While the White House and Congress look for ways to raise the nation's debt ceiling, three-quarters of Floridians are at least "somewhat wary" of the move, a poll reported Wednesday.
Viewpoint Florida, surveying 826 likely voters, found that 76 percent opposed President Barack Obama's initial call for a "clean" debt-ceiling increase with no corresponding budget cuts.
In more bad news for the president, 57 percent disapproved of Obama's handling of the negotiations. Nearly one in four said they opposed any increase in the debt ceiling on any terms.
The Viewpoint poll appears to bolster the position of Republicans who have taken a hard line on the debt issue.
This poll reaffirms what House Republicans have been saying all along: We have to get our spending under control," said Sandy Adams, R-Orlando.
"We had a vote on a 'clean' debt ceiling in the House and every Republican voted against giving the president a $2.4 trillion blank check. House Democrats were split 50-50," said George Cecala, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge.
Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, "has been clear that he will only vote for an increase in the debt ceiling if it includes significant spending cuts and serious reforms to ensure that we do not face another debt crisis like this again," said spokesman Michael Mahaffey.
"The people of Florida clearly understand that Congress cant just give the president a blank check."
Obama has advocated for increased tax revenues from wealthy Americans and businesses, but that position is backfiring with young voters and even Democrats, the Viewpoint poll indicated.
Floridians under the age of 35 were by far most likely to support a "cuts only" plan, with 81 percent of respondents favoring that strategy over a plan with tax increases. Voters aged 18-34 disapproved of Obamas debt-ceiling performance by a 31-point margin.
Just 4 percent in that age group supported a debt ceiling increase without a deficit reduction plan; 60 percent favored coupling more debt with cutting the deficit.
Posey said those findings jibed with his experience.
"The major credit ratings agencies are looking for a credible plan that involves spending restraint, and young people are rightfully worried about the job market," Cecala related.
Republicans, not surprisingly, heavily disapproved of Obamas performance on the debt ceiling, but a substantial 36 percent of registered Democrats also disapproved of his work, the poll found.
Overall, just 40 percent of respondents approved of Obamas handling of the ongoing debt-ceiling negotiations, while 57 percent said they disapproved of his efforts, including 46 percent who strongly disapproved.
Although 76 percent of likely voters are at least somewhat wary of raising the debt ceiling, they are much more divided on how to go about cutting the deficit.
Some 49 percent said Congress should pass a deficit reduction plan that includes only cuts in government spending, while 45 percent preferred a mix of spending cuts and tax increases on businesses and wealthy Americans.
Amid softening support for Obama's position, Republicans stepped up attacks on Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, who is up for re-election next year.
Buzz Jacobs, spokesman for GOP contender Mike McCalister, said, "Bill Nelson was wrong to reject the 'cut, cap, and balance' approach and is putting Barack Obama over the wants of his Florida constituents, as evidenced by this poll.
"Colonel McCalister, along with the vast majority of Floridians, understands that it's time to substantially cut current spending, cap future spending, and put a balanced budget amendment in place before the debt limit is raised."
Douglass Meyer, spokesman for GOP hopeful Adam Hasner, said, You dont need to take a poll to realize that Floridians are sick and tired with both parties spending money we dont have.
"Its the reason why Adam got in this race and its why hes been the only candidate consistently speaking out for real cuts, hard spending caps and a meaningful balanced budget amendment before any increase to the debt limit is considered.
Paul Ciaramitaro, spokesman for Republican candidate Craig Miller, said, "Floridians know we cannot continue to kick the can down the road. Craig Miller has signed the 'cut, cap and balance' pledge and that is the plan he believes should be sent to the president's desk, because it does exactly what Floridians want.
"If Bill Nelson followed his own rhetoric and showed any leadership, he could bring three of his Democratic Senate colleagues onboard to pass this common-sense proposal."
Ciaramitaro added that short of passing "cut, cap and balance," Miller "would only support a debt-limit increase that was coupled with meaningful spending cuts." Miller has proposed a short-term plan that includes $2 in spending cuts for every $1 the debt limit is raised.
George LeMieux, a former interim senator and current challenger to Nelson, said, "There should be no debt ceiling increase without a cap on spending and structural reforms that prevent us from bankrupting America. [Speaker John] Boehner's plan falls short."
Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said, "Senator Nelsons position is, Congress needs get something done. Like most Floridians, he wants to see major changes to reduce the deficit as part of a debt-ceiling plan."
The Viewpoint survey was conducted July 25 among 826 Florida registered voters likely to vote in the 2012 general election. The margin of error was +/- 3.5 percent.
For further details, crosstabs and methodology, click here.
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Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 559-4719.
