CAN GOVERNMENT AFFORD SPEECH PROPOSALS?
Yes 29% No 62% When asked to name the proposal they liked the best, domestic proposals dominated. The Presidents Medicare plans, his tax cuts and his education proposals were the most frequently mentioned, though each of them was specifically cited by less than one in ten viewers. The Presidents proposals for defense of marriage, keeping children off drugs, and faith-based initiatives were less frequently mentioned. Positive assessment of the 2001 tax cuts improved significantly among the public after the speech. Before the speech, just 27% of all Americans said the cuts enacted in 2001 were good for the economy; afterwards, 39% said they were. 2001 BUSH TAX CUTS Before Speech Good for Economy 27% Bad for Economy 17% No Effect 51% After Speech Good for Economy 39% Bad for Economy 12% No Effect 47% Half the public and even more of speech watchers says those tax cuts should be made permanent, something the President specifically asked for in his address. Those who did not see the speech
