Posted on 09/09/2009 8:44:03 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Despite being called "brownshirts", "un-American" and a "mob" of "astroturfers", a Rasmussen poll indicates the public believes the townhall protesters to be a genuine reflection of the concerns of their neighbors:
Forty-nine percent (49%) have a favorable opinion of those opposing the health care reforms at town hall meetings. That's up eight points from 41% a month ago. Thirty-five percent (35%) have an unfavorable view of the town hall protesters, unchanged from last month.
Fifty-nine percent (59%) now say the town hall protesters are citizens reflecting the concerns of their neighbors. That's up ten points over the past month.
Thirty percent (30%) believe the protests are phony efforts drummed up by special interest groups and lobbyists.
Those are phenomenal numbers - within a month, the favorables for the protesters move up 8% despite an organized effort to demonize them while those who see the protesters unfavorably remains both flat and in the minority.
Another encouraging sign is the fact that most of those polled think that Congress members ought to shut up and listen:
Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters nationwide say that it's more important for Congressmen to hear the view of their constituents rather than explain the proposed health care legislation. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 37% hold the opposite view while 7% are not sure.
The desire for Congress to listen may stem from the fact that voters believe they understand the legislation better than Congress.
Apparently Americans are in the mood to remind Congress members it is they who are the hired help and it is time they remembered it.
People ask, "what is the utility of a poll like that"? It is a temperature check, a mood indicator, a warning, if you will, that whatever is being contemplated by legislators and the president had best be checked against this trend. It isn't a favorable trend for what they want to do and the utility comes in realizing that an tailoring something which won't see them ushered unceremoniously out of office in a year or so.
Like, for instance, ramming something through that their constituents don't like, but the party base does. The point to be taken here is if the protesters are the tip of the iceberg and most feel they truly represent the feelings of their neighbors, what do you suppose might happen in November of 2010 if legislators disregard the very strong signals being sent?
The president's speech next Wednesday should be very interesting given these polling indicators. Will he continue to plow ahead trying to force a square peg in a round hole (and pay the political consequences) or will he bow to political reality and radically modify and shrink his goals for health care insurance reform?
I’ve been called worse things than the left can dream up, hasn’t slowed me down yet!
Obama speech Wednesday to Congress offers details, tries to build momentum for health overhaul * By Jennifer Loven, AP White House Correspondent * On Wednesday September 9, 2009, 11:10 am EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama will tell the nation in a prime-time address precisely how he wants to expand health care, pitching a fresh argument -- but, to liberal disappointment, no demand -- for a government-run insurance option.
Shouldn't that be W ealth overhaul??
It’s interesting, poll after poll has that same 30 to 35% number Always Pro Obama, no matter the question.
here here!
here here!
He will put a different kind of lipstick on his obamacare pig and try to sell it as something new and more moderate. But it will be the same fascist pig.
I've noticed that, too. Like where they say 30% of people believe the protests are "phony". I suspect the real number is like 3%, with an additional 27% who SAY they believe...
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