Polling Memo: Americans on the IRS, Part 2
IRS Aftermath: Obama’s Woes
Next week will mark one month since the scandal surrounding the IRS’ singling out of conservative political groups erupted in Washington. Since then, week after week, hearing after hearing, the IRS and the Obama Administration have been in the hot seat, under fire from all sides, including the American people.
According to the latest from CBS/NYT, 68% believe the actions taken by the IRS were not pure at heart in seeking to adhere to tax code policy, but were politically motivated. When asked how personally responsible Obama was for “the [IRS’] targeting conservative and Tea Party groups for additional investigations,” data from NBC/WSJ showed a full 62% saying Obama had some degree of personal responsibility. And, to make matters worse for the President, 55% say the whole situation raises doubts about “the overall honesty and integrity of the Obama Administration,” including 41% who say it raises “major doubts.”
To recap, that’s a majority of Americans who believe the nation’s government agency responsible for taxes is making decisions based on political preference, another majority who believe the nation’s leader is at least somewhat responsible for it and one more majority who thinks the entire scandal raises questions about the integrity of the highest, most powerful office in the land.
While the investigation continues and the hard facts are still to be divulged, one thing’s for sure, it isn’t going away anytime soon.
POLLSTER: Social Science Research Solutions for CBS/NYT
DATE: Conducted 5/31-6/4/2013
SAMPLE: Sampled 1,022 Adults; MoE ±3.0%
SOURCE: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57587924/poll-most-say-irs-targeting-was-politics-driven/
POLLSTER: Hart/McInturff for NBC/WSJ
DATE: Conducted 5/30-6/2/2013
SAMPLE: Sampled 1,000 Adults; MoE ±3.0%
55% think IRS scandal raises doubts about the overall integrity of the Obama Administration goo.gl/pu25t #tcot
— Topline Translator (@ToplineReport) June 7, 2013