We Want a Deal, But No Sacrifices

Most Americans are hoping for a deal to avert the fiscal cliff, but it seems that nobody really wants to endure the cuts that both sides say are needed, a Washington Post/ABC poll finds. Some 74% of Americans say they'd be OK with raising taxes on those earning more than $250,000, as President Obama wishes. But that's not enough to fix the deficit, both parties say. A majority also supports limiting tax deductions, the Post reports.

Negotiators have discussed cutting military and Medicaid spending, raising the Medicare age, and slowing Social Security benefit growth—but a majority of those polled called every one of those options "unacceptable." In fact, few—just 14%—think a deal is "very likely." Instead, 76% believe Republicans won't budge enough, and 57% feel the same about Obama. Still, the president is enjoying his highest approval rating—52%—in two years, not counting the 56% rating following the death of Osama bin Laden. Still, only slightly more than a third of respondents think Obama has a firm mandate following his reelection. Click through for more results from the poll. (More fiscal cliff stories.)