E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
As Republicans and the White House continue to jostle over the "fiscal cliff," the public remains pessimistic about a solution and is largely prepared to blame the GOP if no agreement is reached.
A new poll from the Pew Research Center and the Washington Post shows that only four in 10 adults believe that the two sides will hammer out an agreement to dodge the fiscal cliff by its Jan. 1 deadline, while nearly half (49 percent) believe no deal will get done in time.
The $2.2 trillion proposal floated by House Speaker John Boehner was shot down by the White House, which said Republicans' rejection of tax hikes for the wealthy and sweeping cuts to popular social programs are unacceptable. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.
What's more -- in a trend surely being eyed by the Obama administration -- the public still appears ready to place blame for the impasse on congressional Republicans over the White House by a nearly 2-1 margin.
With a divide similar to public perceptions earlier in November, 53 percent of those surveyed said they would point the finger at the GOP for the failure of the negotiations, while just 27 percent say the president would be at fault.
The fiscal cliff counter-offer issued by House Republicans has one thing in common with last week's White House proposal – neither was designed to win any bipartisan support. The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd reports.
While Democrats surveyed are far more optimistic than Republicans about an agreement (by 55 to 22 percent), all partisan groups appear uncertain about exactly what the consequences of the cliff's automatic spending cuts and tax increases could be. Only about a third of adults overall say they understand the effects of the fiscal cliff "very well," but over 60 percent say those effects will have a "major effect" on the US economy. But not as many respondents think that a tumble over the cliff will dramatically affect their own lives, with 43 percent saying the cuts and taxes would have a "major effect" on their personal finances and 35 percent labeling the consequences "minor" in their own lives.
Yuri Gripas / Reuters
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) speaks during a GOP news conference on the "fiscal cliff", on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 28, 2012.
The survey was conducted between Nov. 28 and Dec. 2 among 1,003 adults. It has a 3.7 percent margin of error among its overall sample of adults.
Leave a Comment:
It isnt the republicans, It is the democrats and Obama. Obama wants to go off the cliff. No matter what the republicans do or say, He will just want more. Have any of you actually read the democrats plan, and the republicans plan, Do you know what Obama wants to do, and SPEND. WITHOUT CUTTING A DANG THING. All you see is blame, blame blame, Well, i guess it works, He has you dumb A**es still blaming Bush like a bunch of blind sheep. He can do whatever he wants, if it doesnt work, BLAME IT ON BUSH.... with the media help. It works. Now, if it doesnt work, Blame in on the GOP. read the headlines, they are already at it, and it hasnt even happened yet. Prep is the name of the game, Start out early, brainwash those that cannot think for themselves.... Blame the GOP, blame the GOP blame the GOP... there, I didnt my part......does anyone here see Obama being bipartisan? I dont. It his way, or the hiway, with our lives, he isnt compromising either. If it fails, HIS LEADERSHIP IS TO BLAME. Washington is to blame, Not the GOP, but the whole dang Congress and yes, your ever loving OBAMA,
Koolade Dandit61: drink some more.
The GOP has been and continues to be concerned about the well-being of the rich.
Even though Democrats propose to raise rates which will get little new revenue from the Buffett's & Romney's...
Who's protecting the richest of the rich?
But that's okay. President Obama is asking that revenue be increased $30-40 billion a year, if not, the tax cuts for the 98% will go up.
That's risking an awful lot for very little.
OK. What's if going to take to get the GOP's head out of it's ass?? Seriously. Screw Norquist and his stupid, unrealistic contract.
I do not make any where near 250,000 nor do I think that is wealthy for a family. I don't think those wage earners should have to pay more taxes. I admire them for working hard and living the AMERICAN DREAM. I have worked extremely hard to get an education and grow in my career thereby earning more money. I am going to be paying student loans back forever. But if you want an education you must pay for it. One day I hope my husband and I are at the 250,000 income level. I will not want to give up more of my income just to cover those who don't want to work to be successful. All the Hollywood stars who are primarily democrats must have their money somewhere else, why would they be for paying more taxes. Question to all... Even though it is reported that members of government have to pay taxes like everyone else, why on earth would they be arguing for themselves to pay more taxes? Doesn't make sense... they have to have a loophole to get out of the proposed increases. Think about people, would you lobby for and fight to lose more of your income???
Let's do nothing and let Barry's voters see what he has in store for them. No deal will be enough to solve the problem anyway. The public simply is too dumbed down to understand the severity of our debt crises. But, go ahead and blame the mean, evil Republicans. You've been brainwashed to do that, and actually growing up and facing reality is too much to expect from those who believe the government can't run out of money.
I have come to realize that people do not care who pays for their entitlements as long as its not them. So as long as we have 47% of people receiving entitlements and/or not paying taxes, then we will always have a subsection of people think that the rest of us 53% should pay for the gravy train.
The question the left needs to ask is, what incentive do people have to get off the entitlements? Or maybe the Democrats do not want them to get off the entitlements since once people start producing and getting taxed and self sufficient, then they have no need for the Democrats any longer.
The poor to the left are just a tool for a political end.
MC:
Do you include corporate welfare in your definition of entitlement?
maobama,
I have paid into SS and Medicare for 35 years. I am 68 but cannot afford to retire yet. I am entitled to SS and Medicare because I have paid into them. Every person that works, except those that live on dividends or capital gains do not have to pay into SS or Medicare because it is not earned income. So you can rant all you want about entitlements. Wait until you retire.
Did anyone notice the sign, Orangeman had? "focused on American jobs". Heard that before, but only now realized it meant "focused on keeping my job and those of my TeaGops" !!!!
Mr Obama would never used a sign like that, as he could care less about being "focused on American jobs".
