U.S. Adults: Tackle Deficits with Cuts, Taxes on Rich

Most U.S. adults favor a mix of federal spending cuts and higher taxes on wealthier taxpayers to reduce the nation's budget deficits, a new poll finds.

The results come from a Washington Post-ABC news phone poll conducted between April 14 to 17 from a random sample of 1,001 adults.

When asked what they thought is the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit and were given the options of cutting Federal spending, increasing taxes, or a combination of both, 36 percent said the first, 3 percent said the second and 59 percent said the third. Two percent had no opinion.

Ahead of negotiations to reduce federal deficits in the coming years, President Barack Obama has backed a mix of spending and tax increases. House Speaker John Boehner has prioritized spending cuts and has called any proposal starting with tax cuts a 'nonstarter.'

Poll participants were asked - if in order to reduce the national debt - they would support cutting Medicaid, Medicare or Military.

On Medicaid Support, 69 percent of people said they were opposed to cutting. On Medicare support, 78 percent were opposed. On Military support, 56 percent they were opposed.

On Raising taxes on Americans with incomes above $250,000, 72 percent were in support.