CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL For release: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 6:30 pm ET Government Shutdown, Debt

Ceiling and the Health Care Law September 19-23, 2013 Americans are divided on whether an agreement will be reached to avert a government showdown. If one isnt reached, Americans say they will blame Congressional Republicans (44%) more than President Obama and the Democrats in Congress (35%). While the health care law remains unpopular, most think Congress should make it work as well as possible (56%) rather than cut off funding for it (38%). Most Republicans support cutting off funding. The Presidents approval rating is just 43% now, down slightly from earlier this month and the lowest since March 2012. 49% disapprove, the highest it has been in two years. Americans are pessimistic about the direction of the country. 66% say it is off on the wrong track, up six points from July and the highest it has been in over a year. 87% are frustrated about the possibility of a government shutdown.

The Impending Government Shutdown With the budget deadline rapidly approaching as September comes to an end, Americans are split on whether or not there will be an agreement that will avert a government shutdown. 48% think there probably will be an agreement between the President and Republicans in Congress, while 47% think there probably will not. Most Democrats (55%) are optimistic, while Republicans are divided, and most independents (52%) are skeptical. Will There be an Agreement to Prevent a Government Shutdown? Total Reps Dems Inds Probably 48% 47% 55% 44% Probably not 47 49 40 52 If the government shuts down, the Republicans in Congress may take more of the blame: 44% of Americans say they would blame the Republicans in Congress more if there is a partial shutdown of the federal government on October 1st, while fewer 35% - would put more of the blame on Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress. 16% volunteer that they would blame both sides equally. Who Would You Blame More if there is a Government Shutdown? Total Reps Dems Inds Republicans in Congress 44% 4% 81% 41% Barack Obama & Democrats in Congress 35 76 8 32 Both equally (vol.) 16 16 8 23 There is finger-pointing across the political aisle; most Republicans would lay more of the blame on Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress, while Democrats would blame the Republicans in Congress. 1

When the government did shut down after a similar budget battle back in November 1995, 51% of Americans blamed the Republicans in Congress, while 28% blamed Bill Clinton. Four in five Americans say it is not acceptable for either a President or members of Congress to threaten a government shutdown during budget negotiations in order to achieve their goals including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents. Is Threatening a Government Shutdown an Acceptable Way to Negotiate? Total Reps Dems Inds Yes 16% 22% 16% 13% No 80 75 83 82 Few Americans are looking forward to a government shutdown. 87% of Americans and large majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents say they are mostly frustrated about the possibility of a government shutdown. How do You Feel about a Possible Government Shutdown? Total Reps Dems Inds Mostly frustrated 87% 85% 92% 84% Mostly satisfied 10 12 6 12 The Debt Ceiling Battle But another fiscal deadline looms in October the possibility of the United States defaulting on its debts if the debt ceiling isnt raised. As they did in January, most Americans want the debt ceiling raised along with accompanying spending cuts, while 17% want the debt ceiling raised without any conditions tied to cuts in federal spending. Only a quarter think the debt ceiling should not be raised at all, though this percentage has risen six points since the debt ceiling battle last January. The Debt Ceiling Should Be. Now Raised without conditions 17% Raised with spending cuts 55 Not raised at all 24 1/2013 17% 60 18

But if forced to choose, Americans would rather see compromise than default: 69% of Americans prefer a debt ceiling agreement they dont fully support to the U.S. not paying its obligations. Which Would be more Acceptable Concerning the Debt Ceiling? Total Reps Dems Inds Agreement you dont fully support 69% 64% 81% 63% U.S. defaulting on its debts 21 28 12 24 Most Americans think it is at least somewhat likely that their own family will be affected if the federal debt ceiling is not raised - including 32% who think this is very likely. More Democrats than Republicans think this possibility is likely.

