GALLUP: 66% of Public Support Elements of Tax Compromise (52% of Dems support extending tax cuts)

[jefferson_dem]

Americans Support Two Major Elements of Tax Compromise
Liberal vs. Moderate/Conservative Democrats disagree on extending tax cuts for all
by Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ -- Two major elements included in the tax agreement reached Monday between President Barack Obama and Republican leaders in Congress meet with broad public support. Two-thirds of Americans (66%) favor extending the 2001/2003 tax cuts for all Americans for two years, and an identical number support extending unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed.



According to Gallup polling conducted Dec. 3-6, the slight majority of Democrats, as well as most independents and Republicans, would vote for a two-year extension of the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003.

This differs slightly from a November Gallup poll giving Americans three options for extending the Bush tax cuts. That poll found 40% in favor of extending the tax cuts for all Americans, 44% in favor of extending them with limits on tax breaks for the wealthy, and 13% in favor of letting the tax breaks expire altogether. Nevertheless, the results of the new question suggest that, while the compromise position on taxes may not be their ideal, most Americans would support congressional passage of it.

In terms of extending unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed, more rank-and-file Republicans say they would vote against this than for it; however, the vast majority of independents and Democrats are in favor.

Opposition Limited to the Extremes

<SNIP>

Implications

The White House reportedly agreed to extend the Bush tax cuts for all Americans partly to help lure independents back to the Democrats' fold by 2012. That reasoning seems sound. By yielding on the tax cuts, Obama extracted Republican leaders' support for extending unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed -- and large majorities of independents support both measures. Additionally, according to a post-election Gallup poll, by 49% to 24%, independents are more inclined to favor partisan compromise over principled standoffs in Congress. Thus, rather than get mired in a partisan squabble that could result in higher taxes for the middle class come January, Obama can present himself as the architect of a new era of compromise.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/145109/Americans-Support-Major-Elements-Tax-Compromise.aspx

[Lasher]

1. They didn't ask this time about letting tax cuts for the wealthy expire.

Gallup was honest in mentioning that omission, but this detail is lost on those who just read the headline. Other headlines and other polls tell a different story:

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

Extending Bush Tax Cuts: The Most Unpopular Thing Obama Has Done?

[bigdarryl]

2. So this means big headed Ed Schultz with his RANTING!!! is in the minority

So maybe he can stop his yelling talking SHIT! on Obama

[Lasher]

4. No it doesn't

As I tried to convey, the Gallup poll can be misleading.

Public Opinion Supports Tax Cut Extension Only For Middle Class

As negotiations continue over whether to pass an extension of all or part of the Bush tax cuts, a new poll released last night shows a majority of Americans support extending the cuts only for families making less than $250,000 a year. Other recent polling shows similar levels of support for extending only some of the Bush tax cuts, but the polling also shows that failing to extend at least some of the cuts would be extremely unpopular.

The new poll, conducted by CBS News, found that 53% of adults surveyed prefer the cuts to be extended only for those making less than $250,000, while 26% believe they should be extended for everyone and only 14% want all of the cuts to expire. Extending the cuts only for those making less than $250,000 was the most popular option for Democrats (70%) and independents (47%), while Republicans were more likely to support continuing cuts for all Americans, but by only a 46% to 41% margin over allowing them to expire for those earning more than $250,000. The CBS News poll was conducted Nov. 29-Dec. 1 among 808 adults, and had a margin of error of four percentage points.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/03/public-opinion-supports-t_n_791658.html

Only 26% believe the tax cuts should be extended for everyone. Ed is right and so is Bernie.

[bowens43]

5. you're wrong of course.

Not only Democrats, but all Americans overwhelmingly support letting the tax break for the upper 2 percent expire.

[jefferson_dem]

10. You are correct.

n/t

[BzaDem]

3. So now, instead of reflecting inward and asking themselves why they got the public so wrong, they

will probably start blaming Gallup or polling as a science or something.

[druidity33]

11. see reply #4. nt.

[flpoljunkie]

6. Shame on Republicans who support extending Bush tax cuts but meagerly support extending UI benefits

85% to 43%! And, good for the Independents who support extending unemployment benefits to the tune of 71%. And, a major nod to Democrats who support the same by 84%!

[TheWebHead]

7. doesn't surprise me

the general public doesn't care if the other guy pays 36% or 39% in income tax, they just care about their own tax rate and if it is going up. people who immerse themselves in places like this or watching msnbc or listening to liberal talk radio are hearing an echo from an ideological choir. polling will give congress cover to support this deal.

[budkin]

8. The reason they "support" tax cuts is because that includes the middle class tax cut obviously

[jefferson_dem]

9. Obviously.

But those middle-class Americans would not get that tax cut they like ... if some had their way.

Besides, you may recall that Obama campaigned on the pledge to NOT raise taxes on anyone who earned less than $250k a year. So it's a win-win...with some unfortunate (though apparantly necessary) concessions.