Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Well that didn't take long

Yesterday I predicted public opinion would swing to support health care reform. I didn't think it would happen this quickly, and the more Obama campaigns on it the higher those numbers will go:
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.
This doesn't say a lot for American intelligence. But it does say that we love a winner. And it says we hate the congressional process. I can imagine that a month ago when a pollster called up someone and asked "what do you think of health care?" that person was so pissed off at congress that they said "I hate it" even if they were in fact inclined to support the actual policies.

No comments:

Post a Comment