama, or not?
- Really trying 32%
- Not really trying 62%
Among Democrats
- Really trying 13%
- Not really trying 82%
Among Republicans
- Really trying 57%
- Not really trying 37%
Among Independents
- Really trying 33%
- Not really trying 60%
In the current negotiations about the debt ceiling, which do you think Barack Obama should do--compromise some of his positions in order to come to an agreement, or stick to his positions even if it means not coming to an agreement?
- Compromise 69%
- Stick to positions 23%
Among Democrats
- Compromise 52%
- Stick to positions 40%
Among Republicans
- Compromise 87%
- Stick to positions 7%
Among Independents
- Compromise 73%
- Stick to positions 19%
In the current negotiations about the debt ceiling, which do you think the Republicans in Congress should do--compromise some of their positions in order to come to an agreement, or stick to their positions even if it means not coming to an agreement?
- Compromise 85%
- Stick to positions 11%
Among Democrats
- Compromise 94%
- Stick to positions 3%
Among Republicans
- Compromise 75%
- Stick to positions 22%
Among Independents
- Compromise 82%
- Stick to positions 12%
In the current negotiations about the debt ceiling, which do you think the Democrats in Congress should do--compromise some of their positions in order to come to an agreement, or stick to their positions even if it means not coming to an agreement?
- Compromise 78%
- Stick to positions 16%
Among Democrats
- Compromise 64%
- Stick to positions 31%
Among Republicans
- Compromise 92%
- Stick to positions 4%
Among Independents
- Compromise 82%
- Stick to positions 10%
Think about the debate over the debt ceiling that has been going on in Washington. In the current debate, who do you think is more concerned about doing what is best for you and your family--the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama?
- Barack Obama 51%
- Republicans in Congress 32%
Among Democrats
- Barack Obama 85%
- Republicans in Congress 8%
Among Republicans
- Republicans in Congress 71%
- Barack Obama 16%
Among Independents
- Barack Obama 44%
- Republicans in Congress 29%
Who do you blame more for the current budget standoff -- the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama?
- Republicans in Congress 49%
- Barack Obama 29%
Among Democrats
- Republicans in Congress 76%
- Barack Obama 11%
Among Republicans
- Barack Obama 55%
- Republicans in Congress 18%
Among Independents
- Republicans in Congress 45%
- Barack Obama 30%
Congress will soon decide whether or not to raise the federal debt ceiling, which is the legal limit on how much the federal government can borrow to pay for the budget deficit. Some people say the debt ceiling should be raised, because otherwise the country could default on its loans, causing severe problems for the U.S. economy. Other people say the debt ceiling should not be raised because the country owes too much money already, and raising it will cause long term economic problems. In general, do you think Congress shouldor should not raise the federal debt ceiling?
- Should 46%
- Should not 49%
Among Democrats
- Should 61%
- Should not 31%
Among Republicans
- Should 33%
- Should not 64%
Among Independents
- Should 40%
- Should not 55%
Do you think an agreement on the budget and the debt ceiling should include only tax increases, OR only spending cuts, OR a combination of both tax increases and spending cuts?
- Only tax increases 3%
- Only spending cuts 28%
- Both tax increases and cuts 66%
Among Democrats
- Only tax increases 7%
- Only spending cuts 20%
- Both tax increases and cuts 71%
Among Republicans
- Only tax increases 1%
- Only spending cuts 39%
- Both tax increases and cuts 55%
Among Independents
- Only tax increases 1%
- Only spending cuts 28%
- Both tax increases and cuts 68%
If a deal is not reached on raising the debt ceiling, some people say the U.S. would be forced into default on its current debts -- that is, it would be unable to repay money thatit has already borrowed. Other people say the U.S. would still be able to meet its debt payments and a default would not happen. From what you have seen or heard, do you think the U.S. probably would or probably would not default on its debts if a deal is not reached to increase the debt ceiling?
- Probably will default 38%
- Probably will not default 51%
Among Democrats
- Probably will default 45%
- Probably will not default 43%
Among Republicans
- Probably will default 31%
- Probably will not default 58%
Among Independents
- Probably will default 37%
- Probably will not default 54%
If you had to choose, which would be more acceptable to you: 1. An agreement on the deficit and debt ceiling that you did NOT fully support, OR 2. Not reaching an agreement and having the U.S. go into default on its debts?
- Agreement don't fully support 76%
- U.S. defaulting on its debt 14%
Among Democrats
- Agreement don't fully support 80%
- U.S. defaulting on its debt 11%
Among Republicans
- Agreement don't fully support 78%
- U.S. defaulting on its debt 14%
Among Independents
- Agreement don't fully support 72%
- U.S. defaulting on its debt 17%
When the Obama administration talks about what could happen if the debt ceiling is not raised, do you think it is making things sound better than it really would be, making things sound worse than they really would be, or is it describing the situation accurately?
- Making things sound better 14%
- Making things sound worse 36%
- Describing things accurately 40%
Among Democrats
- Making things sound better 13%
- Making things sound worse 20%
- Describing things accurately 59%
Among Republicans
- Making things sound better 19%
- Making things sound worse 51%
- Describing things accurately 21%
Among Independents
- Making things sound better 11%
- Making things sound worse 40%
- Describing things accurately 35%
If the federal debt ceiling is not raised, how likely do you think it will be that the economy and the stock market take a severe downturn -- very likely, somewhat likely, or not very likely?
- Very likely 45%
- Somewhat likely 37%
- Not very likely 13%
Among Democrats
- Very likely 53%
- Somewhat likely 30%
- Not very likely 13%
Among Republicans
- Very likely 38%
- Somewhat likely 46%
- Not very likely 12%
Among Independents
- Very likely 44%
- Somewhat likely 37%
- Not very likely 14%
If the federal debt ceiling is not raised, how likely do you think it will be that payments made to veterans and Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries will be stopped --very likely, somewhat likely, or not very likely?
- Very likely 27%
- Somewhat likely 27%
- Not very likely 44%
Among Democrats
- Very likely 42%
- Somewhat likely 26%
- Not very likely 30%
Among Republicans
- Very likely 17%
- Somewhat likely 30%
- Not very likely 50%
Among Independents
- Very likely 19%
- Somewhat likely 27%
- Not very likely 52%