Budget Debates and the Health Care Law Amid these fiscal debates, six in 10 Americans think any agreement on the budget or debt ceiling should be kept separate from discussions on the health care law. 31% (including most Republicans) think any agreement should also cut off funding for the law. Agreement on Budget or Debt Ceiling Should Total Reps Dems Inds Cut off health care funding 31% 54% 12% 33% Be separate from health care funding 60 41 81 56 As to what specifically they would like to see Congress do, more than half want Congress to uphold the health care law and make it work as well as possible (56%) rather than cut off funding for it (38%). Perhaps not surprisingly, there are stark partisan differences here: most Republicans want Congress to cut off funding for the law, while most Democrats want it kept in place. Tea party Republicans are especially likely to want to see funding for the health care law cut off 84% do. What Should Congress Do About the Health Care Law? Total Reps Dems Inds Uphold law and make it work 56% 24% 85% 53% Stop law by cutting off funding 38 73 11 39 The nearly four in ten Americans who want to stop the law by cutting off funding divide further: 19% of Americans are willing to risk a government shutdown to cut off funding, but 17% are not. Almost half (44%) of Republicans support cutting off funding for the law and say it is worth shutting down the government. Significantly fewer Democrats (3%) and independents favor that approach (17%). Risk Shutting Down Govt to Defund the Health Care Law Total Reps Dems Inds Uphold law and make it work 56% 24% 85% 53% Stop law by cutting off funding Cut off funding and worth shutdown Cut off funding and not worth shutdown Dont know Views of the Affordable Care Act Opinions of the health care law overall continue to be negative. With health insurance exchanges set to open up for enrollment on October 1st, 39% of Americans now approve of the health care law, but more - 51%- disapprove, similar to views in July. Since the law was enacted in 2010, more have disapproved than approved of it. View of the Health Care Law Now 7/2013 3/2013 39% 36% 35% 51 54 44 10 10 22 7/2012 36% 50 14 3/2010 32% 53 15 3 38% 19% 17 2 73% 44% 27 2 11% 3% 8 0 39% 17% 18 4

Approve Disapprove Dont know

Some Americans express concern about the health care laws impact on themselves personally and on the U.S. economy. While most say the law has not personally affected them so far, 39% expect the law will eventually hurt them twice as many as say it will help them. Personal Impact of 2010 Health Care Law Effect So far Future Effect Help 10% 18% Hurt 19 39 No effect 69 40 Nearly half also see an economic downside. 49% think the health care law will hurt the national economy, while 26% think it will improve it. 18% say it will have no effect. Economic Impact of 2010 Health Care Law Improve economy 26% Hurt economy 49 No effect 18 Views of the law and its impact are colored by partisanship. Most Republicans and a slim majority of independents oppose the health care law, including 64% of Republicans who are strongly opposed to it. Large majorities of Republicans think the health care law will ultimately hurt them personally and do damage to the national economy. On the other hand, most Democrats approve of the health care law and are less likely to think it will adversely affect them or the economy. There are other demographic differences as well. Americans currently without health insurance view the health care law more positively and are more likely to think the law will help them compared to those who have insurance. 30% of Americans without insurance think the law will help them, while fewer (16%) of those with insurance think that. Also, younger Americans (those under age 30) are more likely than those who are older to see a potential benefit in the law for them personally. Men and women hold similar views of the health care law: more disapprove than approve of it. Health Care Law Party and Age Differences --- Party ID -------- Age ------Have Insurance?Reps Dems Inds < 30 30+ Yes No Health Care Law Approve Disapprove Future Personal Impact Will help Will hurt No effect Economic Impact Improve Hurt No effect 12% 82 4% 70 24 7% 79 11 67% 26 31% 18 49 47% 22 23 34% 53 17% 38 41 21% 52 17 47% 49 30% 28 42 26% 50 18 37% 52 15% 42 39 26% 49 17 38% 53 16% 42 39 25% 52 15 47% 41 30% 27 41 31% 33 29 4

