WHAT THAT POST/ABC POLL DOES (AND DOES NOT) SAY....

[Mass]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_07/019158.php

The poll does, however, tell us a few relevant details. For example, when given a choice on who Americans trust more on reforming the health care system, 54% prefer the president, while only 34% back congressional Republicans.

Even more important, when the basics of the plan are described to respondents, including Republican-friendly phrasing ("government-run"), a majority of Americans support the reform proposal. This was left out of the Reuters report altogether.

13. Thinking about health care, one proposal to insure nearly everyone would require all Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty on their income tax, excluding those with lower incomes. It would require most employers to offer health coverage or pay a fee. There would be a government-run plan to compete with private insurers. And income taxes on people earning more than 280-thousand dollars a year would be raised to help fund the program. Taken together, would you support or oppose this plan? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
7/18/09 54 32 23 43 10 33 3

Given the very pro=Republican terms of the question, the fact that 54 % support the plan is good news.

[Drunken Irishman]

1. 54% is a mandate!

[theoldman]

2. How can people have an opinion on a plan that they do not understand?

From what I have read and heard on TV the plan has not been finalized. The one thing I agree with Obama is that anything will be better than what we have got.

[Mass]

3. The question was not about Obama's plan, but the plan as described in the question.