October 2013 Omnibus Week 1 Princeton Survey Research Associates International for National Journal Final Topline Results

October 7, 2013 Total: 1,000 adults age 18 and older Margin of error: Plus or minus 3.7 percentage points

Interviewing dates: October 3-6, 2013 LANDLINE INTRO: Hello, my name is ________ and I'm calling for Princeton Survey Research. Were conducting a study about some important issues today, and would like to include your household. RANDOMIZE RESPONDENT SELECTION - DO NOT RANDOMIZE BY FORM: May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT MALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home? AND May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT FEMALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home? IF NO MALE/FEMALE ASK: May I please speak with the YOUNGEST ADULT FEMALE/MALE, age 18 or older, who is now at home? CELL PHONE INTRO: Hello, I am ___ calling for Princeton Survey Research. We are conducting a national study of cell phone users. I know I am calling you on a cell phone. This is not a sales call. (IF R SAYS DRIVING/UNABLE TO TAKE CALL: Thank you. We will try you another time...) CELL PHONE SCREENING INTERVIEW: S1. Are you under 18 years old, OR are you 18 or older? 1 Under 18 2 18 or older 9 Dont know/Refused IF S1=2, CONTINUE WITH MAIN INTERVIEW IF S1=1,9, THANK AND TERMINATE: This study is limited to adults age 18 and over. I wont take any more of your time... READ TO ALL CELL PHONE - INTRODUCTION TO MAIN INTERVIEW: Were interested in learning more about people with cell phones. If you are now driving a car or doing any activity requiring your full attention, I need to call you back later. The first question is... Notes: Due to rounding, percentages may not add to 100. An asterisk (*) indicates values less than 0.5%.

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

CC1/PEW3 Who do you think is more to blame for the federal government shutdown -[INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE] or [ITEM]? Oct 3-6 20131 38 30 19 2 11 Sep 19-22 2013 39 36 17 2 6 Mar 30Apr 3 20112 39 36 16 2 7 Feb 24-27 20113 36 35 17 1 10

Republicans The Obama administration Both equally (VOL.) Neither (VOL.) Dont know/ Refused (VOL.) CC2.

Republicans in the House of Representatives passed legislation that only kept the government operating if President Obama agreed to delay or stop funding his health reform plan. The president and the Senate refused to support a bill including such a provision. Do you think [READ AND RANDOMIZE] Oct 3-6 20134 24 Sep 19-22 2013 27

The House is right to fund the continuing operations of the federal government only if Obama agrees to delay or withdraw his health care plan Congress should provide the funding to keep the government operating and deal with the health care issue separately Dont know/ Refused (VOL.)

65

63

11

10

Pew Research Center question. Modified to present tense from trends. Original wording: If the federal government shuts down because [RANDOMIZE: Republicans and the Obama administration] cant agree on a budget, who do you think would be more to blame 2 Pew Research Center for the People & the Press trend (www.people-press.org/2011/04/04/public-would-blame-both-sides-if-government-shuts-down/) 3 Pew Research Center for the People & the Press / Washington Post trend (www.people-press.org/2011/02/28/more-side-with-wisconsin-unions-than-governor/) 4 Question modified to present tense from trends. Original wording: Some Republicans in the House of Representatives say they will not support a bill to keep the government operating unless it includes a provision to delay or defund President Obamas health reform plan. The White House says it will not sign a bill including such a provision. Do you think Congress should [READ AND RANDOMIZE: Only fund the continuing operations of the federal government if Obama agrees to delay or withdraw his health care plan OR Provide the funding to keep the government operating and deal with the health care issue separately

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

READ TO ALL: Turning now to the broader question of the federal budget CC3. As you may know, Congress is considering ways to reduce the federal deficit over the next decade. Which ONE of the following three options to reduce the deficit would you most prefer? [READ; RANDOMIZE OPTIONS 1 AND 2 ONLY] Oct 3-6 2013 43 12 31 7 7 Nov 29Dec 2 2012 38 16 38 4 4

Have about two-thirds of the money come from spending cuts and one-third from tax increases Have about two-thirds of the money come from tax increases and one-third from spending cuts Have about half the money come from tax increases and half from spending cuts None of these/Other (VOL.) Dont know/Refused (VOL.) CC4

Which one of the following possible outcomes of an agreement to reduce the deficit concerns you MOST? [READ AND RANDOMIZE] Oct 3-6 2013 35 25 17 14 10 Oct 12-14 2012 36 24 15 15 11 Nov 17-20 2011 38 23 17 12 10

