Washington (CNN) – One day before a White House meeting between President Barack Obama and top congressional leaders from both political parties, a new poll suggests most Americans want Democrats and Republicans to compromise.
But a McClatchy-Marist survey, released Monday, also indicates that most of the public doesn't think such compromise is likely.
According to the poll, 72 percent of registered voters say congressional Republicans should work with their Democratic counterparts and the president to get things done, with one in four saying that Republicans should stand firm on their positions even if things don't get done.
The survey indicates a partisan divide on the issue, with 94 percent of Democrats saying the GOP should cooperate with Obama and congressional Democrats, with more seven in ten independent voters agreeing. But Republicans appear divided, with 49 percent saying the two sides should try to reach common ground and 47 percent saying that GOP leaders should stick to their beliefs even if it causes political gridlock.
Fifty-one percent of self-described Tea Party movement supporters say they want Republicans stand firm while 45 percent say the GOP should try and seek compromise.
So what do Americans think will happen?
According to the poll, just 28 percent think congressional Republicans will negotiate with the president and congressional Democrats, with 64 percent saying the GOP will stand firm instead of seeking compromise.
Two new polls conducted earlier this month, by CBS News and by Pew, also indicated that most Americans wanted President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans to compromise in order to get things done for the country.
A majority of people questioned in an Associated Press-GfK survey released earlier in November said they were not confident that the president and congressional Republicans could work together to solve the nations problems. And three out of four voters questioned in a Quinnipiac University national poll released two weeks ago said they didn't think the White House meeting between congressional leaders and President Barack Obama, which was pushed back from earlier this month, would be likely to produce meaningful results.
The McClatchy-Marist poll was conducted nationwide on November 23, with 810 registered voters questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @PsteinhauserCNN
From CNN Politics
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No kidding.
Our representatives need to continue to REDUCE the amount of money that our government spends–most of it is on wasteful government programs and policies (ie. the department of Energy and Education). Obama is freezing federal employee salaries so that that democrats won't take as big a hit in 2012–good 'photo op', but not the solution.
The truth is that our government is wasteful with other people's money. Those libs that keep stating 'the rich need to pay their share' are just spineless, covetous weasels. I could care less what the rich pay–it's their money. If Obama, Clinton, Gore, Edwards, Rangel, Boxer, Pelosi, Kerry, Biden, Frank and even Warren Buffet... are so concerned about 'social justice', then THEY NEED TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE and give away their fortunes. (I don't see that happening anytime soon).
Until that happens, these hypocrites can stick a cork in it and allow AMERICAN CITIZENS to spend their money they way they want to.
ya think .....i hope both sides will get there heads out and get this economy going and put america back to work...
Tell that to the Party of No. Kyl is already going to hold up the Start Treaty saying it needs to be discussed when it took only hours to pass unanimously with Start I. These republicans are destroying our country and the voters just sent us more of these morons! We are seeing the Dumbing Down of America!
the day the republican work together with President Obama, the CROWS all over the world will turn WHITE. The republicans have said over and over again they want to bring down Obama and destroy him. They will never work with a Black President it is below their ego to take instructions from a Black Americans because they think the white americans are superior and only they can rule America. I will be watching my words.
I would like for both parties to work together, but the GOP leadership has made it clear that they want to make sure Obama is removed from office by the end of his first term. The 800 pound gorilla is in the House and no one is really being honest about the situation. The Republicans do not want to work with a BLACK President. That is why they turned on Crist when it appeared he hugged Obama. They will not work with him and I am not expecting them to do so. It is unfortunate that this country has not moved much further than the attitdues of most Southerns and others during Slavery. Also, quite troubling is the faxt that only Chris Matthews and Keith Oberman and Rachel Maddow have boldly made these claims of bias and bigotry. Never in my lifetime I have I seen more disrespect levied at my Commander in Chief, than towards Obama. All I can say is that Obama needs to wise up. I understand his desire to see the good in all, but some folks are unredeemable by choice. As this continues to unfold some of us are watching. We are not asked to be in any of your polls – we are the one that understand fully what is happening and we continue to watch.
Do some serious research – the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) prohibits homosexuals from serving in the military. The "Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy prevents the military from asking and the individuals from telling. Take that away and the witch hunt will begin (by law) to find and discharge homosexual individuals. The UCMJ needs to be changed BEFORE the policy is dropped.
With regard to gays serving in the military, nobody asked me of my opinion. Actually, I would like to know what the experts think, the military experts as far as the effect on our military. Also, I would like to know what studies have been done to show the benefits or disadvantages. Finally, I would like to know what the man and woman in the field, in the military thinks. These are the men and women who would be most affected. I think these approachs to decision making is what we teach our children. Why should we as adults use anything different?
