New findings from a Pew Research poll of 1,001 adults show the public's knowledge about the fiscal cliff is mixed. When it comes to reaching an agreement to avoid the fiscal cliff, 55 percent of Americans say Obama is making a serious effort to work with Republicans. Only 32 percent say Republican leaders are making a serious effort to work with the President on a deficit deal.

The debate in Washington over how to avoid the impending fiscal cliff has had little impact on the public’s views of the tradeoff between reducing the budget deficit and spending to help the economy recover. As has been the case for more than a year, nearly as many say they would place greater priority on spending to help revive the economy (45%) as on reducing the budget deficit (49%). Read More