An organization opposed to cutting Social Security benefits to lower the deficit released a poll Wednesday that they say shows the idea is a loser with Florida voters.
The Strengthen Social Security Campaign rolled out the numbers as part of an effort to paint the changes as deeply unpopular in several swing states.
According to the poll, 76 percent of voters surveyed — including 56 percent of tea party supporters — oppose cutting Social Security to reduce the deficit.
Voters who say they’re undecided in the 2012 U.S. Senate race oppose the idea by a 78-12 margin. Among undecideds, 73 percent said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who supported the idea.
Voters specifically opposed raising the retirement age, changes to the program’s cost-of-living adjustment and reducing benefits for those who make $60,000 or more in today’s dollars.
By a 71-21 margin, voters in the poll said they approved of the idea of removing the cap on wages subject to Social Security taxes, with 64 percent of tea party supporters and 73 percent of undecideds backing that proposal.
But the poll, conducted by Democratic firm Lake Research Partners, also found that Democrats have lost their traditional edge on Social Security, with Congressional Republicans now enjoying an advantage against both their Democratic counterparts and U.S. President Barack Obama.
“This is a competitive issue that can make a huge difference in this election,” said pollster Celinda Lake.
The weighted poll of 503 likely voters, conducted March 3-7, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
