National (US) Poll * May 15, 2008 * More American Voters Say Gas T - Quinnipiac University

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May 15, 2008 - More American Voters Say Gas Tax 'Holiday' Is Bad Idea, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 82% Dissatisfied With Way Things Are Going In U.S.

Word format By a 49 - 41 percent margin, American voters say eliminating the federal gas tax for the summer is a bad idea, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Republicans split 45 - 46 percent on the gas tax 'holiday,' while Democrats say 49 - 42 percent it's a bad idea and independent voter turn thumbs down 56 -38 percent.
The proposed gas tax cut is a loser in red states, 48 - 42 percent, blue states, 49 - 43 percent and purple - or swing - states, 51 - 39 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh- pe-ack) University poll finds.
A total of 69 percent of American voters say rising gas prices are a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem for their families. Because of rising gas prices:
57 percent of American voters have cut back significantly on household spending; 61 percent have cut back significantly on driving; 39 percent have changed summer vacation plans.
Oil companies are most to blame for rising gas prices, 35 percent of voters say, while 23 percent blame President George W. Bush. Looking at other causes:
19 percent blame oil producing countries; 14 percent blame normal supply and demand pressures; 3 percent blame Americans who drive gas-guzzlers.
" Rising gas prices are more than just an abstract worry. Americans say they've cut back on their household spending and on how much they drive," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"But the political quick fix - a gasoline tax holiday for the summer - has more opposition than support. Imagine that: American voters opposed to a tax cut."
"Who's to blame? Oil companies and President Bush get more blame even than the oil producing countries. And almost nobody is blaming gas guzzlers," Carroll said.
A total of 82 percent of American voters are "somewhat dissatisfied' or "very dissatisfied" with the way things are going in the country today, while only 17 percent are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied." This is the lowest national satisfaction rate since Quinnipiac University began asking this question in 2003. In the previous low, November 22, 2006, 61 percent were dissatisfied and 37 percent were satisfied.
The U.S. economy is in a recession, voters say 71 - 24 percent. Phrased another way, only 1 percent of voters say the economy is "excellent," while 12 percent say it is "good;" 44 percent say "not so good" and 43 percent say "poor."
Looking at their family financial situation, 12 percent of American voters say they are "getting ahead" while 24 percent say they are "falling behind" and 64 percent say they are "holding steady."
"Americans may not be able to give a technical definition of 'recession,' but three-fourths of them think we're in one," Carroll said.
"Overwhelmingly, voters think the economy is in bad shape. They're only slightly more optimistic about their personal financial situation."
Looking at their own financial situation, 47 percent of American voters are most worried about gas prices. Other concerns are:
16 percent are most worried about rising health care costs; 16 percent are most worried about rising food prices; 9 percent worry most about declining retirement funds; 7 percent worry most about dropping real estate values.
"You can watch the numbers roll rapidly higher on a gasoline pump and, by a large margin, voters pick rising gasoline prices as their biggest economic concern," Carroll said.
From May 8 -12, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,745 registered voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research. For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
12. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very satisfied 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% Smwht satisfied 15 30 6 13 18 12 17 2 Smwht dissatisfied 37 47 33 38 39 36 38 28 Very dissatisfied 45 19 59 48 41 49 42 68 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 - Red Blue Purple Very satisfied 1% 1% 3% Smwht satisfied 16 16 12 Smwht dissatisfied 38 38 36 Very dissatisfied 43 45 49 DK/NA 1 - -
TREND: In general how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Highest Lowest Sat Sat May 15 Nov 22 Jun 1 Mar 2 Dec 6 Dec 11 May 15 2008 2006 2006 2006 2005 2001 2008 Very satisfied 2 5 6 5 6 21 2 Somewhat satisfied 15 32 32 33 33 47 15 Somewhat dissatisfied 37 33 33 30 29 19 37 Very dissatisfied 45 28 29 31 30 10 45 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 3 1
15. Do you think it's the government's responsibility to make sure that everyone in the United States has adequate health-care, or don't you think so?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 61% 34% 81% 59% 54% 68% 55% 91% No 35 62 16 37 43 27 41 7 DK/NA 4 4 3 5 3 5 4 2 Red Blue Purple Yes 57% 65% 62% No 39 32 34 DK/NA 4 3 4
TREND: Do you think it's the government's responsibility to make sure that everyone in the United States has adequate health care, or don't you think so?
