HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 1

February 2009 PGPF

1724 Connecticut Avenue, NW Interviews: 1,008 voters

Washington, DC 20009 Dates: February 18-23, 2009
(202) 234-5570

FINAL 48 Male
52 Female
Study #8742b [109]
PGPF Survey
February 2009

Please note: all results are shown as percentages unless otherwise stated.

1. Are you currently registered to vote at this address?

Registered ........................................ 100 CONTINUE [138]

Not registered ................................... - TERMINATE
Not sure ......................................... -

2. Looking ahead to the next five years or so, do you feel more hopeful and confident or more worried and
concerned about what the future holds for the country?

More hopeful and confident .............. 40 [143]

More worried and concerned ............ 57
Not sure .......................................... 3

3. How would you rate the current state of your own personal financial situation? Would you say it is excellent,
good, only fair, or poor?

Excellent ........................................... 8 [144]

Good................................................. 39
Only fair ............................................ 35
Poor .................................................. 18
Not sure .......................................... -

4. The country faces a number of challenges right now. What is the most important issue for President Obama
to concentrate his efforts on now?

(ASK ONLY OF RESPONDENTS WHO MAKE A CHOICE IN Q.4.)

5. And what is the second most important issue for President Obama to concentrate his efforts on now?

THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE

Q.4/5
Q.4 COMBINED
Top Top/Second
Priority Priorities
Getting the economy back on track and people back to work 62 78 [145-146]
Getting our financial house in order by dealing with our
growing budget deficit and national debt ............................... 18 42
Cutting taxes for the middle class.......................................... 7 20
Dealing with the war in Iraq and other international
challenges we face ................................................................ 6 29
Passing health care reform so that health care is more
accessible and affordable ...................................................... 5 24
Not sure .............................................................................. 2 5
 HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 2
February 2009 PGPF

6. I'm going to mention some things that have been in the news lately. For each, please tell me whether you
think it is a very big threat to our country and our future, a fairly big threat, just somewhat of a threat, or not
really a threat to our country and our future.

THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY VERY BIG THREAT

Threat
Just
Very Fairly Some- Not Not
Big Big what Really Sure
Our growing budget deficit and national debt.................................. 66 19 12 3 - [151]
A country that is not friendly to the United States developing
nuclear weapon capabilities ............................................................ 58 19 16 6 1 [148]
Manufacturing jobs continuing to move overseas ........................... 57 21 15 6 1 [149]
American schools not providing students the skills and knowledge
they need to be competitive in today's global economy .................. 51 20 20 8 1 [150]
Global climate change .................................................................... 24 17 28 29 2 [147]

7. Thinking about our COUNTRY AND ITS FUTURE, when you think about our federal budget problems,
including our growing federal budget deficit and our increasing national debt, how big of a concern is this--is
it a very serious concern, a fairly serious concern, somewhat of a concern, just a minor concern, or not at all
a concern to you?

Very serious concern........................ 69 [152]

Fairly serious concern ...................... 19
Somewhat of a concern.................... 9
Just a minor concern ........................ 2
Not at all a concern........................... 1
Not sure .......................................... -

8. Thinking now about YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY, when you think about our federal budget problems,
including our growing federal budget deficit and our increasing national debt, how big of a concern is this for
you personally, in terms of how it impacts you and your family's future--is it a very serious concern, a fairly
serious concern, somewhat of a concern, just a minor concern, or not at all a concern to you?

Very serious concern........................ 47 [153]

Fairly serious concern ...................... 26
Somewhat of a concern.................... 17
Just a minor concern ........................ 6
Not at all a concern........................... 3
Not sure .......................................... 1

9. Thinking about our federal budget problems, including our growing federal budget deficit and our increasing
national debt, do you think our leaders in Washington are paying too much attention to these issues, not
paying enough attention to these issues, or are they paying about the right amount of attention to these
issues?

Paying too much attention .................................... 5 [154]

Not paying enough attention................................. 56
Are paying about the right amount of attention ..... 33
Not sure .............................................................. 6
 HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 3
February 2009 PGPF

10. If we want to get our country's financial situation in order, which one or two of the following areas should we
focus on––spending less on programs such as education, defense, and law enforcement, increasing taxes,
or making major reforms to entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, which likely will
mean cutbacks in promised benefits to future retirees?

Spending less on programs ............................ 25 [155]

Increasing taxes.............................................. 22 >
Major reforms to entitlement programs ........... 40
None/other (VOL) ......................................... 16
Not sure ........................................................ 8

(ROTATE Q.11 AND Q.12.)

