Fewer Americans support shifting funds from social programs to Defense

A majority of Americans support federal increases in defense spending at the expense of social programs--but that number has dropped since just after Sept. 11, according to a Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents to the poll conducted at the end of January said they supported increased federal spending on defense and intelligence even if it meant there would be less money available for social programs. In mid-September, 79 percent gave that response.

And the plurality in the latest poll--34 percent--said the federal government's top priority should be stimulating the economy.

In December, the plurality said the top priority should be fighting terrorism, and in November the top answer was strengthening security.