These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
Voters, as they have all year, rate cutting the federal deficit in half by the end of his first term as President Obama's number one budget priority.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% put deficit cutting in first place, followed by 22% who say health care reform is most important. These numbers are virtually unchanged from a month ago and have been voters' top two concerns - in that order - since the president listed his priorities earlier this year.
However, voters also continue to believe that cutting the deficit in half is the goal Obama is least likely to achieve and say health care reform is the one he is most likely to accomplish.
As for the president's other budget priorities detailed in a speech to Congress in February, 17% of voters say ensuring that every child has access to a complete and competitive education is most important, while 12% think development of new sources of energy ranks highest.
Seventy percent (70%) of voters say cutting the deficit in half is the goal the president is least likely to achieve. Just 10% believe that to be true of new energy development, while eight percent (8%) say the same of improving education. Only six percent (6%) say health care reform is the president's least achievable goal.
In fact, 47% view health care reform as the goal the president is most likely to accomplish. Fifteen percent (15%) view education reform as the most achievable, and nearly as many (13%) believe the same of new energy development.
Just six percent (6%) say the deficit cutting that voters rate number one is the goal the president is most likely to achieve.
Most Republicans (52%) and voters not affiliated with either major party (58%) say cutting the deficit in half is the president's highest budget priority. Just 22% of Democrats agree. A plurality of the president's party (40%) place health care reform at the top of the list. These partisan views also have not changed throughout the year which helps to explain the continuing Democratic push for health care legislation despite strong overall voter opposition.
Forty-one percent (41%) of voters nationwide now favor the health care bill, but 55% are opposed . This is the fifth straight week with support for the legislation between 38% and 41%.
Sixty percent (60%) believe passage of the health care legislation will increase the deficit . That's likely to be one reason why 57% say it would be better to pass no health care reform bill this year than to pass the plan currently being considered by Congress.
But 51% say America's economic problems are due to the recession which began under President Bush , a view that has generally held steady for months. Forty-one percent (41%) put more blame on Obama's policies.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of voters prefer a smaller government with fewer services and lower taxes over a more active government with more services and higher taxes, the second highest finding of the year.
Fifty-five percent (55%) think finding new sources of energy is more important than reducing the amount of energy Americans now consume. This view also has changed little over the year.
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To view the original report, please use this link: What Are Obama's Priorities?