I want them to compromise on spending cuts, government layoffs, reducing government entitlements, reducing government intrusion into our lives.
I DON'T want them compromising to create more spending, more taxes, more government entitlements, more mandates that I buy something, etc.
Somehow I don't see the entitlement addicted libtards comprising on this!
As the Democcrats proved in the last 2 years, getting stuff "done" does not necessarily help the country. Massive government spending does not create private sector jobs. Extending unemployment in perpetuity only hurts the unemployment situation. Passing a poorly designed health insurance program does not lower health care costs.
Yes, we do hope to see the Federal government get things done, but things for the nation and the people, not just for the politicians. That's why we sent a bunch of new people to Washington.
Working together? It would be nice, but it will never happen.
@Spend Less Save More
Please research your facts before you go on a name-calling rant. Warren Buffet, Bill Clinton, and many others have given away millions if not billions from their own fortunes.
Pretty hard to compromise with the whack job republithugs on the other side of the table.
I don't Veto every thing that comes out the house I was a moderate until the tea tards came I'm pro gun I agree with some tax cut
Obama and the GOP work together? With Fox News in the picture, it won't happen AND it's not a good idea. If the GOP were to work with Obama, then it might work.
NOT ME!! I could careless about the dems working with republicans. In fact, I feel the repubs ahve gone out of their way over many years since Clinton, to establish a war bewteen them and everyone who does not agree with them and so I think the dems should reward that effort by giving them EXACTLY what they want....war.
This is one democrat who wants this President to work in bold and clear opposition to the repubs and frankly I could careless if nothing is accomplished. I prefer to fight the repubs on EVERYTHING. I would offer them zero respect, afford them zero courtesy, and would lock them out of everything I possibly could. No transparency...no honesty....no negotiation. NOTHING!!!!
Maybe somebody should wake the Republicans up and tell them that.
Four and the Door...more ding-bat rhetoric with no basis in fact. More of the rightwing fairytale. This country has been helped a great deal over the last 2 years by our elected government, DESPITE the [R]s. Just imagine the depression we'd be in if McTard and his trailer queen had been elected in 2008, and as they advertised they let the banks go south, and let the car industry go south. We'd all be living a red-state appalachian unemployment dream now.
The [R]s should work with my president. I voted him into office. Narrow, sectional neo-tards elected the congressional [R]s into office. Its time THEY worked with the People's president.
hey it doesnt matter what obama does to appease these die hard repugs, if he come over to their side all theyre going to do is switch position like they have been doing for past two years. there is no way to corral these hyprocrite switchers obama put a freeze on federal spending a topic the repugs have been blinding mad about, but they still complain what they want him to do fire the whole federal government, then theyll just find somthing else he should be doing with the government. just like the other day when the government was shredding alot of jobs, i would thought the repugs would be celebrating but to my surprize they were blaming obama for that, are you kidding me. john mccain and the rest of the the repugs have taught these people well how to be professional switchers and how not to satisfy no matter what. the dems dont want your votes repugs because theyre not going to get it. what the dems want is to get this country on the right path and you help to do so, but your mindless obstructionist tactics will only get us going backward while every body past us by.
Spend More Save Less,
Where were you from 2001 – 2009? Your hyprocisy really shows. That is why I have no patience with any of you idiots who just now since Obama was elected seemed to wake up and wonder why we were in such debt. We haven't spent less or wisely for years. Hyporcites such as you really get on my last nerve.
"Somehow I don't see the entitlement addicted libtards comprising on this"
i hope you also mean to cut spending on corporate welfare, farm subsidies, etc....
somehow i don't see your little mind wrapping itself around all government spending
It all boils down to the RepubliCAN'Ts continuing to say NO and NOT Compromising!!
The RepubliCAN’Ts CAMPAIGNED on it “SHOCK and AWE – Seek and Destroy Obama!!” Their goal is to make President Obama a "one-term" President and to REPEAL and REPLACE everything accomplished in the first two years. They feel that they will HURT the Tea-Partiers (themselves) if they go back on what they promised (to themselves) during the campaign. They REALLY and TRULY believe that the last election was ALL ABOUT THEM!!!!!!!!! They will have a RUDE AWAKENING!!!
Please let’s continue to Move America Forward – with or without COMPROMISE – with our current leader, President Obama!!
The GOP doesn't want to. Period. Their arrogance will lead to yet another Newt Gingrich type fiasco where Party is above country at all costs. Hades awaits them.
Dumbasrocks [R]s
If John McCain and Sarah Palin had been elected in 2008, the economy would probably be about where it is now in recovery, but America would be about $5 trillion less in debt, the federal government would be a whole lot less expensive to run going forward and the American Auto Industry would be just fine.
