There are only two weeks to go before the Congressional super committee on deficit reduction must agree on how to cut the federal budget — or risk automatic draconian cuts. But nearly four in ten Americans in the latest Economist/YouGov Poll have heard about the committee and its deliberations; most doubt it will do what it set out to do.
Young adults, and those with less money and education, are the least likely to be aware of the super committee. But all groups are skeptical it will do its job. Only 21% think it is likely to succeed. Americans have been dubious about the committee’s potential since it was created.
The public says both parties are responsible for the difficulties — though Republicans get a little more blame for a possible stalemate than Democrats do. But those are very partisan assessments.
One of the sticking points comes on the question of how to raise revenue, as many Republicans have taken a pledge not to vote to raise taxes. That pledge may not be as valuable as those officeholders think: 55% of Republicans say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who took that pledge, but only 36% of all registered voters agree.
Congress continues to get very low marks from the public: in this week’s poll just 7% approve of the way it is handling its job, matching its all-time low.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can found here.
Photo source: Press Association
