The Washington Monthly

October 20, 2009

SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC OPTION KEEPS GROWING.... As lawmakers on the Hill renew discussions today on shaping health care reform legislation, it's helpful to have a front-page, above-the-fold headline in the Washington Post that reads, "Public option gains support; Clear majority now backs plan."

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that support for a government-run health-care plan to compete with private insurers has rebounded from its summertime lows and wins clear majority support from the public.
Americans remain sharply divided about the overall packages moving closer to votes in Congress and President Obama's leadership on the issue, reflecting the partisan battle that has raged for months over the administration's top legislative priority. But sizable majorities back two key and controversial provisions: both the so-called public option and a new mandate that would require all Americans to carry health insurance.

For an idea that's supposed to be contentious and divisive, the public option sure does seem popular.

Specifically, respondents were asked, "Would you support or oppose having the government create a new health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans?" A 57% majority support the measure -- a number that has steadily increased since August.

Two weeks ago, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) declared that the public option "has been resoundingly rejected by the American people." Care to revise that, congressman?

But just as important was the question that most pollsters have failed to ask. There have been plenty of surveys showing strong public support for a health care reform plan that enjoys backing from both parties. But that's only half of the picture. The Post/ABC poll took the next step:

Faced with a basic choice that soon may confront the administration and Democratic congressional leaders, a slim majority of Americans, 51 percent, would prefer a plan that included some form of government insurance for people who cannot get affordable private coverage even if it had no GOP support in Congress. Thirty-seven percent would rather have a bipartisan plan that did not feature a public option. Republicans and Democrats are on opposite sides of this question, while independents prefer a bill that includes a public option but does not have Republican support, by 52 percent to 35 percent.

Greg Sargent, who's been pushing the relevance of this angle for several weeks, explained nicely why this is important: "Other public polls have offered respondents a straight choice -- do they want a partisan bill or a bipartisan one -- without explaining that winning over GOP support has actual policy consequences for the final bill that they might not like. When this is explained clearly -- and the WaPo framing is a far more accurate depiction of the choice the public and lawmakers face -- a majority wants the partisan, Dem-only bill with the public option. Indeed, a majority wants the public option more than they want bipartisanship for its own sake."

In other words, bipartisanship is popular, but the public option is more popular. The next time a lawmaker proclaims, "The American people want us to work together on a bipartisan solution," remember, the American people really want them to work together on passing a public option.

—Steve Benen 8:00 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (13)

Comments

This poll is hardly news. WaPo polls skew highly to the left.

Posted by: Sully on October 20, 2009 at 8:02 AM | PERMALINK

a majority wants the partisan, Dem-only bill with the public option.

Let's not forget that it's only "partisan" because of the malfeasance of the Republicans.

WaPo polls skew highly to the left.

Yeah? Got any evidence?

Posted by: Gregory on October 20, 2009 at 8:04 AM | PERMALINK

Yes, the Post is vaguely biased by reality, though their willingness to let George Will write his anti-reality screeds show that they are still not as liberal as reality is.

Sorry, Sully, but your objection gets nothing but mockery because you cannot provide any evidence that you are correct.

Posted by: freelunch on October 20, 2009 at 8:15 AM | PERMALINK

And to repeat the point:

Pass a good bill and be rewarded.

Is this the campaign slogan you fear?: "Yeah, the President signed a bill that contains health care costs, expands coverage, and prevents insurers from abusing their clients, but remember, no Republicans voted for it!"

Posted by: plim on October 20, 2009 at 8:23 AM | PERMALINK

bein' a little what ya call 'less enamored' a'the almighty poll -- it is a corporate tool, eh? -- i am pleased that whatever simulation of "what the american people want..." is being deemed worthy of support in terms of "growing support" for the public option.

the narrative can be skewed at any moment, however, for now...i am pleased that even with the death panels and the giveaways to "everybody but you white people," still the support for it grows.

excellent.

generally, i would say that when a good universal health care reform bill is explained to people, patiently, clearly and comprehensively, they would support it enthusiastically. there's not a poll anywhere that would dampen my belief in this -- not even ones like the recent one showing only about 60% of americans know how long the earth takes to revolve around the sun. t

Posted by: neill on October 20, 2009 at 8:44 AM | PERMALINK

WaPo polls skew highly to the left.

That's because reality has a notable liberal bias.

Posted by: a different phil on October 20, 2009 at 8:45 AM | PERMALINK

"Two weeks ago, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) declared that the public option "has been resoundingly rejected by the American people." Care to revise that, congressman?"

Asking a Republican to revise his statements? Who do you think you are, Rush Limbaugh?

And that's the point:
A) Republicans are spineless panderers to the Wingnut base (who are easily manipulated by Rush, Glenn, et. al.)
B) Which conveniently dovetails into the wealthy Corporate interests (what a coincidence)
C) Ergo, there will be no letup of lies, distortions, and howling by the jackals with R after their names.

Posted by: BuzzMon on October 20, 2009 at 8:50 AM | PERMALINK

I'd much rather have to fight with elected officials over my health care gripes than with corporate executives who are beyond the reach of my vote.

Posted by: Drew on October 20, 2009 at 9:58 AM | PERMALINK

People say they want bi-partisanship the way they want healthier food at McDonalds. It's something you think you want, until you're standing at the counter salivating at the smell of those public option french fries.

Posted by: inkadu on October 20, 2009 at 10:08 AM | PERMALINK

only about 60% of americans know how long the earth takes to revolve around the sun.

I'll have to verify it with my Bible, but the sun goes around the earth once a day, right?

Posted by: qwerty on October 20, 2009 at 10:51 AM | PERMALINK

"WaPo polls skew highly to the left."

Then you should stick with Scott Rasmussen and his right-wing Rasmussen polls on Faux News.

Rasmussen and his right-wing polls are used exclusivity on Faux News/GOP TV because they skew far right.

Posted by: David on October 20, 2009 at 12:38 PM | PERMALINK

RTWT: an even larger majority opposes paying for the public option.

Posted by: marketeer on October 20, 2009 at 3:07 PM | PERMALINK

Yeah? Got any evidence?

Yeah. Read the actual poll, not WaPo's spin. The poll's survey included just 20% Republicans. Even Nate Silver saw the error in this.

The WaPo also failed to mention that a majority of those polled, which were skewed to the left, didn't approve of Obama's health care reform efforts.

Posted by: Sully on October 20, 2009 at 6:58 PM | PERMALINK