Since when does Congress care about what " America" thinks? If they did- with alll there blow hard claims of caring, they would have not said not to everything for 2 years that was proposed in either body. They would have backed healthcare and not lied about it, Don't Ask Don't Tell would already be gone becuase these are issues that "America" voted President Obama into office to handle and brought total control to Democrats in the house and Senate. Of course when you are lied about and say nothing- you get what you deserve.
Don't you people get it, the GOP don't have to work with President Obama or work for you, they work for the rich and that requires passing one bill extending "the Bush tax cuts". When that's done they'll be working for themselves, getting elected with nothing to say but it's all Obama's fault and of course they know the misinformed as well as some others will vote for them.
Can they please work together to eliminate that $40-60 BILLION in waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare??!! When they get that accomplished then they can move on to something else! That should ensure nothing ever gets done in DC...
The Repubs just can't stand that Obama is our President. They have shown him no respect at all. Imagine if a Democratic member of Congress called FORMER President Bush a liar!!!!! The GOP is full of mean, spiteful, bigoted men and women. I didn't realize just how bad it was until recently. I say don't work with these haters work against them unless it's for the good of the country. They have vowed to work against you SO just do your best but ONLY FOR THE COUNTRY!
> i hope you also mean to cut spending on corporate welfare, farm subsidies, etc....
>somehow i don't see your little mind wrapping itself around all government spending
I SAY CUT IT ALL! Wrap THAT around your little bone and smoke it!
Really? America wants both partys to work together???? ... because that is NOT Boehner America! His America tells him to keep saying ' NO' to everything ....
The Dems want the GOP to cooperate on their terms. They did not netotiate in good faith with the GOP the last 2 years. They started with a super majority and didnt need one GOP vote to pass any bill they wanted. They still could not get anything done until they made their back room deals. I for one am happy the GOP said no to the liberal policies they were trying to pass. If BO and the Dems want to find a common middle ground then maybe something will get done. If they dont move to the middle then I dont expect much.
Four and The Door
Dumbasrocks [R]s
If John McCain and Sarah Palin had been elected in 2008, the economy would probably be about where it is now in recovery, but America would be about $5 trillion less in debt, the federal government would be a whole lot less expensive to run going forward and the American Auto Industry would be just fine.
____________________________________________________________
Aaawwwww .. you just brought a tear to my eye ... there is still dreamers out there that McCain would have make everything work ... Awww that is soooo sweet and yet so STUPID!
To:Four and The Door
With all due respect spending nothing for job creations is also not a wise solution. Our infrastructure is old and is in very bad shape. We need to keep it up to date and spending money on education and energy is also not a wasteful spending.
Moreover on Health care law, nothing suggests that federal government is going to issue health insurance policies. It merely sets a minimal standard for health insurance policies sold by private companies. By the way you probably never noticed that health insurance premiums climbed by an average of 114 percent since 2000, workers’ contributions to those costs grew by 147 percent. The cost of health insurance — especially for families — has skyrocketed in recent years. It’s up about 150 percent since 1998. In the same period, inflation was 31 percent and average wages increased by 42 percent.
The average cost of employer-provided health insurance rose just 3 percent this year (2010), according to the authoritative Kaiser Family Foundation’s employer health benefits survey. That’s the lowest rate of increase since the mid-1990s.
So search the facts before you comment.
This survey along with countless other shows that Americans want the legislative and executive arms of t he government to work together in bipartisan fashion. During George W. Bush's presidency people stated over and over how we wanted people to work together. The gridlock that has occurred and will probably happen in 2001-2012. The Republicans and Democrats heard the message when Barack Obama won the election. Unfortunately, the Republicans became the party of NO. They could not and would not work together. Their main objective has been to defeat Barack Obama.
We all want the government to go to work to help to resolve the problems facing the USA. The rhetoric during the election and since has been downright embarrassing. We are not civil to one another, we do not respect each other, and we will not compromise to make things happen. Just read the comments in newspapers and on web sites. We want to have instantaneous changes and legislation. We are becoming a very impatient society.
if you want to enlist ... they are not gay... they are a homosextual....if you want to serve .. at least say what you are...homo's...
I hope you voters who cut off your noses to spite your face and voted these RepubliCONS back to finish you off get every
bit of "tea" that's coming to you. Rich I presume? Or merely middle class haters of the President?And they've already started with the cutting of unemployment benefits. Some of us can't AFFORD bigotry. There's more "tea" to come I'm sure.
