Twenty-six percent (26%) of American adults believe it was a good idea for the federal government to take ownership of General Motors as the auto giant was on the verge of collapse. Nearly as many–17%–say that Americans should protest the bailout by boycotting GM and refusing to buy its cars. Most Americans are somewhere in between.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 53% of Americans believe the bailout was a bad idea. Of this group, 30% favor a boycott, 54% oppose the idea and 16% are not sure.

Men are more supportive of a boycott than women. Middle income Americans are also more supportive of a boycott than those at either end of the income scale.

Democrats are evenly divided as to whether the government takeover was a good idea or not. By wide margins, Republicans and those not affiliated with either major party believe it was a bad idea.

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Overall, 16% of American adults say it’s Very Likely General Motors will become successful and profitable in the next few years. Another 38% say it’s Somewhat Likely.

However, 51% of adults are more likely to buy a car from Ford because it did not any take bailout funding. Just 12% are less likely to buy from Ford.

With some consumers prepared to boycott GM products and others more likely to buy from Ford first, GM will face an interesting marketing challenge as it emerges from bankruptcy.

That may be one reason that most believe that the federal government will pass laws and regulations giving their newest acquisition an unfair advantages over Ford and other automakers.

Ford is viewed favorably by 64% of Americans. Ratings for GM and Chrysler are much lower.

The current survey was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday nights following the GM bankruptcy filing. The results are consistent with surveys conducted before the company put its fate in the hands of the court and the government. A survey of likely voters last week found that 21% favored the bailout plan [LINK] but 32% could accept it if the only alternative was for GM to go out of business. The 26% who now say it’s a good idea fits right in the middle of that range. It should be noted that the surveys are not directly comparable. The current survey polled all adults. The earlier survey polled Likely Voters.

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