WASHINGTON (December 6, 2012)—A new AP-GfK poll shows clear support for President Barack Obama's insistence on raising taxes on the highest-income Americans and also a dwindling preference for cutting government services as the best way to curb budget deficits.

The findings seem to strengthen Mr. Obama's hand in his fiscal cliff negotiations with Republicans.

The president wants to raise taxes on the rich and cut spending by less than the GOP wants.

In the poll, 48 percent want tax cuts for those with incomes exceeding $250,000 to expire in January while continuing them for everyone else, while 32 percent want to renew the tax cuts for everyone.

More people want to cut government services than raise taxes to reduce federal deficits, but the number with that preference has been dropping since last year.