posted August 27, 2014 06:43 AM            

More than half of American voters support across-the-board spending cuts but also do not believe it is likely that government spending actually will be reduced anytime soon, according to a new Rasmussen Reports poll.

The national telephone survey finds that 57 percent of likely voters think thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every federal program, generally in line with previous surveys. Just 27 percent disagree and 16 percent said they were uncertain. The poll was conducted Aug. 20-21, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

When voters were asked a similar question in June, 56 percent thought spending cuts in every program should be considered. And in a February Rasmussen poll, 59 percent thought the same.

The poll latest poll comes just a month after another Rasmussen survey reported that a mere 33 percent of voters would give President Barack Obama either good or excellent marks on how he is handling government spending.

While Americans support cutting spending, they also overwhelmingly favor greater action by Washington to address the nation's long-term debt, according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation’s August Fiscal Confidence Index, a monthly measure of public attitudes about the nation's long-term debt.

An overwhelming 83 percent of those polled believe Congress and the Obama administration should be spending more time addressing the debt and 64 percent say they should spend "a lot" more time on the issue. Unlike many fiscal issues, concern about the national debt is shared by voters in both parties. The survey found 92 percent of Republicans and 76 percent of Democrats agree more should be done.

"As Washington prepares to get back to work this fall, voters are calling for increased focus on the nation's long-term fiscal challenges," said Michael A. Peterson, president and chief operating officer of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. "Regardless of political party, Americans understand we need to address our long-term fiscal challenges to support a growing, thriving economy."

posted September 01, 2014 03:39 PM            

This doesn`t suprise me. I read or heard today that his overall approval rating was 40 something. That`s pretty bad considering his hope and change mantra high numbers for his first term buy ins.