Senator Schumer Wrong - Americans DO Care About Pork
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- On the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) took it upon himself to speak for the American people, boldly declaring that, when it comes to pork, "the American people really don't care." However, according to a just-released ATI-News/Zogby poll, Schumer's statement is incorrect.
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The poll surveyed 7,010 likely voters. It was conducted February 5th through 9th and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 1.2 percentage points. Here is a sampling of the results:
Question #1: ATI-News/Zogby asked likely voters, "The current stimulus package supported by President Obama contains $650 million, renewing funding to help Americans buy digital converter boxes. Do you favor or oppose this spending provision?"
Overall, 56 percent of Americans oppose this $650 million pork provision; while only 33 percent favor it (11 percent are not sure). Eighty-four percent of Republicans oppose it, as do 61 percent of Independents. Fifty-five percent of young voters age 18-29 oppose, and only 34 percent favor it (11 percent are not sure).
Question #2: ATI-News/Zogby asked voters, "The current stimulus package supported by President Obama contains nearly $4.2 billion for neighborhood stabilization activities that could go to organizations such as ACORN or the League of Women Voters, that would spend it on voter registration activities and other community involvement programs. Do you favor or oppose this spending provision?"
Fifty-eight percent of American voters oppose using the "stimulus" bill to send $4.2 billion taxpayer dollars to community activist organizations. Ninety-three percent of Republicans oppose this pork, as do 64 percent of Independent voters.
Question #3: ATI-News/Zogby asked voters, "The stimulus bill would allow undocumented workers, who are also referred to as illegal aliens, who are working and paying taxes to collect a tax rebate check of $500 per person. Do you agree or disagree with this provision?"
Sixty-eight of all American voters disagree with using the economic recovery bill to give tax rebates to illegal aliens; while only 26 percent agree (6 percent are not sure). Ninety-two percent of Republicans disagree, as do 74 percent of Independents.
"Next time, Senator Schumer may want to think twice before speaking on behalf of the American people," said ATI-News president Brad O'Leary. "As this poll shows, a clear majority of the American electorate is opposed to using the economic stimulus bill as a vehicle for pork."
Brad O'Leary is President of ATI-News, a bestselling author, and is a former NBC Westwood One talk show host. To interview Brad O'Leary, contact Peyton Knight at 202-828-1202 or email peytonknight@pm-direct.com.
