Poll: Liberals (almost) Entirely United Behind Passing Health Bill

[andym]

I added the almost because 3% opposition is still a real number and 8% have no opinion.
You might not guess from DU where there is still substantial opposition, but the latest PPP poll has interesting numbers suggesting overwhelming liberal support. Why the disparity? DU'ers are far more progressive than most self-identifying liberals. (see here for an idea of how much: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7349242) Essentially, Du'ers are in the progressive vanguard. Here, even most supporters of the current effort, expect more in the future, like a public option and a path to single-payer.

from
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/poll-liberals-entirely-united-behind-passing-health-bill/

Poll: Liberals Entirely United Behind Passing Health Bill

One of the more interesting health care subplots, as I’ve noted here, is the surprisingly high degree of consensus emerging on the left that passing the flawed Senate bill with a fix is best way forward — something which, earlier in the debate, seemed anything but assured.

The latest from Public Policy Polling illustrates this as dramatically as you could want:
Dennis Kucinich’s flip on the health care vote this morning is symbolic of a broader shift among liberals. Last month 73% said they supported the plan with 19% opposed. Now 89% say they support the plan with only 3% opposed. Whether it’s because of the President’s increasing visibility on the issue or because liberals finally decided the current bill is as good as they’re going to get and better than nothing, there’s been a big rise in support since early February.

The shift has come completely with Democratic voters. A month ago 39% of independents said they supported it, now 40% do. A month ago 10% of Republicans said the supported it, and that’s now actually down to 8%. But Democratic support has risen from 63% to 76% in the last month. Obama seems to have succeeded in better unifying the party around his goals.

Only three percent of liberals oppose passing the plan — down 16 points. That illustrates pretty clearly that those arguing that the bill shouldn’t be passed because it’s irrevocably flawed have lost the argument.

[NJmaverick]

1. Glad to see the real world is more sensible than the DU world

[Warpy]

14. Yeah, politics is the art of displeasing everybody

and you know the insurance industry and the Republicans are displeased by this bill so there has to be something in it for the rest of us.

Will they have to revisit this issue? Oh, yeah, and sooner rather than later, it's not going to hold off the crisis for long.

However, it's better than nothing. I know, I've lived with nothing since 1987.

[onehandle]

18. As always. nt

[ShortnFiery]

2. Think again. eom

[dionysus]

4. you'll never understand you belong to such a miniscule, tiny group, will you?

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EFerrari]

17. And you'll never understand that belonging to a large group is not particularly a virtue.

[Marr]

22. Remember that in November when you're looking for someone to blame.

You can't blame electoral losses on a "miniscule, tiny group", after all. A group is either irrelevant or it is not.

[NJmaverick]

31. So the fringe group is going to be working or at least hoping for GOP victories?!?!

that's bad.... VERY BAD!

[Marr]

37. Calm down. Where did I say that?

If you alienate a group, they will be unlikely come out and vote for you. At least-- not in the record numbers seen last time.

That's not the same thing as voting for the GOP, or even "hoping for GOP victories"... though I'm not sure why that should hold any magical power.

[Alexander]

44. They'll sit on their ass and do nothing, like they always do.

It's much easier to whine on the Internet than actually go out and work for a campaign.

[krabigirl]

29. lol, don't worry, soon you will feel the same, trust me.

I guess you think people like to be FORCED to buy something that just enriches big insurance companies.

I am so surprised that the Republicans don't love this bill..I mean it's a gift to their corporate gods.

[NJmaverick]

33. the alternative is that you are wrong about the bill being a corporate gift

and that is why the GOP is opposed.

[ShortnFiery]

34. You wish.

I honestly believe that my views are harbored by a significant percentage of the American people. I'm just courageous or fool enough to announce it. ;)

[Alexander]

45. Yes, 3% plus the voices in your head make up a solid majority of Americans!!!!!!11!!!

:rofl:

[Alexander]

3. That 3% must all post on DU.

Kind of similar to the 2% or so Kucinich got in his presidential runs.

