There are skeptics when it comes to the Obama administration's dire warnings, however. Thirty-six percent of Americans - including 51 percent of Republicans - say the administration is making the consequences of not increasing the debt ceiling sound worse than they actually would be. Forty percent say the administration is describing the situation accurately, while 14 percent say it is understating the potential consequences of not acting.

 

Two thirds of Americans say Republicans and Democrats will probably come to an agreement to raise the debt ceiling by the August 2 deadline. Thirty-one percent say the two sides will probably not reach agreement.

 

The debt ceiling debate has not improved perceptions of Washington. Twenty-eight percent now say they are angry about the way things are going in the nation's capital, up nine points from May -- and the highest percentage recorded since the question was first asked in early 2010. Another 51 percent say they are dissatisfied with Washington. Just 14 percent call themselves satisfied with how things are going in Washington, and a mere 3 percent say they are enthusiastic. 

More from the poll:

Poll: 2/3 back tax hikes in debt deal