AP-GfK Poll: 56 Percent Want Govt Shutdown To Force Obama on Cuts

A majority of Americans think government spending cuts are so important that it would be worth a government shutdown to achieve them, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll. And half want spending cuts to be part of any deal to increase the nation's debt limit.

Here are some things to know about public opinion on the debt ceiling and the threat of a government shutdown from the new AP-GfK poll:

MOST WANT DEBT LIMIT, SPENDING CUTS LINKED

In the new poll, 24 percent say they support and 29 percent say they oppose raising the country's debt limit. Nearly half (44 percent) say they neither favor nor oppose raising it.

But in a follow-up question, half of Americans say they want to see the debt ceiling increased only in exchange for significant spending cuts, even if that means a significant reduction in government services and programs. Another 35 percent think Congress should increase the debt ceiling first, then discuss spending cuts and deficit reduction separately, while 11 percent say Congress should not increase the debt ceiling under any circumstances.  Read more