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Deficit Reduction Among Top Priorities for Political Insiders
Both parties rank it as one of their top concerns.
On a National Journal poll of political insiders, deficit reduction ranked among the top priorities for Democrats, tying with tax reform in popularity. Republicans rated it as even more pressing.
What two issues should be the top priorities for your party this year?
DEMOCRATS (107 VOTES)
Deficit reduction: 21%
Energy: 7%
Guns: 14%
Immigration: 64%
Jobs: 66%
Tax reform: 21%
Deficit reduction
“Deficits imperil the economy and could destroy the safety net; and Washington could actually fix the problem.”
Energy
“Our constituencies want action on climate change. Now is the time.”
Guns
“Now that Obama has made guns a signature issue, he has to be able to claim victory on his priorities.”
Immigration
“This will be the best year to do comprehensive immigration reform for years to come.”
“Democrats must lock in the image with the fast-growing Hispanic communities, as we have done for decades with African-Americans, that they can be at ‘home’ with our party.”
“Gotta get immigration done, at least to thank the Latinos who gave Obama his margin.”
Jobs
“Jobs solve so many problems! Everyone wants a balanced budget, but they would prefer to be employed!”
“If the unemployment rate continues to hover around 8 percent, the midterm elections will be difficult for Democrats. Jobs, jobs, jobs.”
Tax reform
“Create jobs and have everyone pay a fair share, and most of the other problems—except guns, which will never be solved—will go away.”
What two issues should be the top priorities for your party this year?
REPUBLICANS (94 VOTES)
Deficit reduction: 54%
Energy: 7%
Guns: 3%
Immigration: 50%
Jobs: 57%
Tax reform: 24%
Deficit reduction
“Prevent Obama from spending us into economic oblivion.”
“Controlling the ‘size and scope of government’ is key to the base, and immigration is key to party growth.”
Energy
“Access to affordable energy leads to job creation.”
Guns
“We’ve got to stop standing in the way of gun reform—it makes us look crazy.”
Immigration
“Do Republicans really want immigration used against them again in ’14, ’16, and beyond? Do comprehensive now, and give a future candidate a chance to be heard by more than 47 percent of the electorate.”
“Settle the issue, start the healing.”
Jobs
“Since when did 7.8 percent unemployment become the new normal?”
“Jobs would indicate we actually were awake.”
“The country is growing too slowly to fix any other problem.”
Tax reform
“Make Democrats defend the absurd current revenue code.”
Click here to see more results, including how the parties view sequestration.
(Image via larry1235/Shutterstock.com)