The poll - which surveyed 1,004 randomly selected adults by conventional and cellular phones - also found that most Americans actually favor new limits on such spending.

In a 5-4 decision in the closely watched case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the high court ruled that corporations may use money from their general treasuries to pay for campaign ads. The high court also struck down parts of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which prohibited unions and corporations from running issue ads in the closing days before primary and general elections.

The court's decision:

• Overturns a 20-year-old ruling that said corporations can be prohibited from using money from their general treasuries to pay for their own campaign ads.
• Leaves in place a prohibition on direct contributions to candidates from corporations and unions.
• Strikes down part of the landmark McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill that barred union- and corporate-paid issue ads in the closing days of election campaigns.
• Removes limits on independent expenditures that are not coordinated with candidates' campaigns.

The poll found that eight in 10 respondents opposed the Jan. 21 ruling, with 65 percent "strongly" opposed. There was relatively little difference of opinion between Democrats (85 percent opposed the ruling), Republicans (76 percent) and independents (81 percent).

"The results suggest a strong reservoir of bipartisan support on the issue for President Obama and congressional Democrats, who are in the midst of crafting legislation aimed at limiting the impact of the high court's decision," the Post reported. "Likely proposals include banning participation in U.S. elections by government contractors, bank bailout recipients or companies with more than 20 percent foreign ownership."

The poll found that 72 percent would support congressional action to curb the ruling.

Leading Republicans, however, tend to support the ruling and have indicated they will fight any such legislation.