FOX Poll: Obama Preferred over Reagan

Reaganomics officially dead?

According to a recent FOX News poll, 49% of viewers believe that Barack Obama's economic policies are the right medicine for our ailing economy versus 40% who prefer the failed policies of Ronald Reagan. From Talking Points Memo:

The poll also contains some really interesting questions about taxes, which in total make even clearer a classic rule of polling: It can all depend on how the question is phrased.

Check out this question, clearly intended to get an answer that voters prefer low taxes and smaller government: "Which of the following statements do you agree with more? 1. I'd rather pay higher taxes to support a larger government that provides more services. 2. I'd rather pay lower taxes and have a smaller government that provides fewer services."

The answer: 35% for high taxes and bigger government, and 55% for low taxes and smaller government. But take a close look: The question's message is that you, the respondent hearing this question over the phone, are going to be personally paying higher or lower taxes.

On the other hand, take a look at these two questions about progressive taxation: "Do you support or oppose raising taxes on households earning over $250,000 a year and, at the same time, lowering taxes for most other households?" The answer: Support 66%, Oppose 30%. Even 41% of Republicans like the idea.

And this one -- also noted by Greg Sargent: "Do you think asking the wealthiest Americans to pay more in taxes is a good idea because it levels the economic and social playing field, or a bad idea because it punishes hard work and success?" Good idea 55%, Bad idea 39% -- with 29% support from Republicans.