Seven in 10 Americans feel they know at least some about the health care law, but three years after becoming law, only 20% feel they know a lot about it. A quarter knows little or nothing about the health care law. How Much do you Feel You Know about the Health Care Law? A lot 20% Some 52 Not much 21 Nothing at all 5 Some confusion remains about how the law will impact their families. 51% say they are confused about the effect it will have on them a percentage that hasnt wavered much since March 2010, shortly after the law was enacted. 46% say they have a good understanding of how the law will affect their family. Understand How Health Care Law Will Affect You? Now 7/2013 3/2012 3/2010 46% 44% 47% 41% 51 52 48 53

Yes, understand No, its confusing The President

President Obamas job approval rating is just 43% now, down slightly from earlier this month and the lowest since March 2012. 49% disapprove, the highest it has been in two years. Now 43% 49 President Obamas Job Rating 9/6-8/13 7/2013 3/2013 1/2013 46% 48% 45% 51% 46 45 46 41 3/2012 41% 47 9/2011 43% 50

Approve Disapprove

His approval rating among women has dropped since earlier in September, from 49% to 43% now. Positive assessments of the Presidents handling of the economy has also dropped five points in the last two weeks, to 41% now. Just 40% approve of his handling of foreign policy, while 49% disapprove the highest disapproval he has ever received on this measure. This poll finds an uptick in evaluations of President Obamas handling of the situation in Syria since the announcement of a plan to eradicate Syrias chemical weapons; still, a majority disapproves of that as well. President Obamas Job Ratings on Issues -------- Now --------------- Before -------Approve Disapprove Approve Disapprove 41% 54 46% 48 (9/6-8/2013) 40% 49 43% 44 (7/2013) 40% 54 42% 52 (5/2010) 39% 44 n/a n/a 37% 52 33% 56 (9/6-8/2013) 35% 54 33% 57 (4/2013) 5

Economy Foreign policy Health care Relations with Iran Syria situation Budget deficit

Personal evaluations of the President are also down. 30% say he cares a lot about people like themselves the lowest level measured since he took office. Barack Obama Cares About People Like You Now 2/2013 9/2011 1/2011 30% 38% 38% 36% 32 28 31 35 37 33 29 27 1/2010 41% 28 29 2/2009 53% 30 14

A lot Some Not much/not at all

Despite the other setbacks for the President in this poll, a majority of Americans see the President as a strong leader; those views have remained consistent for a few years, but are substantially lower than in the early years of his presidency. Does Pres. Obama Have Strong Qualities of Leadership? Now 9/2011 2/2011 1/2010 10/2009 58% 57% 62% 70% 72% 39 39 34 28 24 2/2009 85% 10

Yes No

Congress and the President: Strengths and Weaknesses In his dealings with Congress in general and on key issues, the President fares better. He receives credit from about half of Americans for reaching across the aisle and trying to work with Republicans in Congress but that represents a drop from 60% in January 2012. However, far fewer Americans see Republicans in Congress reciprocating. Just 23% say they are trying to work with the President, and 70% say they are not. Are They Trying to Work With Each Other? Barack Obama Republicans in Congress Now 1/2012 Now 1/2012 51% 60% 23% 27% 44 33 70 67

Yes No

And on some key issues, the President holds an advantage over the Republicans in Congress; more say they trust him to handle the economy, health care and the budget deficit. Who Do You Trust More On? Now 4/2013 The economy Barack Obama Republicans in Congress Health care Barack Obama Republicans in Congress The budget deficit Barack Obama Republicans in Congress 47% 33 45% 40 44% 38 43% 39 --41% 42 1/2013 50% 35 --50% 37

Also, the policies of the Republicans in Congress are widely viewed as favoring the interests of the rich (65%), while a quarter of Americans say the same for those of the Obama administration. A quarter also says the administrations policies favor the middle class. Who Do Their Policies Favor? Obama Admin Reps in Congress 25% 65% 23 12 25 2 21 15