After all this summer he gave 23 million unemployed and under-employed Americans the finger when he granted millions of illegal aliens deferred status and work permits so they could compete for jobs against citizens.
nh_shellback,
What, you do not think that those illegal aliens do not work? You must live under a rock.
When will the American people wake up and force Obama to accept blame for his decisions and failed policies. Obama spent his first 4 years blaming Bush for his failures and incompetence. I see now we will get the same bullsh#t for another 4 years. Why is Obama allowed only to get credit for the rare good things he accomplishes (can't think of one) and blame someone else for his mistakes? What a great leader!!!! He lies and you Obama lovers believe him and quickly forget what he says. In my 50 years as a democrat I have never been so disappointed and in disagreement with American Democrat voters.
For me anyone in office who is an "idiot and incompetent" is an "idiot and incompetent" regardless of the party.
The Republicans are to blame for this whole mess! Period!
Get a grip, democratic overspending is the issue, it's hardly Dan income issue, you just can't quit spending, spending, spending!
It is time to bring up George W. Bush in our conversation about the Debt and the deficit. Judging from their relative silence since transfer of power, Obama and Bush may have made some sort of deal to not speak ill of each other or even mention each others names. Think about it -- do you ever hear Obama reference Bush? Or vice versa? But it is high time to remind the American public of Bush's policies that caused so much of the debt we are debating and not shy away from calling out the Republicans currently in Congress who rubber-stamped Bush's policies a few years back but are now currently outraged at the debt they incurred. And there are many of them.
Perhaps it would bring Bush out of the woodwork to attack Obama, to which I say: bring it on! Bush's reemergence and more visible presence would be a huge reminder in itself, but the discussion of his policies would bring the most benefit to our national discussion. There are many people still (rightfully) angry that no one in the Bush cabinet paid any price for their actions, much like many of us are angry that no one from Wall Street has paid a price for the financial meltdown. But don't hear Obama mention Bush by name, usually using the generic "Republican administration" to reflect on the 8 years prior to his presidency. There is almost no effort in the national debate to talk about Republican-incurred Debt and deficit under Bush. Enough. Let's discuss George W. Bush and why we're dealing with such large numbers in the first place. Here's a few facts to begin with:
Bush's Republican administration increased the federal budget by 104 percent.
In his last term in office, Bush increased discretionary spending by 48.6 percent.
130 current members of congress voted to increase the debt limit under Bush.
President Bush promised to pay off the national debt in his first address to Congress in 2001: "At the end of those 10 years, we will have paid down all the debt that is available to retire. That is more debt repaid more quickly than has ever been repaid by any nation at any time in history."
What really happened: Debt held by the public increased from $3.5 trillion to nearly $6 trillion and gross federal debt rose from $5.6 trillion to nearly $10 trillion.
Two wars (and yes, Obama has continued to add to their initial costs), a Medicare prescription drug plan and multiple tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. ALL on the national credit card, making up the bulk of our issue with the debt and the deficit. And though it's Obama's to deal with and clean up, it was Bush's to start. So was TARP. And so was the housing bubble and Wall Street meltdown, which were already crashing when Bush left office. The housing problem is one of the biggest drags on our economy and though Wall Street has miraculously bounced back to business as usual, the housing market has stayed on the floor, like an anchor on our economy.
I do not envy the job Obama has to right this ship. It is messy, it is calamitous and it is against enemies far more powerful than perhaps ever before in history. But the alarming lack of responsibility for this debt and deficit caused by many of the same Republicans who are hammering against Obama means that the public has somehow forgotten their involvement. How easily they catch amnesia when it's so convenient politically. John Boehner CAUSED these huge problems, and yet he's being taken seriously as someone who will somehow make it all better? Let's not forget those who served faithfully under George W. Bush during the years of government expansion, huge spending and huge debt. Here's a few notable ones:
John Boehner (in Congress since 1990)
Eric Cantor (in Congress since 2001)
Mitch McConnell (in Congress since 1984)
John Kyl (in Congress since 1987)
Of course, not one of them speaks of their role in causing so much of our debt and deficit, and rarely do they invoke the man they served under through his entire presidency: George W. Bush. And let's not forget dear old Dick Cheney, who no doubt helped forge the policies and actions that sent America off the cliff. Anyone remember Donald Rumsfeld? I thought so.
The Republicans didn't have the answer to debt reduction for 8 years under Bush and they have not suddenly gotten wiser. In fact, they now have Tea Party pressure from the extreme Right that is making their job even harder and making them even less effective at what they profess (real fiscal responsibility) and better at what they actually do (dismantling our social safety net and serving the corporatocracy). It is time we shine a spotlight on the damaging policies of President Bush and the Republicans and rescue our country from its collective amnesia before Bush's true legacy -- nearly bankrupting the most powerful country in the world -- brings us to our knees. Remember: raising the debt ceiling is about paying for debts that have already been incurred. Funny how the Republicans who caused those debts are now so against paying for them. "It's time to suck it up and pay our bill." It's also time to discuss the large part of what we owe for George W. Bush's bill and remember those Republicans in Congress who are responsible for creating it.
I'm sick & Tired of hearing about this fiscal Cliff. I don't blame Obama however I don't blame Boehner either. I don't blame Democrats nor Republicans, Libertarians, Independents Tea Partiers or any other Political machine. I blame myself and those like me that trusted someone else to fix this crisis. It is on all of us for believing and electing politicians with promises of them curing our country's financial woes. "Of the people by the people for the people". If you aren't contributing do, if you are blaming someone else stop, if you expect magic go see a David Copperfield show in Vegas.The only way we will ever move forward is admitting the fault is on us for being Naive. It will take time, hard work and sacrifice from everyone.