But Small Majorities Call Politicians Hypocrites for Doing So
UTICA, New York - The deal including tax cuts and extended unemployment benefits struck last week by President Barack Obama and Congressional Republicans is approved by 61% of likely voters.
The same poll also found that just over half of respondents believe it is hypocritical for politicians to say they are concerned about the budget deficit, and still support either cutting taxes for the wealthy (55%) or extending jobless benefits (52%).
As would be expected, significant differences arise on these issues between Democrats and Republicans which are demonstrated in the following:
Do you approve or disapprove of the agreement reached between President Obama and Congressional Republicans that includes: retaining tax cuts for all income levels, including those above $250,000; a temporary payroll tax cut and the continuation of tax breaks for parents and students?
|
Deal between Obama & GOP |
All voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Approve |
61% |
37% |
83% |
62% |
|
Disapprove |
37% |
60% |
15% |
37% |
|
Not sure |
2% |
3% |
1% |
1% |
Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding
Politicians who say they are concerned about the budget deficit and support extending tax cuts for the wealthy are being hypocritical.
|
Hypocritical to extend tax cuts for wealthy |
All voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Agree |
55% |
87% |
25% |
54% |
|
Disagree |
43% |
12% |
73% |
43% |
|
Not sure |
2% |
2% |
2% |
3% |
Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding
Politicians who say they are concerned about the budget deficit and support extending benefits for the unemployed for another 13 months are being hypocritical.
|
Hypocritical to extend unemployment benefits |
All voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Agree |
52% |
31% |
70% |
55% |
|
Disagree |
46% |
67% |
28% |
43% |
|
Not sure |
2% |
2% |
2% |
2% |
Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding
Voters were given four levels of agreement/disagreement, and are much more likely to strongly agree it was hypocritical to extend tax cuts for the wealthy compared to extending jobless benefits, 44-26%.
Pollster John Zogby: "While most Democrats may dislike the deal struck with Republicans, these results show President Obama may win points from independents because of it. However, a majority of independents realize the deficit implications of the deal, and may not support any more actions they see as adding to the red ink.”"
The interactive poll consisted of 1,914 likely voters and has a margin of error of +/-2.3%. A sampling of Zogby International's online panel, which is representative of the adult population of the U.S., was invited to participate. Slight weights were added to region, party, age, race, religion, gender, and education to more accurately reflect the population.