Q Poll Finds Americans Opposed to Gas Tax “Holiday”

For what it’s worth, a Quinnipiac poll released today again shows that Americans aren’t buying into the Clinton-McCain gas tax “holiday” gimmick.

By a 49 – 41 percent margin, American voters say eliminating the federal gas tax for the summer is a bad idea… Republicans split 45 – 46 percent on the gas tax ‘holiday,’ while Democrats say 49 – 42 percent it’s a bad idea and independent voter turn thumbs down 56 -38 percent.

The proposed gas tax cut is a loser in red states, 48 – 42 percent, blue states, 49 – 43 percent and purple – or swing – states, 51 – 39 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh- pe-ack) University poll finds.

“Rising gas prices are more than just an abstract worry. Americans say they’ve cut back on their household spending and on how much they drive,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

“But the political quick fix – a gasoline tax holiday for the summer – has more opposition than support. Imagine that: American voters opposed to a tax cut.”

Sounds encouraging, except that those polled apparently don’t see their own consumption as part of the problem: 

“Who’s to blame? Oil companies and President Bush get more blame even than the oil producing countries. And almost nobody is blaming gas guzzlers,” Carroll said.

On that point, the Q-polled public and its Congress agree.