The Washington Monthly

November 17, 2009

GOP STILL FAILING TO CAPITALIZE.... Plenty to chew on in the new WaPo/ABC poll.

As the Senate prepares to take up legislation aimed at overhauling the nation's health-care system, President Obama and the Democrats are still struggling to win the battle for public opinion. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows Americans deeply divided over the proposals under consideration and majorities predicting higher costs ahead.
But Republican opponents have done little better in rallying the public opposition to kill the reform effort. Americans continue to support key elements of the legislation, including a mandate that employers provide health insurance to their workers and access to a government-sponsored insurance plan for those people without insurance.

Looking through the internals, there are some interesting angles to keep an eye on.

* Reform: Asked for their "overall" impressions of the health care debate, 48% support the reform plan, 49% oppose it. That's a pretty even split, though it's worth noting that 48% support is the highest it's been in several months -- there's a clear division, but it's not getting worse for reform advocates.

* Reform specifics: While the public is evenly divided on the larger bill, a 53% majority still supports a public option; a 66% majority supports an employer mandate; and a 56% majority supports subsidized health plans that cover abortion procedures, so long as there's a division between premiums and taxpayer money.

* President Obama: The president's level of support is showing some durability, despite the difficult times. His job approval rating is 56%, one point lower than October, but two points higher than September. His personal favorable rating is even higher, at 61%.

* Republican Party: The GOP is still failing badly to capitalize on the changing landscape. When respondents were asked who they trust to handle the nation's challenges, Republicans trailed Democrats by 16 points, 47% to 31%. The margin is similar when it came to GOP vs. the president on issues like the economy and health care. Just as important, Democrats enjoy a 10-point lead on which party "better represents your own personal values," and a 15-point on which party is "more concerned with the needs of people like you."

* Party of No: Respondents were asked, "Do you think leaders of the Republican Party are mainly presenting alternatives to Obama's proposals, or mainly criticizing Obama's proposals without presenting alternatives?" A 61% majority said the GOP is just criticizing.

—Steve Benen 9:30 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (14)

Comments

People hate Republicans. They won't make the choice until they absolutely have to, so don't be shocked if numbers don't tighten until a week or two before the election.

You guys are kidding yourselves if you think
Dmocrats can ride out 10% unemployment without serious losses. You're just delusional.

Posted by: soullite on November 17, 2009 at 9:38 AM | PERMALINK

Well, thank Jesus we have you to set us straight, soullite.

I remember how during the primaries you were ferociously protective of Obama and way, way over the top in your criticism of Clinton. You never stopped bitching about her.

Now you never stop bitching about Obama and the Dems, no matter what they do.

It almost makes a person wonder if you're a guy who thrives on constant bitching and has absolutely nothing else to offer.

Posted by: keen observer on November 17, 2009 at 9:49 AM | PERMALINK

(Herewith a Repugnant flack's poll-read meditation:)

Oh, just "criticizing" -- that's a relief! Good, so as the obstructionism continues and things get worse and worse, we can hope that the just "criticizing" will become "just criticizing."

Or if a big disaster hits (and we dont care to whom or how disastrous) why then maybe we'll swoop in with some real mandate to stop this namby-pamby Dimocrat bullshit.

Next time...no more Mistah Nice Guy...

Posted by: neill on November 17, 2009 at 9:56 AM | PERMALINK

"* Party of No: Respondents were asked, "Do you think leaders of the Republican Party are mainly presenting alternatives to Obama's proposals, or mainly criticizing Obama's proposals without presenting alternatives?" A 61% majority said the GOP is just criticizing."

This shows 39% of the populace in need of severe medication. Why that should be good news is beyond me.

Posted by: Vokoban on November 17, 2009 at 10:13 AM | PERMALINK

You missed the most telling finding from that WaPo poll -- those who reported being well-informed of what the health care reform bill does were considerably MORE likely to support it. By contrast, those Americans who say they are unaware or confused about the bill's details (thanks to silly nonsense about "death panels") are decidedly opposed to it. No surprise there. As Calif.'s propositions prove, when people don't understand a proposal, they tend to be opposed.

Posted by: JakeDC on November 17, 2009 at 10:43 AM | PERMALINK

"Looking through the internals" -- you'll find the largest gap recorded with respect to party identification between D's and R's.

D - 35%
R - 21%
I - 39%

Posted by: m on November 17, 2009 at 12:32 PM | PERMALINK

I used to be a Republican, and I can't stand these people now.
What used to be a party of reason and caution (I am thinking Eisenhower, or even Goldwater) is now the party of cultish faith and ethnic resentment.

Posted by: Liberty60 on November 17, 2009 at 3:14 PM | PERMALINK

A 61% majority said the GOP is just criticizing.

It was an either-or question, so 39% believe (or didn't answer) that leaders of the Republican Party are "mainly presenting alternatives to Obama's proposals." Really? I would like to ask those 39% what those alternatives are, other than "No. NO. NO!"

Posted by: josef on November 17, 2009 at 3:45 PM | PERMALINK

I would like to ask those 39% what those alternatives are, other than "No. NO. NO!" -- josef, @15:45

There's also "I object!" and "You lie!". Quite a palette of options.

Posted by: exlibra on November 17, 2009 at 4:19 PM | PERMALINK

What is the point of this? Seriously. Does anybody take "the other side is in trouble" articles seriously? Do you worry when Limbaugh or Hannity says the "Democrat party" is in trouble? No. Why should you. What do they know about the Democratic party anyway? But what does a leftist partisan like Benen know about Republicans? This tripe is just sugar candy for fellow partisans - you get a pleasant, though short-lived rush, but there's no substance there.

Posted by: Dave H on November 17, 2009 at 4:53 PM | PERMALINK

"...but there's no substance there." Dave H @ 4:53 PM.
New York CD 23.
Is that enough "substance"?

Posted by: Doug on November 17, 2009 at 8:09 PM | PERMALINK

Anyone who thinks that the current 10% unemployment is going to be blamed on Obama is dreaming. He's the reason it's not 12 or 13%. If that congresscriters had a few more cojones amongst them, Obama might have 8 or 9% unemployment to deal with.
Current polls support my position that Obama and the democratic party is seen by a majority of attempting to fix problems rather than stand on the sidelines and throw shit into the mix.

Posted by: DougW on November 17, 2009 at 10:10 PM | PERMALINK

R - 21%

that's totally consistant with party i-d polls ..

then again...

who wants to admit they are republican..

even to an anonymous pollster..

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