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E XECUTIVE SUMMARY
Our first Beyond the Beltway Insights Initiative study shows that Congress is held in low regard and the inability to get
things done is a major concern of voters no matter who controls the majority. However, this report shows that while
voters outside the Beltway may have partisan preferences, Washingtons partisan lines are not necessarily relevant to
voters when they are thinking about solutions to problems. Instead, we found that voters, regardless of ideology, are
willing to support ideas that cross partisan lines.
As a result, there are many areas where Washington could improve its image with voters who are disgusted with
gridlock and make progress. Most notably, despite job growth and falling unemployment, a majority of voters believe
that the national economy is still on the wrong track and are looking for action. When it comes to taxes, there is broad
support from conservatives, moderates and liberals for a middle class tax cut, but also for measures that would seem
to span ideological divides like raising taxes on the wealthy and cutting corporate taxes to make American businesses
more competitive.
This survey also shows troubling findings for racial unity in the country and the American justice system. A quarter of
African Americans view racism as the number one challenge facing the country. While Americans generally support
their local police, 40% of voters overall agreed with the statement that the acquittal of officers involved in Ferguson
and Staten Island show that Americas law enforcement system treats African Americans differently than white
Americans. Over 80% of African American voters agree that recent decisions by grand juries in Staten Island and
Ferguson indicate that the law enforcement system treats African Americans and white Americans differently, as did a
majority of Hispanics and voters under 40 years old.
CONTENTS
Economic Policies............................................................................................................................................................ 6
Tax Reform....................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Immigration Reform..................................................................................................................................................... 11
Climate Change............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Media Consumption................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Methodology.............................................................................................................................................................................. 16
About Us..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Voters remain strongly dissatisfied with national politics. They are unfavorable toward both Congressional parties and
Congress as an institution is one of the least trusted organizations in the country. In fact, among voters who are familiar with
the House of Cards villain Frank Underwood, Underwoods favorability ratings are significantly higher than those of Congress.
When voters were asked about their concerns regarding either a Republican or Democratic control of government, gridlock
and an inability to work across party lines were among the top three responses.
Nearly a third of voters say the economy is the top problem facing the country. More Republicans (37%) are focused on
the economy than Democrats (25%) or Independents (29%). Independents also identified the federal budget (14%) and
public safety (10%) as the top issue. Democrats also picked inequality (10%) and healthcare (10%).
While the economy was chosen as the top issue by pluralities of whites and Hispanics, 25% of African Americans said
racism was the leading problem facing the country, and 12% said public safety.
In addition to viewing the economy as the leading issue facing the
country, more voters are looking for the next president to improve
the economy through economic growth (60%) compared to improving
the economy through economic fairness (40%).
6O%
4O%
IDEOLOGICAL SCALE
Moderate
(Net 46)
Total Conservative
(Net 79)
11%
2O%
32%
3O%
Chris Christie
57%
49%
Next President
23%
9%
3O%
46%
45%
Yourself
46%
Rand Paul
1O%
1O%
49%
41%
4O%
Jeb Bush
5O%
Bill Clinton
11%
34%
1O%
56%
32%
Democrats in Congress
58%
Hillary Clinton
8%
6O%
Republicans in Congress
9%
32%
28%
63%
Barack Obama
Voters are far more bullish on the direction of their state economy than on the direction of the national economy. Even
though the stock market has been improving and the unemployment rate has dropped to below 2008 levels, a majority
of voters believe the U.S. economy is in poor shape. Voters are slightly more optimistic about their state economy 51%
believe the economy in their state is good or very good. This is especially true of voters in the Midwest. This trend continues
as voters to look toward the future. A majority of voters believe the U.S. economy is on the wrong track, while a majority (55%)
also believes their state economy is on the right track (55%).
Overall, voters are divided between those who believe they
will be better off in five years (45%) or who do not think things
will change (42%) but just 13% believe they will be worse off.
African American and Hispanic voters are far more optimistic
than White voters. Seven in ten African American voters
believe in five years their family will be better off. Voters
believe the most helpful thing Congress could pass would be
45%
13%
42%
Better Off
Worse Off
Perceptions of the economy vary strongly with partisan identification. Two-thirds of Democrats say the national economy is
on the right track (67%), while 77% of Republicans say it is on the wrong track. A majority of Democrats believe they will be
better off in five years; meanwhile, nearly half of Republicans believe their personal situation will be about the same.
