Poll: Many Americans Say President’s Tax Policies Favor Rich
Analysis By Dalia Sussman.
Jan. 7
— George W. Bush faces broad skepticism about his economic programs and priorities: Many Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy and think his tax policies favor the wealthy, and more trust the Democrats over the Republicans to create jobs.
You've requested an ABCNews.com page that does not exist.
If you've reached this page by selecting a bookmark that worked previously, it's likely the file moved to a new location because of our recent redesign. Please update your bookmarks.
If you still can't find the page your looking for, check out our homepage or use the search form below:
As he unveils his 10-year, $670 billion economic stimulus plan, Bush faces continued suspicion that his tax policies disproportionately benefit the rich. Fifty percent say his tax cuts favor the wealthy, considerably more than the 36 percent who think they benefit Americans equally. Hardly any think they mainly help the less-than-wealthy.
Concern about the long-term direction of the nation's economy is high — 67 percent in this ABCNEWS poll say they're worried about it (thought that's eased a bit in the last two months). Just 50 percent approve of Bush's work on the economy, matching his worst rating on economic performance since before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. And consumer confidence has fallen sharply in the nearly two years since he took office.
Worry about the economy's future drives much of the disquiet with Bush's work on the issue. His approval rating for handling the economy drops to 40 percent among people who are worried about its direction, and to just 27 percent among those who are "very worried."
Who Benefits From Bush's Tax Cut Proposals?
Wealthy
50%
Less Well-Off
4%
Both Equally
36%
Consumer confidence as measured in the weekly ABCNEWS/Money magazine poll just completed its worst year on average since 1996, averaging -11 in 2002 on its scale of +100 to -100. The index stood at +17 the week Bush was inaugurated as president, compared to -19 today. (What's saved Bush's overall job approval ratings are his enormously high marks for handling the U.S. response to terrorism.)
While Bush says his plan will help create jobs, the Democrats hold a 10-point lead over the Republicans in public trust to create jobs, 42 to 32 percent. These views are highly partisan, but independents favor the Democrats by 38 to 24 points. (Notably, 23 percent of independents say they don't trust either party in job creation.)
People who are worried about the economy trust the Democrats more by a 29-point margin; those who aren't employed full-time trust the Democrats more by 14 points.
Bush's Handling of the Economy?
Approve
Disapprove
All
50%
43%
Worried About Economy
40%
53%
Very Worried
27%
67%
An ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll last month underscored another of Bush's problems in advocating a tax cut — a broad public preference to protect popular programs. Americans by a huge 62-34 percent margin said it's more important for the government to provide needed services than to cut taxes. But Bush is widely seen as having the opposite priority: By a 57-32 percent margin, Americans said it's more important to him to cut taxes than to provide needed services.
Economy Vs. Iraq
The public divides evenly on what should be the Bush administration's higher priority: 44 percent say the economy, 45 percent the possibility of war with Iraq. The level of concern for each naturally fuels the choice. Those who are "very worried" about the economy pick it over Iraq by a 28-point margin; those who are "very worried" about Iraq's effort to develop nuclear weapons say Iraq should be the higher priority by a 25-point margin.
There are sharp partisan and gender differences here. Fifty-six percent of Democrats say the economy's a greater concern; 60 percent of Republicans say it's Iraq. (Independents divide evenly.) Men want the Bush administration to focus more on the economy, by 50 to 40 percent, while women say Iraq should be the higher priority, by 49-38 percent.
Methodology
This ABCNEWS poll was conducted by telephone Jan. 2-5, 2003, among a random national sample of 1,044 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Fieldwork by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.
Previous ABCNEWS polls can be found in our PollVault.
You've requested an ABCNews.com page that does not exist.
If you've reached this page by selecting a bookmark that worked previously, it's likely the file moved to a new location because of our recent redesign. Please update your bookmarks.
If you still can't find the page your looking for, check out our homepage or use the search form below:
You've requested an ABCNews.com page that does not exist.
If you've reached this page by selecting a bookmark that worked previously, it's likely the file moved to a new location because of our recent redesign. Please update your bookmarks.
If you still can't find the page your looking for, check out our homepage or use the search form below:
PRINT THIS PAGE
VIEW MOST EMAILED
