Public Pulse

In a survey of voters in September 2007, Peter Hart Research found these two frames scored highest out of eight:

- “Over the past five years the Bush administration has spent nearly half a
trillion dollars in Iraq, while saying that we cannot afford to meet our
priorities at here at home. In fact with just one week of Iraq war funding,
about two billion dollars, we could have provided eight hundred thousand
children with health care coverage for one year. The Democrats
understand that it is time we put first things first and invest in health care,
education, and infrastructure right here in America. “
- 60% convincing (47% very)

- “Meeting our country's most important needs in a fiscally responsibility way
is just a matter of setting priorities. For the past six years President Bush
and the Republican Congress have put the priority on passing tax breaks
for multimillionaires and big corporations. The Democrats understand that it
is more important to put our priority on the things that make a difference for
the middle class and working families––good schools, health care, a clean
environment, and twenty-first century infrastructure.”
- 56% convincing (41% very)

In January 2008, Greenberg, Quinlan and Rosner surveyed the “swingiest of swing” voters.17 They voters describe themselves as Independent, or they were Democrats and Republicans who did not support their party candidate in various polls. The survey geography was in swing congressional districts, presidential battleground states and swing Senate states. Even among this tough group, the survey found overwhelming support for an investment agenda, with a 69% to 25% margin. It’s important, however, also to stress accountability and to respond to voter concerns about deficits and incompetence.

- “Under this plan, the government will invest to guarantee high-quality
affordable health care for all, invest in child development and preschool
programs that help kids start school ready to learn, strengthen public
schools and expand college aid. This plan will also develop clean energy to
help end our dependence on oil. In order to pay for the plan, it would
eliminate recently passed tax breaks for millionaires and big corporations,
safely end our costly war with Iraq and include new measures to hold
government accountable and reduce corruption and waste.”
- 69% support; 25% oppose

A February 2008 AP-Ipsos poll of registered voters revealed that the best ways to improve the economy are to pull out of Iraq and spend on domestic investments.

How much do you think each of the following would help fix the country’s economic problems?

- Pulling out of Iraq: Great deal 48%, Some 20%, Only a little 13%, No help at all 18%
- Increasing spending on domestic programs like health care, education and housing: Great deal 43%, Some 27%, Only a little 16%, No help at all 14%
- Cutting taxes: Great deal 36%, Some 32%, Only a little 18%, No help at all 13%
- Putting more money in the hands of poor people: Great deal 29%, Some 27%, Only a little 26%, No help at all 17%

In January 2008, Fortune magazine asked people’s opinion about how to repair the economy. Here are some proposals to help the economy, favor or oppose?

- Tax cuts just for low and middle income people: Favor 76% Oppose 21%
- Limiting rate increases on adjustable rate mortgages to keep them more affordable: Favor 75% Oppose 21%
- Increasing government spending on things like public-works projects to help create jobs: Favor 67% Oppose 31%
- Helping people who can't afford their mortgages by suspending foreclosures on houses until the economy gets better: Favor 55% Oppose 39%
- Expanding unemployment benefits and providing additional weeks of benefits: Favor 55% Oppose 41%
- Extend the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003: Favor 53% Oppose 37%
- Tax cuts for business: Favor 51% Oppose 44%

When people think about change, they think about returning to common sense priorities. They want to re-focus attention on problems here at home, and to invest in America and while reducing spending in Iraq. They support a broad range of investments – from education and training to rebuilding our infrastructure.

Polls about economic stimulus provided evidence in unexpected ways. In January 2008, Fortune magazine asked people’s opinion about how to repair the economy. Spending for public works received strong support, even with little support from the major parties. 67% of Americans favor "increasing government spending on things like public-works projects to help create jobs." Americans also believe "tax cutes JUST for low and middle income people (76%)," and "limiting rate increases on adjustable rate mortgages to keep them more affordable (75%)" are solid proposals to help the economy.

Voters are increasingly angry about an economy in which wages are flat and costs keep rising. Costs cause the most tension, especially health care. Even as the housing crisis was breaking, a Wall Street Journal poll of adults from July 2007 found that “the cost of health care” ranked as the biggest economic issue (44%), with “jobs going overseas” ranking second (34%).

A January 2008 Washington Post poll of adults identified “health care cost” as the biggest problem (24%) followed immediately by “rising prices overall” (23%), especially gasoline (16%). Tellingly, people ranked “high taxes” near the bottom (12%).