11. Now I'm going to read a number of facts about our country's financial situation. For each one, tell me how
big of a concern it is to you--is it a very serious concern, a fairly serious concern, somewhat of a concern,
just a minor concern, or not at all a concern to you?

THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY VERY SERIOUS CONCERN

Concern

Very Fairly Some- Just A Not Not

Serious Serious what Minor At All Sure
The federal government now has more debts and
unfinanced obligations than the combined total
net worth of all Americans.................................... 66 19 10 2 2 1 [160]
Well over half of senior citizens rely on Social
Security as their primary source of income during
retirement. If we do not enact changes to the
program, the Social Security trust fund will begin
giving out more money than it takes in within the
next ten years ...................................................... 65 20 10 2 2 1 [159]
Currently more than forty-four million Americans
rely on the Medicare program for their health
care. If we do not reform the program, the
Medicare trust fund will no longer be able to
provide full promised benefits .............................. 64 21 10 3 1 1 [157]
Foreign countries own half of America's national
debt. Countries such as China, Japan, and
Saudi Arabia own the largest portions of our
national debt ........................................................ 62 18 12 4 3 1 [158]
America has over fifty-six trillion dollars in
unfunded government commitments for Social
Security and Medicare and other promised
obligations. This equals almost a half a million
dollars for every household or one hundred
eighty-four thousand dollars for every American.. 60 20 13 3 2 2 [156]
Currently, every American household has the
equivalent of an additional mortgage of almost a
half a million dollars due to the federal
government's total debt and future unfinanced
obligations for Social Security and Medicare ....... 56 21 15 3 3 2 [161]
 HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 4
February 2009 PGPF

12. People give different reasons for why it is important to get our country's budget situation in order. Tell me
how important a reason each of the following is to you, using a scale from one to ten, on which a ten means
it is a very important reason and a one means it is not that important a reason why we should get our
country's growing national debt under control and generally fix the federal budget process.

THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE HIGHEST MEAN

Very Not Very
Important Important
Reason Reason Cannot
Mean 9-10 7-8 4-6 1-3 Rate
The federal government now owes more in debts
and commitments than the combined total net
worth of all Americans. If we do not get our
federal finances in order, we could face eventual [166-
economic collapse ................................................ 8.7 68 18 9 4 1 167]
Our children and future generations will bear this
burden of debt and much higher taxes and will
have a lower standard of living because of it.
Currently, every American household has the
equivalent of an additional mortgage of almost a
half a million dollars due to the federal
government's total debt and future unfunded [168-
obligations for Social Security and Medicare ........ 8.3 55 26 13 4 2 169]
Currently about twenty percent of Americans'
income tax dollars go toward simply paying the
interest on our national debt. Continuing to let
the debt increase will mean that our taxes cannot
be used to fund other important priorities, such [170-
as national defense and education ....................... 8.2 51 32 13 3 1 171]
Allowing foreign countries such as China, Japan,
and Saudi Arabia to own so much of our national
debt threatens our economy, international [162-
standing, and national security ............................. 8.1 56 20 16 7 1 163]
Soon we will spend most of our money paying for
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and interest
on our debts, and there will be little money left for
other important priorities such as education, job
training, and research to develop new energy [164-
sources and health care breakthroughs................ 7.9 46 30 17 5 2 165]
HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 5
February 2009 PGPF

13. I'm going to read you three statements about our growing federal budget deficit and national debt and I'd like
to know which one comes closer to your point of view.

Statement A: We must act now to address the deficit and national debt. Our economy will not be truly stable
until we begin to solve these looming problems that threaten the long-term health and security of the
American economy.

Statement B: While the rapidly growing deficit and national debt are important, given the current recession
and other economic challenges, this is not the time to require additional sacrifices, such as increasing taxes
or cutting spending on important programs. Instead, we should address these issues after the economy
turns around.

Statement C: We do not need to take any major steps to address the deficit and national debt. Not too
many years ago we had a budget surplus and just a few years later we had a huge budget deficit. These
fluctuations seem to move up and down without having much real impact.

Which statement comes closer to your point of view?

Statement A/Must act now.......................... 47 [172]

Statement B/This is not the time................. 43
Statement C/No major steps are needed.... 8
Not sure ..................................................... 2

14. I'd like to read you two statements and get your reaction.

Statement A: Some people say that we can adequately address our growing national debt and solve our
budget problems by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending and cutting spending on the
war in Iraq without also making major changes to government programs or our tax policies.

Statement B: Other people say that in order to adequately address our budget problems and growing
national debt we have to make major structural changes to large entitlement programs such as Social
Security, Medicare, and Medicaid in combination with major changes to our federal tax system and other
government spending, and that just cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending and cutting
spending on the war in Iraq is not enough.

