41% View Town Hall Protesters Favorably, 35% Don’t

Rasmussen Reports ^ | August 7, 2009

[reaganaut1]

Forty-one percent (41%) of U.S. voters have a favorable opinion of the people opposing health care reform at town hall meetings now being conducted by members of Congress, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

But 35% view the protesters unfavorably. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure what they think of them.

Given the partisan anger prompted by the town hall meetings, it’s not surprising to see a similar divide in the survey. Fifty-five percent (55%) of Democrats have an unfavorable view of those opposing the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and the leaders of their party. Sixty-three percent (63%) of Republicans and the plurality (48%) of voters not affiliated with either party view the protesters favorably.

Senior Democrats charge that many of the protests at the town hall meetings are orchestrated by special interests, but 49% of voters believe, generally speaking, that the protesting citizens are reflecting the concerns of their neighbors.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) think the protests are phony efforts drummed up by special interest groups and lobbyists. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure.

...

The partisan divide is even wider when the motivations of the protesters are at issue. Seventy percent (70%) of Republicans and 58% of unaffiliated voters say the protesters reflect the concerns of their neighbors. Sixty-one percent (61%) of Democrats say the protests are phony.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of liberals say the protests are motivated by special interests, while 69% of conservatives say they’re driven by local concerns.

Earlier this year, despite complaints from the White House and top Democrats, 51% of Americans had a positive opinion of the “tea parties” held nationwide on April 15.

[reaganaut1]

Survey questions from the Rasmussen site:

National Survey of 1,000 Likely Voters Conducted August 5-6, 2009

By Rasmussen Reports

1* How closely have you followed recent news stories about confrontations at town hall meetings conducted by members of Congress on health care reform?

41% Very closely
34% Somewhat closely
19% Not very closely
4% Not at all
2% Not sure

2* Generally speaking, do you have a favorable or an unfavorable opinion of the people opposing health care reform at town hall meetings.

41% Favorable
35% Unfavorable
23% Not sure

3* Generally speaking, are those protesting at town hall meetings citizens reflecting the concerns of their neighbors or are the protests phony efforts drummed up by special interest groups and lobbyists?

49% Reflecting the concerns of their neighbors
37% Phony efforts drummed up by special interest groups and lobbyists
14% Not sure

NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence

[lakertaker]

Hahahahahah...hehehehehe...hohohohohoho.

Looks like Saul’s children are having a difficult time

[CPT Clay]

Same 35% Strongly support zero.

[Jeff Head]

As time goes on, and as the DNC and Obama continue to try and supress the people, the vast majority of which are acting out of their real and understandable frustration...these numbers will go up.

We have abject evil amongst us. It has been festering for decades and is now rapidly advancing. The American people are seeing through it on this health care plan and are angry...and tired of being the patsy for all of these marxistic, socailistic, destructive, initiative robbing, liberty destroying, un- American, and unconstituional actions of the DNC, Dems, left, MSM, and RINOs.

Something is going to give, and so help me God, it will not be the liberty, constitution, and way of life my forefathers sacrificed their life's blood for.

The Dems and Obama seem intent on turning this into something more akin to Iran over this issue, with their own Basij thugs sent out to silence us, and Obama supporters called on by the Whitehouse to report any dissent. But that will not work here. It will backfire on them and ultimately they will be held accountable. We are not only aware of our rights and the sacrifices that have vouchsafed them for us, but we are also unwilling to submit to thugery and tyranny, and will use all means to prevent it and stop it.

MY LETTER TO THE WHITEHOUSE AND OBAMA ABOUT FREE SPEECH

EZEKIEL EMANUAL AND THE OBAMA HEALTH CARE FINAL SOLUTION
(Must Read)

YOU WILL HAVE OBAMA CARE

WHO IS THIS JOKER CHARACTER ANYWAY?

A PETITION ON FACEBOOK FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RESTORATION

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

A 4TH OF JULY TEA PARTY SPEECH

...and on the lighter side, take your mind off the Obamanation for a few minutes and enjoy some beautiful Western US scenery slideshows.

JEFF HEAD'S WESTERN US SCENERY SLIDE SHOWS

[a fool in paradise]

“Phony efforts drummed up by special interest groups and lobbyists”

This talking point came from Daily KOS (as did the “swastikas” claim).

It’s been echoed by Party leadership and faxed to the kool aid drinkers.

---

The media never pointed out that Communists and Marxists were behind the so called “antiwar” movement during the Vietnam war or the Bush administration.

[Mr. Mojo]

But 35% view the protesters unfavorably.

That 35% probably swoon over Code Pink and MoveOn protests. ...and ACORN/SEIU.

[clamper1797]

I am constantly amazed by the abject stupiity of some people. How can you be against free speech

[Marty62]

You have to figure at least 25 % of those 35% are comletely BRAINWASHED.

The other 10 need to be convinced further.
It will take an up close and personal encounter with this nightmare for the 25% to SNAP OUT OF IT.

[Kartographer]

[Marty62]

You forgot the Mao Little Red Bookers.

[colorado tanker]

Sorry, Barry. Your state run media have failed you.

[R0CK3T]

So the majority agreement of the country is with the “MOB”?

What will El Bamadente do when his party is waxed in the next election by this “MOB” - suspend the Constitution, decertify the election, implement Martial law ???

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Health care forum, What really happened: Union Thugs Block Protesters From Kathy Castor(D-FL 12) Town Hall Meeting

[listenhillary]

That 30 to 35 % demographic are the dedicated socialists. I see that range on issue after issue.

[Parley Baer]

I agree. That is Obama’s hard core support and shows up in the polls regarding how well he is doing. Last poll was 32% which goes in line with the above percentage.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Headline?

Another White House get-together but no beer this time
President Obama Invites Conservative Black Man For Oreo Cookies
Conservative black man attacked by a SEIU member

[fightinbluhen51]

How can 23% of the masses just NOT have any opinion? I guess they are too busy watching oprah specials on michael jackson.

[1035rep]

bttt

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

The media never pointed out that Communists and Marxists were behind the so called “antiwar” movement during the Vietnam war or the Bush administration.

David Corn actually said a little bit about it in November, 2002:

David Corn: Behind the Placards (LA Weekly)

He got taken to the woodshed shortly thereafter. He never made another peep about it again.

Very interesting article though. Highly recommended.

[VaRepublican]

have always felt the same way...23%, is that real or just a poll anomally?