Poll: Americans Rule Out Paying More Taxes

Tea Party House members and conservatives aren't the only ones pressuring House Speaker John Boehner to refuse any budget deal with President Obama that raises taxes.

Now the public is against taxes in a big way. A new Washington Whispers poll finds that 63 percent of the nation won't pay more in taxes, with that number even higher among men, married couples, poor Americans, and whites.

The poll, conducted by Synovate eNation July 5-July 7, found support for a tiny 1 percent federal tax increase at 17 percent.

The news is good for Boehner and the GOP which has dug in their heels against any tax increase sought by the Democrats in the ongoing fight over raising the debt ceiling so that the nation doesn't default on its credit. It's more bad news for the president and Democrats who already are dealing with many voters opposed to even raising the debt ceiling. [Check out editorial cartoons about Democrats.]

"Democrats never win on taxes," said a congressional Republican aide.

Whispers Poll

President Obama and the Democrats say that more tax revenue is needed to close the deficit gap in the federal budget. How much more in federal taxes are you willing to pay?

• 0 percent more—63%
• 1 percent more—17 percent
• 2.5 percent more—9%
• 5 percent more—8%
• 10 percent more—3%

Source: The Synovate eNation Internet poll was conducted July 5-July 7 among 1,000 nationally representative households by global market research firm Synovate.

• Vote now: Will there be a debt ceiling deal?
• Slide Show: 6 Ways to Raise the Debt Ceiling
• See a gallery of cartoons on the budget and deficit.