The White House just issued a statement that there will be no negotiations on the upcoming debt ceiling hike. But by a 2-to-1 margin, the American people disagree. A new Bloomberg poll shows that 61% of voters say that it is “right to require spending cuts when the debt ceiling is raised even if it risks default.” This sentiment is shared by a plurality of Democrats.
In worse news for the president, the poll shows that, despite the best of efforts of his administration and the media, only 40% blame congressional Republicans for what the poll calls Washington dysfunction. By comparison, though, 38% blame Obama. Statistically, that is a tie. In February, Obama held a 43% to 34% advantage on the same issue.
For those of you with a life, the debt ceiling debate is different from the debate we are currently having, which is over funding the government through a continuing resolution. The debt ceiling is about allowing the Treasury to borrow more money than we already have borrowed.
Overall, though, this poll shows the GOP going into the debt ceiling with the will of the people firmly behind them. It also shows that-as with gun control, George Zimmerman, and immigration reform-the media appear to be losing their power to sway public opinion. The media have spent years attacking the GOP as obstructionists and, as a result, the polls have only moved against Obama.
When 61% want spending cuts and the president disagrees, he is the extremist who is out-of-touch with the American people.
It just wasn’t supposed to happen this way.
Follow John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC
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