Which statement comes closer to your point of view––that we can largely address our nation's budget
problems by cutting waste, fraud and abuse and cutting spending on the war in Iraq, or that in addition we
need to make major changes to entitlement programs and the tax system?

Statement A/Cutting waste, fraud, and abuse and spending on war..... 44 [173]
Statement B/Need major structural changes to entitlement programs
and the tax system ................................................................................. 45
Some of both (VOL) ............................................................................. 6
Not sure................................................................................................ 5
 HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 6
February 2009 PGPF

15. Now I'm going to read you several different policy proposals that many economic experts say will help
ensure that Social Security is available and financially healthy into the future and help begin to get our
federal budget in order. For each one, please tell me whether you strongly support, somewhat support,
somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this proposal. *

THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY STRONGLY SUPPORT

Support Oppose
Some- Some- Not
Strongly what what Strongly Sure
Provide all future Social Security beneficiaries with a uniform
benefit level that is designed to ensure that they will not live in
poverty during retirement years. This would have a moderate
impact on getting our country's budget situation in order ................ 38 34 12 11 5 [178]
Make income up to one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars
subject to Social Security taxes. This would have a moderate
impact on getting our country's budget situation in order ................ 36 29 11 16 8 [176]
Phase in an increase in the normal retirement age to seventy over
the next two decades and tie future increases in the retirement
age to life expectancy estimates. This would have at least a
moderate impact on getting our country's budget situation in order 20 28 16 32 4 [175]
Significantly increase the Social Security payroll taxes paid by
both employers and employees. This would have a moderate to
major impact on getting our country's budget situation in order ...... 16 34 15 31 4 [177]
Decrease annual Social Security cost of living adjustments by a
small amount. This would have a moderate impact on getting our
country's budget situation in order .................................................. 11 27 24 35 3 [174]
* Asked of one-half the respondents (FORM A).

16. Now I'm going to read you several different policy proposals that many economic experts say will help
ensure that Medicare, the federal health care program for seniors is available and financially healthy into the
future and help begin to get our federal budget in order. For each one, please tell me whether you strongly
support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this proposal. *

THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY STRONGLY SUPPORT

Support Oppose
Some- Some- Not
Strongly what what Strongly Sure
Cap Medicare payments to physicians, hospitals, and other health
care providers so that they can increase only at the rate of growth
in the overall economy. This would have a major impact on
getting our country's budget situation in order................................ 44 29 10 14 3 [179]
Reform Medicare so that it is more need-based, providing larger
subsidies for low-income seniors, and smaller subsidies for
seniors who make above a certain income level. This would have
at least a moderate impact on getting our country's budget
situation in order ............................................................................ 38 36 10 14 2 [180]
Increase the Medicare payroll taxes paid by both employers and
employees. This would have at least a moderate impact on
getting our country's budget situation in order................................ 17 35 17 29 2 [208]
Gradually increase the eligibility age for Medicare from sixty-five
to seventy and tie future age increases to life expectancy
estimates. This would have at least a moderate impact on getting
our country's budget situation in order ........................................... 15 26 17 40 2 [209]
* Asked of one-half the respondents (FORM A).
 HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 7
February 2009 PGPF

17. Now I'm going to read you several different policy proposals that many economic experts say will help
ensure that Medicaid, the government health care program for low-income adults and children is available
and financially healthy into the future and help begin to get our federal budget in order. For each one,
please tell me whether you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this
proposal. **

THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY STRONGLY SUPPORT

Support Oppose
Some- Some- Not
Strongly what what Strongly Sure
Cap Medicaid payments to physicians, hospitals, and other health
care providers so that they can increase only at the rate of growth
in the overall economy. This would have a major impact on
getting our country's budget situation in order ................................ 37 33 13 11 6 [210]
Limit the number of people who are eligible for Medicaid by
focusing on people at or near the poverty level, especially for
long-term health care coverage. This would have at least a
moderate impact on getting our country's budget situation in order 27 37 18 14 4 [212]
Lower the federal share of Medicaid payments to states and turn
over primary responsibility for paying for health care of low-
income adults and children to the states to encourage them to be
more cost conscious. This would have at least a moderate impact
on getting our country's budget situation in order ........................... 22 41 17 14 6 [211]
** Asked of one-half the respondents (FORM B).

