Ryan Streeter
Grassroots conservatives who make up our Republican Panel are significantly pessimistic about the economy. In our latest poll a majority believe the economy is in worse now than it was in 2010.
Republicans need to get the budget resolved and focus on an intelligible economic program that people can articulate and understand.
When we asked respondents, “Do you think the economy is better or worse than it was a year ago?” more than a third (34.2%) said “A lot worse.” Nearly two-thirds (65%) think the economy is worse now than it was one year ago.
Do you think the economy is better or worse than it was one year ago?
- Much better: 0.5%
- Somewhat better: 10%
- It’s the same: 24.5%
- Somewhat worse: 30.8%
- A lot worse: 34.2%
In our latest poll, respondents listed getting the economy back on track as the second-most important factor behind fixing the deficit when it comes to what they are looking for in a 2012 GOP presidential candidate.
Respondents in the Republican Panel are largely sympathizers with the Tea Party, and roughly one-third say they are Tea Partiers. Consistently over the past few months, they have prioritized spending cuts, but they have also prioritized the economy and jobs.
Keeping the government open with a budget compromise, followed by several weeks of promoting the Ryan budget and an intelligible economic program, will go a long way with conservative voters. They don’t only care about spending.