It will cut too much from government programs like Medicare and Social Security It will raise taxes on people like you It will not meet its target for reducing the federal deficit and debt It will allow for too much federal spending in the next few years Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

ASK ALL CC5. Im going to read you some government programs whose spending could be cut to reduce the federal budget deficit. As I read each one, please tell me if you think spending on that program should be cut back a lot, some, or not at all to reduce the deficit. (First/Next), what about [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE] [READ FOR FIRST ITEM, THEN IF NECESSARY Should spending on this area be cut back a lot, some, or not at all to help reduce the deficit?]5 (VOL.) Dont know/ Refused 3 2 2 1 1 2

a. Social Security Oct 3-6, 2013 Nov 29- Dec 2, 2012 Feb 9-12, 2012 Medicare, the medical program for the elderly Oct 3-6, 2013 Nov 29- Dec 2, 2012 Feb 9-12, 2012 Food stamps and housing vouchers that go to low income families Oct 3-6, 2013 Nov 29- Dec 2, 2012 Feb 9-12, 2012 Medicaid for low income families Oct 3-6, 2013 Nov 29- Dec 2, 2012 Feb 9-12, 2012 Defense spending Oct 3-6, 2013 Nov 29- Dec 2, 2012 Feb 9-12, 2012

A lot 3 3 3 4 3 2

Some 18 19 19 14 17 16

Not at all 76 77 76 81 79 80

b.

c.

d.

17 13 9 7 7 5 18 17 18

39 37 37 30 28 28 44 47 42

42 49 51 60 63 65 34 33 35

3 2 2 2 3 2 4 3 5

e.

Modified trend intro. All previous trend wording Im going to read you some government programs whose spending could be cut to help reduce the federal budget deficit. As I read each one, please tell me if you think spending should be cut back a lot, some, or not at all to help reduce the deficit.

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

ASK ALL: CC6 As you may know, some people have proposed that one way to reduce the deficit is to limit the tax credits and deductions that reduce peoples taxes. As I read each, tell me if you think the deduction should be reduced for all taxpayers, reduced only for taxpayers earning more than $250,000 per year, or not reduced for any taxpayers. First, what about [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE]? Next, [INSERT NEXT ITEM; RANDOMIZE]? [READ IF NECESSARY: Do you think it should be reduced for all taxpayers, taxpayers earning over $250,000 per year, or not reduced for any taxpayers?]6 Reduced for taxpayers earning over $250,000 per year only 23 21 22 19 19 19 Not reduced for any taxpayers 34 31 36 31 46 37 (VOL.) Dont know/ Refused 7 8 8 7 6 6

a. The deduction for interest on home mortgages Oct 3-6, 2013 Dec 6-9, 2012 b. The deduction for state and local taxes Oct 3-6, 2013 Dec 6-9, 2012 c. The deduction for charitable donations Oct 3-6, 2013 Dec 6-9, 2012 d. The tax exemption for the value of health insurance coverage provided by an employer Oct 3-6, 2013 Dec 6-9, 2012

Reduced for all taxpayers 35 41 34 42 30 38

32 40

24 19

34 30

10 10

Modified trend intro. All previous trend wording As part of the discussions over how to reduce the federal deficit, President Obama and Congress are considering reducing some of the deductions and tax credits that people can take to lower their taxes. As I read a list of the following tax credits, tell me if you think they should be reduced for all taxpayers, taxpayers earning over $250,000 per year, or not reduced for any taxpayers

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

CC7/PEW18 As you may know, the deadline to raise the nations debt limit is also approaching, as soon as October 17th. From what youve read and heard, do you think [INSERT; RANDOMIZE], or do you think [INSERT; RANDOMIZE]? Oct 3-6 20137 47 39 15 Jul 15-17 2011 40 39 21

It is absolutely essential that the federal debt limit be raised to avoid an economic crisis The country can go past the deadline for raising the debt limit without major economic problems Dont know/Refused (VOL.) CC8.

As far as you know, when Congress votes to increase the debt ceiling, do you believe that means [READ AND RANDOMIZE] Oct 3-6 2013 62 28 10

The federal government is increasing the amount of money it borrows to pay for future expenditures The federal government is paying off the debts it has already accumulated Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

Pew Research Center question. Modified from previous deadline of August 2nd [2011] (www.people-press.org/2011/04/04/public-would-blame-both-sides-if-government-shuts-down/)

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

CC9.

