Poll: Americans Prefer Obama Plans On Fiscal Cliff
WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) – When it comes to dealing with the austerity crisis facing Washington politicians, a majority of Americans are lining up their support behind President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.
According to the Q Poll, by a 53-36 percent margin, Americans trust President Obama and Democrats more than Republicans to avoid the "fiscal cliff" or austerity crisis. Forty-eight percent said the president and Congress can and will reach an agreement to avert the tax increases and spending cuts.
Most Americans favor spending cuts and limiting tax deductions in broad terms, but when it came to details, voters were quick to oppose most changes.
According to the Q Poll, 67 percent opposed eliminating the home mortgage interest deduction, but favored limiting the deduction to the first $500,000 of mortgage debt and eliminating the deduction for second homes.
A plurality supported raising the tax on capital gains and roughly two-thirds said the best way to reduce the deficit is through a combination of tax increases and spending cuts.
But, according to the poll, 70 percent opposed cutting Medicaid spending, 51 percent opposed gradually raising the age for Medicare eligibility, and 55 percent opposed cuts in military spending.