Rich Middle Class Poor Views of Congress

Most Americans disapprove of the job both Republicans and Democrats in Congress are doing overall, but Republicans receive more criticism. Just 21% now approve, down from 25% over the summer. Approval ratings for the Democrats in Congress are also down by five points, to 31%. Parties in Congress Now 7/2013 Republicans in Congress Approve Disapprove Democrats in Congress Approve Disapprove 21% 73 31% 62 25% 67 36% 55

After an uptick earlier this month, Congress job approval rating is about where it has been for the last few years just 14% approve, and four in five disapprove. Now 14% 80 9/6-8/13 24% 68 Job Approval of Congress 7/2013 6/2013 17% 13% 76 80 9/2012 16% 74 2/2011 24% 62

Approve Disapprove

Reducing the Deficit Most Americans continue to seek a balanced approach to deficit reduction - both through tax increases and spending cuts. 60% advocate a combined solution, compared to the 33% who think the deficit should be reduced by cuts in spending alone. Just 4% think taxes should be raised without a cut in spending. Best Way to Reduce the Deficit Total 4/2013 33% 36% 4 3 60 57 1/2013 33% 3 61 10/2012 30% 2 64

Cut federal spending Increase taxes Combination of both

Most Republicans (53%) want the deficit reduced with spending cuts alone, while most Democrats (77%) and independents (58%) want a combination of spending cuts and tax increases. 7

Respondents were asked to choose what to cut from the largest items in the federal budget, and more Americans are far more willing to cut government spending in the military (49%), over Medicare (20%) or Social Security (14%). Cutting military spending is the top choice of Democrats (62%) and independents (50%), while Republicans slightly favor cuts in Medicare (33%) to cuts in the military (28%). Which Would You Cut to Reduce Spending? Total Reps Dems Inds Military 49% 28% 62% 50% Medicare 20 33 15 17 Social Security 14 14 10 16 The Economy As they have for over five years, Americans pick the economy and jobs as the most important problem facing the country today, far ahead of health care and the budget deficit. Most Important Problem Now Economy & Jobs 34% Health care 8 Budget deficit/debt 6 Partisan politics 4 5/2013 34% 5 6 3

Most Americans continue to have a negative view of the condition of the national economy. Nearly two thirds say the economy is bad, including nearly one in four who says it is very bad. Condition of the Economy Now 7/2013 Very good 1% 3% Fairly good 34 34 Fairly bad 39 36 Very bad 24 25 29% of Americans think the economy is getting better, though nearly as many 27% - think it is getting worse. 44% think it is about the same. Total 29% 27 44 Direction of the Economy 7/2013 3/2013 30% 35% 24 25 45 39 1/2013 33% 30 36 9/2012 32% 28 39

Better Worse Same

Direction of the Country Amidst a struggling economy and the impending possibility of a government shutdown, the percentage of Americans who think the country is headed in the wrong direction has risen. Just 29% of Americans think the country is headed in the right direction down six points since July while the percentage who says it is off on the wrong track has risen six points, from 60% in July to 66% today. The percentage who says the country is off on the wrong track is now the highest it has been in over a year. 8

Right direction Wrong track

Now 29% 66

Direction of the Country 7/2013 4/2013 35% 34% 60 59

1/2013 38% 57

6/2012 26% 68

Views of the Affordable Care Act are reflected in views on the direction of the country as a whole. While 54% of those who approve of the 2010 health care law think the country is headed in the right direction, an overwhelming 86% of those who disapprove of that law think the country is headed off on the wrong track. _______________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted by telephone from September 19-23, 2013 among 1,014 adults nationwide. Data collection was conducted on behalf of CBS News by Social Science Research Solutions of Media, PA. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish . This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL Government Shutdown, Debt Ceiling and the Health Care Law September 19-23, 2013 Q1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 43 6 80 38 49 89 17 51 7 5 3 11 Sep13a % 46 46 8

Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer

Q2. Do you feel things in this country are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track? Jul13b Right direction Wrong track Don't know/No answer 66 29 91 5 8 39 2 53 72 8 23 60 6 4 35

Q3. What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? May13b % 34 5 6 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 * 2 2 3 3 17 3

Economy & jobs Healthcare Budget/deficit/debt Partisan Politics Education Miscellaneous Govt Issues Poverty/Homelessness/Hunger Guns War/Peace Foreign Policy Miscellaneous Foreign Politicians/corrupt President/Barack Obama Religious values Values/Moral values Other Don't know/No answer

34 8 6 3 2 2 2 2 20

31 11 10 4 * 3 2 1 3 2 2 2 9 2 2 16 4

38 6 2 1 6 3 * 3 2 2 1 1 3 4 33 3

33 8 6 7 2 1 2 2 2 1 * 2 1 * 20 5

4 5 2 2 3 2 2 4

Q4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? Approve 40 Disapprove 49 Don't know/No answer Q5. Do you approve or disapprove of Jul13b 11 69 35 43 79 20 52 44 11 9 10 13 12 the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? 10

Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 41 8 74 35 54 90 22 56 5 2 3 9

Sep13a % 46 48 6

Q6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling health care? Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer 40 54 8 90 5 72 25 2 35 56 3 May10c 42 52 9 6

Q7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling relations with Iran? Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer 39 44 16 64 17 68 19 20 32 50 13

19

Q8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Syria? Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer 37 52 15 76 10 61 32 9 33 54 7 Sep13a 33 56 11

13

Q9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the budget deficit? Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer 35 54 5 89 11 68 19 6 29 60 13 Apr13b 33 57 10

12

Q10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job? Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer 14 80 13 79 6 13 82 8 15 80 5 Sep13a 24 68 5 8

Q11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job? Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer 21 73 32 61 6 17 81 7 17 74 3 Jul13b 25 67 9 8

Q12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job? 11

Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 31 8 56 24 62 86 37 66 8 5 7 10

Jul13b % 36 55 9

Q13. How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very good, fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad? Very good Fairly good Fairly bad Very bad Don't know/No answer 1 34 39 24 * 19 45 34 1 2 48 37 10 1 1 31 38 29 2 3 34 36 25 1 2

Q14. Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Better Worse Same Don't know/No answer 29 27 44 11 39 49 * 49 13 37 1 24 31 45 1 30 24 45 * 1

Q16. Do you think Barack Obama is trying to work with Republicans in Congress in order to get things done, or isn't he? Work with Republicans Not work with Republicans Don't know/No answer 51 44 5 19 78 3 79 18 3 48 43 8 Jan12b 60 33 7

Q17. Do you think Republicans in Congress are trying to work with Barack Obama in order to get things done, or aren't they? Work with Obama Not work with Obama Don't know/No answer 23 43 70 7 11 48 9 20 86 4 27 71 8 67 6

12

Q17a. In general, do you think the policies of the Republicans in Congress favor (the rich), favor the middle class, favor (the poor), or do they treat all groups equally? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 65 30 89 66 12 24 5 11 2 4 1 2 15 36 2 13 6 5 3 8 Oct11a1 % 69 9 2 15 5

Favor the rich Favor the middle class Favor the poor Treat all equally Don't know/No answer

Q17b. In general, do you think the policies of the Obama administration favor (the rich), favor the middle class, favor (the poor), or do they treat all groups equally? Favor the rich Favor the middle class Favor the poor Treat all equally Don't know/No answer 25 23 25 21 5 29 6 51 8 6 12 38 13 35 2 32 22 20 19 8 28 23 17 21 11

Q18. Who do you trust more to make the right decisions about the nation's economy (the Republicans in Congress) or (Barack Obama)? Republicans in Congress Barack Obama Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) Don't know/No answer 33 47 * 15 3 78 9 2 12 1 5 86 1 7 1 29 41 23 6 Apr13b 39 43 1 13 5

