1. Democrats Win The Tax Issue
HART
RESEARCH A S O T E C I
Democrats Win The Tax Issue
Key findings from a telephone survey among 1,009 voters nationwide (including 201 cell-phone only voters), conducted Nov. 7 – 9, 2012
for
J:\10549

2. Tax Fairness An Important Consideration For Two-Thirds Of Voters
In making your voting decisions this year, how important an issue was making the tax system more fair?
Not sure
Very (44%)/ fairly (23%) important consideration
Just somewhat (20%)/ not (10%) important consideration
How They Voted
President
Obama
Romney
Senate
Democrat
Republican
58%
40%
62%
36%
Q10/ATFQ1

3. Democrats Eliminate GOP Advantage On Taxes
When it comes to dealing with taxes, which party do you think would do a better job—the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, or both about the same?*
Democrats
Republicans
*All data except Nov taken from surveys conducted by Peter Hart and Bill McInturff on behalf of NBC News and the Wall St. Journal.
Q11/ATFQ2

4. Voters Want To End Bush Tax Cuts For Income Over $250,000
The Bush tax cuts are due to expire at the end of this year, which means that federal income tax rates will increase unless Congress takes action. Which of these do you think is the best way for Congress to deal with the Bush tax cuts?
End tax cuts for those making over $250,000
Obama voters
Romney voters
$50k or less
$50k to $100k
$100k or more
Whites
Moderates
Swing voters
End
75%
34%
56%
59%
55%
64%
62%
Continue
17%
37%
40%
39%
41%
30% 5%
56%
Q12/ATFQ3
Continue the tax cuts for everyone
End tax cuts for all incomes. 4

5. Exit Poll Shows Even Stronger Support For Higher Taxes On Wealthy
Income tax rates should increase on income over $250,000
13%
60%
Income tax rates should not increase for anyone
National Exit Poll at nbcnews.com
Tax rates should increase for all income
*Data taken from exit polls conducted by Edison Research on behalf of the National Election Pool.

6. Voters Agree With President Obama’s Tax Position, Not Republicans in Congress
President Obama: Continue tax cuts for income under $250,000 and veto extending tax cuts for income over $250,000.
Republicans in Congress: Continue tax cuts for all income levels and block any bill that ends tax cuts for income over $250,000.
61%
53%
Q13a/b ATFQ4a/b
42%
35%
Strongly
Agree
40%
Strongly
Disagree
39%
Strongly
Disagree
24%
Strongly
Agree
22%
Agree
Disagree
Agree
Disagree 6

7. Republicans in Congress
Who Will Voters Blame If All Tax Cuts Expire?
President Obama
Republicans in Congress
Blame Obama 4%
22%
56%
19%
28%
32%
25%
26%
Blame Republicans
74%
43%
10%
49%
40%
38%
39%
Democrats
Independents
Republicans
Moderates
$50k or less
$50k to $100k
$100k or more
Northeast
South
Midwest
West
Both Equally
Not Sure
Q13c/ATFQ4c

8. Voters Prefer Ending Bush Tax Cuts Over Sequestration Cuts
On January 1, large cuts in domestic and national defense spending will reduce the budget deficit by about $1 trillion but will also eliminate between one and two million jobs. Should Congress go ahead with these across-the-board budget cuts, or should Congress instead reduce the deficit by ending the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000?
End tax cuts for those making over $250,000
Go ahead with budget cuts
Q15/ATFQ6
Neither/not sure: 32%

9. Voters Say To Reduce The Deficit Through Progressive Tax Policies, Not Entitlement Cuts
Total Approve
84%
61%
58%
30%
16%
Total Disapprove
11%
33%
31%
28%
32%
64%
78%
Increase taxes on the profits that American corporations make overseas, to ensure they pay as much on foreign profits as they do on profits made in the United States.
Pass legislation to prevent corporations and wealthy individuals from avoiding U.S. taxes by shifting income earned here in the United States to overseas tax havens.
Place a surtax of 5% on income over $1 million per year.
End the lower tax rate on income from selling stocks and other assets, so that investors pay the same tax rates as workers do on their earnings.
Increase the estate tax, also called the inheritance tax, on estates of more than $7 million for a couple.
Raise the age for Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67.
Cut Medicaid benefits.
Q16/ATFQ7

10. Democrats Win The Tax Issue
HART
RESEARCH A S O T E C I
Democrats Win The Tax Issue
Key findings from a telephone survey among 1,009 voters nationwide (including 201 cell-phone only voters), conducted Nov. 7 – 9, 2012
for
J:\10549