Four and the Door,
you obviously have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to economics. please leave the heavy lifting and thinking to those who do.
signed John McCain and the Keating 5
and Sarah, Alaska is one of the largest welfare states in the nation (#2), oil tax grizzly Palin
Nice thought, but it's been pretty clear what the GOP has in mind since they have said "NO" to anything everything and that Obama offers...even if it was a republican idea to start with. McConnell said after the election when asked what their top priority was that it was to make Obama a one term president...and that's a quote. Nothing about creating jobs (how many have THEY created in the past 2 years?) nothing about the economy...you know, the other thing that they keep screaming about and they have absolutely no intention of working with him or the rest of the left at all. They have always been willing to work with Obama as long as he does what they tell him to do and how to do it. These people lost the election to him and just took their ball and went home. Really pretty disgusting behavior...but in 6 months when people start yelling "Hey...Mr. Boehner, where are the JOBS!!!" Then we'll see what they are really made of.
Four & Door.... Fox "News" may be a more friendly environment for you; afterall it seems that's where you get all your talking points. Guess what, tax breaks for the wealthy 2% hasn't exactly created jobs either. I don't see Buffett or Gates, for example, balking at paying their fair share; they welcome it. Just curious, what are your answers for paying for the unfunded wars and tax breaks for the wealthy? Never any answers from the right; just a whole lot of complaining.
Democrats time and time again prove that they are the dumbest creatures ever to have roamed the earth. Power in this country is supposed to derive from the people to the government not from the government to the people but democrats are so dumb they will never figure out what that means and, instead, they saddle us with politicians who don't listen to the people but do whatever they, in their socialist ways, think is best for the country such as health care and slush-fund stimulus spending. Take from the successful hard-working people in our society and give it to the lazy and unproductive. It's a recipe for disaster and democrats are all for it.
I get so sick of hearing or reading how "The Rich"... should pay more, "The Rich" are evil... etc. Some of you are just plain stupid, all I can figure is those of you who keep spouting the BS must be the ones living off Taxpayer money and don't have the brains to figure out that if hard working people weren't paying taxes to support them, Wow, hard to think you MIGHT have to do that ugly four letter word... WORK... for a living.
No kiddngt. Really? The President has been reaching across the aisle since before taking office. Unfortunately the klan party (aka gopers) are more interested in seeing him fail than in working with him.
WE THE PEOPLE voted for Obama. The rethugs, bigots and haters of the US still can't stand that an intelligent (more than any of them) charismatic, Harvard graduate (third grade level for most of them) is in the White House instead of a senile old man and the hillbilly trash from AK.
It doesn't seem like it when hater Mitch McConnell unashamedly declared his main propriority is making sure the President is
not reelected. So how in the hell do they propose to fix the economy? The republicans have no business being voted back
to the house. They are hell bent on the destruction of America. Two years is enough to bring voters back to their senses.
If we have a country left by then.
As best as I can tell, we have accomplished a great deal of watered down legislation by trying to play nice with the GOP – who voted no on everything anyway because they'd rather work together to make this President fail than do anything constructive to help the American people. I want Obama and the Dems to stand firm against the Republican agenda and to continue to move our country forward, not back to failed Republican policies.
Four and the Door, may you and your family be the first ones in the soup line of the next great Depression.
Why is the premis in this poll about weather people want the Republicans to work with the Dems on compromise or "Cooperate??? The last election was a landslide against the Dems and their policies!!!!!!!!
For Dems and the Media, the term "Bi-partisan" only applies to Republicans doing what the Dems want. The Republicans do not need to comprise on things like the rolling back the Health Care Bill, reducing spending, keeping all the tax cuts etc. because that is what the American people voted for in big majorities just weeks ago!
We won't have to tell ALL of the democrats to get out to vote next time in 2012. That's the only saving grace to the malevolence that the republicans are about to unleash on Americans.
94% of Democrats think congressional Republicans should "work with" congressional Democrats? Of course they do! Ask them whether Democrats should "work with" the new Republican majority in the House and see if you still get 94% of Democrats saying "yes."
I'd wager that House and Senate Republicans haven't suddenly forgotten the way a Democrat Congress has been throwing one big "we won and we'll do as we please" party over the past year and a half. And now the tables are turning. I wonder what will happen...
Spend less, save more – Funny you... not. The examples of 'wasteful government programs and policies ' that you gave are just INVESTMENTS on the country's future. But you want them cut...
Four and the Door – 'Getting things done' made Dow Jones recover from the level Obama received at the beginning of his term, turned a depression-to-happen into a recession (that, like this Black Friday proved, is gone), and many other things that you seem to have forgotten... I wonder why...
1st Obama has to decide which side of the mouth he is actually going to act on. One side says bipartisan, the other says to the back of the bus. Stop the political crap be a leader and lets move forward. You talk the talk but don't walk the walk.