Poll: Voters want spending cuts, but actually don't

Here's a glaring set of numbers from Pew that has some bad news for the GOP on all things fiscal-cliff, related, and really just politics in general right now.

The gist? Voters support the phrase "cut spending", but then reject any specific cuts.

Here's their relative support for various spending cuts:

a. Reducing Medicare benefits for higher income seniors (-5%)

b. Reducing Social Security for higher income seniors (-5%)

c. Gradually raise age for Social Security (-14%)

d. Gradually raise age for Medicare (-15%)

e. Reduce funding for programs to help low income groups (-20%)

f. Reduce funding for roads and transportation (-37%)

g. Reduce military defense spending (-12%)

h. Reduce federal funding for education (-56%)


Now... what's the only specific deficit reduction tool they want to use? Raising taxes in some manner.


a. Raise taxes on income over $250,000 (+41%)

b. Limit deductions (+14%)

c. Raise tax on investment income (+9%)


Throughout the campaign, Barack Obama held a small but steady lead on the issue of taxes -- formerly a GOP strength.

This poll shows why Obama held that lead.

Americans, right now, are far more keen on raising taxes than on cutting spending on specific programs. That's a tough place for the GOP to be.