CNN's poll shows most Americans want Obama and Congress to focus on jobs
ORC for CNN (pdf). 9/9-11. Adults. MoE ±3% (no trendlines):
As you may know, Barack Obama gave a speech to a joint session of Congress on Thursday night in which he outlined a number of proposals concerning the economy and unemployment. Based on what you have read or heard, do you generally favor or oppose the proposals that Obama made in that speech?
Favor: 43
Oppose: 35
No opinion: 22
It's early in the process, and a lot of folks don't yet have an opinion, but those numbers are a decent start. And these numbers should encourage the White House to continue to aggressively push Congressional Republicans to take action:
Who do you trust more to handle the economy -- Barack Obama or the Republicans in Congress?
Obama: 46
Republicans: 37
Both equally: 1
Neither: 15
And it is absolutely essential that President Obama keep his message—and his policy agenda—focused on jobs:
If you had to choose, would you rather see Barack Obama and Congress pay more attention to reducing the budget deficit, or more attention to creating more jobs?
Jobs: 65
Deficit: 29
Both equally (vol.): 6
And when it comes to selling that jobs message, he shouldn't be shy about focusing on spending provisions in his plan as well as the tax cut provisions. With 74% support, the most popular provision of his plan is "providing federal money to state governments to allow them to hire teachers and first responders." 64% favored "increasing federal spending to build and repair roads, bridges, and schools," more than 58% who supported the business side of the payroll tax cut. 65% supported the employee side of the payroll tax cut and 52 supported "increasing federal aid to unemployed workers."