Congressional Republicans say they will only agree to increase the federal debt ceiling if President Obama accepts their proposals on other issues. Please tell me whether you think the following proposals should be included in any agreement about the debt ceiling, or should be dealt with separately. First, [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE]? Next, [NEXT ITEM]? [READ IF NECESSARY: Do you think this proposal should be included in any agreement about the debt ceiling, or should be dealt with separately?] Should be included in any agreement about the debt ceiling

a. A one-year delay for the implementation of President Obamas health care law Oct 3-6, 2013 b. A requirement that President Obama authorize the construction of the Keystone Pipeline to transport oil from Canada to the U.S. Oct 3-6, 2013 c. Cuts in spending for domestic discretionary programs Oct 3-6, 2013 d. Cuts in spending on Medicare, Medicaid and other federal entitlement programs Oct 3-6, 2013

Should be dealt with separately

(VOL.) Dont know/ Refused

31

65

24

70

30

60

10

29

68

CC10. When it comes to making decisions about the federal deficit and debt, who do you trust more [READ AND RANDOMIZE] Oct 3-6 2013 45 37 18

President Obama Congressional Republicans Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

CC11. Now thinking about the across-the-board federal spending cuts known as the sequester that took place in Marchhave you seen any impact of these cuts in your community or on you personally since they took place, or not? Oct 3-6 2013 23 74 3

Yes, have seen impact No, have not seen impact Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

CC12 What impact have you seen or felt from the sequester in your life or community? Have you noticed [READ AND RANDOMIZE]

Based on those who have seen impact (n=253)

Yes, have seen/felt this 58 54 No, have not seen/felt this 41 45

a. Furloughs for federal workers you know Oct 3-6, 2013 b. Cuts in government services you use Oct 3-6, 2013 c. Cuts in your paycheck or paychecks received by your family Oct 3-6, 2013

(VOL.) Dont know/ Refused 1 *

45

54

1 (VOL.) Dont know/ Refused 3 3

Based on total
Yes, have seen/felt this 13 12 No, have not seen/felt this 83 84

a. Furloughs for federal workers you know Oct 3-6, 2013 b. Cuts in government services you use Oct 3-6, 2013 c. Cuts in your paycheck or paychecks received by your family Oct 3-6, 2013

10

86

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

DEMOGRAPHICS I have one last set of questions to help us better understand the people who took part in our survey. SEX Respondents Sex 49 51 Male Female

EMPLOY Are you now employed full-time, part-time, or not employed? 46 12 42 * PAR Employed full-time Employed part-time Not employed (DO NOT READ) Dont know/ Refused

Are you the parent or guardian of any children under 18 years of age? 32 68 * Yes No (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

AGE

What is your age? 22 32 28 17 1 18 to 29 30 to 49 50 to 64 65 and older (DO NOT READ) Refused

EDUC What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received? 1 6 34 19 12 15 1 11 * Less than high school (Grade 1-8 or no formal schooling) High school incomplete (Grades 9-11 or Grade 12 with NO diploma) High school graduate (Grade 12 with diploma or GED certificate) Some college, no degree (includes community college) Two year associate degree from a college/university Four year college or university degree/Bachelors degree Some postgraduate or professional schooling, no postgraduate degree Postgraduate or professional degree, including masters, doctorate, medical or law degree (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

HISP

Are you of Hispanic or Latino background, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or other Spanish background? 13 86 1 Yes No (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

RACE What is your race? Are you white, black, Asian, or some other race? [IF R SAYS HISPANIC OR LATINO, PROBE: Do you consider yourself a WHITE (Hispanic/Latino) or a BLACK (Hispanic/Latino)? 67 32 12 13 3 4 White non-Hispanic Total non-White Black non-Hispanic Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander Other non-Hispanic (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

2 INC INC1 INC2 INC3

Last year, that is in 2012, approximately what was your total family income before taxes just tell me when I get to the right category. (IF DONT KNOW OR REFUSED) Keeping in mind that this is a completely confidential survey, can you please tell me if your total household income BEFORE taxes last year was over or under $75,000? (IF UNDER $75,000) Was it over or under $50,000? (IF UNDER $50,000) Was it over or under $30,000? 30 15 18 31 6 $75,000 or more $50,000 to under $75,000 $30,000 to under $50,000 Under $30,000 Undesignated

REG

Which of these statements best describes you? 76 5 18 1 Are you ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that you are registered to vote at your current address Are you PROBABLY registered, but there is a chance your registration has lapsed [OR] Are you NOT registered to vote at your current address? (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1

PARTY In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent? 22 29 42 4 1 2 Republican Democrat Independent No preference (VOL.) Other party (VOL.) Don't know/Refused (VOL.)

That completes the interview. Thank you very much for your time and cooperation. Have a nice day/evening.

Princeton Survey Research Associates International October 2013 Omnibus Week 1