[DJ13]

5. I cant believe real liberals would support mandating purchase of a product

[Raineyb]

8. Considering what passes for left in this country who knows if they even bothered to ask actual

liberals?

[andym]

15. self-identifying liberals may not be "real" liberals

according to the standards of many here. That's because the average self-identifying liberal (or progressive) is significantly to the right of a "pure" progressive/liberal. Du'ers are just more progressive than many.

The results on the "progressive" quiz I linked to earlier showed a mean DU value of ~330/400.
Compare with the reference values taken in the American progress poll:
For reference (American Progress' partial results from a poll conducted earlier this year)
mean scores (by self-identification):
Progressives 237.6
Democrats 237.7
Liberals 242.3
2008 Obams voters 244.0
Liberal Democrats 247.1

[Alexander]

10. Yeah, Sanders' single-payer amendment for the states was just an insurance giveaway.

:eyes:

[DJ13]

13. There were more traditional ways to pay for it

I think mandates is a Republican "bootstrap" approach thats not in our best interests.

[Alexander]

16. Just pointing out that the bill isn't as horrible as some DUers make it out to be.

I for one welcome passage of Bernie Sanders' single-payer amendment.

[DJ13]

19. I would too

[no limit]

39. It isn't as great as you try to make it out to be. Millions of people will be hurt by this

[Alexander]

41. Millions of people are being hurt by doing nothing. This is the best bill that could be passed.

I am disappointed that a public option didn't get through. But the reality is the votes for it did not exist.

At least with Sanders' amendment, liberal-leaning states can choose to go the single-payer route - and it sets precedent for such a bill down the road.

[krabigirl]

28. seriously...this is pretty much a fascist bill

[no limit]

40. Your reply is fascist

[Owl]

6. Yea!!!!

[SharonRB]

9. I think the 3% is the membership at FDL

with another group from DU.

[Oregone]

11. Newsflash: Liberals aren't liberal anymore

Mass majority faithfully favors what party leadership wants

[NJmaverick]

24. !

:spray:

[mmonk]

12. Well that makes it right then.

Or they are desperate and bad is better than nothing.

[dflprincess]

21. The article does speculate that the increase in support is that liberals

have decided this scam is as good as it will get. Which is a pretty pathetic reason for caving into pharma and the insurance companies.

Hey, but don't worry, they'll "fix" it later. :sarcasm:

[Beetwasher]

20. They're Not REAL Liberals!

[NJmaverick]

26. Who defines "real liberals"? You?

[Beetwasher]

27. Yes! Me And Other Loudmouths On DU!!

Only we get to decide.

Psst: (In case you can't tell I was being sarcastic)

[andym]

23. Du'ers are in the progressive vanguard

that's why there is more opposition here. Here, even most supporters of the current effort, expect more in the future, like a public option and a path to single-payer.

Self-identifying liberals in the polling world are substantially to the right of DU.

But vanguards exist partially to lead, and it is here (and places like it), that the push for change to the left will begin.

[NJmaverick]

25. More like the self destructive fringe movement

[andym]

30. I think that the push from the left is very helpful

I think we would have gotten a more progressive bill had the progressive left made a greater effort to demand more progressive legislation.
Traditionally, it is useful to have leftwards pressure. For example, some argue that FDR created SS partially in response to the threat of Huey Long on his left.

[NJmaverick]

35. A push is good, but too many have engaged in very destructive practices

that have helped the right and the GOP

[andym]

36. As long as widespread dissatisfaction is not a result,

I think that the vocal call for more progressive legislation is good. Of course, the more constructive the method, the more people will be convinced. It's true however that hyperbole and demonization are tools best forgotten by all concerned.

[NJmaverick]

38. Agreed

[sufrommich]

32. The vanguard? Please. nt

[Scurrilous]

42. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Vinca]

43. I'm only supporting it because it will be the only way to truly demonstrate

that for-profit insurance companies are not the way to solve this problem. It will take hardship for many before the idiots in Washington - and that's truly what they are - wake up and start talking single payer. It's a shame we have to waste time on this, but it appears that is what it's going to take.