Ipsos/ Reuters Poll: March 2011
Some key findings:
- By a margin of almost two to one, Americans prefer to cut existing programs (59%) rather than raise taxes (30%). When presented with the three options in our questions (defense spending, Medicare / Medicaid and Social Security), the majority (51%) choose defense spending, compared to Medicare/Medicaid (28%), and Social Security (18%).
- The public are equally divided when it comes to the Republicans' proposed budget cuts: 45% believe that the cuts are essential to balance the budget, while 48% feel the cuts of this size could cause job losses.
- A majority of the American public (58%) believe that a government shutdown would affect them 'some' or 'a lot', with over a third (36%) saying 'a lot'. Those most likely to think they will be affected are younger, less wealthy, more likely to be minorities, and more likely to be Democrats.
- The leader ratings show that all of these potential Republican candidates have work to do in terms of raising their profiles with the American public: Newt Gingrich has the best name recognition, with just 26% saying they 'don't know' when asked about him -- while Tim Pawlenty has the biggest challenge, with 59% saying they 'don't know' what they think of him (and that figure is 57% among Republicans!). Of this selection, the candidate with the most favorable rating is Mitt Romney at 36%.
- Obama's favorability ratings remain unchanged since the question was last asked in December, with 55% favorable and 42% unfavorable.
- The proportion of Americans believing that things are on the 'right track' has dropped 7 points since last month to 31%; 64% think things are off on the wrong track (up 7 points).
- Obama's job approval ratings have dropped 2 points from last month, but remain fairly steady overall and still represent an improvement on late-2010's ratings (49% approve / 47% disapprove). His approval rating among Independent voters, however, has dropped by 10 points, from 47% to 37%.
For more information on this news release please contact:
Clifford Young Managing Director, Public Sector Practice Ipsos Public Affairs 312.375.3328 [email protected]
Or
Julia Clark Director Ipsos Public Affairs 202.463.3623 [email protected]
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