2012-12-12-皮尤-As_Fiscal_Cliff_Nears,_Democrats_Have_Public_Opinion_on_Their_Side_70页_1mb

Summary of December 2012 Pew Research Center Poll

Key Findings on Political Issues

• Public Approval: Barack Obama's job approval rating is 55%, his highest since early 2009 and up by 11 points since January 2012, reflecting strong support despite political gridlock.
• Bipartisan Divide: Democrats were viewed favorably overall, with 55% approval, while Republicans' approval declined to 36%. Democrats were seen as less extreme and more willing to work across party lines.
• Political Polarization: Voters overwhelmingly (80%) view the U.S. as more politically divided than in the past, with similar views across partisan groups. 60% believe their personal networks are more divided.
• Partisan Influence: Partisanship drives views on most issues, with Democrats consistently outperforming Republicans, except in specific deficit reduction strategies like military cuts or aid programs for low-income groups.
• Fiscal Cliff: The public's knowledge about the fiscal cliff debate was limited, with only 57% correctly identifying it as automatic tax increases and spending cuts.

Key Findings on Economic Issues

• Economic Optimism: Despite challenges, 59% of Americans expect their personal financial situation to improve over the next year, though this is still slightly lower than in September 2012.
• Job Market Priority: The job market remains the top domestic worry (40% vs. 25% for the budget deficit), but despondency over future economic conditions is growing, with 25% expecting the economy to worsen.
• Deficit Reduction: 74% favor a balanced approach using both spending cuts and tax increases, marking a 13-20 point increase since July 2011. However, specific proposals like reducing military spending have low approval (43%), while higher taxes on incomes over $250,000 have broad support (69%).
• Republican Pessimism: 47% of Republicans believe the economy will get worse a year from now, compared to just 61% in lead expectations. This shift is linked to political uncertainty over the fiscal cliff.

Overall Sentiments

• The U.S. is deeply polarized, with partisan differences widening during the presidential campaign.
• Economic concerns are increasingly negative, particularly among Republicans, amid low public awareness of deficit solutions.
• The ability to manage the federal government, especially for Democrats, is viewed positively, further consolidating party leads.

For detailed methodology and additional insights, refer to the full Pew Research Center report.