Q19. Who do you trust more to make the right decisions about the federal budget deficit (the Republicans in Congress) or (Barack Obama)? Republicans in Congress Barack Obama Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) Don't know/No answer 38 44 14 4 78 9 * 11 2 11 80 5 4 35 39 3 21 5 10 5 42 41

13

Q20. Who do you trust more to make the right decisions about health care (the Republicans in Congress) or (Barack Obama)? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 40 83 13 36 45 9 78 41 * * * 11 7 6 17 4 1 3 6 Jan12b % 39 48 0 9 4

Republicans in Congress Barack Obama Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) Don't know/No answer

Q21. How much do you think Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like yourself--a lot, some, not much, or not at all? A lot Some Not much Not at all Don't know/No answer 30 32 16 21 9 21 26 43 * 52 39 6 3 1 27 33 18 22 * Feb13a 38 28 17 16 * 2

Q22. Do you think Barack Obama has strong qualities of leadership, or not? Has Doesnt have Don't know/No answer 58 24 39 3 87 75 1 55 12 1 Dec11a 57 39 4

38 6

Q28. Overall, what do you think is the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit (by cutting federal spending), (by increasing taxes), or by a combination of both? Apr13b % 36 3 57 4

Cut federal spending Increasing taxes Combination of both Don't know/No answer

33 4 60 4

53 3 40 3

14 7 77 2

35 2 58 6

Q30. As you may know, the largest items in the federal budget are (Medicare, the government health insurance program for seniors), (Social Security), and (the military). If you HAD to choose ONE, which of the following programs would you be willing to change in order to cut spending (Medicare), (Social Security), or (the military)? Medicare Social Security Military Don't know/No answer 20 33 14 49 17 15 14 28 24 17 10 62 12 23 16 50 17 13 43 21

14

Q32. From what you've heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the health care law that was enacted in 2010? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 17 4 32 14 22 8 35 20 17 18 18 17 34 64 8 36 10 6 8 14 Jul13b % 15 21 18 36 10

Strongly approve Somewhat approve Somewhat disapprove Strongly disapprove Don't know/ No answer

Q33a. How much do you feel you know about the 2010 health care law -- -- a lot, some, not much or nothing at all? A lot Some Not much Nothing at all Don't know/ No answer 20 52 21 20 57 16 5 1 20 55 22 7 1 20 48 25 3 *

6 1

Q33. Regardless of how you personally feel about the 2010 health care law, what would you like to see Congress do when it comes to the 2010 health care law? 1. (Uphold the law and make it work as well as possible) OR 2. (Try to stop the law from being put into place by cutting off funding to implement it)? Uphold law 56 Stop law by cutting off funding Stop law but not by defunding it Don't know/ No answer 24 38 1 5 85 73 1 3 53 11 * 4 39 1 7

Q33b. So far, has the 2010 health care law mostly helped you personally, mostly hurt you personally, or hasn't it had much of an effect on you personally? Help Hurt No effect Don't know/No answer 10 19 69 3 34 62 2 16 8 75 1 9 19 70 2

Q34. From what you've heard or read, do you think the 2010 health care law WILL mostly help you personally, WILL mostly hurt you personally, or don't you think it WILL have much of an effect on you personally? Jul13b % 13 38 43 5 6

Help Hurt No effect Don't know/No answer

18 39 40

4 70 24 3

31 18 49 2

17 38 41 2

15

Q35. In the long run, do you think the 2010 health care law will improve the national economy, hurt the national economy, or won't it affect the national economy? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 26 7 47 21 49 79 22 52 18 11 23 17 8 2 8 10 Jan11c* % 25 40 22 13

Improve Hurt No effect Don't know/No answer

*wording: that was passed last year

Q36. Do you feel you have a good understanding of how the 2010 health care law will affect you and your family, or is it confusing to you? Understand Confusing Don't know/No answer 46 51 42 55 3 50 46 3 45 52 4 Jul13b 44 52 3 4