ECONOMIC POLICIES
Moving from economic conditions to economic policy, there are a number of proposals that Congress could act on with the
support of a broad cross-section of voters.
Voters felt the most helpful national economic policy would be to increase efforts to keep companies from shipping
jobs overseas. Almost half of all voters (47%) ranked it as very helpful to the U.S. economy. Democrats view this as the
most beneficial policy for the economy, followed by increasing taxes on the wealthy and ensuring fair pay for women.
Republicans were less enthusiastic about any of the policies offered, but 38% said stopping jobs from moving overseas
would be very beneficial to the economy, while 35% said middle class tax cuts would be helpful, and 33% supported
cutting spending on welfare and food stamps.
Fair pay for women continues to be a popular proposal. Voters ranked fair pay for women in the top two most helpful
economic policies for themselves and their familiesthis is largely driven by Democrats and Independents. While
Republicans believe pay fairness is more helpful than hurtful, this is not a top economic policy for them.
TAX REFORM
The topic of reforms to the tax system provide a good example of an area where majorities of voters can support ideas that
divide politicians inside the Beltway. A majority of Americans support a comprehensive tax reform proposal that includes a
middle class tax cut, asking the wealthy to pay more, and corporate tax reform that lowers rates while closing loopholes.
Cutting taxes on the middle class is strongly supported by 49% of voters including 53% of liberals, 50% of moderates
and 44% of Republicans. With a total of 88% expressing some level of support, the middle class tax cut is near the top
of the list of economic measures voters want Congress to pass.
While backing lower taxes, 76% of voters also expressed support for raising taxes on the wealthy, a measure
progressives say would make the tax system fairer. This measure was strongly supported by 49% of voters the same
level of strong support enjoyed by a middle class tax cut. Higher taxes on the wealthy was supported by majorities of
liberals (67%) and moderates (52%), although just 30% of conservatives. One possible reason that voters can support
both policies is that both are viewed by a significant number as measures that would be very helpful to the economy.
Although a majority of voters agree with raising taxes on the wealthy, they also support lowering corporate taxes, albeit
with less intensity than lowering middle class taxes or raising taxes on the wealthy. When we asked voters whether they
agree Congress should Congress should reform our nations tax code by getting rid of loopholes and setting a corporate
tax rate that makes us competitive with other major industrial countries, 49% saying they strongly support it.
76%
24%
conservatives.
Perhaps the most startling findings of our survey are the countrys
deep and clear divisions along racial lines on matters related to race
and criminal justice. A majority of African American voters believe that
the forces of racial bias and prejudice remain prevalent in our society.
We should note that this study was conducted December 7-10, within
two weeks of the grand jury decisions in Staten Island and Ferguson.
It is probable that some of our findings are due to timing; however,
the mere fact that they exist should alarm leaders at all levels.
In our study we found that 74% of Americans continue to view their
local police as trustworthy; yet a racial dichotomy exists in the nation
on this and other matters. Whenever we have asked voters what
their chief concern facing the country in our other national polling
the economy (or a related matter) has consistently emerged as
voters greatest main concern. This time, however, African Americans
cited racism as their top concern, while the economy fell second.
6O%
7O%
ALL VOTERS
WHITES
4O%
3O%
18%
46%
AFRICAN
AMERICANS
82%
HISPANICS
54%
Automatic spending cuts that were intended to force Congress to act on the debt ceiling have now been in effect since
March 2013. Sen. John McCain, the incoming chair of the Armed Services Committee, has said that sequestrations effects
on the defense budget have been unconscionable and said it was the worst vote I have cast in many years. While some
Republicans like McCain are working to reverse the cuts imposed on the defense budget, others would lock in the budget
levels imposed by sequestration. Meanwhile, some Democrats have proposed lifting sequestration on more than just
defense budget, if not ending it altogether.
When presented with arguments for and against lifting sequestration caps, 73% of voters approve of lifting the
sequestration in some form, and a plurality support lifting sequestration altogether. However, none of the three positions
have the support of a majority of voters, suggesting that the issue is as complicated for voters as it is in Congress.
