Gingersnap
08-10-2009, 10:44 AM
Drooping polls undercut scripted protest claims
By Jon Ward (Contact)
Originally published 04:45 a.m., August 10, 2009, updated 08:04 a.m., August 10, 2009
The White House's claim that large and boisterous protests against health care reform over the past week have been scripted performances, underwritten by industry lobbyists and the Republican Party, continues to run into a stubborn reality check: public polling on the matter.
For more than two weeks, polls have consistently shown growing resistance to President Obama's reform proposals, largely because of concerns about the nation's deficit and debt.
"There are a number of statistically valid public opinion polls that show that there has been a dramatic increase in public concern about escalating deficits and debt levels and our nation's increased reliance on foreign lenders," said David Walker, the nation's former comptroller general.
Mr. Walker, who as president of the nonpartisan Peter G. Peterson Foundation since 2008 has spearheaded an effort to raise public awareness about the country's long-term fiscal problems, said that the American people are "ahead of their elected officials" in understanding the need to rein in spending before expanding health care coverage.
"They get it," he said. "Costs are out of control, and they threaten the future of this country. And you cannot reduce cost by expanding coverage. That's an oxymoron."
Polls have not always shown outright opposition to the specifics of Mr. Obama's desired goals -- something his allies have been quick to point out, if only to argue that the overall numbers render the polls useless or are a sign of confusion among the electorate.
But within the same polls that show support for a government-run insurance option or for higher taxes on top earners, there has been disapproval of the president's handling of health care reform. Those polls also show that support for Mr. Obama's reforms are trumped by fears that government spending is running away with the country's future.
Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/10/drooping-polls-undercut-claims-of-scripted-protest/)
By Jon Ward (Contact)
Originally published 04:45 a.m., August 10, 2009, updated 08:04 a.m., August 10, 2009
The White House's claim that large and boisterous protests against health care reform over the past week have been scripted performances, underwritten by industry lobbyists and the Republican Party, continues to run into a stubborn reality check: public polling on the matter.
For more than two weeks, polls have consistently shown growing resistance to President Obama's reform proposals, largely because of concerns about the nation's deficit and debt.
"There are a number of statistically valid public opinion polls that show that there has been a dramatic increase in public concern about escalating deficits and debt levels and our nation's increased reliance on foreign lenders," said David Walker, the nation's former comptroller general.
Mr. Walker, who as president of the nonpartisan Peter G. Peterson Foundation since 2008 has spearheaded an effort to raise public awareness about the country's long-term fiscal problems, said that the American people are "ahead of their elected officials" in understanding the need to rein in spending before expanding health care coverage.
"They get it," he said. "Costs are out of control, and they threaten the future of this country. And you cannot reduce cost by expanding coverage. That's an oxymoron."
Polls have not always shown outright opposition to the specifics of Mr. Obama's desired goals -- something his allies have been quick to point out, if only to argue that the overall numbers render the polls useless or are a sign of confusion among the electorate.
But within the same polls that show support for a government-run insurance option or for higher taxes on top earners, there has been disapproval of the president's handling of health care reform. Those polls also show that support for Mr. Obama's reforms are trumped by fears that government spending is running away with the country's future.
Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/10/drooping-polls-undercut-claims-of-scripted-protest/)