Poll: Voters Give GOP First-Time Lead on Health Care

[Psephos]

Source: Rasmussen Reports

For the first time in over two years of polling, voters trust Republicans slightly more than Democrats on the handling of the issue of health care. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that voters favor the GOP on the issue 44% to 41%.

Democrats held a four-point lead on the issue last month and a 10-point lead in June. For most of the past two years, more than 50% of voters said they trusted Democrats on health care. The latest results mark the lowest level of support measured for the party on the now-contentious issue.

Public support for the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats has fallen to a new low with just 42% of U.S. voters now in favor of it. That’s down five points from two weeks ago and down eight points from six weeks ago.

Overall, Republicans lead Democrats in terms of voter trust on eight out of 10 key issues for the second consecutive month, and the two are tied on one issue.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/trust_on_issues

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I'd like to see how this tracks in other polls.

[KingFlorez]

1. I don't trust this

What have they done to earn this trust? Zero.

[bjobotts]

22. Million dollar paid for polling.Lot of buck for the bang.Don't believe it for a second

[bjobotts]

23. Spending millions on a daily basis we knew they'd throw everything at us to stop reform

[bjobotts]

24. After the last 8yrs that drove the economy into disaster, who's gonna trust those responsible to dea

with anything. You've got to be lying or people have lost their memories.

"I just drove you car off a cliff so don't you trust me to drive your second car"

[bjobotts]

25. I drove the economy off a cliff so naturally you'd trust me over dems to fix HC ins. right?

[Blecht]

2. Propaganda works

Critical thinking skills in this country must be at an all-time low.

It's fucking scary.

[USA_1]

35. True - Propaganda Does Work

You have to wonder - why doesn't the DNC launch its own campaign in defense of health care reform? Why are they allowing President Obama to fend for himself against the reactionary far right blitzkrieg?? Does the DNC want to lose this campaign?

Hate to say it but it does seem like it.

[Wednesdays]

41. Dems aren't the ones who should be defending anything

It's up to the 'Pubbies to defend the status quo. They realize that it's indefensible, so instead they go on the attack against the Democrats' plan.

[merwin]

66. It is all in the question. One poll asked if you supported

government run single payer health care and it got a crazy low amount of positive. A second poll laid out the specifics of single payer and asked if they would support it and the results were about 25 points higher.

If they asked which plan people supported, repub or dem then i am sure it would go down party lines. If they lay out the specifics of both plans, the dems will get higher marks... of course, the republicans have no plan.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Rassmussen trends more off track more often than not

just an FYI

[Mz Pip]

4. Other than making shit up

how are the Republicans 'handling' health care? I guess more people believe the made up fear mongering than the actual real solutions that are being proposed by the Democrats.

Go figure. :eyes:

[cravermi]

5. Rasmussen is a Republithug hack job

[Turborama]

14. For sure. That's why Faux always use them as their deifnitive tracker.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[babyblonde]

34. POLL

best polls money can buy

[deep1]

6. This is sad...........

So most people in this country are really dumb. I can't believe it. People thrive on negativity.

[bluestateguy]

7. Stop posting Rasmussen polls!

Their garbage, cooked books! Didn't this guy get the memo that the election is over?

[Psephos]

8. So that we're unprepared to respond because we haven't heard or discussed what's being said?

Next you're going to tell me when you play Texas Hold'em you don't look at the community cards. ;)

[Nevernose]

9. THe poll question sounds legitimate

It's simply, "Who do you trust more on the following issues, the Rs or the Ds?"

After eight weeks of listening to "Obama wants to kill your grandmother and end medicare!" and "Obama wants to murder retarded babies!" it's a miracle we scored this well. Fox and K Street deserve the blame for this one, IMO.

I'm willing to bet that if they asked about specific, Democrat-centric questions, such as "Do you support opening medicare as a voluntary option for everyone?" then 85% of people would answer yes, then say they trusted the Republicans more on the follow-up question. People out there aren't as up on issues as DU; it's up to DUers to educate people.

[deep1]

11. Then whose fault is that?

We can't just blame those Republican morons. Democrats need to grow some and be up on the television! The problem is that the media gives major coverage to the negative protesters. Where is Obama? Why is he not aggressive enough in attacking these LlES. He needs a speech. He needs to plaster his face on the television. That is what they are----lies. Repeat a lie long enough and folks would start believing it. Most people in this country are ignorant they need to be educated. We don't want another Republican scum again the White House come 2012! Then you get a Republican and folks start bitching again! What a strange nation.

[Nevernose]

12. Granted. Same mistake was made in '04 by Kerry

in '93 by Hillary, even by Dukakis in '88. If they really want this thing to go through, then Harry Reid will be on my street tomorrow with a bullhorn (which, oddly, is not that unusual of an event, but I live in a weird neighborhood).

[natrat]

37. there are no specifices being put out there by the dems

obama is so wishy washy and has not stepped up. The other day he went off on special interests, yet if you read the newspapers he cut a secret deal with big pharma. No wonder people are skeptical. Combine that with the major giveaways to the banks and the endless stream of broken campaign promises and there ya go. Yes some of the polling represents low info morons but some are smart people who are sick of the bs

[caraher]

10. The whole poll skews heavily Republican

And the questions are shallower than a puddle made of the tears I shed over Palin's resignation.