Overall, 43% of all voters say their view is closest to an argument for lifting sequestration altogether and replacing it
with a compromise plan that can pass congress with support from both sides. (Given that many Republicans oppose
this path, such a plan would need support from both sides to pass Congress). This position is supported by a plurality
of both Democrats and Independents. These voters say their position is closest to Those who say Congress should
repeal caps on both military and domestic spending and work for a bipartisan compromise that addresses spending on
all areas, including defense, education and law enforcement.
37
33
28
28 28
GOP
23
IND
24
DEM
26
FEMALE
27
IND
25
DEM
FEMALE
28
MALE
ALL
GOP
IND
DEM
FEMALE
MALE
30
MALE
43 43
ALL
43
GOP
48
ALL
Meanwhile 30% of voters backed a partial repeal of sequestration on the defense budget only, such as that advocated
by McCain and some Republicans. These voters say their position is closest to Those who say that Congress should
reverse only the military spending caps. This would allow our military to confront rising threats to our national security.
Finally, 26% of voters say that sequestration should be kept in place. The argument these voters most closely identified
with was Those who say Congress should keep the spending caps in place on both the military and domestic spending
because they are an important tool to reduce spending.
1O
31%
69%
88%
Congress should prevent unions, corporations,
outside groups, and wealthy individuals from
spending unlimited amounts of money to
influence elections
A striking majority of voters (88%) agreed with the following statement:
Congress should prevent unions, corporations, outside groups and wealthy
individuals from spending unlimited amounts of money to influence elections.
Fifty-nine percent said they strongly agreed, and another 29% somewhat
agreed with only 12% of disagreeing.
A majority of Democrats (62%), Independents (64%) and Republicans (52%) all
strongly agree with the statement, as do voters in all major demographic groups.
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Key Congressional committees in the next Congress will be chaired by members of Congress who dispute the validity of
climate change. Outside the Beltway, however, the debate is less over whether change is occurring and more about what to
do. By a three-to-one margin, voters believe that climate change is happening, and agree that Congress should act on several
measures designed to reduce the threat of global climate change.
Two-thirds of voters believe climate change is occurring, including majorities of Democrats (81%) and Independents
(69%) and a plurality of Republicans (46%).
Among voters who believe climate change is occurring, 61% said it is a severe threat that must be addressed
immediately, 21% said it is a natural event that humans cannot effect, and only 12% indicated it is an issue that should
be dealt with in the future and not a pressing threat at the moment.
Of six different potential actions that Congress and the president could take to address the threat posed by climate
change, three were strongly supported by one-third or more of all voters:
Agree
19%
25%
81%
Negotiate more agreements with
other countries would encourage
them to reduce their output of
greenhouse gases if the US does too
Disagree
25%
75%
Have the Environmental Protection
Agency regulate emissions of carbon
dioxide as a pollutant
75%
Enact a carbon tax on pollutants and
use the revenues to pay for new,
cleaner technologies for the future
All three of the above actions received strong support of Democrats and Independents. The most strongly supported
among Republicans were negotiating agreements to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (Strongly supported by
24% of Republicans), and building new nuclear power plants that have lower emission levels than those powered by
coal. (Strongly supported by 28% of Republicans).
When those who said climate change was occurring were asked what evidence was the most convincing, 34% pointed
to warmer or more severe weather patterns, 20% said rising sea levels and melting polar ice caps was the most
convincing proof, and another 9% pointed to the general scientific consensus.
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56%
44%
Support for the position of technology companies included 61% of Democrats, 55% of independents and 60% of voters
under 40 years old.
Republicans were evenly split between the two arguments. There was also a large gap between men and women, with
men supporting the technology companies side of the argument by a 60%-40% margin and women more evenly
divided 52%-48%.
Technology companies are among the most trusted industries we tested in the poll, with 79% of voters saying they
were very or somewhat trustworthy, compared to 21% who said they were not trustworthy.
67%
33%
One solution proposed is increasing the gas tax to a level that could sustain the fund for a longer time. Supporters of this
approach have not convinced voters. When asked to pick between an argument of supporters and one of opponents, voters
picked the opponents argument by a two-to-one margin.
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Congressional Republicans calling for reversals to the presidents immigration executive action are limiting
their support to the GOP base, a poor long-term strategy.
Democrats should frame this debate as a choice between shutting down the government to penalize the
president or passing comprehensive immigration reform.
There is a clear disconnect between the Beltway and Main Street on campaign finance.
Curbing the influence of money in electoral politics was one of the strongest policy initiatives tested.
