Majority Blame National Debt On High Spending, Not Low Taxes

Arlington, Va. – Public Notice released the results of a national survey of likely voters on the issues of debt and spending, as well as which presidential candidate will make America more competitive. The survey was conducted by the Tarrance Group via telephone from October 22-25, 2012 among N=1,000 registered “likely” 2012 voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.

Results show that an overwhelming majority of voters believe that the cause of the federal debt comes from government spending being too high (79%) rather than taxes being too low (15%).  This is near universal agreement that government spending is the bigger cause of the debt, with key groups like Independents (83%), Hispanics (73%), women (78%), and middle class voters (80%) in agreement. In looking at which candidate for president would make the United States more competitive in the global economy over the next four years, a majority (51%) say Mitt Romney, while just 44% it is Barack Obama.

Gretchen Hamel, executive director of Public Notice, issued the following statement regarding the poll:“With election day just over a week away and the fiscal cliff looming just beyond, this poll is a clear message to candidates and policymakers that Americans think we spend too much, not that we’re taxed too little. This concern over high spending is not a partisan issue. Independents as well as key demographics such as women, Hispanics and middle class voters overwhelmingly believe spending the main culprit behind our massive debt. Americans want debt reduction, but they don’t want to foot the bill for Washington’s irresponsible spending.”Key Findings:

• By an overwhelming margin, voters throughout the country believe that the cause of the federal debt comes from government spending being too high (79%) rather than taxes being too low (15%).  This is near universal agreement that government spending is the bigger cause of the debt, with key groups like Independents (83%), Hispanics (73%), women (78%), and middle class voters (80%) in agreement.
• Additionally, young voters (those 18-29) are the most likely of any age group to say too much spending is to blame for the debt (82%).
• In looking at which candidate for president would make the United States more competitive in the global economy over the next four years, a majority (51%) say Mitt Romney, while just 44% it is Barack Obama.

Click here to read the polling memo [pdf format].

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