Only 4 percent of those asked said taxes are the most important issue to them personally, the lowest percentage of any issue, in a recent CNBC poll.

The top issue was the economy and jobs, with 42 percent saying that is the most important issue, followed by the deficit (14 percent) and healthcare (13 percent).

(CNBC/ Public Opinion Strategies/Hart Research Poll)
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39268766/page/2/

Thinking people understand that the 14% (Federal Spending and Deficit) will most likely result in higher taxes.  And if you polled a higher sample of people in NY, i'm sure the issue of taxes is a much higher percentage.

If you pose the the question, "do you support raising taxes to pay for the federal spending and deficit" I wonder how high that 4% would go up.  Polling is all how you ask the questions.

Of course you can influence a poll... it's called "Push Polling".
  When you ask the question that no one answer is given any favorable preference... (as in this poll) you get a more accurate results.