Poll: 74% of Obama supporters strongly opposed to tax deal

[TeamJordan23]

Poll: Obama supporters strongly opposed to deal extending Bush tax cuts
By Greg Sargent

Okay, we now have our first poll measuring the impact on the Democratic base of Obama's support for a temporary extension of all the Bush tax cuts. Suffice it to say this is a major, make-or-break issue with them that could have real political ramifications for the President and Congressional Democrats.

The poll, done by the respected non-partisan firm Survey USA, surveyed over 1,000 people who contributed time or money to Obama in 2008, and found intense, overwhelming opposition among them to Obama's support for a temporary extension of the tax cuts for the rich. This supports the notion that there may indeed be a serious liberal revolt in reaction to it.

Indeed, majorities of people who contributed to Obama in 2008 say they are less likely to support Obama and Democrats because of his backing for the temporary extension.

I got an advance look at the poll, which was commissioned by MoveOn, and you can read the polling memo right here. The key findings:

The poll shows clearly that these contributors are deeply opposed (74%) to a deal with Republicans to extend the Bush-era tax breaks for those making over $250,000 a year. The depth of opposition to a deal is severe with former Obama contributors saying that they are less likely (57%) to support Democrats who support this deal in 2012.

A majority of the former Obama contributors surveyed also say that the President's deal also makes them less likely (51%) to contribute to his reelection campaign in 2012.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/12/poll_majority_of_obama_contrib.html

[Uzybone]

1. its a tough pill to swallow

but if we think this is bad, wait until the GOP has the house gavel.

We will be running to the ballot for Obama in 2012. Guaranteed.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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[Bullet1987]

28. I'm so damn tired of hearing this WEAK argument...

Anyone that supports the President after this is going to end up part of that 20% that walked off the cliff with Bush.

[roguevalley]

29. obama came out today and said the American people support

him because BIPARTISANSHIP is more important than keeping people from starving to death. What a fail he is.

[CakeGrrl]

2. Yeah, and those voters are primed to play right along with Republicans

Be mad.

Withhold your vote.

Watch a temporary 2-year extension, offered SOLELY because Republicans are shameless, craven, heartless assholes, be extended PERMANENTLY because all the foot-stompers who see this move to protect UI benefits as "caving" pull their support in 2012 because they couldn't see the bigger picture.

And in come the Republicans to take over the WH and finish everything off for the middle class and lower.

With a little help from their outraged, Progressive friends.

[ProSense]

3. Finally, 67% of former Obama contributors surveyed said they support

Finally, 67% of former Obama contributors surveyed said they support
extending tax cuts for those making less than $250,000 a year.

PDF

Depending on when the poll was taken, that's important. I notice they didn't ask if they support allowing all the tax cuts to expire. That would provide context.

This deal isn't done, it will likely be finalized in Congress. The next few days are going to be interesting.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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[ProSense]

5. What spin? That's from the same poll linked to in the OP. n/t

[Pholus]

6. I hope you're right. Bookmarking this one as well, just so future discussions are kept in context.

[Hello_Kitty]

7. This is a poll of activists, not low information voters.

These people are very likely to be following this issue and know what's going on.

[ProSense]

9. Not understanding the point in relation to my comment. n/t

[Hello_Kitty]

12. You're acting as if the respondents don't understand the issue when they probably do.

They supported extending tax cuts to the middle class and ending them for the rich. They are furious at the President's compromise. You can try and spin this however you want but this is not good.

[ProSense]

14. No, I'm not. That's your interpretation

The polls says what they support and dont support, including this:

Finally, 67% of former Obama contributors surveyed said they support
extending tax cuts for those making less than $250,000 a year.

"They are furious at the President's compromise. "

Where does it say this in the poll: That they are "furious"?

[Hello_Kitty]

18. Nitpick semantics all you want. This poll is not good and you know it. eom

[JoePhilly]

8. Did the poll ask them if they were willing to give up their own tax break ...

to ensure that the rich don;t get one.

THAT is the real question.

I do not know a single Dem outside DU who would be appy to pay 1-3k more in taxes so that the rich won't get their break.

Most of them would PREFER that the super rich not get the break, but NOT if it means losing their own break.

[Pholus]

11. Let's phrase it better.

In the context of an out of control budget should we still keep the historically low tax rates we've been having recently.

[JoePhilly]

16. The middle class will answer the same way ...

They would prefer the rich pay more, but they will be PISSED if their own taxes go up in any way.

The deficit is only an issue when the GOP and the media decides that it is. The middle class really does not care about it, unless they are being told it will hurt them in the next 12-18 months.

[Number23]

24. Those are excellent points.

[sohndrsmith]

13. ... and the other 26% are unemployed and in fear of losing their homes and/or their children

to foster care?

[tickledropstop]

15. It's not a very good deal if you are middle-class and care about the deficit

[FrenchieCat]

17. No one cares about the deficit until they are looking for an excuse...

[Hello_Kitty]

19. Or until it's time to support one of the Catfood recommendations.

[FrenchieCat]

20. not worth it!

[Hello_Kitty]

21. You know I'm right.

When the Catfood austerity measures start coming you'll be telling us how important it is to deal with the deficit.

[FrenchieCat]

22. No, I believe you to be very wrong,

but don't feel like wasting my time talking to you.....
as I know it won't change what you think about
your prediction of what is gonna happen in the future,
that you are already blaming Obama for in the present.

[Hello_Kitty]

25. Predicting the future is very easy where you're concerned

Whatever your hero supports, you support.

[Number23]

23. Thanks for posting this. This may be the first time that DU actually reflected the liberal base

[KansasVoter]

26. LOL...and the blind supporters here said the DU was the minority!

[LiberalFighter]

27. How many of them will not have the interest to vote in 2012?

How many of those Progressives will he need to win in 2012?