The Speech Was A Game-Changer
Some survey data after Obama’s primetime address to Congress on health care reform shows big jumps in popularity for President Obama and for health care reform.
First the Daily Kos/Research 2000 tracking poll:
President Obama’s Net Favorability Rating–Cumulative Results After Each Day (Fav/Unfav rating after each day in parentheses)
MONDAY: +9 (52/43)
TUESDAY: +10 (52/42)
WEDNESDAY: +15 (55/40)
THURSDAY: +17 (56/39)
The AARP polled people ages 45 and older and also showed a large swing:
• Of those who had questions and concerns prior to the address, nearly three-quarters said that their questions and concerns were talked about or addressed during the speech. This includes 72 percent of Independents.
• Nearly seven in ten of those who reported hearing their questions and concerns talked about or addressed said that they were supportive of the proposals being talked about related to health care. This includes 63 percent of Independents.
• For each political affiliation, a majority of respondents said that reform of the health care system should be a priority for political leaders to address in 2009. This includes 70 percent of Independents.
TPM also has some poll results:
Democracy Corps shows a 36% swing, from 46%-46% to 66%-30% (support:oppose).
CNN showed an increase in support from 53% to 67% for health care reform with a sample skewed Democratic.
A CBS poll showed a 21% swing, from -7% (40% support, 47% oppose) to +14% (52% support, 38% oppose).
I just loved how honest and genuine Obama was regarding tort reform…as if that will ever happen. There will never be any meaningful tort reform during his administration and everyone knows it! Yet, he stood up there and spoke of pilot programs etc. as if it was REALLY being considered.
I think Wilson behaved like a DOPE! However, the President was disingenuous at best during several moments of that speech.
“There will never be any meaningful tort reform during his administration and everyone knows it!”
Spam, spam, spam, spam…
“Yet, he stood up there and spoke of pilot programs etc. as if it was REALLY being considered.”
Spam, spam, spam, spam…
and by all independent accounts, lawsuits only make up less than a percent or two of all health care costs in this country….
but you, DC, seem to care more about the little things, such as saving ins companies money while decreasing accountability through “tort reform” Why don’t you talk about the excessive malpractice premiums insurance companies charge doctors and hospitals? The cost of those premiums are artificially high, because InsCos know hospitals and doctors have to get them and know that they can afford them. The excess cost is complete bonus-baby gravy.
So DC, hanging your hat on 1% of costs? Taking the extreme again and trying to make it the center of it all, we see…..
In DC’s world, this is health care accountability:
Hey, wunndnt u know, our drug ate your aorta! Our bad! Here’s a pen.
“However, the President was disingenuous at best ”
And so are you for not backing up your statement with anything other then air…
It is like all Right Wing Whackos. they hate obama, therefore, NOTHING he can say or do will sound good for them. he can make the whole bill about deregulation and tort reform, and they will accuse him of trying to build a premanent democratic majority… or however they frame “they are trying to stay in power by making the country great so people will vote for them!!!!!” is anyone else confused by that accusation? i hear it on billo all the time
It’s not just lawsuits that make up the 1.5% or so — that also includes all the insurance premiums paid by lawsuit-fearing doctors.
even worse, Geez!
Fat-cat gravy killed grandma!
While the health care debate took up most of the talk this week, another extremely successful aspect of the stimulus bill is being debated for extension and is getting a lot of attention on the Hill (if not in the press). The $8,000 refund for first time home buyers is due to expire Nov. 30. Like the popular Cash for Cunkers program, the home buyers rebate checks jump started the housing market. The democrats, who changed the $7,500 tax credit under Bush to a $8,000 rebate, believe that putting money in peoples pockets is far better than a tax credit. It is proof that aggressive government action works and that democratic policies are more effective.
Two of the largest lobbying organizations in the country, the 1.2 million-member National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Home Builders, are pushing for an extension and for modifying the final product. The two lobbying groups now want a $15,000 rebate check for any homebuyer making up to $500,000 even if it is for the purchase of a second home. This new proposal is similar to the original republican proposal, except that the $15,000 tax credit would be replaced with a $15,000 rebate check.
First, $500,000 is a lot of money to be getting a rebate check of $15,000 from the government. Limiting the bill to first time home buyers was the right decision initially and thus did not need an earnings cap. Extending it now to all homebuyers does have merit. But that is high ceiling. Maybe the final bill could have an option of either $8,000 in cash or a $15,000 tax credit or allowing those making over a certain amount only the option of the tax credit.
What is objectionable is allowing people to buy a vacation home with my tax dollars. The bill should expressly forbid second homes by mandating the rebate and/or tax credit is for primary homes only. Jump starting the economy is one thing, handouts for non-essential expenditures is another.
Afer all, we don’t need to start another bubble or revitilize the speculation market now do we?
The Bush-era policy was to replace a bubble with another bubble. I hope we’re not returning to Greenspan-ism, anon.
I think the home credit has definitely helped but the economy is recovering. I hope we start to see recovery in the job market as well soon.