On Thursday, the website The Polling Report tweeted a new CNN poll picking apart Republicans: "Do Republican proposals to cut spending apply fairly to all groups in society, or do they unfairly favor some groups more than others?" The result: 68 percent "unfairly favor," and 29 percent "apply fairly."
Couldn't this just as easily be asked of President Obama at this point? (The questions were asked April 9 and 10, before Obama's budget-outline address.) Does the Obama budget plan unfairly favor some groups more than others? CNN hasn't asked yet. On one level, the answers are obvious: Obama favors raising the tax burden on the rich, and Republicans favor tax cuts for the rich. The political word in here is "fair."
The Paul Ryan proposal reduces the tax rate for the rich, but also eliminates loopholes (as does the proposal of Obama's deficit commission). The poll is too quick and dirty to wonder if it's "fair" to raise taxes to 80 or 90 percent, if "fairness" was defined merely as redistributing wealth.
But CNN also asked: "As far as you know, would the current Republican proposals to cut spending affect you or someone in your immediate family, or would they only affect other people?" Respondents were certain: 69 percent said Republican spending cuts would affect them, and 28 percent said no.
There could be a question now about whether the survey respondent would be targeted by "savings" in the Obama budget proposal. Before these two questions, CNN pollsters asked: "The events of the past few days have dealt with this year's budget, but during that time Republican leaders in Congress also announced their proposals for the federal budget for next year and beyond. Here are a few questions specifically about that budget. In your view, do current Republican proposals to cut spending go too far, or not?"
On this question, 47 percent said "too far." Fifty-one percent said "Not too far." CNN didn't offer "Not far enough." As in "still leaves trillion-dollar deficit projections." Although they did ask whether Obama and/or Republicans gave up too much in this year's budget agreement.
CNN only used the poll a few times on the air, but it came just as Obama's speech was being discussed, as on the April 13 American Morning:
KIRAN CHETRY: As I said before, though, a new poll that we had, actually, this is a poll from December. It may actually be even stronger against it, showing 62 percent of Americans are against extending the Bush era tax cuts, when it comes to people to making $250,000 or more. But another poll that was taken more recently that is perhaps a little more interesting, it says do GOP proposals to cut spending apply fairly to all groups. And the vast majority, 68 percent, said no.
REP. ERIC CANTOR: Well, as far as the taxes are concerned, let's remember, small businesses are the ones that is disproportionately impacted if you raise taxes. And, right now, we need more small business start- ups, we need people willing to go in and put their money to work to create jobs.
Then there was the next day's American Morning:
ALI VELSHI: We have a CNN/Opinion Research poll which asks whether the Paul Ryan proposal, the Republican proposals, cut spending -- to cut spending apply fairly to all groups. About a third say yes. About 68 percent, two thirds, a little more than two-thirds, say no. Who do you think the Republican proposals are not fair to?
REP. HAL ROGERS: Well, you know, we have just begun to explore what the Paul Ryan proposal is. It will be on the floor today and tomorrow, so, we'll learn more about it. I don't think the public has really had a chance to soak in the Paul Ryan budget proposal just yet.
