Obama’s Death Panels (much like himself) Gaining Popularity (UPDATE: Texas Connection)

Kinda figured this would happen when government troops didn’t start showing up and killing old people like we were repeatedly warned…

The poll finds that 40 percent of those surveyed said they support the law, while 41 percent oppose it. Just after the November congressional elections, opposition stood at 47 percent and support was 38 percent.

As for repeal, only about one in four say they want to do away with the law completely. Among Republicans support for repeal has dropped sharply, from 61 percent after the elections to 49 percent now.

[full story]

I wonder if all this “will of the American people” talk from the Republicans hoping to kill the recently passing and increasingly popular legislation (and that’s not rhetoric, they put the word “kill” in the title of their repeal effort) takes into account new information like this poll.

After the election, and with more time and familiarity, I’d say this poll is more accurate than those taken during the heat of battle. And given how much the numbers have changed in such a short time (and those are pretty big changes), I wouldn’t be surprised if HCR ends up as popular as the two other programs that keep this country from falling apart (or at least keep the fallen off the streets, eating, clothed and sheltered). Which is to say, it will likely become a 3rd rail of American politics like Medicare and SS (and like how healthcare is in every other first world country).

Obama’s numbers are also up sharply after leading Congress to a “lame-duck” compromise on a number of issues. (I don’t like that term, BTW. I think it’s lame, way overused and was completely inaccurate this year, as the LD session of Congress got waaay more done than the others).

At the same time, 48 percent of American voters approve of how the president is doing his job, up from 42 percent the month before. Forty-three percent disapprove, down from 50 percent.

Similarly, 53 percent of voters have favorable opinions of Obama, up from 47 percent, and 40 percent have unfavorable opinions, down from 49 percent.

Looking forward, 61 percent of voters think the president will do a better job in the second two years of his term, while just 21 percent think he’ll do a worse job.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/13/2014972/poll-obama-rebounding-with-voters.html#ixzz1BKPlFVW8

So the President is gaining popularity (which hit a pretty solid bottom of 42% or so bottom and didn’t go lower) and there is more hope for better change over the next two years. This is largely because American voters love compromise (even if most are largely ignorant on what that actual compromise entails)…

In the capital’s changed political landscape, those surveyed are looking for things to get done:

• Eighty percent say the president should work to pass legislation Democrats and Republicans can agree on, even if it’s not what most Democrats want. Even 70% of Democrats feel that way.

• Eighty-three percent say it’s extremely or very important for House Republicans to pass legislation that both parties can agree on, including 77% of Republicans.

[full story]

So we see the President, a largely centrist pragmatist with liberal aspirations, making deals right along those lines and the country largely agreeing with him.

In 2010, we saw the midterm election happen, with the big lie winning out. In 2011 we started off in a horrific direction, but perhaps we can see a better political climate come out of it. One where the facts of the matter are the important part of the debate, and not something to find out after the dust has settled.

In such an environment, Obama will shine, much like he did on the stage in Tucson.

UPDATE: Texas, bastion of Tea Party opposition to HCR, is setting up insurance exchanges (one of the hallmark ways HCR expands coverage (and nixes lifetime caps and pre-existing condition exclusions) while keeping prices in check). Love the quote…

“My opposition to the federal health care reforms is no secret, and I continue to support Attorney General Greg Abbott’s efforts to have the law declared unconstitutional,” he said.

“But the ‘connector concept’ has been around for decades and did not originate with Obamacare,” Zerwas said. “Quite frankly, it is something that we should consider on its own merits regardless of the fate of the federal reforms.”

Under the federal law, state exchanges will require insurers to compete in offering standard coverage in five categories. The idea is to make it easier for consumers to compare policies and prices. Exchanges also will help administer federal subsidies to low- and moderate-income individuals and families buying coverage.

“I completely hate this law and want it repealed…but it is filled with very good ideas people have been trying to implement for decades.”

Give it enough time and the truth does eventually get its shoes on and catches up.