New Battleground State Poll Reveals ‘Critical’ Issue to Voters

A new battleground state poll revealed that voters may cast their ballots based on how the presidential candidates plan to tackle the national debt.

A Peter G. Peterson Foundation poll of 2,800 voters in seven swing states found that voters found the national debt a “critical” campaign issue.

More than 90 percent of voters in the seven key states, which include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, said it is important for candidates to have a plan for debt. That included 95 percent of Harris voters and 97 percent of Trump voters.

Voters are also pressing both candidates to talk more about their plans to address the rising national debt, with three in four voters saying they would like to see more talk on the issue.

He was higher than voters on other issues such as immigration, abortion and climate change.

The national debt is currently over $35 trillion and will likely continue to grow unless a major policy change is enacted.

“The national debt is a critical campaign issue for voters in swing states,” Michael A. Peterson, CEO of the Peterson Foundation, said in a statement. “These key voters not only want to hear candidates present a plan, but connect America’s fiscal outlook with key economic priorities, including reducing inflation, lowering interest rates, and protecting programs like Medicare and Social Security.” .

While Americans tend to vote in favor of tax cuts, the poll found that most are against tax cuts if they add to the U.S. debt.

About 74 percent of all voters said they were more likely to support a candidate who promised not to increase the debt, even if that meant allowing tax cuts to expire or making spending cuts. This was consistently true for both Harris and Trump voters.

“We’ve surpassed a trillion in interest payments for the first time in our history,” said Kevin Thompson, financial expert and founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group. Newsweek. “We pay more for interest than for defense. This is an important issue.”

Earlier estimates from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget found that, if elected, Harris would increase the debt by $3.5 trillion, while Trump’s proposed policies would increase the debt by $7.5 trillion.

Still, Thompson said that for many voters, the national debt crisis likely won’t change their vote, as many choose based on the party rather than the person.

“I think people are digging their heels in on their favorite candidate, and those who say they’re undecided, they’re far from it,” Thompson said.

“We can all say we’re paying 1 trillion in interest payments, but can we really understand what that means? In reality, most voters may not have any real interest around and couldn’t care less about debt as long as they have a job and the ability to take care of their own home.”

But others say the tide is turning in how Americans view the national debt.

Before the pandemic, the national debt didn’t mean much to most Americans because they didn’t feel its effects, said Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

“After the addition of trillions of dollars to the national debt during the pandemic years and the subsequent inflationary pressure that played a role in triggering it, swing state voters are realizing that this is not something that they can ignore …,” Beene said. Newsweekand adds that the upcoming Social Security and Medicare funding crises also play a role.

“It’s not so much about that big total number, it’s about all the effects it can bring that they’re now aware of as they consider who to select in this election.”