It's not surprising that the health care bill would become more popular as time passed. It is surprising that it's happening this fast. 49%-40% say it was "a good thing" rather than a bad one that Congress passed the bill. This is before Obama and Democrats have even begun their effort to promote the immediate positive benefits of the bill. Only 26% consider Republicans work on health care "good" or "excellent". Compare that to 46% for Obama. Ouch. I still expect the Democrats to lose some seats in November, but it's not going to be the landslide some have anticipated. But long term Republicans are in for a world of hurt. And that is just what they knew would happen if major health care reform passed. And that's why they've fought against it so fiercely. Opinions turn favorable on health care plan Updated 1h 57m ago By Susan Page, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — Americans by 9 percentage points have a favorable view of the health care overhaul that President Obama signed into law Tuesday, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, a notable turnaround from surveys before the vote that showed a plurality against it. By 49%-40% those surveyed say it was "a good thing" rather than a bad one that Congress passed the bill. Half describe their reaction in positive terms, as "enthusiastic" or "pleased," while about four in 10 describe it in negative ways, as "disappointed" or "angry." The largest single group, 48%, calls the bill "a good first step" that should be followed by more action on health care. An additional 4% also have a favorable view, saying the bill makes the most important changes needed in the nation's health care system. To be sure, the nation remains divided about the massive legislation that narrowly passed the House late Sunday and was signed by Obama in an emotional East Room ceremony Tuesday morning. The Senate began debate Tuesday afternoon on a package of "fixes" demanded by the House. The findings are encouraging for the White House and congressional Democrats, who get higher ratings than congressional Republicans for their work on the issue. The poll shows receptive terrain as the White House and advocacy groups launch efforts to sell the plan, including a trip by Obama to Iowa on Thursday. No one gets overwhelmingly positive ratings on the issue, but Obama fares the best: 46% say his work has been excellent or good; 31% call it poor. Congressional Democrats get an even split: 32% call their efforts good or excellent; 33% poor. The standing of congressional Republicans is more negative. While 26% rate their work on health care as good or excellent, a larger group, 34%, say it has been poor. For more results and a look at the demographic breakdown of the poll findings, see Wednesday's USA TODAY. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-03-23-health-poll-favorable_N.htm
while i don't think republicans will pick up 54 house seats, and 8 senate seats like they did in '94, i agree with you that they will gain some seats. i dont think it's too premature to say that they are doomed for the foreseeable future.
That's the problem when you join forces with the media to create an all-in armageddonistic, scorched earth, endgame-style news narrative. Particularly so if you declare victory too early. What if you lose? Then what?
I expect this to go up once people begin to feel the benefits of the bill itself and the Republicans continue to make fools of themselves by shouting from the rooftops about it being unconstitutional.
Well that's it exactly. They've gone full metal wingnut on the health care bill for so long they can't claim even a little bit of credit for the Republican components that were adopted. And it passed with ZERO Republican votes. They couldn't have made the contrasts between the parties more stark.
I think the republicans need to reform themselves in major ways. First, they need to concentrate more on what they can offer for the American people instead of being the party against the Democrats. That seems to be their main identity for the past year (the anti-Democrats). Second, actively distance themselves from the fringe. American's are more in the middle then the Republicans seem to realize. Their "official" stance is that they're not associated with the Tea Party, but there's always that mental connection because the party isn't actively condemning any of it. Here's some word association (Word-Party); Tea Party-Republican, Beck-Republican, Death Panels-Republican...etc. I've never seen it this bad before. That said, I've voted Republican before because there are good values the party use to stress. I like that illegal aliens policies should be more strict, a strong military presence is good (though I'd like to see it used more wisely) and I don't really care about foreign terrorist's rights. I don't care either way about abortion and I like owning my guns. It can be so easy.
Agreed. Even with the non-stop lies from the right about how this legislation was passed illegally and immorally if half the people in the country think it was a good idea now it is only going to get much, much more popular as the benefits kick in and the ranting from Republicans loses its punch with all but the nuttiest of the wingers.
and yet they will do it anyway. They will get away with it too by saying "we had a plan that was EVEN BETTER but the Dems wouldn't listen but all that good stuff in the bill that's helping Americans was from us." and the people who have and always will vote for them will eat it up just as sure as they will turn on Becks' show on FOX or Rush's show on AM radio. I'm over being mad or frustrated at them. They lost and they did it to themselves. Do yourself and favor, point and laugh at anyone who is b****ing about this bill or how it was passed. A good laugh is all they are worth.
Agreed... Or they'll try to spin it that in the bible it says we're going to hell if we support this. It's funny how those bible beaters try to use their Religion to scare people...
The beauty is that the GOP is officially the party of the pre-existing condition. I'm so happy not one Republican voted for the bill. They can claim death panels and communism, but it just won't cut it.
Agreed, though they haven't shown that they are anything but the anti-Democrats for a long, long time. It's been their identity for so long, I'm beginning to wonder if they even have another identity to call upon. What else can they be? (Not being snide: I'm sincerely asking). Agreed, though I have trouble believing it will ever happen. Because, say what you want about the fringe: they get out and vote. Do you think they would be willing to abruptly turn their backs on a significant voting populace that they've been courting for years? (Again, not being snide: I'm genuinely curious). And yet, the fallback hot-button issue that pops up over and over is abortion. Abortion, abortion, abortion. It's hard to meet in the middle when one side is using the most polarizing issue in U.S. history as their rallying cry. As for guns... Remember when Obama was elected and everyone starting stocking up on ammo because they were told Barack was gonna take away their guns? How many guns has the White House taken? Don't you think your right to bear arms, at least in some way, shape or form, is safe? Oh, now this I disagree with. Rebranding your entire political party is really, really hard.
I actually saw an astute comment on chron.com: "I just love hearing people in the same breath complain about how Medicare will be cut, yet this is a government takeover/socialization of health care. The Party of Cognitive Dissonance at its finest." The fact that they don't realize their continual hypocrisy (between this and their "no" votes for the stimulus, then championing the use of those funds and admitting it helped) should put the nail in the GOP coffin. Unfortunately, there are too many that simply choose to ignore such blatant lying and instead, seem to embrace it. I used to try and rationalize the beliefs of these people, but now I am beginning to realize they just don't know better; they just don't have the critical thinking skills to realize these sorts of things. They are not smart.
I am not even sure that the Democrats will lose seats this year, knowing the party in power usually does lose seats mid-cycle. I think this will be the beginning of the end for Republicans. I don't see how they can become the majority any more.
The biggest problem the repubs have right now is how internally split they are -- moderates vs. the Palin tea bags. I don't see them making any major gains until they have some semblance of unity throughout the party.
Yeah, this looks bad for them. Even with a legit, focused effort from moderates within the party to split and rebuild the party's image it will take a while for them to win any respect from independent voters. If any moderate Republicans still exist they have screwed themselves.
I don't agree on several of your personal stances, but you're right on about the party - they need to try standing FOR something instead of AGAINST most everything. And for goodness sake, get yourselves a leader that doesn't end up looking like an ass everytime he/she speaks. That would do wonders for the party. That seems like the first step, in my opinion, to returning to relevancy.