"I’m going to read you a short list of issues in the news. For each, please let me know which political party you trust more to handle that issue."

The economy.
National security and the War on Terror
The War in Iraq
Immigration
Government ethics and corruption
Taxes
Health care
Social Security
Education
Abortion

Note how "Health care" comes right after "taxes"

In every category except ethics & corruption, the Republicans had numbers in the 40s and were ahead of the Dems (Iraq was a 42-42 tie).

So I don't think this poll is the least bit representative...

[EFerrari]

13. I agree. Set up. n/t

[Frosty cupcake]

15. It would help if Dems had one plan

They could point to. Instead, there's three in the House? Baucus's in the Senate? Will there be a public option? Co-ops? Triggers? Etc. If the Dems had one plan, it would be a much easier sell. Right now it's all too nebulous and confusing to the average voter, let alone those of sub-par intelligence.

[droidamus2]

33. Tend to agree

I know President Obama wanted to make this legislation centered in Congress and not handed down from him but I am not sure that was the best approach. Unfortunately the history of what has come to be known as 'Hillary Care' probably has a lot to do with this. When the Clintons approached health care I think they had the idea to get a bunch of experts together, get input from lots of sources and come up with one legislative package that the Democrats could focus on passing. Basically what you are suggesting the Democrats should have done this time. I think that is a good idea but unfortunately the spinmeisters turned that into 'behind closed doors', 'smoke (or in this case no smoking) filled rooms', 'secret meetings' and it all imploded. So to be more transparent they have chosen to go the regular legislative route and present competing legislation to be reconciled later. The pro-reform side needs to make it clear every chance they get that there is no final bill and what has already been proposed can still be amended so what is being discussed (when you can get a word in edge was over the astroturfers) is 'possible' ways to reform health care.

[tj2001]

16. Next Headline: Poll: Voters Give Palin Nod on Foreign Policy

[zoff]

17. Bill Maher said half the country was 'toopid.

Rasmussen proves it.

But Rass are still a reich wing hack job.

[GETPLANING]

18. I posted this at Reuters concerning Rasmussen

Rasmussen polls may show a majority of respondents do not want a government run (or any similar version) health care program, but the Rasmussen polls themselves are in the minority of polling results. The reason conservatives only quote Rasmussen Polls is that Rasmussen is the only poll that tells them what they want to hear. The reason is, Scott Rasmussen is a conservative pollster. He is very good with issue polling that has wording that’s designed to lead to conservative-friendly results. When those results come out, conservatives promote the results as vindicating their position.

So here is little background on Scott Rasmussen-

During the 2000 election season, Scott Rasmussen wrote a column for rabidly conservative WorldNetDaily. Yes, the same WorldNetDaily that just claimed to have Barack Obama’s actual Kenyan birth certificate. Whoops!

After the 2000 election, Rasmussen wrote articles and spoke at the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation, pushing the case for privatizing Social Security. “In fact, 46 percent of American adults say that relying on the government is riskier than letting workers invest for their own retirement,” wrote Rasmussen in a January 2001 article arguing that incoming President Bush should push for private accounts. “Just 36 percent say letting workers invest is more risky, while 18 percent are not sure.” As you can see, Rasmussen is influential with conservatives because his carefully crafted questions produce answers that conservatives like.


During the debate over the Stimulus Bill, other pollsters, such as Gallup and CBS News, found support for it rising as high as 60 percent, but Rasmussen never saw it rise above 45 percent. He was the only pollster to find support for the plan falling, in a poll conducted on February 2 and 3. Rasmussen leaked the poll numbers to Bill Kristol, who used it to write articles against the plan. Republicans such as Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) cited Rasmussen to argue that support for the Democratic version of the stimulus was plunging. At a Feb. 10 briefing, Pence argued with reporters who cited Gallup instead of Rasmussen.

Now we see the same pattern merging in the healthcare debate. Polls across the board show overwhelming support for a public option, for single payer, and for Democratic policy proposals over Republican ones. Except one. I urge anyone following this thread to go to
http://www.pollingreport.com/health.htm and scroll down the page. There are no less than 12 polls listed. None reflect what the Medical Industrial Complex is pushing at you. Not one.

Feel free to copy this to any thread concerning polls.

[Turborama]

20. Excellent response, have you posted this as an OP in one of the GD forums yet?

If not, I reckon you should, it'd go down well.

:fistbump:

[deep1]

26. Thank you....

for clarifying that one up. Because the polls I have seen recently don't accord with this Rasmussen one.


Breathing better now...

[sabrina 1]

58. You should make this an OP

I'd love to rec it ~

[Vidar]

19. Whoever shouts loudest wins.

[Skip Intro]

21. And sadly, we are often too late to shout back, and even then, not loud enough.

[depakid]

27. Source: Rasmussen Reports

'nuff said.

[LynnTheDem]

28. If this is true, maybe Americans DESERVE to have republican "healthcare".

Fucking hell...how can so many be so fucking stupid???