18. Now I'm going to read you several different policy proposals that would affect the federal tax system that
many experts say will begin to get our federal budget in order. For each one, please tell me whether you
strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this proposal. **

THIS TABLE HAS BEEN RANKED BY THE PERCENTAGE WHO SAY STRONGLY SUPPORT

Support Oppose
Some- Some- Not
Strongly what what Strongly Sure
Enact a new national sales tax of twenty-three percent on certain
consumer goods, which would replace current federal income and
payroll taxes. This would have at least a moderate impact on
getting our country's budget situation in order .................................... 22 20 17 34 7 [214]
Cap the amount of tax deductions homeowners can receive from
the home mortgage interest deduction. This would have a
moderate impact on getting our country's budget situation in order ... 13 32 17 30 8 [213]
Limit the amount of employer-paid health care coverage that
employees can receive tax-free and require that they pay taxes on
any coverage they receive above that amount. This would have a
moderate impact on getting our country's budget situation in order ... 10 24 21 40 5 [215]
** Asked of one-half the respondents (FORM B).
HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 8
February 2009 PGPF

I'm going to describe an approach that has been put forward as an alternative to the regular Congressional process
as a way to address our federal budget problems and get your reaction.

19. A bi-partisan Commission made up of Members of Congress from both political parties and senior level
officials from the Obama administration would develop a package of reforms to address our growing national
debt and federal budget problems. Unlike the regular process that Congress currently uses to consider
legislative proposals, Congress would be required to vote on this entire package of reforms, with limited or
no opportunity to make changes.

Which approach do you favor as the best way to deal with our growing national debt and increasing federal
budget deficit--the regular Congressional process that is currently in place or a special bi-partisan
commission made up of Members of Congress from both political parties and senior officials from the
Obama administration?

Regular Congressional process........ 30 [216]

Special bi-partisan commission ........ 56
Neither/both (VOL) ......................... 6
Not sure .......................................... 8

I'm going to read you two statements and get your reaction.

20. STATEMENT A: (Some/Other) people say that in addition to Members of Congress and senior officials
from the Obama administration, the special bi-partisan commission should also include several independent
experts on the federal budget and federal programs because these experts will bring additional knowledge
and perspective and will not be as influenced by politics and political pressure.

STATEMENT B: (Some/Other) people say that while it's important for the special bi-partisan commission
made up only of Members of Congress and Obama administration officials to consult with and consider the
ideas of outside experts, only Members of Congress and Obama administration officials should actually
serve on the commission because they are the ones who can best be held accountable for their actions.

Which statement comes closer to your point of view?

Statement A/include outside experts...................................................... 61 [217]

Statement B/only Members of Congress and Obama administration..... 33
Not sure................................................................................................. 6

21. Imagine there is a national, non-partisan campaign whose mission is to raise public awareness about our
growing national debt and budget problems and to encourage Congress and the President to take the steps
necessary to begin to seriously address these issues. Realistically speaking, how likely would you be to get
actively involved in such a campaign––would you say you most likely would actively support the campaign
by attending a town hall meeting, contacting your elected representatives, writing or speaking out on these
issues, would you say that you would agree with the goals of the campaign but not take any action, or would
you say that you would disagree with the goals of the campaign?

Actively support .................................... 43 [218]

Agree with the goals/not take action ..... 40
Disagree with the goals......................... 10
Not sure .............................................. 7
HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 9
February 2009 PGPF

FACTUALS: Now I am going to ask you a few questions for statistical purposes only.

F1. What is the last grade that you completed in school?

Grade school ........................................................... 1 [219-220]

Some high school .................................................... 3
High school graduate............................................... 25
Some college, no degree......................................... 18
Vocational training/2-year college............................ 12
4-year college/bachelor's degree............................. 23
Some postgraduate work, no degree....................... 3
2 or 3 years' postgraduate work/master's degree .... 11
Doctoral/law degree................................................. 3
Not sure/refused .................................................... 1

F2. Are you currently employed? (IF "CURRENTLY EMPLOYED," ASK:) What type of work do you do?

(IF "NOT CURRENTLY EMPLOYED," ASK:) Are you a student, a homemaker, retired, or unemployed and
looking for work?

Currently Employed
Professional/ manager .................... 22 [221]
White-collar worker ......................... 19
Blue-collar worker ........................... 14
Farmer, rancher .............................. 1
Not Currently Employed
Student............................................ 3
Homemaker..................................... 7
Retired ............................................ 25
Unemployed, looking for work ......... 8
Other ............................................... -
Not sure .......................................... 1

F3. Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Democrat, a Republican, an independent, or something
else? (IF "DEMOCRAT" OR "REPUBLICAN," ASK:) Would you call yourself a strong
(Democrat/Republican) or not a very strong (Democrat/Republican)? (IF "INDEPENDENT," ASK:) Do you
think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party, closer to the Democratic Party, or do you think of yourself
as strictly independent?

