Generation Gap Influences Views on Budget Tradeoffs
The record generation gap evident in the last two presidential elections is echoed by large differences by age in attitudes about the tradeoff between reducing the federal deficit and preserving entitlements for older adults.
A Bipartisan Nation of Beneficiaries
A majority of Americans, both Democrat and Republican, have received government benefits from one of the six best-known federal entitlement programs.
Public Skeptical about a ’Fiscal Cliff’ Deal
With less than two weeks to go before the nation goes over the fiscal cliff, the public remains pessimistic about the possibility that the president and Congress will reach an agreement by the Jan. 1 deadline.
As Fiscal Cliff Nears, Democrats Have Public Opinion on Their Side
The Democrats are in a strong position with the public as they engage in negotiations to find a solution to the fiscal cliff crisis.
The ’Fiscal Cliff’ and Public Opinion
Just as the White House and Congress faced a deadline for an agreement on raising the debt ceiling in 2011, they now must reach a deal to avoid a “fiscal cliff” before year-end. And, they have to do it against the backdrop of a public that’s divided on how to reduce the deficit.
Deep Divisions over Debt Reduction Proposals As ’Fiscal Cliff’ Approaches
Among a dozen specific options for reducing the debt and deficit, only two win majority approval from the public – raising taxes on annual incomes over $250,000 and limiting corporate tax deductions.
GOP Holds Early Turnout Edge, But Little Enthusiasm for Romney
Republicans are more engaged than Democrats in contrast to 2008 when it comes to focusing on this year’s presidential campaign and saying it really matters who wins. But Democrats are more enthusiastic about Barack Obama than Republicans are about Mitt Romney.
Debt and Deficit: A Public Opinion Dilemma
Pew Research Center President Andrew Kohut writes that there has never been an issue such as the deficit on which there has been such a consensus among the public about its importance — and such a lack of agreement about acceptable solutions.
Partisan Polarization Surges in Bush, Obama Years
Americans values and basic beliefs are more polarized along partisan lines than at any point in the past 25 years. Party has now become the single largest fissure in American society, with the values gap between Republicans and Democrats greater than gender, age, race or class divides.
Auto Bailout Now Backed, Stimulus Divisive
Public support for government loans to major U.S. automakers are viewed more positively today than in the fall of 2009, but there has been less change in opinions about other major economic policies such as the federal loans to banks and financial institutions during the 2008 financial crisis and President Obama’s economic stimulus plan.