[rasputin1952]

29. This has to be complete BS...for one thing, the GOP has no plan...

there is noithing there but stopping any progress...where did they ask these questions, Beverly hills mansions or at a GOP fundraiser???

This is ridiculous...some 70% want reform, the GOP offers no such thing, just more of the same tired crap.

[snot]

30. We need to know about this.

Not saying it's right, but.

B.t.w.: Just rec'd, and an unrec instantly zero'd me out.

[nc4bo]

31. So *who* exactly did they ask I wonder? nt

[Vinca]

32. Well, to be fair, the Republicans do simplify health care.

They aren't going to give it to you and you're going to die.

[Doctor_J]

36. I am a little surprised at how many DUers

thought that the terrorism wouldn't work. Of course polls are trending away from reform. We haven't done anything to fight back against the terrorists. Read this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6297774

Do you think Nate Silver is a GOP stooge too? Do you think these two polls are unrelated?

Confront reality. It's ugly, but pretending we're winning is counterproductive. Seriesly. The "terrorists are making themselves look bad. this will help our side" is not just a river in Egypt

[natrat]

38. of course, all these apologists dont seem to recognize the huge oppurtunity slipping away

majorities in the exec and legislative branch and it's biz as usual. No one could be this ineffective by accident. I think it's by design, the junta will have effectively moved the country even further to the right with the obama scam, wonderful

[Paladin]

39. Well Said, Dr. J.

We need to step up our efforts, or we're going to get our butts whipped on this issue. I don't know what solar system you Good Guys Always Win people inhabit, but you need to get engaged on this, and in a big damned hurry....

[redqueen]

43. No, I don't think they're related. The party in the WH usually loses seats

in the midterms.

[Politics_Guy25]

50. NO

42 gained seats in 1998 and 43 gained seats in 2002.

[redqueen]

52. Thanks for citing the exceptions... which as we all know... (nt)

[Doctor_J]

51. Not 50 seats and 6 Senate seats

this would be a massacre, especially with a president would won an electoral landslide 8 months ago

[redqueen]

53. What was the shift in 94? (nt)

[Odin2005]

40. We are a nation of ignorant fools.

[redqueen]

42. LOL... good ole Rasmussen.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

44. Then we need to shout louder.

That's all.

[David__77]

45. Democratic needs to use every means to ram this through quickly.

Once passed, furor will die down. You can bet on it.

[WriteDown]

54. Once what exactly passes? Please see this.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-august-11-2009/reform-madness

[WriteDown]

55. delete, wrong spot

[WriteDown]

56. argh, delete

[David__77]

59. That's a big part of the problem - lack of politica discipline.

Obama should be clearly exercising leadership over congress. There needs to be unified political control. A single plan should be presented that is supported by leadership and the president.

[WriteDown]

60. I think Jon Stewarts expression at the end of that montage...

just says it all.

[high density]

46. So in other words the Repukes are winning a fear campaign again

We went through this in 2004 already.

[Doctor_J]

49. And 2002, 2000, 1994, 1988

We're slow learners

[alfredo]

47. Phone polls only call land lines. Younger voters use cell phones.

Older people tend to be fearful of change.

[ProudDad]

48. Don't trust Rasmussen...

Any poll can be slanted to get any result you want...

I'd like to see the actual questions asked!


As for the messenger, at a minimum Scott Rasmussen is a homophobe and religious zealot...and their methods of polling are suspect...

[WriteDown]

57. Makes perfect sense once you see this...

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-august-11-2009/reform-madness

[Psephos]

65. that vid says it all - don't know whether to laugh or cry

well, it IS Jon Stewart, so might as well laugh ;)

[Lagomorph]

61. Look at the up side...

Getting those people out of their La-Z-Boys and out on the street, getting some exercise, will go a long way to reducing health care costs.

If we could make fat people get out and exercise, this is what it would be like. They would bitch, bitch, bitch until they got on the bathroom scale.

Think of the town halls as aerobics classes.

[The Stranger]

62. I'm sure glad Majority Piece of Shit Harry Reid decided to wait to pass health reform.

That way the corporations could have time to shift the polls against it.

[troubledamerican]

68. Reid is a mole. Fifth Column.

[Zorra]

63. With the massive corporate sponsored MSM propaganda campaign

shoving all this fascist BS down people's throats, I'm not surprised.

Ignorance and illiteracy makes people very gullible, and susceptible to believing the lies they are forced to watch and listen to over and over if they watch TV.

Marketing is effective, and transnational corporations are masters at marketingo, as well as having the wealth to promote their propagandistic agendas through influence with MSM news sources.

[crazy_vanilla]

64. if this poll is legit, then the people responding are idiots

who refuse to think for themselves ... If they were to lose their job and/or health care insurance, they'd sing a different tune

We currently pay $1405 a month for COBRA and are almost tapped out.... what next?

[BlueIdaho]

67. If its Assmussen - its crap. nt.

[24601]

69. Total Bullshit - they said that in 1993-1994 and we never saw

any blowback. What, there was? My bad...never mind.