The Federal Budget Deficit Do you think it is necessary to take immediate action to lower the budget deficit or do you think it is possible to wait for better economic times? All Republicans Independents Democrats Necessary to act immediately 56 68 58 44 Possible to wait 38 26 37 49 No opinion 7 6 5 7

In order to reduce the federal budget deficit, do you think it will be necessary or not necessary to increase taxes on people like you? All Republicans Independents Democrats Necessary 41 35 43 46 Not necessary 56 62 56 50 No opinion 3 4 1 3

Do you think it will be necessary or not necessary to cut back on government programs that benefit people like you? All Republicans Independents Democrats Necessary 55 68 60 44 Not necessary 39 27 35 50 No opinion 5 5 5 6

If you had to choose one, which would you prefer — raising taxes on people like you or reducing spending on government programs that benefit people like you? All Republicans Independents Democrats Raising taxes 29 11 32 42 Reducing spending 62 81 59 49 No opinion 9 7 9 9

If you had to choose one, which would you be willing to change in order to cut government spending? All Republicans Independents Democrats Medicare 21 31 24 10 Social Security 13 17 15 11 Military 55 42 55 66 No opinion 10 10 7 13

If you had to choose one, which of the following domestic programs would you be willing to reduce in order to cut government spending? All Republicans Independents Democrats Education 8 13 6 7 Roads, bridges and other infrastructure 34 23 36 40 Science and medical research 26 26 30 23 Aid to the unemployed and poor 21 32 21 13 No opinion 11 6 7 16

Medicare and Social Security If you had to choose one, which of the following changes to Medicare benefits would you prefer in order to reduce the federal budget deficit?* All Republicans Independents Democrats Raising the age people start receiving Medicare benefits 21 32 23 7 Raising the premiums all Medicare recipients have to pay 16 15 12 20 Raising the premiums high-income Medicare recipients have to pay 48 38 44 64 Covering fewer treatments 9 11 15 3 No opinion 6 5 5 6