Politicians who continue to deny the existence of climate change are at odds with the vast majority of
American voters, including a plurality of Republicans.
Americans are taking the side of technology companies over law enforcement and national security
agencies in the battle over access to users encrypted data on mobile devices.
While there are differences of opinion on how to pay for highway construction and repair, a majority of
voters support more funding for road and bridge repair and believe it would help the economy.
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MEDIA CONSUMPTION
More voters are turning to the internet for their news and entertainment. About half of all voters (47%) spend five hours or
more on the internet a day and about four in ten voters use the internet as their primary source of news, a close second to
the number of voters who use the television as their primary source of news. Voters not only listed Facebook as their primary
social media tool, but also as a popular source of news (second to news aggregating sites like Google and Yahoo).
While Independents prefer to use the internet to get their news, both Democrats and Republicans prefer to get their news
from television. Neither Democrats nor Independents have a clear preference for television news, but a strong plurality of
Republicans, four out of ten, prefer Fox as their main news source.
Few voters rely on print news sources (about 5%), and those who do prefer a local paper to national papers such as the New
York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Even fewer rely on the radio as their primary news source.
4%
3%
ALL
43%
8%
UNDER 5O
48%
TV
4%
58%
INTERNET
1%
5O+
35%
PRINT
3%
26%
RADIO
61%
OTHER
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ME THODOLOGY
This report covers the results of our research: 993 total interviews in December 7-10 with a sample of likely 2016 voters. The
interviews were conducted online. The margin of error for overall results is 3.11% and higher among subgroups.
The regions are defined as follows:
Northeast which represents 19% of the electorate and is defined as anyone living in ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, NY, PA, NJ.
Midwest which represents 23% of the electorate and is defined as anyone living in ND, SD, NE, KS, MO, IA, MN, WI, IL,
IN, MI, OH.
South which represents 36% of the electorate and is defined as anyone living in TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, TN, KY, AL, WV,
MD, DE, VA, DC, NC, SC, GA, FL.
West-Pacific which represents 22% of the electorate and is defined as anyone living in WA, OR, CA, MT, ID, WY, UT,
CO, AZ, NM, NV, AK, HI.
This poll was a joint project of the Washington, DC offices of SKDKnickerbocker and Benenson Strategy Group.
Note: Due to small sample size, results in the Race Other category should be interpreted as directional only.
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ABOUT US
The Beyond the Beltway Insights Initiative is a joint project by two of the countrys leading insights and strategic
communications firms, Benenson Strategy Group and SKDKnickerbocker.
BENENSON STRATEGY GROUP (BSG) is a leading strategic research consultancy that delivers breakthrough
insights and strategies to many of the worlds top Fortune 500 companies, heads of state, and institutions. We marry our
language expertise with innovative research to help leaders take on their toughest challenges. From the President of the
United States to Toyota, Intel, and Uber, BSG is the trusted adviser that global brands turn to when they need to connect,
compete, and convince.
SKDKNICKERBOCKER brings unparalleled strategic communications experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, labor unions, and political committees and candidates. There is no company that better
understands the intersection of press, politics, and policy. And there is no better place than SKDK if you are in need of
strategic communications advice to manage a crisis, protect a brand, advocate an issue, or win an election.
OUR PEOPLE
Pete Brodnitz is a partner at Benenson Strategy Group, leading the firms Washington, D.C. office. He brings more than
twenty years of strategic research experience for his clients. These include thirteen heads of state on four continents,
domestic political leaders at all levels, Fortune 500 companies, and leading advocacy and nonprofit institutions.
J.B. Poersch oversees SKDKnickerbockers political division and uses his extensive political experience to develop strategy
for both corporate and advocacy clients. He is a cofounder and a general strategist for Senate Majority PAC a Super PAC
that won 16 of 19 Senate races that were active in the 2012 cycle.
Mike Gehrke is a vice president with Benenson Strategy Group with more than 20 years of experience working with
international and domestic political and public affairs clients to develop winning insights-based strategies.
Doug Thornell is a Senior Strategist at SKDKnickerbocker, a leading political consulting and public affairs firm based in
Washington, D.C. and New York. He is the former spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Senior
Advisor to Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Deputy Political at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and
communications director for the Congressional Black Caucus.
CONTACT US
* pbrodnitz@bsgco.com
* DThornell@skdknick.com
@beyond_beltway
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