Strong Democrat .............................. 24 [229]

Not very strong Democrat................. 7
Independent/lean Democrat ............. 11
Strictly independent .......................... 17
Independent/lean Republican ........... 10
Not very strong Republican .............. 8
Strong Republican ............................ 17
Other (VOL) .................................... 4
Not sure .......................................... 2

F4. Thinking about your general approach to issues, do you consider yourself to be liberal, moderate, or
conservative? (IF "LIBERAL" OR "CONSERVATIVE," ASK:) Do you consider yourself to be very
(liberal/conservative) or somewhat (liberal/conservative)?

Very liberal........................................ 8 [230]

Somewhat liberal .............................. 15
Moderate .......................................... 34
Somewhat conservative ................... 17
Very conservative ............................. 22
Not sure .......................................... 4
HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 10
February 2009 PGPF

F5a/b. A lot of people are unable to get out and vote for many reasons. Did you happen to vote in last November's
election for president? (IF “YES,” ASK:) For whom did you vote––Barack Obama, John McCain, or
someone else?

Yes, Voted
Voted for Barack Obama ................ 47 [231-232]
Voted for John McCain ................... 40
Voted for someone else/refused ..... 5
No, Did Not Vote ............................. 7
Not sure ........................................ 1

F6. Are you currently single and never married, unmarried and living with a partner, married, separated,
widowed, or divorced?

Single .................................................. 20 [233]

Unmarried and living with a partner ..... 2
Married ................................................ 61
Separated ............................................ 2
Widowed.............................................. 6
Divorced .............................................. 8
Other (VOL) ....................................... -
Not sure/refused ................................ 1

F7. Do you have any children under age eighteen of whom you are the parent or primary guardian?

Yes, kids under 18............................ 35 [234]

No, no kids under 18 ........................ 64
Not sure .......................................... 1

F8. Are you or is anyone in your household enrolled in Medicare, the federal health care program for individuals
sixty-five years and older?

Yes ................................................... 28 [235]

No..................................................... 70
Not sure .......................................... 2

F9. Are you or is anyone in your household currently receiving Social Security Retirement benefits or Social
Security Disability benefits?

Yes ................................................... 35 [236]

No..................................................... 64
Not sure .......................................... 1

F10. Compared to this time last year, would you say you are saving significantly more money, somewhat more,
about the same amount of money, somewhat less, or significantly less money?

Saving significantly more ........................................... 7 [237]

Saving somewhat more ............................................. 11
Saving about the same amount ................................. 29
Saving somewhat less ............................................... 17
Saving significantly less ............................................. 30
Was not saving last year and am not now (VOL) ..... 4
Not sure/refused ...................................................... 2
HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Study #8742b--page 11
February 2009 PGPF

F11. If you added together the yearly income of all the members of your family who were living at home last year,
would the total be less than ten thousand dollars, between ten thousand dollars and twenty thousand
dollars, between twenty thousand dollars and thirty thousand dollars, between thirty thousand dollars and
forty thousand dollars, between forty thousand dollars and fifty thousand dollars, between fifty thousand
dollars and seventy-five thousand dollars, between seventy-five thousand dollars and one hundred thousand
dollars, or would the total be more than that?

Less than $10,000 ............................ 6 [238]

Between $10,000 and $20,000......... 7
Between $20,000 and $30,000......... 7
Between $30,000 and $40,000......... 8
Between $40,000 and $50,000......... 8
Between $50,000 and $75,000......... 16
Between $75,000 and $100,000....... 13
More than $100,000 ......................... 13
Not sure/refused ............................. 22

F12. For statistical purposes only, would you please tell me how old you are? (IF “REFUSED,” ASK:) Well,
would you tell me which age group you belong to?

18-24 ................................................ 8 [139-140]

25-29 ................................................ 9
30-34 ................................................ 9
35-39 ................................................ 7
40-44 ................................................ 10
45-49 ................................................ 8
50-54 ................................................ 10
55-59 ................................................ 10
60-64 ................................................ 9
65-69 ................................................ 7
70-74 ................................................ 6
75 and over....................................... 6
Not sure/refused ............................. 1

F13. And to ensure that we have a representative sample, would you please tell me whether you are from a
Hispanic or Spanish-speaking background?

Yes, Hispanic.................................... 9 [141]

No, not Hispanic ............................... 91
Not sure/refused ............................. -

F14. And again, for statistical purposes only, what is your race––white, black, Asian, or something else?

White ................................................ 77 [142]

Black................................................. 12
Asian ................................................ 1
Other ................................................ 1
Hispanic (VOL) ............................... 8
Not sure/refused ............................. 1