November 2011 Omnibus Week 3 Princeton Survey Research Associates International for National Journal Final Topline Results

November 21, 2011 1,003 adults age 18 and older Margin of error: Plus or minus 3.7 percentage points Interviewing dates: November 17 20, 2011 CC1. As you may know, the congressional super committee is reaching its deadline to produce a plan to reduce the federal deficit by at least $1.2 trillion over the next decade. If the committee fails to reach an agreement, who do you think would be most to blame: [READ AND RANDOMIZE 1-3, ALWAYS READ 4 LAST] Nov 17-20 2011 19 10 8 54 8

Republicans in Congress President Obama Democrats in Congress Or all parties equally? Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

CC2. Some people say an agreement to reduce the deficit would help the economy by increasing confidence among businesses and consumers. Others say an agreement would hurt the economy by requiring tax increases and spending cuts that would reduce consumer spending and business investment. In your opinion, do you think an agreement to reduce the deficit would: [READ 1-3] Nov 17-20 2011 42 16 29 13

Help the economy Hurt the economy [OR] Not have much effect either way? Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

CC3. Which one of the following possible outcomes of an agreement to reduce the deficit concerns you most? [READ AND RANDOMIZE] Nov 17-20 2011 38 23

It will cut too much from government programs like Medicare and Social Security It will raise taxes on people like you
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Page 2 17 12 10 It will not meet its target for reducing the federal deficit and debt It will allow for too much federal spending in the next few years Dont know/Refused (VOL. DO NOT READ)

CC4. The super committee has considered many proposals for reducing the deficit. As I read a list of ideas, please tell me if you think each one should be part of the final package that Congress considers to reduce the deficit, or not. First, how about [INSERT, RANDOMIZE]? Do you think this should be part of the package to reduce the deficit, or not? Next, how about [INSERT]? [IF NECESSARY: Do you think this should be part of the package to reduce the deficit, or not?] Yes, should be part of deficit reduction package a. Letting the Bush tax cuts expire for families earning at least $250,000 a year Nov 17-20, 2011 b. Reducing the value of itemized deductions for families earning at least $250,000 a year Nov 17-20, 2011 c. Raising the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67 Nov 17-20, 2011 d. Placing strict limits on how much Washington will spend on Medicaid and Medicare Nov 17-20, 2011 e. Freezing spending through the year 2019 on nondefense domestic programs such as education, parks and housing Nov 17-20, 2011 No, should not be part of deficit reduction package (VOL.) Dont know/ Refused

53

36

11

55 35

32 62

14 3

45

47

32

62

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CC5. As you may know, if the super committee does not meet its deficit reduction target by the deadline, Congress has set rules requiring large automatic cuts on defense and domestic programs. If the committee fails to meet its target, do you think these automatic cuts should go into effect or that Congress should take action to stop them? Nov 17-20 2011 26 61 13

Automatic cuts should go into effect Congress should take action to stop them Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

CC6. Would you like to see your representative in Congress vote in favor of a deficit reduction plan[READ 1-2] Nov 17-20 2011 31 53 3 13

Only if it fully reflects your priorities for taxes and spending, [OR] Even if it does NOT fully reflect your priorities, but thats the only way for Congress to reach agreement on a deficit reduction plan Neither is acceptable (VOL.) Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

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Page 4 11DEMOGRAPHICS I have one last set of questions to help us better understand the people who took part in our survey. SEX Respondents Sex 48 52 Male Female

EMPLOY Are you now employed full-time, part-time, or not employed? 42 16 41 1 PAR Employed full-time Employed part-time Not employed (DO NOT READ) Dont know/ Refused

Are you the parent or guardian of any children under 18 years of age? 34 66 1 Yes No (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

AGE

What is your age? 22 34 25 17 2 18 to 29 30 to 49 50 to 64 65 and older (DO NOT READ) Refused

EDUC What is the last grade or class you completed in school? (DO NOT READ) 2 9 29 5 25 17 12 1 None, or grade 1 to 8 High school incomplete (Grades 9-11) High school graduate, Grade 12, or GED certificate Technical, trade or vocational school AFTER high school Some college or university work, but no fouryear degree College or university graduate (BA, BS or other four-year degree) Post graduate or professional schooling after college (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

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Page 5 HISP Are you of Hispanic or Latino background, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or other Spanish background? 13 86 1 Yes No (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

RACE What is your race? Are you white, black, Asian, or some other race? [IF R SAYS HISPANIC OR LATINO, PROBE: Do you consider yourself a WHITE (Hispanic/Latino) or a BLACK (Hispanic/Latino)? 68 30 11 13 4 3 2 INC White non-Hispanic Total non-White Black non-Hispanic Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander Other non-Hispanic (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

Last year, that is in 2010, approximately what was your total family income before taxes just tell me when I get to the right category. INC1 (IF DONT KNOW OR REFUSED) Keeping in mind that this is a completely confidential survey, can you please tell me if your total household income BEFORE taxes last year was over or under $75,000? INC2 (IF UNDER $75,000) Was it over or under $50,000? INC3 (IF UNDER $50,000) Was it over or under $30,000? 25 16 18 34 7 REG $75,000 or more $50,000 to under $75,000 $30,000 to under $50,000 Under $30,000 Undesignated

Which of these statements best describes you? 73 4 22 1 Are you ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that you are registered to vote at your current address Are you PROBABLY registered, but there is a chance your registration has lapsed [OR] Are you NOT registered to vote at your current address? (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

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Page 6 PARTY In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent? 25 31 36 5 * 2 Republican Democrat Independent No preference (VOL.) Other party (VOL.) Don't know/Refused (VOL.)

That completes the interview. Thank you very much for your time and cooperation. Have a nice day/evening.

Princeton Survey Research Associates International November 2011 Omnibus Week 3