WaPo/ABC poll: Obama fading
posted at 10:12 am on August 21, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Even with a skewed sample, the new Washington Post/ABC News poll shows big trouble for Barack Obama. He manages to hang onto a 57% approval rating, thanks to a 10-point gap between Democrats and Republicans in the sample, but otherwise the survey shows confidence flagging, pun intended, in Obama. This comes at a bad time for the White House, as they have two massive overhauls of the American economy on the floor of Congress — and that may be the problem:
Public confidence in President Obama’s leadership has declined sharply over the summer, amid intensifying opposition to health-care reform that threatens to undercut his attempt to enact major changes to the system, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Among all Americans, 49 percent now express confidence that Obama will make the right decisions for the country, down from 60 percent at the 100-day mark in his presidency. Forty-nine percent now say they think he will be able to spearhead significant improvements in the system, down nearly 20 percentage points from before he took office.
As challenges to Obama’s initiatives have mounted over the summer, pessimism in the nation’s direction has risen: Fifty-five percent see things as pretty seriously on the wrong track, up from 48 percent in April. …
The president’s overall approval rating stands at 57 percent, 12 points lower than its April peak, as disapproval has ticked up to 40 percent, its highest yet. On specific issues, Obama received more mixed marks. A majority, 53 percent, now disapprove of his handling of the federal budget deficit, and his ratings on health care continue to deteriorate. On the marquee issue of the economy, 52 percent approve of his actions, unchanged from June.
Let’s deal with the sample first. The poll includes 35% Democrats, 25% Republicans, and 34% independents. That would make sense — if Obama had won the election by 14 points. He won it by seven, with independents and some Republicans breaking for Obama. Here’s a hint to pollsters: if you’re tracking a bigger gap between Democrats and Republicans than we saw in the presidential election, your sample is almost certainly unrepresentative of the electorate. At least it’s improved for WaPo/ABC, which had it at a ridiculous 13-point gap in June.
The skew explains why Obama still has a 57% approval rating in this poll when Rasmussen and Zogby have him under water and Gallup has him closing in on 50%. Even with the skew, his disapproval numbers have risen sharply, especially on ObamaCare, which is practically all anyone discusses. Half of the survey respondents oppose it, with 40% strongly opposed, compared to 45% approving and only 27% strongly approving. Obama is losing the argument, and the longer it continues, the more his overall numbers will erode with it.
WaPo/ABC sees independents as the key, as should Congressional Democrats facing elections next year. At the beginning of 2009, Obama had high ratings among independents, but no longer. Only 41% now trust Obama’s judgment, down from 61% in January. They disapprove of Obama’s handling of health care by 57%, almost all of whom strongly disapprove, and the same number oppose the policy itself. Among the half of independents that say ObamaCare will affect their vote in the midterms, they swing 2-1 to saying that they will oppose candidates who backed it.
Even the skewed samples don’t hide the fact that voters have finally realized that Obama is no genius, but an inexperienced politician, a lousy doctor, and an incompetent economist. And it’s only the seventh month of his presidency.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »
OK, until they awake…
\getalife
the adults are in charge. bearing false witness in polls ain’t gonna save you.
do I need to remind you the adults are in charge?
I recommend you take the child blocks off the Adult Channels.
/getalife
Yoop on August 21, 2009 at 10:50 AM
What’s he done to make it better?
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Obama is Number One!… with Bo, the White House dog.
Whose house he will be sharing in the months to come.
profitsbeard on August 21, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Coming from Krugman, an attack on the Left flank!
Obama is getting boxed in essentially by DKos on the Left upset he’s not doing enough and independents on the right fleeing b/c he’s doing too much. In the end, neither side is pleased.
LastRick on August 21, 2009 at 10:51 AM
*hehe* I’ll not hold you to that when I next annoy you.
