November 2011 Omnibus Week 1 Princeton Survey Research Associates International for National Journal Final Topline Results

November 7, 2011 1,005 adults age 18 and older Margin of error: Plus or minus 3.7 percentage points Interviewing dates: November 3 6, 2011 Notes: Due to rounding, percentages may not add to 100. An asterisk (*) indicates values less than 0.5%. CC1. Now thinking about the U.S. Congress Please tell me how important you think it is for Congress to reach agreement on each of the following BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. First, how important is it that Congress agrees on[INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE]? Next, [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE]. [READ FOR FIRST ITEM, THEN REPEAT AS NECESSARY: Is it very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important for Congress to do this before the end of this year?] (VOL.) Dont know/ Refused

Very important a. New federal spending to try to create jobs by rehabilitating public schools, improving roads and mass transit, and preventing layoffs of teachers, police officers, and other first responders Nov 3-6, 2011 b. New federal efforts to try to create jobs by cutting the Social Security taxes paid by workers and employers Nov 3-6, 2011 c. New legislation to reduce the federal deficit through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases on high income families Nov 3-6, 2011 d. New legislation to reduce the federal deficit solely by cutting spending on federal programs, including entitlements such as Medicare and Medicaid

Somewhat important

Not too important

Not at all important

68

16

35

30

13

17

58

24

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Nov 3-6, 2011 e. New legislation to make it easier for homeowners to refinance their mortgages at lower rates Nov 3-6, 2011 40 20 14 20 6

56

27

CC1.

Now thinking about the U.S. Congress Please tell me how important you think it is for Congress to reach agreement on each of the following BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. First, how important is it that Congress agrees on[INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE]? Next, [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE].

ASK CC2 IF TWO OR MORE ITEMS RATED VERY IMPORTANT IN CC1: CC2. Of the things you say are very important for Congress to get done, which ONE do you think is MOST important? (IF NECESSARY, RE-READ ITEMS RATED VERY IMPORTANT IN CC1) CC1/CC2 Combined Summary: Most Important for Congress to Get Done Based on Total Sample Nov 3-6 2011 36 21 12 11 6 4 9 2

New federal spending to try to create jobs by rehabilitating public schools, improving roads and mass transit, and preventing layoffs of teachers, police officers, and other first responders (a) New legislation to reduce the federal deficit through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases on high income families (c) New legislation to reduce the federal deficit solely by cutting spending on federal programs, including entitlements such as Medicare and Medicaid (d) New legislation to make it easier for homeowners to refinance their mortgages at lower rates (e) New federal efforts to try to create jobs by cutting the Social Security taxes paid by workers and employers (b) Other/Something Else (VOL.) None are rated very important Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

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CC3.

As I read you the list one more time, please tell me HOW LIKELY you think it is that Congress will do each of the following BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. First, how likely is it that Congress will agree on[INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE IN SAME ORDER AS CC1]? Next, [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE IN SAME ORDER AS CC1]. [READ FOR FIRST ITEM, THEN REPEAT AS NECESSARY: Is it very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely that Congress will agree on this before the end of this year?] (VOL.) Dont know/ Refused

Very likely a. New federal spending to try to create jobs by rehabilitating public schools, improving roads and mass transit, and preventing layoffs of teachers, police officers, and other first responders Nov 3-6, 2011 b. New federal efforts to try to create jobs by cutting the Social Security taxes paid by workers and employers Nov 3-6, 2011 c. New legislation to reduce the federal deficit through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases on high income families Nov 3-6, 2011 d. New legislation to reduce the federal deficit solely by cutting spending on federal programs, including entitlements such as Medicare and Medicaid Nov 3-6, 2011

Somewhat likely

Not too likely

Not at all likely

19

35

35

11

23

34

29

10

27

32

29

10

25

31

31

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e. New legislation to make it easier for homeowners to refinance their mortgages at lower rates Nov 3-6, 2011

12

27

30

28

CC4.

As you may know, a Congressional super committee is examining two different plans to try to reduce the federal deficit by at least $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years. After I describe the two plans, please tell me which ONE you prefer. One is a Democratic plan that calls for over $4 trillion in deficit reduction through a COMBINATION of federal spending cuts and tax increases on wealthier Americans. The other is a Republican plan that calls for $3 trillion in deficit reduction through spending cuts ALONE, with no tax increases. Which do you prefer?

Nov 3-6 2011 49 44 3 4

Democratic plan Republican plan Neither (VOL.) Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

CC5.

As you may know, there is concern about Greeces ability to pay its debts and fears that, if Greece defaults, it will hurt the global economy -- including the United States. Do you think the U.S. should or should NOT provide any financial assistance to European nations and financial institutions which have already offered Greece aid if it undertakes reforms to repair its fiscal problems?

Nov 3-6 2011 21 71 8

Should Should not Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

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DEMOGRAPHICS I have one last set of questions to help us better understand the people who took part in our survey. SEX Respondents Sex 49 51 Male Female

EMPLOY Are you now employed full-time, part-time, or not employed? 44 11 44 * 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? 30 70 * Yes No (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

AGE

What is your age? 21 32 27 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) 3 9 31 3 25 17 12 * 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 four-year 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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HISP Are you of Hispanic or Latino background, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or other Spanish background? 12 87 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)? 69 30 11 12 3 3 2 INC INC1 INC2 INC3 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. (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? (IF UNDER $75,000) Was it over or under $50,000? (IF UNDER $50,000) Was it over or under $30,000? 27 13 20 33 6 $75,000 or more $50,000 to under $75,000 $30,000 to under $50,000 Under $30,000 Undesignated

REG

Which of these statements best describes you? 70 4 25 * 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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PARTY In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent? 24 30 39 4 * 3 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.

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