Yesterday we launched The Republican Panel. The Panel's more-than-two-thousand-members gave their views on the 2012 candidates and Republican priorities. Click here if you missed it.
As well as the weekly Panel we are also polling one hundred 'conservative influentials;' commentators, bloggers, think tank chiefs and aides to elected officials who keep a close, professional eye on politics.
Some members have asked to remain anonymous but what we are calling the ConservativeHome100 includes notables such as Arthur Brooks of AEI, David Frum, John Podhoretz, John O'Sullivan, Reihan Salam, and Karl Rove.
The results of the first 100 survey are posted below.
In question one we asked: "When it comes to extending the Bush tax cuts, which policy do you personally believe is best for the country?"
- An overwhelming 84% said that extending all the cuts "long-term" was best for America.
- 15% said the best thing was for the cuts to be extended for two years.
- 2% said allowing taxes to rise on those earning over $250,000 was the right way forward.
Our second question focused not on what the influentials wanted to happen but on what they expected to happen:
- 87% expected the Obama administration and Democrats to agree to a two year extension of the Bush tax cuts.
- 8% expected them to expire because of a stalemate.
- 6% expected Republicans strike a deal with the Democrats that raises taxes on the wealthiest Americans.
Although such a large majority of conservatives expect this compromise, many liberal Democrats are still fighting any extension of tax relief for wealthier Americans. Politico has a report on Obama's disgruntled Left.
