Tough Votes, Mixed Support

Support for the 2008 financial bailout will not be a political winner on the campaign trail this fall. Half the public (49%) says they are less likely to vote for a candidate who supported TARP. Just 14% say a candidate who supported the bailouts is more likely to get their vote while a third (32%) says it makes no difference. Support for TARP is a negative among Republicans, Democrats and independents, but especially so among members of the GOP. Far more Republicans (63%) view support for the government’s loans to major banks negatively than do independents (48%) and Democrats (41%). The public is split, however, on candidates who supported health care reform in 2010. About as many say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported the recently passed health care law (39%) as say they would be less likely to favor such a candidate (35%). Most Republicans are less likely to vote for a candidate who supported health care reform (74% less likely; 12% more likely), while Democrats are just as likely to back a health care supporter (69% more likely; 11 less likely). Independents are split on health care supporters: 31% say they are more likely to support such candidates, 34% are less likely and 32% say health care support makes no difference in their vote. Read More