May 15 Nov 1 Feb 22 2008 2007 2007 Yes 61 57 64 No 35 38 31 DK/NA 4 5 4
16. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as - Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent 1% 1% 1% - 1% 1% 1% 1% Good 12 28 3 10 15 9 14 2 Not so good 44 51 38 48 44 44 45 29 Poor 43 19 58 42 41 45 40 67 DK/NA - 1 - - - - - - Red Blue Purple Excellent 1% - 1% Good 14 13 9 Not so good 45 46 41 Poor 40 41 49 DK/NA 1 - - Annual Household Income...... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Excellent 1% - - 1% Good 8 10 15 17 Not so good 40 43 46 46 Poor 50 46 40 36 DK/NA - 1 - -
TREND: Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as - Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
May 15 May 5 Dec 10 Oct 29 Sep 17 Jul 24 Jun 11 2008 2004 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 Excellent 1 2 3 2 1 1 2 Good 12 36 37 29 29 28 31 No so good 44 40 42 45 42 41 41 Poor 43 21 16 23 27 28 25 DK/NA - 1 1 1 1 1 2
17. Which best describes your family's financial situation - Getting ahead, falling behind or holding steady?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Getting ahead 12% 17% 10% 10% 16% 8% 12% 11% Falling behind 24 15 27 24 23 24 22 29 Holding steady 64 67 62 65 61 66 65 58 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 1 - 2 Red Blue Purple Getting ahead 12% 15% 9% Falling behind 22 19 29 Holding steady 65 66 61 DK/NA 2 - - Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Getting ahead 5% 6% 9% 32% Falling behind 38 26 21 8 Holding steady 56 66 70 60 DK/NA 1 1 - -
18. As you think about your own financial situation, which of the following economic issues worries you the most right now? (Read options)
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Declining retirement fund values 9% 9% 10% 8% 7% 10% 9% 7% Declining real estate values 7 10 5 8 7 7 7 8 Rising health care costs 16 12 18 18 14 18 16 18 Rising gasoline prices 47 52 46 46 52 43 50 43 Rising food prices 16 14 18 15 15 17 14 22 DK/NA 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 2 Red Blue Purple Declining retirement fund values 7% 11% 9% Declining real estate values 4 11 7 Rising health care costs 15 18 16 Rising gasoline prices 55 42 44 Rising food prices 14 15 19 DK/NA 5 4 5
18. (cont'd) As you think about your own financial situation, which of the following economic issues worries you the most right now? (Read options)
Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Declining retirement fund values 6% 6% 10% 12% Declining real estate values 3 3 12 13 Rising health care costs 18 13 16 16 Rising gasoline prices 45 60 46 44 Rising food prices 21 16 15 11 DK/NA 6 3 2 4
19. Do you think the United States economy is in a recession now?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 71% 49% 84% 73% 68% 73% 68% 87% No 24 45 12 22 29 20 27 8 DK/NA 5 6 4 5 3 7 5 5 Red Blue Purple Yes 66% 73% 74% No 28 22 22 DK/NA 6 5 4 Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 75% 74% 66% 69% No 18 22 30 30 DK/NA 6 4 5 1
20. If Hillary Clinton is elected President, do you think the economy will get better, get worse or stay about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Get better 37% 11% 61% 31% 36% 38% 34% 52% Get worse 24 53 7 21 26 23 28 6 Stay the same 32 30 28 41 34 31 32 36 DK/NA 6 6 5 6 4 9 6 7 Red Blue Purple Get better 37% 34% 39% Get worse 26 26 22 Stay the same 29 33 35 DK/NA 7 7 4 Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Get better 41% 39% 34% 34% Get worse 18 22 25 34 Stay the same 34 35 34 28 DK/NA 6 4 6 5
21. If Barack Obama is elected President, do you think the economy will get better, get worse or stay about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Get better 37% 10% 55% 39% 36% 38% 32% 72% Get worse 22 45 8 18 25 19 25 5 Stay the same 32 38 28 35 34 31 34 19 DK/NA 9 7 8 9 5 12 8 5 Red Blue Purple Get better 34% 38% 39% Get worse 26 18 21 Stay the same 30 36 32 DK/NA 11 8 7 Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Get better 42% 39% 34% 34% Get worse 14 21 22 33 Stay the same 31 34 37 29 DK/NA 13 6 6 4
22. If John McCain is elected President, do you think the economy will get better, get worse or stay about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Get better 20% 36% 9% 18% 22% 17% 22% 6% Get worse 25 7 40 18 22 27 21 46 Stay the same 48 49 44 55 52 44 50 34 DK/NA 8 8 7 8 4 12 7 13 Red Blue Purple Get better 21% 17% 20% Get worse 24 23 27 Stay the same 45 50 47 DK/NA 10 9 6 Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Get better 19% 17% 20% 24% Get worse 23 27 26 21 Stay the same 46 48 48 49 DK/NA 12 8 6 6
