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.
Latinos Express Growing Confidence In Personal Finances, Nation’s Direction
Compared with 2011, more Latinos express satisfaction with the direction of the country, report that their finances are in “excellent” or “good” shape and expect their family’s finances to improve in the next 12 months.
A Recovery No Better than the Recession
The median income of American households decreased by as much in the two years after the official end of the Great Recession as it did during the recession itself. The current recovery is the worst for household income for any post-recession period in decades.
Americans Feel No Better or Worse Off in the Obama Years; Politics Colors Views of Recession’s Toll
Americans do not rate their personal finances any better –or worse – than they did when Barack Obama took office nearly four years ago. And while income is a major factor in people’s views of their personal finances, so too is their partisan affiliation.
Obama Holds Lead; Romney Trails on Most Issues
Despite the stagnant economy and broad dissatisfaction with national conditions, Barack Obama holds a significant lead over Mitt Romney. Obama is favored by a 50% to 43% margin among registered voters. Romney loses ground on issue of which candidate can best improve the economy.
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.
Economy, Election Are Public’s Top Stories
The public continued to track news about the economy and the presidential election, while paying less attention to another important political story – Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s victory in a hard-fought recall election.
Perceptions of Economic News Turn More Negative
The public’s perceptions of economic news have taken a turn for the worse. That could be bad news for Barack Obama, who held a lead over Mitt Romney in polling conducted mostly before disappointing jobs report and stock market slide during the week of May 31-June 3.
Public Sees Gas Prices Down Across Much of Nation
About half of Americans say the price of gasoline has gone down over the past month. Those in West Coast states, however, are much more likely to see gasoline prices going up.
Public Attention Focused on U.S. Economy
Americans followed news about the nation’s economy more closely than any other news last week amid new signs the pace of the recovery has slowed.
