July 19, 1999
Web posted at: 5:00 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 19)-- When it comes to public opinion, President Bill Clinton appears to have a slight edge over congressional GOP leaders in the upcoming negotiations over tax cuts, Medicare, and the fate of the federal budget surplus, according to the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.

When asked about the choices involved in cutting taxes and still funding federal programs, Americans prefer Clinton's approach over the GOP's by a 48 percent to 40 percent margin.

And when faced with a trade-off between tax cuts and increased spending for Medicare, two-thirds prefer larger increases in spending on Medicare even if it means smaller tax cuts. Only a third prefer larger tax cuts if the trade-off were smaller increases in Medicare programs.

One reason for that: tax cuts are important to most Americans, but Medicare is an even higher priority for the public. An strong majority -- 78 percent -- say that Medicare is extremely or very important to their vote for Congress next November while 60 percent say the same about tax cuts.

Clinton's advantage over the GOP may also be due to the perception that the Republicans are mostly interested in benefitting the rich with their tax cuts; only a quarter feel that way about the tax cuts proposed by the Democrats.

The survey of 1,031 adult Americans was conducted July 16-18, 1999. Questions have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points unless otherwise indicated.

Questions and results

When it comes to dealing with the tough choices involved both in cutting taxes and still maintaining needed federal programs, whose approach do you prefer -- the Republicans in Congress, or President Clinton's?

As you may know, Congress and Clinton are debating over the amount of money to use for tax cuts and funding to create new Medicare programs. If you had to choose, which combination would you prefer -- (a) a larger tax cut and smaller increases in spending on Medicare, or (b) a smaller tax cut and larger increases in spending on Medicare?

As I read a list of issues being discussed today, please tell me if each of the following issues are important to your vote for Congress in November?

Who do you think the Republicans in Congress are most interested in benefitting with their proposed tax cut -- the rich, the middle class, or both about equally?

Who do you think the Democrats in Congress are most interested in benefitting with their proposed tax cut -- the rich, the middle class, or both about equally?

Thursday, July 15, 1999

• Senate approves GOP's version of 'patients' bill of rights'
• Poll: Public slightly favors Democrats in health care debate
• Senate rejects patient lawsuit proposal
• Bush to forgo federal matching funds
• Reno says China campaign funds probe 'was not impaired'
• House gives itself pay raise
• Clinton discusses gun control with Colorado students
• House panel approves GOP tax cut package
• Prescription sought for perfect health care system
• Congress sends law by e-mail to the White House
• Victoria Buckley, top black female Republican, dies at 51
• House panel blocks part of Energy Department budget
• Clinton wants stem cell research without changing law
• White House hopefuls report new fund-raising numbers
• Folksy Gore leaves vice presidential props at home
• Bush collects money, endorsements on trip to Virginia, Maryland
• House upholds Clinton Administration mining restrictions
• Analysis: Senate's new independent may signal Republican split
• Mrs. Clinton listens but doesn't have all the answers
• Group protests Hadassah award to Hillary Clinton

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