The first USA TODAY/Gallup poll post-election lacks a single clear message.
Good news for Republicans? 49 percent of respondents think congressional Republicans should set the nation’s direction, while just 41 percent think President Obama should do so. Meanwhile, Republican respondents overwhelmingly think it is more important for the new majority to stick to its principles than to “get things done,” while Democrats and independents favor compromise. One supposes this can only be good for the Republicans — your base that wants you to stick to your guns while the other guy’s wants him to compromise.
Bad news?
There’s also not much of a mandate for the GOP to repeal Obama’s signature health care law, a rallying cry for Republican candidates during the campaign.
Among those surveyed, 42% say the law “goes too far” and 49% say it is “about right” or doesn’t go far enough. One-third would like the law repealed.
If congressional Republicans are serious about defunding and repealing Obamacare, they’ll have something of an uphill battle selling it to the American people.
The law is still being rolled out, and the full implications haven't hit yet. I have a hard time believing that public opinion has flipped on this in a week's time.
Also, there really can't be a mandate to repeal the law at this point: The GOP can't do it without the presidency.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'd love to see how the cross-tabs on that poll compare to last week's electorate. Given the numbers cited in the poll I'd be shocked if it wasn't significantly more Dem-heavy than the voters.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"About right" and "doesn't go far enough" are not the same thing. Why are they grouped together? To give the impression that more people like the law than the 42% who say it "goes too far" But what if 25% say it's "about right" and 24% say it "doesn't go far enough"? Then 42% saying it "goes too far" is more impressive.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell, the healthcare law passed and at last we have found out what was in it: the rock was turned over and there for all to see was at least one NR staffer who gets the vapors whenever a USA Today Survey goes the wrong way. Oh my, oh dear, what will we ever do?
Well, my recommended course for Mr. Foster is -- and readers of Mark Steyn will know exactly what I mean -- send his resume to the Seattle Weekly. Best of luck of the new assignment.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIowadove, I think that's uncalled for. The perpetual "batten down the hatches" mentality is an impediment to clear thinking, not an aid to it.
If Republicans are ever going to succeed at selling Americans on a repeal of the health care bill, they're going to have to make the case that the major problems the bill grapples with -- recision, pre-existing conditions, coverage for kids who are ages 24-26 on their parents' plans -- can be dealt with in alternate ways, ways that don't require a mandate to purchase health insurance.
I'm not so sure there's going to be the policy coherence that would allow them to do that.
And it's only going to get tougher as more pieces of the law 'phase in' and people feel personally invested in it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAmericans have heard but have yet to experience the adverse impact of Obamacare.
Just wait until the change in Healthcare Spending Accounts (HSA) starting January 2011.
A doctor's slip will be required for Aspirin and other common medicines in order to apply for HSA. This may seem trivial, but it is not.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseUphill battle selling it to the people?!? If they DON'T do it, it's the end of the GOP!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's a poll of about 1000 "adults" taken over a weekend. Not really meaningful, IMO.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"If congressional Republicans are serious about defunding and repealing Obamacare, they’ll have something of an uphill battle selling it to the American people." Daniel, they effectively sold it to the American people on election day -- the date of the only poll that truly counts. They won't be able to repeal Obamacare as long as its namesake remains at 1600 Pennsylvania, but they can surely defund it, and should do so as ruthlessly as the Democrats in Congress passed that damnable monstrosity earlier this year. This country simply cannot afford to have Obamacare joining Medicare and Social Security as pillars of American liberalism at which all knees must bend. To the extent possible, congressional Republicans should also support those states vying to undercut Obamacare via the judicial route.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDr.Horrible: Bingo.
There is not any information regarding whether the 1100 Adults voted in last weeks elections or whether the respondents are Registered Voters or Likely Voters. As such, the respondents were probably only screened/selected for being 'over 18'. One would hope that the data was corrected for any bias regarding attributes such as gender, age, political ideology, etc., but who knows.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"that the major problems the bill grapples with -- recision, pre-existing conditions, coverage for kids who are ages 24-26 on their parents' plans".
Just because the bill "grapples" with these issues, doesn't mean it solves them. The 24 to 26 year olds, better get a job with benefits, unfortunately for them, there won't be very many. Just wait until that ripe old age of 27 hits them. Then we will need a whole new bill to grapple with that problem.
Does the bill grapple with the problem that I'll probably have when my well earned health insurance benefits which let me choose my doctor and give me a little freedom of choice, gets transferred to a govt. plan which doesn't? Oh wait, that's something the bill causes.
Give it up. Government can't do healthcare.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNow that the election has passed and the need for Gallup to maintain at least a semblance of integrity in his numbers has also passed, it goes back to shilling polls in support of rejected democrat policies. For shame.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo we're polling citizens about an omnibus measure that was beyond the comprehension of those who passed it through Congress? How many of us know to this day what's really in the black box?
If the Republicans have not issued a detailed critique people can follow, now's the time.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusemnmike wrote: "A doctor's slip will be required for Aspirin and other common medicines in order to apply for HSA. This may seem trivial, but it is not."
I have heard this, and it boggles the mind. Wasn't the healtchare bill supposed to "bend down" the cost curve? Wouldn't you think that part of making that happen is to encourage people to make a quick trip to the neighborhood drug store for a cheap over-the counter remedy before making a far more costly visit to the doctor's office?
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