I’m still for public option. I still think it would help small businesses, too.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 10:51 AM
1T. Rasmussen (11/1-3)**
1T. Pew (10/29-11/1)**
3. YouGov/Polimetrix (10/18-11/1)
4. Harris Interactive (10/20-27)
5. GWU (Lake/Tarrance) (11/2-3)*
6T. Diageo/Hotline (10/31-11/2)*
6T. ARG (10/25-27)*
8T. CNN (10/30-11/1)
8T. Ipsos/McClatchy (10/30-11/1)
10. DailyKos.com (D)/Research 2000 (11/1-3)
11. AP/Yahoo/KN (10/17-27)
12. Democracy Corps (D) (10/30-11/2)
13. FOX (11/1-2)
14. Economist/YouGov (10/25-27)
15. IBD/TIPP (11/1-3)
16. NBC/WSJ (11/1-2)
17. ABC/Post (10/30-11/2)
18. Marist College (11/3)
19. CBS (10/31-11/2)
20. Gallup (10/31-11/2)
21. Reuters/ C-SPAN/ Zogby (10/31-11/3)
22. CBS/Times (10/25-29)
23. Newsweek (10/22-23)
JeffinSac on August 21, 2009 at 10:51 AM
There can only be one answer. Independents are racists!
jukin on August 21, 2009 at 10:52 AM
The new endangered species, the FOBO
Friends
Of
Barack
Obama
jeff_from_mpls on August 21, 2009 at 10:52 AM
May I suggest that while the Statists leftists are busy flushing themselves down the toilet of history, we keep race out of the discussion and keep it civil.
Chainsaw56 on August 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM
perhaps a large group of unwise, gullible people who thought someone from Chicago would be different.
it really does matter when one has no experience, no history & applies for the job of president. it shouldn’t matter how pretty the words that come out of his mouth are but his body of work. in obama’s case – he has no body of work – at least nothing that makes him eligible to be the president. now his words are sounding foolish & he’s expecting us all to play along with his foolish notions. people do wise up & yes, even some in the press will wise up once his teat dries up and they remove their mouth from his body part.
if he could just once admit he is wrong on an issue it would mean alot. as i have always said – his pride will cause him to smack the ground hard.
poppieseeds on August 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Some MSM Martha Vinyard pictures of MO in a bikini and BO in his speedo swim trunks ought to raise the polls back up. /sarc
farright on August 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Poll Accuracy in the 2008 Presidential Election
oops posted too soon, that is the poll accuracy from the Presidential election and notice where ABC/Post is.
JeffinSac on August 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM
That a girl.
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Well THAT didn’t take long.
I may have missed your points about how it will help small businesses. Could you provide a few reasons why? What sized businesses are you referring to? $250K or greater? All businesses?
I’m curious. Thanks, Ann.
VibrioCocci on August 21, 2009 at 10:54 AM
I’m game: Why?
How?
LastRick on August 21, 2009 at 10:55 AM
They just really aren’t all that into you, Barry.
wildcat84 on August 21, 2009 at 10:55 AM
I’m amazed by hopw many Obama bumper stickers I still DO see here in Delaware.
Of course, this is Biden country. A lot of idiots here are just rooting for the home team. I still see a few “Joe” stickers, but not as many as a year ago.
UltimateBob on August 21, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Of course, on the bright side, after this is over, the nation will know what kind of person not to elect.
elduende on August 21, 2009 at 10:55 AM
FIFY
VibrioCocci on August 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM
It’s a tough argument to make, what with the mandate for employers to provide coverage or face additional taxes, but Ann, I’m sure, will give it a shot.
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Blood in the water…or maybe “wee-wee” in the water.
Wyznowski on August 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM
The progressives are very perturbed by the coop idea being pushed by the blue dawgs. They really don’t like Obama suggesting he might be open to that compromise, since that would not really challenge the healthcare insurance industry much at all.
Personally, I see that the Dems simply didn’t get out in front on selling their plan. But public opinion is also changeable. If they get a plan through, and it works, then the public opinion will reflect confidence.
My concern is that they’ll pass something that doesn’t really address much and call it a day.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM
If she would really wake up and smell the roses, consistently, every day for two weeks, even if I disagreed with her on some points, I’d be happy to call a truce and give her a bouquet of roses. People can change. It’s possible.
Of course, if she went back to concern trolling, that would be the end of the truce.
Loxodonta on August 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Does the same hold true for me?
Chainsaw56 on August 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM
So do I. I can’t imagine that the egregious tax increases that will result as a consequence of a public option could possibly hurt small businesses…especially if they decide to stay with a private provider and STILL have to pay those egregious tax increases.
Watch the economy flourish, stimulus-style.
MadisonConservative on August 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM
SEIU Thug: “UH, wait a minute, boss. Didn’t I see a piece on MSNBC where those hicks are carrying. On second thought, send Bobby and Jim over there.”
