From Grace-Marie Turner:
Polling data from 1994 shows that voters punished elected officials at the polls for supporting the Clinton health reform plan, not for failing to pass it. Opposition to the Clinton legislation grew as voters realized they would pay more for poorer quality health care in a system controlled by government. As a result, failure to pass the plan was greeted by voters with relief, not disappointment.
In fact, exit polls after the 1994 elections found that 58 percent of voters said that Congress’ decision to put off health care reform was “good because more time is needed for discussion.” Only 31 percent said the delay was “bad because the country needs reform now.”
The numbers are similar today, with 61 percent saying they want President Obama and congressional Democrats to keep trying until they are able to make a deal with the Republicans on a health care bill — even if it means the debate continues into next year, according to a Nov. 11 AP-GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media poll. Only 31 percent want Democrats to go ahead and pass a health reform bill this year without bipartisan support. . . .
Rank-and-file Democrats face a big decision: Will they listen to public opposition and understand the true story of the 1993-94 health care debate? Or will they follow their leaders who are trying to rewrite history in order to pass a health reform plan that the public believes will cost more and deliver poorer quality health care?