28. Do you think that eliminating the federal gas tax for the summer months is a good idea or a bad idea?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 41% 45% 42% 38% 37% 46% 41% 39% Bad idea 49 46 49 56 57 43 50 53 DK/NA 9 9 9 7 6 12 9 7 Red Blue Purple Good idea 42% 43% 39% Bad idea 48 49 51 DK/NA 9 9 10 Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Good idea 48% 44% 42% 30% Bad idea 40 46 53 63 DK/NA 12 10 5 7
29. How much of a problem has the rising price of gasoline been for you and your family lately - a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very serious problem 28% 19% 35% 25% 26% 31% 25% 46% Smwht serious 41 41 38 47 39 42 42 36 Not too serious 22 26 21 22 25 20 24 10 Not a problem at all 8 13 6 6 10 6 8 7 DK/NA - 1 - - - 1 - - Red Blue Purple Very serious problem 31% 23% 31% Smwht serious 41 43 39 Not too serious 20 26 21 Not a problem at all 8 7 9 DK/NA - - 1 Annual Household Income...... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Very serious problem 47% 35% 19% 12% Smwht serious 38% 43% 45% 36% Not too serious 10% 16% 28% 36% Not a problem at all 3% 6% 8% 17% DK/NA 1% - - -
TREND: How much of a problem has the rising price of gasoline been for you and your family lately - a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
May 15 Jun 14 Jun 2 2008 2007 2006 Very serious problem 28 41 35 Smwht serious 41 32 37 Not too serious 22 18 21 Not a problem at all 8 8 7 DK/NA - 1 -
30. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly on your household spending or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 57% 47% 63% 56% 53% 61% 54% 69% No 42 52 36 44 46 38 45 31 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 - Red Blue Purple Yes 60% 53% 60% No 39 46 40 DK/NA 1 1 - Annual Household Income...... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 78% 63% 49% 37% No 20% 36% 50% 62% DK/NA 2% - 1% -
TREND: As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly on your household spending or not?
May 15 Jun 14 Jun 2 2008 2007 2006 Yes 57 48 50 No 42 51 49 DK/NA 1 1 1
31. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly on how much you drive or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 61% 52% 62% 65% 59% 62% 60% 69% No 37 45 35 34 40 34 38 28 DK/NA 2 3 3 2 1 3 2 2 Red Blue Purple Yes 63% 58% 61% No 36 38 37 DK/NA 2 4 2 Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 74% 67% 57% 43% No 21 32 42 57 DK/NA 5 1 1 -
TREND: As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly on how much you drive or not?
May 15 Jun 14 Jun 2 2008 2007 2006 Yes 61 58 56 No 37 41 43 DK/NA 2 1 1
32. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you changed your summer vacation plans?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 39% 28% 43% 40% 37% 40% 35% 43% No 59 69 55 57 62 56 62 54 DK/NA 3 2 3 3 1 4 3 3 Red Blue Purple Yes 41% 35% 40% No 56 63 57 DK/NA 3 3 3 Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 48% 48% 36% 25% No 48 52 62 74 DK/NA 5 0 2 1
TREND: As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you changed your summer vacation plans?
May 15 Jun 14 2008 2007 Yes 39 33 No 59 64 DK/NA 3 3
33. Who do you blame the most for the recent increase in gasoline prices? Oil producing countries, Oil companies, President Bush, Americans who drive vehicles that use a lot of gasoline, or Normal supply and demand pressures?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Oil producing countries 19% 27% 12% 22% 20% 19% 21% 13% Oil companies 35 30 38 36 31 38 36 32 President Bush 23 7 36 19 21 25 18 47 Driving vehicles using gas 3 3 3 3 4 2 4 1 Normal supply and demand pressures 14 22 9 13 17 10 15 4 DK/NA 6 11 2 7 7 6 7 3 Red Blue Purple Oil producing countries 22% 18% 18% Oil companies 36 33 36 President Bush 21 25 23 Driving vehicles using gas 3 3 4 Normal supply and demand pressures 12 16 13 DK/NA 7 6 6 Annual Household Income....... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Oil producing countries 22% 16% 22% 20% Oil companies 36 34 39 28 President Bush 30 30 15 17 Driving vehicles using gas 3 2 3 4 Normal supply and demand pressures 5 13 15 26 DK/NA 5 6 6 5
TREND: Who do you blame the most for the recent increase in gasoline prices - oil producing countries, oil companies, President Bush, Americans who drive vehicles that use a lot of gasoline or normal supply and demand pressures.
May 15 Jun 14 2008 2007 Oil producing countries 19 11 Oil companies 35 43 President Bush 23 20 Driving vehicles using gas 3 4 Normal supply and demand pressures 14 13 DK/NA 6 9