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GfK Poll: Public mixed on GOP tax, health plans

By (Breaking Legal News)

People back Republican tax cut plans but not the GOP campaign to repeal President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, according to a poll suggesting that the Republicans' big Election Day win was not a mandate for the party's legislative wish list.

Fifty-three percent say income tax cuts that soon will expire should be renewed for all ? including the highest earners, as Republicans want ? according to an Associated Press-GfK Poll conducted just after last week's elections. But 44 percent would continue the cuts only for those earning under $250,000 a year ? which Obama favors ? or let them lapse for everyone.

When it comes to the health care law Obama signed in March, just 39 percent back the GOP effort to repeal it or scale it back. Fifty-eight percent would rather make even more changes in the health care system or leave the measure alone.

Two-thirds want the Senate to ratify Obama's nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia, including most Democrats, about 6 in 10 Republicans and independents ? and even about half of conservative tea party supporters. Some Republican senators oppose the treaty. The Obama administration hopes to win Senate approval in the upcoming lame-duck session of Congress and will need GOP support to garner the 67 votes required.

During this fall's campaign, a leading Republican theme was a promise to curb a government they said had become too big and intrusive under Obama. This included proposals to extend tax cuts for even the wealthiest Americans and to pull back Obama's health care law.

Full post as published by Breaking Legal News on November 11, 2010 (boomark / email).