Washington Post poll finds split on health-care law remains deep (50 to 46% oppose)

Washington Post ^ | March 28, 2010 | Jon Cohen and Dan Balz

[SmartInsight]

Americans overwhelmingly see the new health-care law as a major shift in the direction of the country, but they remain as deeply divided today over the changes as they were throughout the long congressional debate, according to a Washington Post poll.

Overall, 46 percent of those polled said they support the changes in the new law; 50 percent oppose them. That is virtually identical to the pre-vote split on the proposals and similar to the divide that has existed since last summer.

Overall, seniors tilt heavily against the changes, with 58 percent opposed and strong opponents outnumbering strong supporters by a 2-to-1 ratio.

[Ken H]

I just hope the opposition will increase as more facts emerge about this socilist takeover of healthcare and people will vote out the Dems in November.

I would think all the "good" aspects of the bill have already been touted, and that there are more nasty surprises awaiting discovery in those 2,000+ pages. It seems that a new horror is uncovered almost daily.

[Ken H]

Here's what Ras says:

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, conducted on the first two nights after the president signed the bill, shows that 55% favor repealing the legislation. Forty-two percent (42%) oppose repeal. Those figures include 46% who Strongly Favor repeal and 35% who Strongly Oppose it.

In terms of Election 2010, 52% say they'd vote for a candidate who favors repeal over one who does not. Forty-one percent (41%) would cast their vote for someone who opposes repeal.

Not surprisingly, Republicans overwhelmingly favor repeal while most Democrats are opposed. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 59% favor repeal, and 35% are against it.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2479555/posts

[Waco]

Maybe we are being blessed with the self-distruction of the RAT party as we watch?? Many feel that the party is over stepping in a huge way.

[101voodoo]

"Overall, seniors tilt heavily against the changes, with 58 percent opposed and strong opponents outnumbering strong supporters by a 2-to-1 ratio."

Guess which voting group turns out in the largest numbers when it's time to vote...anyone?

[nathanbedford]

And the Rasmussen poll is the poll that counts as history has demonstrated. He polls likely voters not adults, not registered voters but likely voters. One negative note: the opposition from seniors signifies more a defense of their entitlement than a principled opposition to the creation of entitlements.

The problem is, it does not make much difference if the government is creating an entitlement for illegal aliens whom it will baptize or for our aging citizens, from a fiscal point of view, if the government cannot afford either. Nor does it speak well for the electorate's idea of the proper constitutional scope of government.

[Pollster1]

After voting liberal for a generation, the seniors finally got the change they had been hoping for. I think the term is “oopsie!”, like when a dog finally catches the car it’s been chasing.

[tobyhill]

When people's premiums continue to increase, like Massachusetts, then that so-called 50% support will drop down to single digits.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Oh, the objections and distaste are growing everyday. Communist/Facist, anti-American POTUS Obama and his destructive “hate America” Democrat Party have not gained one iota of approval from the American voter after they rammed the “Obamacare” bill through into law. In fact, IMHO, “Obamacare” will destroy itself, destroy POTUS Barack Hussein Obama, and destroy the entire Democrat Party. Good riddence!!!

[bushfamfan]

You know it’s bad news for them because they attempt to skew polls that way, but it’s worse than they let on no matter how much propaganda they put out there.

[The Great RJ]

All of the legitimate polls agree that more than half of Americans oppose Obamacare. I cannot believe that someone in the Democratic Party isn't looking at these polls and seeing Armageddon in November. While Reid. Pelosi and Obama are so out of touch that they think the American people will love this and vote them back in November, any rational Democrat has to be scared to death. State and local Democrat officials must see that their party could be swept out of power at all levels by a tsunami of discontent over Obamacare.

The Canadian commentator who says that the Democrats themselves will find a way to get Obama out of office before 2012 may well be right. I also would not be surprised to see Obama challenged in the 2012 primaries, perhaps by Hillary.

[Ken H]

Agree with all your points.