Yoop on August 21, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Made me think of this, and yes, this is a depiction of the American people wising up. Sorry (in advance).
NickelAndDime on August 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
“Even the skewed samples don’t hide the fact that voters have finally realized that Obama is no genius, but an inexperienced politician, a lousy doctor, and an incompetent economist. And it’s only the seventh month of his presidency.”
.. a fitting epitaph, Ed.
Actually, one wonders if the skew might even be worse for the Democrats than you speculate. Merely attributing an over-polling of 7% versus the election margin does not take into to account the democrats who will undoubtedly have disavowed themselves of this idiot. I’m thinking of the “I told ya so” Clintonistas.
It’s fun to watch the daily Rasmussen numbers oscillate between 5-9% ~~ and that range sinks ever lower as well. It seems every time The Boy King opens his mouth and flaps his lips, the negatives increase and when he goes away and has one of those preciously rare STFU moments the negatives..
..well, they don’t increase as much.
VoyskaPVO on August 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Small businesses will have a choice of opting out, paying the tax, and reducing overhead. The tax is less than providing insurance.
Also, the insurance industry might find some way to reduce premiums and offer an alternative to keep the business. It would be nice to see the small businessperson get something besides notices of renewal increases and lowered benefits for a change.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
I applaud your optimism.
VibrioCocci on August 21, 2009 at 10:59 AM
My concern is that they’ll pass something that doesn’t really address much and call it a day.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 10:56 AM
well yeah….that’s how the demonrats do things
SHARPTOOTH on August 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM
I know I said it before, but it’s the trend.
Over on the Headlines thread, I pointed out that there is a certain disconnect between those that believe that Obama will do what’s best for the country (specifically, a great or good amount of confidence) and those that approve of Obama’s job performance (8-points’ spread, at a minimum 14% of the approvers). Now, why do you suppose those a significant portion of those who have at most just some confidence that Obama will do what’s best for the country approve of his job performance?
That would be an interesting crosstab to see.
steveegg on August 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM
My opinion?
No bouquet today!
Loxodonta on August 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM
And Poof!, those lower costs to employers come out of thin air…absolutely no other dollars are required to replace them! Obamagic!
NickelAndDime on August 21, 2009 at 11:01 AM
She’s not concern trolling. She’s genuine, and extremely naive.
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Small businesses will have to pay the tax one way or another. We will go from a situation with no tax for a public option to everyone paying the tax for the public option, and then having to choose whether to pay for premium health care or the government’s substandard option. This is why your side’s claim of “competition” is a canard, because their public option is funded by tax dollars rather than revenues, and therefore cannot fail as a result of losing business.
MadisonConservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Think so? If he can’t deliver single-payer healthcare to his special interests he’s going have to deliver something.
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 11:02 AM
So either way the small business ends up with increased costs (providing insurance to hourly and part-time employees or paying additional taxes). How’s that help them?
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 11:02 AM
So, let me get this straight, PO is a good idea b/c small businesses will dump health care plans, pushing more citizens into the govt-run plan, which is funded by the people? Since there will be more citizens using the govt program, taxes will have to go up on everyone.
In a sense, small businesses will “save” money in one form, but pay it in another form: a shell game.
LastRick on August 21, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I’m prepared to lose this one, for sure. I do think I’ll see some of the more egregious practices eliminated in the industry, such as purging patients during treatment, etc.
That will be a step forward.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Sorry. I would love to be wrong, but I disagree.
Loxodonta on August 21, 2009 at 11:05 AM
And then what happens when most, if not all, businesses decide to pay the tax because it’s cheaper than providing insurance?
ladyingray on August 21, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Well, we can try to edgejumcate her, at least she seems willing to listen to a certain extent.
Chainsaw56 on August 21, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Some MSM Martha Vinyard pictures of MO in a bikini and BO in his speedo swim trunks ought to raise the polls back up. /sarc
farright on August 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Thanks a lot… I just had lunch… Pass the pepto…
Khun Joe on August 21, 2009 at 11:06 AM
I caught that too. A sizeable chunk of people approve of President Obama, even though they don’t think he’ll do what’s best for the country.
Not quite as shocking as the 47% that don’t dissaprove of his handling of the deficit, though.
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 11:06 AM
I could respond with the entire C Street House, but I was speaking of a morally bankrupt ideology — of political party which has systematically ignored the decline of the American middle class and closes off options for the poor in favor of allowing the wealthy and powerful to accrue more wealth and power. Which campaigns almost entirely on lies and fear. Which pretends greed and raw self-interest is a philosophy and not an excuse.
