October 2012 Omnibus Week 2 Princeton Survey Research Associates International for National Journal Final Topline Results

October 15, 2012 Total: 1,006 adults age 18 and older Margin of error: Plus or minus 3.7 percentage points

Interviewing dates: October 12-14, 2012 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%.

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ASK ALL: CC1 As you may know, if Congress does not come up with a plan that passes by the end of this year it will trigger automatic cuts in government spending, including $600 billion each from defense and domestic programs. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Oct 12-14 2012 17 64 19 Nov 9-14 20111 34 56 9

Good idea Bad idea Dont know/Refused (VOL.) CC2

Many members of Congress have expressed concern that they cannot come up with a deficit deal between their return to Congress in mid-November and the end of the year. Do you think that (Congress can get a deal in the time remaining) or that (Congress should defer any deal until the new year after Congress and the president are sworn in)? (ROTATE ITEMS IN PARENTHESIS) Oct 12-14 2012 45 40 15

Can get a deal in the time remaining. Should defer any deal until the new year after Congress and the president are sworn in Dont know/Refused (VOL.)

CC3

When it comes to the federal budget deficit, would you like lawmakers who share your views to stand by their principles, even if that means the problems don't get dealt with, or be willing to compromise, even if that means a deal that includes things you don't like? Oct 12-14 2012 26 63 Nov 9-14 20112 29 61

Stand by their principles, even if that means the problems don't get dealt with Be willing to compromise, even if that means a deal that includes things you don't like Dont know/Refused (VOL.)
1

12

10

Modified Pew Religion and Politics trend: As you may know, if this (Congressional) super committee does not come up with a plan that passes by the end of this year (2011) it will trigger automatic cuts in government spending, including both defense and domestic programs. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? 2 Pew Religion and Politics trend

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CC4

If Congress fails to reach an agreement, who do you think would be most to blame: [READ AND RANDOMIZE 1-3, ALWAYS READ 4 LAST] Oct 12-14 2012 18 10 6 61 5 Nov 17-20 20113 19 10 8 54 8

Republicans in Congress President Obama Democrats in Congress Or all parties equally? Dont know/Refused (VOL.) CC5

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

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

Modified Omnibus Trend As you may know, the congressional super committee is reaching its deadline to produce a plan to reduce the federal deficit by at least $1.2 trillion over the next decade. If the committee fails to reach an agreement, who do you think would be most to blame

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CC6 Congress has considered many proposals for reducing the deficit. As I read a list of ideas, please tell me if you think each one should be part of the final package that Congress considers to reduce the deficit, or not. First, how about [INSERT, RANDOMIZE]? Do you think this should be part of the package to reduce the deficit, or not? Next, how about [INSERT]? [IF NECESSARY: Do you think this should be part of the package to reduce the deficit, or not?] Yes, should be part of deficit reduction package a. Letting the Bush tax cuts expire for families earning at least $250,000 a year Oct 12-14, 2012 Nov 17-20, 20114 b. Reducing the value of itemized deductions for families earning at least $250,000 a year Oct 12-14, 2012 Nov 17-20, 2011 c. Raising the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67 Oct 12-14, 2012 Nov 17-20, 2011 d. Placing strict limits on how much Washington will spend on Medicaid and Medicare Oct 12-14, 2012 Nov 17-20, 2011 e. Freezing spending through the year 2019 on nondefense domestic programs such as education, parks and housing Oct 12-14, 2012 Nov 17-20, 2011 No, should not be part of deficit reduction package (VOL.) Dont know/ Refused

55 53

36 36

8 11

58 55 39 35

33 32 57 62

9 14 5 3

43 45

49 47

8 8

35 32

57 62

8 6

Modified Omnibus Trend The super committee has considered

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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? 45 10 45 * 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? 30 69 1 Yes No (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

AGE

What is your age? 21 33 27 18 2 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? 2 8 32 17 12 17 2 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
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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)? 69 29 9 13 2 4 2 INC White non-Hispanic Total non-White Black non-Hispanic Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander Other non-Hispanic (DO NOT READ) Dont know/Refused

Last year, that is in 2011, approximately what was your total family income before taxes just tell me when I get to the right category. INC1 (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? INC2 (IF UNDER $75,000) Was it over or under $50,000? INC3 (IF UNDER $50,000) Was it over or under $30,000? 27 14 20 33 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? 78 5 16 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

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PARTY In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent? 21 33 40 3 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 2012 Omnibus Week 2