Public: You Better Get that Payroll Tax Cut Done

In this previous week’s YouGov poll released to Politic365 for examination, some perspective on what could be driving the payroll tax cut debate as Democrats and Republicans on the Hill battle over a recently chiseled compromise averting government shutdown.  An overwhelming majority of Americans, 70%, were aware of the payroll tax reduction expiring at the end of the year.  While revolting Republicans bucking leadership are attempting an end-run over the deal as a way to appease political bases back home during the holidays, the national mood is that Washington better get this done.

Still, the general election is a long way off, and the focus for many GOP rank-and-file is who can hold on the best to their conservative credentials.

In another interesting survey development, nearly half of respondents say the federal workforce is “too large.”  That sentiment seems strong despite the fact that over a quarter of the entire American workforce is in the public sector.  The results also come amid a resurgence of union political activities with public sector unions drawing thick lines in the sand in places like Wisconsin and Ohio.

And, as the Iraq War draws to an official close under the Administration of President Obama, most Americans -51% – still blame former President Bush for the situation there.  However, it will be interesting to see how public opinion fluctuates if hostilities in the newly democratic country escalate, particularly as large contingents of private security, diplomats and crack special forces teams are left behind with the largest and most fortified U.S. embassy in the world.

ONE IN THREE AMERICANS WOULD BE ANGRY IF PAYROLL TAX REDUCTION ENDED

“Seven in ten Americans are aware that this year’s Social Security payroll tax reduction will expire at the end of the year — unless Congress extends it. And if Congress doesn’t extend the tax break, and the rate reverts back to 6.2%, more than half the public in the latest Economist/YouGov poll would be dissatisfied, with 34% saying this would make them downright angry.”

NEARLY HALF SAY FEDERAL WORKFORCE IS TOO LARGE

“One of the options Republicans have proposed as a way to pay for an extension of the payroll tax cut is to reduce the size of the federal workforce, an action many Americans in the latest Economist/YouGov Poll would approve. 47% say the federal

workforce is too large. A majority of independents and 75% of Republicans agree, though Democrats disagree.”

NEWT GINGRICH REMAINS AT TOP OF GOP PRESIDENTIAL FIELD, BUT GOP VOTERS NOT SATISFIED

“Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is spending one more week atop the Republican field in the contest for that party’s presidential nomination. In this week’s Economist/YouGov Poll, 29% of registered voters who say they will likely vote in a Republican caucus or primary in 2012 favor Gingrich, while former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney trails in second place with 18%.”

51% STILL VIEW GEORGE W. BUSH AS MOSTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SITUATION IN IRAQ

“As the United States ends its military presence in Iraq, Americans remain uncomfortable with America’s military activity there: in the latestEconomist/YouGov Poll, more than half think the United States made a mistake sending troops to fight in Iraq in the first place.”

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Charles D. Ellison, Managing Editor for Politic365.com, Washington Correspondent for The Philadelphia Tribune and a weekly political analyst providing insight on WDAS-FM (Philadelphia), WVON-AM (Chicago) and KSRO-AM (Sonoma County, CA). He is author of the critically-acclaimed urban political thriller TANTRUM. More information can be found at http://www.cdellison.com

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