Fiscal Confidence Index: February 2014 Results

Detailed Results

Topline survey results from the Fiscal Confidence Index for February 2014. The FCI value for February is 46.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation commissioned the poll by the Global Strategy Group and North Star Opinion Research to survey public opinion on the national debt. The nationwide poll included 1,010 U.S. registered voters, surveyed by telephone between February 17 and February 20, 2014. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%. The poll examined voters’ opinions on the national debt, political leadership, and America’s fiscal and economic health.

The Fiscal Confidence Index value is derived from six questions in three categories: Concern, Priority, and Expectations. The February 2014 scores are: Concern (40), Priority (25), Expectations (74). For the complete methodology used to determine the Fiscal Confidence Index value, click here. For full results, including demographic information, download the PDF below:

 

CONCERN (40)

Thinking about our national debt over the last few years, would you say your level of concern has increased or decreased?

  • Is that a lot or just a little?
Increased a lot 53%
Increased a little 19%
Decreased a little 9%
Decreased a lot 5%
(No change) 12%
(Don't Know/Refused) 1%
INCREASED (NET) 72%
DECREASED (NET) 15%

When it comes to addressing our national debt, would you say things in the United States are heading in the right direction or do you think things are off on the wrong track?

  • Do you feel that way strongly or just somewhat?
Right direction-Strongly 11%
Right direction-Somewhat 18%
Wrong track-Somewhat 15%
Wrong track-Strongly 48%
(Neither/Mixed) 5%
(Don't Know/Refused) 3%
RIGHT DIRECTION (NET) 29%
WRONG TRACK (NET) 63%

 

PRIORITY (25)

Some people say that addressing the national debt should be among the President and Congress' top 3 priorities. Do you agree or disagree?

  • Do you feel that way strongly or just somewhat?
Strongly agree 60%
Somewhat agree 21%
Somewhat disagree 8%
Strongly disagree 8%
(Don't Know/Refused) 4%
AGREE (NET) 80%
DISAGREE (NET) 16%
   

And when it comes to our national debt, do you think it is an issue that the President and Congress should spend more time addressing or less time addressing?

  • Would you say a lot (more or less) time or just a little?
A lot more time 61%
A little more time 20%
A little less time 6%
A lot less time 6%
(The same amount of time) 3%
(Don't Know/Refused) 3%
MORE TIME (NET) 82%
LESS TIME (NET) 12%

 

 

EXPECTATIONS (74)

And thinking about our national debt over the next few years, do you expect the problem to get better or worse?

  • Is that much (better or worse) or just somewhat (better or worse)?
Much better 10%
Somewhat better 21%
Somewhat worse 22%
Much worse 39%
(No change) 4%
(Don't know/Refused) 5%
BETTER (NET) 31%
WORSE (NET) 61%

And when it comes to our national debt, are you optimistic or pessimistic that the United States will be able to make progress on our national debt over the next few years?

  • Would you say you are very (optimistic or pessimistic) or just somewhat?
Very optimistic 18%
Somewhat optimistic 28%
Somewhat pessimistic 17%
Very pessimistic 31%
(Neither/Mixed) 3%
(Don't Know/Refused) 3%
OPTIMISTIC (NET) 46%
PESSIMISTIC (NET) 48%

 

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