Bleeds Blue on August 21, 2009 at 11:06 AM
I notice tort reform isn’t among her priorities.
a capella on August 21, 2009 at 11:06 AM
The tax proposed now is 8% of payroll taxes, isn’t it? That’s doable. The funding is also coming from premiums from the individual and from taxes on the upper income levels.
Plus, people could take those jobs without benefits and it wouldn’t be such an issue. Right now, small business can’t compete for good labor because they can’t offer the benefits packages.
This would change the playing field for them in terms of hiring people. That alone is worth 8% to a lot of businesses.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Lol. I swear I’m the only one who likes her. But she at least seems intellectually curious. I think there’s room for growth.
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Exactly what Democrats want but (most) are afraid to say out loud: The Trojan Horse.
LastRick on August 21, 2009 at 11:10 AM
There is no way this madness will not increase costs and small business, as usual, will be the first one with the increased costs.
I still say that if this is such a huge problem, put everyone on medicare and figure out how to pay for it. Why do we need a whole new government program?
Could it be control?
ORconservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I never even figured out what a concern troll is to you guys. I guess it’s when I express concern that some right-wing idea is a turn-off to moderates.
Right now, the left-wing has turned off moderates, so everyone is pretty even. *haha Calling old people “brown shirts” and wagging about astroturfing makes no sense when you look at who is really showing up upset at Townhalls. Surely most people are rolling their eyes at DC insiders about now for ignoring the obvious.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Have you seen the new thread?
Disturb the Universe on August 21, 2009 at 11:11 AM
I always felt that way about DeathToMediaHacks, the only person who liked them. Wonder what happened to them?
LastRick on August 21, 2009 at 11:12 AM
but I was speaking of a morally bankrupt ideology — of political party which has systematically ignored the decline of the American middle class and closes off options for the poor in favor of allowing the wealthy and powerful to accrue more wealth and power. Which campaigns almost entirely on lies and fear. Which pretends greed and raw self-interest is a philosophy and not an excuse.
Bleeds Blue on August 21, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Oh, so you’re talking about the Democratic Party and their Socialist policies discouraging personal achievement.
kingsjester on August 21, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Bankrupting the country isn’t morally bankrupt, Blue?
Chuck Schick on August 21, 2009 at 11:12 AM
That’s the proposal. The stimulus was supposed to be a lot less than it was. It’s going to be a lot more, just like every other tax initiative swells, and you know it.
So businesses are supposed to compete better with more taxes being levied on them?
If they can’t afford insurance now, how are they supposed to afford it with more taxes being forced on them? Again, the idea of a public option being “competition” is an utter lie because the public option’s funds come from government-confiscated taxes, not revenues brought in because the health care has quality service. That’s not competition.
MadisonConservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:12 AM
That’s because you’re hoping to pop your cherry. Not gonna happen. Go back to craigslist.
MadisonConservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Just stop right there. Are you suggesting that insurance companies don’t try to keep premiums down now? I know this might be a hard concept for you to understand but insurance companies only make a profit if they attract customers. This whole idea that somehow there is all sorts of dollars that can be freed out of the insurance companies is a lie repeatedly put forth by the filthy liar. It is no more true now than it was the first time he said it. All your public plan would do in undercut the private insurance with public funds, drive the private companies out of business and force everyone into care that is substandard to the current system.
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 11:14 AM
You’re describing Democrats, right?
-Ignores the decline of the middle class? Dems raise taxes – this affects EVERYONE negatively.
-closes off options for the poor? Dems favor enslaving the poor with welfare/food stamps over getting out of poverty
-campaigns almost entirely on lies and fear? Five words for you: Barack Obama: Hope and Change
VibrioCocci on August 21, 2009 at 11:14 AM
I think he lost 3 points just for saying “wee wee.”
Daggett on August 21, 2009 at 11:14 AM
“Obama does not have a clue. Now the people finally know it, no thanks to the MSM that pimped him to us.
shaken”
Actually shaken, obama does have a clue. He KNOWS exactly what he is doing, he is paving the way to become our permanent
president, ruler.margretto on August 21, 2009 at 11:14 AM
The other reform I’m pretty sure we’ll see is eliminating the pre-existing condition clauses. That will restore healthcare to its original concept, which is to spread out the risks among the group.
