Poll: Most Americans believe they will feel sequester cuts

More than half of all Americans believe they will personally feel the effects of the sequester cuts triggered last week, according to a new poll released Tuesday.

The survey from CBS News found that 53 percent of respondents said they would be personally effected by the $85 billion in across-the-board cuts. By contrast, 39 percent said they do not expect to be impacted, while 8 percent said they did not know.

Many Americans also believe the sequester will be harmful to the country's economic health, with 46 percent predicting the cuts would impact important programs and services, and 34 percent saying the reductions will be positive overall.

Lawmakers have issued dire warnings about the possible effects of the cuts, with President Obama saying Monday that "eventually, a lot of people are going to feel some pain." Administration officials have warned that the sequester could cause longer lines at airports, flight cancellations, and reductions in education programs.

But that's also earned some media scrutiny and criticism from Republicans, who say the White House is exaggerating the potential consequences. On Monday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan apologized for claiming teachers would receive "pink slips" ahead of the cuts.

"When I said 'pink slips' that was probably the wrong word," Duncan told reporters. "Language matters, and I need to be very, very clear."

Still, more Americans blame congressional Republicans for failing to reach a deal before the deadline. Of those surveyed, 38 percent pointed the finger at the GOP, while one-third blamed Obama and 19 percent said both sides equally deserve the blame.

Unsurprisingly, a majority of Republicans (69 percent) blame Democrats, while a majority of Democrats (72 percent) blame Republicans.

In general, Americans prefer that the sequester be replaced by a plan that includes a combination of spending cuts and taxes, with 56 percent of those surveyed favoring that approach. Republicans have said they want to offset the sequester exclusively with budget cuts, an approach favored by 35 percent of respondents.

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