A new Pew Research poll finds that for the first time since President Obama took office in 2009, deficit reduction has slipped as a policy priority among the public.
Overall, 63% say reducing the budget deficit should be a top priority for Congress and the president this year, down from 72% a year ago. Most of the decline has come among Democrats: Only about half of Democrats – 49% – view deficit reduction as a top priority, down 18 points since last January.