The insurance companies have to knock off some of the tactics they have been using more and more.
Neither of these reforms fully addresses the problem of cost. We simply have way too many people who will remain uninsured. Hopefully, it will be mostly those who are healthy and young and working in jobs that don’t pay well enough to buy insurance.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 11:15 AM
I think we can agree that just on a basic level Government is Always less efficient that the private sector.
Can we all agree on that? Ann?
Chainsaw56 on August 21, 2009 at 11:15 AM
No, they can’t. The bill has provisions requiring businesses above a certain payroll threshold to provide insurance or pay additional taxes. Either way it costs the business more money, which forces them to pass those costs onto consumers.
This is whole deception behind creating a public option. It is impossible, no matter what President Obama says, to create a government run program and NOT have taxes/costs go up on the private sector (businesses and individuals). Government programs do not create wealth or profit, they only distribute the wealth of other people.
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Ann, could you at least confine your moronic talking points to the health care threads? I don’t think that’s too much to ask, do you?
Chuck Schick on August 21, 2009 at 11:15 AM
I hate you.
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 11:16 AM
The same as other sites: when you pretend to be a partisan but are always “concerned”, thus deteriorating the message of this site. The difference being at DKos you would be booted, here you’re laughed at.
LastRick on August 21, 2009 at 11:16 AM
You have to remember, you’re addressing people who think that another insurance provider that gets its money by extortion is “competitive”. If any private insurance provider used the same means to get their capital that the government does, they’d be indicted for RICO violations.
MadisonConservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I think they have done a poor job of holding down their costs. Their administrative methodology is absolutely ridiculous. The paperwork alone in some of these plans has increased costs in doctor’s offices, too.
Time to get efficient.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 11:17 AM
My offer remains open. I would love to give away a bouquet of roses.
This may help, but each one does it differently, using different styles, techniques and toward different ends. Close and long-term observation is necessary. In my opinion, the best way to deal with a Concern Troll is to compltely ignore it unless a falsehood must be corrected, then only quote the false claim and correct it. And educate other posters.
Of course, this is just my opinion and I may well be wrong. Every poster is a judge, deciding whether and how to respond to each post read. My best wishes to you.
Loxodonta on August 21, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Desperation is a stinky cologne.
MadisonConservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:18 AM
When…WHEN has the government EVER done anything more efficient than the private sector?
WHEN?
MadisonConservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:18 AM
By hicks carrying, I suppose you are referring to the black libertarian masquerading as a honkey? You are probably one of those liberals with a selective memory retention that thinks Sarah Palin said she could see Russia from her house instead of Tina Fey on SNL. You selective memory liberals will lie, cheat, steal, or believe any far fetched notion if it advances your socialist agenda.
Old Country Boy on August 21, 2009 at 11:18 AM
And that’s when they’re saying “nice” things about him.
GarandFan on August 21, 2009 at 11:18 AM
They’re doing that all wrong, though. If they’re going to eliminate pre-existing condition lock-out, they need to allow insurance companies to compete out of state. That spreads the cost better and keeps the price of insurance lower.
But Obama isn’t interested in solving the problems. In fact, solving the problem would be counterproductive to his goal. He’s only interested in government control of health care.
Daggett on August 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Oh, in that case, I don’t qualify. I’ve always said I’m not GOP, except in the last presidential election. That was my first vote ever for GOP.
And I’ve always stated I’m for public option.
Pretending is too much work. *haha
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Im all for tort reform.
I am sick of seeing those commercials…”if you’ve taken the drug ____ and have suffered ____, you may be eligible to join in our class action suit.
becki51758 on August 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Funny thing that no one ever talks about. An insurance company’s statistical models don’t work if they’re only receiving premiums from old and sick people. They have to attract young and healthy people who are unlikely to make a lot of claims.
The only way they attact young and healthy people, who don’t really need anything other than catastrophic coverage, is to keep their premiums as low as possible.
It’s why the industry, on average, barely has a 3% profit margin. One of the dirty little secrets that the Democrats don’t want anyone to figure out.
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM
You might be right about that. Why just yesterday I heard that the Kennedy’s have built public housing on their various estates and Nancy Pelosi tore down her vineyards to make room for a public farming co-op.
You really need to try harder.
Bishop on August 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Isn’t that the concept behind the coop idea that is in the Senate?