Q39. How closely have you been following news about the debates in Washington over the federal budget, the debt ceiling, and a possible government shutdown? Would you say you have followed it very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all? Very closely Somewhat closely Not too closely Not at all Don't know/No answer 18 42 14 19 49 25 12 * 18 41 20 11 * 19 40 30 18 -

23 *

Q38. In general, do you think it is acceptable for a President or members of Congress to threaten a government shutdown during their budget negotiations in order to achieve their goals, or is that not an acceptable way to negotiate? Acceptable Not acceptable Depends Don't know/No answer 16 1 22 80 1 2 16 75 * 2 13 83 1 * 82 4

Q41. As you may know, if a budget agreement in Washington is not reached by the end of the month, the federal government could partially shut down. Who would you blame more if there is a partial shutdown of the federal government (the Republicans in Congress) or (Barak Obama and the Democrats in Congress)? Republicans in Congress Barak Obama and Dems in Congress Both equally 16 Don't know/No answer 44 35 16 4 4 76 8 4 81 8 23 3 41 32 5

16

Q42. Do you think Barack Obama and the Republicans in Congress probably will or probably will not reach an agreement on the federal budget before the deadline of October 1st? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 48 47 55 44 47 49 40 52 4 4 5 4

Probably will Probably will not Don't know/No answer

Q43. As you may know, there is a debate in Washington about raising the federal debt ceiling, which is the amount of money that the federal government can borrow to pay its bills. Which of these comes closest to your feelings about raising the debt ceiling now? 1. It should be raised without conditions, because the government must pay its existing bills and obligations; OR 2. It should be raised, but only with the condition that the government also cuts spending to offset it; OR 3. It should not be raised under any condition even if that means the U.S. could default on its loans and obligations. Jan13a % Raised without conditions 17 7 31 13 17 Raised with spending cuts 55 58 48 59 60 Not raised 24 32 18 24 18 Don't know/No answer 4 3 3 5 5 Q44. If you had to choose, which would be more acceptable to you; (reaching an agreement on the debt ceiling that you did not fully support), or (not reaching an agreement on the debt ceiling and having the U.S. go into default on its debts)? Agreement don't fully support U.S. defaulting on its debt Don't know/No answer 69 28 9 64 12 7 81 24 7 63 13 Jan13a* 73 17 9

21

*wording: agreement on the deficit and the debt ceiling

Q45. From what you know so far, do you think (any agreement on the federal budget and the debt ceiling should also cut off the funding for the 2010 health care law), or (any agreement on the federal budget and the debt ceiling should be kept separate from discussions about funding the 2010 health care law)? Stop funding health care law 31 Debt ceiling separate from health care 60 Don't know/No answer 9 54 41 6 12 81 7 33 56 11

17

Q45b. Do you think it is worth risking a shutdown of the federal government to defund the health care law, or not? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % Uphold law 56 24 85 53 Stop law by cutting off funding 38 73 11 39 Worth risking a shutdown 19 44 3 17 Not worth risking a shutdown 17 27 8 18 Dont know 2 2 0 4 Don't know/No answer 6 3 3 9 Note: Asked of those who said cut off funding in q33 and re-percentaged among total respondents. Q46. How do you feel about the possibility of a government shutdown mostly satisfied or mostly frustrated? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 10 12 6 12 87 85 92 84 3 2 3 4

Mostly satisfied Mostly frustrated Don't know/No answer

Q47. If the federal debt ceiling is not raised, how likely do you think it is that you or members of your immediate family will be affected by government services or programs losing funding very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all? Very likely Somewhat likely Not too likely Not likely at all Don't know/No answer 32 31 27 31 21 15 2 37 33 22 19 1 31 29 18 11 1

22 15 3

Total Respondents Total Republicans Total Democrats Total Independents

UNWEIGHTED 1,014 260 341 413 249 323 442

WEIGHTED

18