In the poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, the majority of Republicans admitted they would not be able to live on today’s minimum wage, but when the question of raising it was asked, the majority of Republicans refused.
The poll found that 69 percent of Republican respondents said they don’t think they could live off the minimum wage, versus 80 percent of Democrats and 75 percent of voters overall. However, when asked if they support raising the minimum wage, just 37 percent of Republicans said they would back an increase. (74 percent of Democrats said they are in support of a hike.)
The poll’s release comes on the heels of a new campaign by Americans United for Change challenging lawmakers to “Live the Wage” and live off just $77 for a week. Democratic Reps. Tim Ryan (Ohio) and Jan Schakowsky (Ill.) as well as former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland announced that they will begin the challenge Thursday.