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 11:20 AM
How about just extending eligibility a bit to cover those caught in the “insurance gap” of making too much for Medicaid but not making enough to afford insurance? If the debate were just about healthcare, this approach would make much more sense and the bill (while formidible) would be manageable. But of course, healthcare reform isn’t about healthcare. It is a leftist attempt to get government entrenched in everyday life to unprecedented levels of oppression. It’s all about control and that is what is driving the filthy liar onward despite the clear signs that the public is against state seizure of healthcare.
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 11:20 AM
When the cost to cover is more than the profit margin then either go out of business or fire low performing people.
chemman on August 21, 2009 at 11:20 AM
His poll numbers are slipping now, but wait if we get crap and trade, inflation, bust in the commercial mortgage market, continuing housing defaults and the erosion of the dollar. This last point may be longer in coming because the other currencies and countries are equally in trouble if not worse. The jobs market will probably be the biggest of all no matter how it is spinmeisters play it.
hip shot on August 21, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Whoa. Read closer. Jeez.
MadisonConservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Ann, Ann, Ann, Are you REALLY suggesting that government involvement will make things MORE Efficient??????????
Chainsaw56 on August 21, 2009 at 11:21 AM
I am reminded of an old Chinese adage: “Talk won’t cook the rice!” All Obama and his Communist Cronies have done is run their mouths instead of addressing the depression that is punishing American citizens. They are trying to talk us into reparations and socialism instead of creating jobs and reviving our economic engines that their policies have brought to a halt! The supporters of Obama now realize they have been had! They need jobs and they can decide where to spend their earnings This bunch of fools in the Democratic Party are fiddling while Rome burns! We must trade these Clunkers in the next elections!
Marco on August 21, 2009 at 11:22 AM
The government is NEVER more efficient than the private sector. NEVER.
Look at the huge joke known as cash for clunkers. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe that debacle is not more in the news. Simple concept totally f’d up by government.
ORconservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Who knows? Nothing is on paper. Schumer wants a single national co-op which is stupid because that is just the public plan with another name. There is also the idea of regional co-ops so that the pool is larger since many rural states don’t have the population of uninsureds necessary to make a viable pool. Then there is the 50-state co-op discussion.
The sticking point, however, is going to be what happens if the co-op is unsuccessful. The administration appears to be setting it up for government takeover. Essentially backdooring the public plan by setting up the co-ops to fail.
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Actually, you guys are the ones saying it will drive out private insurance.
I personally don’t see that happening, ever. People will always buy insurance, and there will always be private policies to purchase.
But if that’s the fear from conservatives, then obviously, the government must be able to provide insurance at a lower cost. That’s your argument against the public option, right?
I understand it’s the overhead. The private insurance companies have mucked it up.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 11:24 AM
When Clinton was president, employment rose to its highest levels in decades, middle class incomes rose, welfare was reformed, access to college and health care was expanded.
Under Bush, middle class incomes declined, employment never reached the levels it did under Clinton, record numbers were uninsured, and he fought to protect profits of lenders rather than lower the payments of students.
And Barack has certainly brought change — and hope in the face of mindless and amoral obstructionism.
Bleeds Blue on August 21, 2009 at 11:24 AM
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Exactly, this conversation really has not a gd thing to do with healthcare.
ORconservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Madison Conservative at 11:13 AM-
Deperation is
a stinkyObama’s cologne.FISO
(Fixed It Sort Of)
profitsbeard on August 21, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Wait, maybe 10 million MORE people have become democrats SINCE spring 2009….
that’s what the poll samples imply
right?
right?
i can’t even imagine what someone who WASNT a democrat in november 2008 but IS a democrat in august 2009 looks like?
A little help guys?
battleoflepanto1571 on August 21, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Ann, if you honestly believe that driving the insurance companies out of business is not the goal, you are an utter fool.
But you’re in good company.
ORconservative on August 21, 2009 at 11:27 AM
That sounds great to me. My idea was to offer 2 plans. One a major medical policy, subsidized for those who can’t afford much. The other a plan that is Medicare, with a fair pricetag and lower subsidies.
AnninCA on August 21, 2009 at 11:27 AM
ROFLOL.
chemman on August 21, 2009 at 11:27 AM
M_Laveau on August 21, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Bamster wee-weed on his poll numbers.
farright on August 21, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »