[Erexecike]

A recent Gallup poll (7/7-10) asked Americans their preferences for taxes increases vs. spending cuts to reduce the deficit. Overall, only 20% preferred all spending cuts with no tax increases. Among Republicans, only 26% preferred all spending cuts while 68% preferred some mix of the two.

One reporter today confronted a Republican Congressman with that poll and asked, given that 68% of his party's constituents wanted some mix of tax increases and spending cuts, did he believe there was room to bargain in this debt ceiling debate?

He gave the party line: no tax increases. The American public won't stand for it.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/148472/De...Tax-Hikes.aspx

Tell me again this isn't about political grandstanding and the Republicans' pledge to limit Pres. Obama to one term.