The Week in Polls: Americans Urge Compromise to Avoid Fiscal Cliff

Looming budget cuts and tax hikes cause concern, plus more.

Americans Weigh In - Congress loses a popularity contest, the number of interracial marriages in the United States reaches all-time high, President Obama gets kudos for fiscal cliff dealings, plus more national polls. – Joyce Jones and Britt Middleton

1 / 9

Americans Weigh In - Americans urge President Obama and Congress to buckle down ahead of "fiscal cliff" deadline, marriage equality has slow progress in some parts of the country, plus more national polls. – Britt Middleton  and Joyce Jones

Steep Consequences - With the threat of the "fiscal cliff" looming, 49 percent of people agreed that President Obama and Congress must come up with a plan to avert automatic budget cuts and tax hikes due to happen Jan. 1, according to a Gallup poll released Nov. 14. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

2 / 9

Steep Consequences - With the threat of the "fiscal cliff" looming, 49 percent of people agreed that President Obama and Congress must come up with a plan to avert automatic budget cuts and tax hikes due to happen Jan. 1, according to a Gallup poll released Nov. 14. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Everybody's Working for the Weekend - Among the most difficult conditions to bear in the workplace, 33 percent of Americans said on-the-job stress was the worst, according to a Gallup poll released Nov. 12. Twenty-eight percent said they were dissatisfied with the amount of money they make. (Photo: GettyImages)

3 / 9

Everybody's Working for the Weekend - Among the most difficult conditions to bear in the workplace, 33 percent of Americans said on-the-job stress was the worst, according to a Gallup poll released Nov. 12. Twenty-eight percent said they were dissatisfied with the amount of money they make. (Photo: GettyImages)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/02/National-02-16-02-29/022312-national-small-business-owner.jpg

4 / 9

Taking Care of Business - Being your own boss could be the best for your bod. A Gallup survey of entrepreneurs released on Nov. 13 found entrepreneurs were less likely to be obese than other workers (19 percent to 25 percent, respectively) and less likely to suffer from high blood pressure (15 to 18 percent). (Photo: GettyImages)

What is Proposition 8? - California voters approved Proposition 8 in 2008. The ballot referendum redefined marriage as between a man and a woman, therefore overturning a previous ruling by California's Supreme Court allowing same-sex unions to be recognized in the state.  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

5 / 9

The Fight for Marriage Equality - Several states enjoyed key victories in same-sex marriage in last week's election, but regionally, opposition for gay marriage remains higher in the South (56 percent), the Midwest (44 percent) and South-Atlantic states such as Florida (48 percent ), according to a Pew survey released Nov. 9. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
The State of Affairs - Nearly two years after the start of the Arab Spring protests, the majority of Americans (63 percent) believe the U.S. should be less involved with government changes in the Middle East, with 23 percent saying the U.S. should be more involved, according to a Pew survey released on Nov. 15. (Photo: Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)

6 / 9

The State of Affairs - Nearly two years after the start of the Arab Spring protests, the majority of Americans (63 percent) believe the U.S. should be less involved with government changes in the Middle East, with 23 percent saying the U.S. should be more involved, according to a Pew survey released on Nov. 15. (Photo: Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)

Yes, He Can. - Despite a bruising campaign season, Americans remain an optimistic lot. In a Gallup survey published Nov. 15, a majority said that the Obama administration will be able to accomplish several goals, including "improving conditions for minorities and the poor (72 percent); improving education (68 percent) and reducing unemployment (56 percent). (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

7 / 9

Yes, He Can. - Despite a bruising campaign season, Americans remain an optimistic lot. In a Gallup survey published Nov. 15, a majority said that the Obama administration will be able to accomplish several goals, including "improving conditions for minorities and the poor (72 percent); improving education (68 percent) and reducing unemployment (56 percent). (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Election Report Card - No matter whom they voted for, a majority of Americans have little good to say about the 2012 election. In a Pew Research Center poll, 68 percent said that there was more mudslinging and negative campaigning than in 2008. Romney earned an average grade of C for his performance, while Obama fared slightly better with a C+. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

8 / 9

Election Report Card - No matter whom they voted for, a majority of Americans have little good to say about the 2012 election. In a Pew Research Center poll, 68 percent said that there was more mudslinging and negative campaigning than in 2008. Romney earned an average grade of C for his performance, while Obama fared slightly better with a C+. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

Will Republicans Take the Senate? - The GOP needs to pick up just six seats to win control of Congress' upper chamber. According to David Bositis, senior political analyst at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, African-American voters are key to helping some senators keep their seats. They include North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagin and Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu.  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

9 / 9

Don't Cave! - Obama has been criticized for sometimes being too conciliatory when Republicans dig in their heels. But according to 53 percent of respondents in a new Washington Post/Pew Research Center poll published Nov. 13, Republicans will be to blame if lawmakers can't reach an agreement to avoid the fiscal cliff by Jan. 1.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)