Bad polling exaggerates support for repeal

[Swede]

But when pollsters ask more nuanced questions that offer a range of options -- such as repealing parts of the law, or even expanding it -- support for full repeal drops significantly. There's no denying that the law is unpopular. The question, though, is whether its unpopularity necessarily translates into direct support for full repeal. More careful polling suggests the answer is No.

New numbers from this week's Washington Post/ABC News poll bear this out yet again. The pollsters first asked people whether they support the law, and found that 45 percent back it, while 50 percent oppose it and 5 percent have no opinion. That latter 55 percent were then offered a range of options as to what they would prefer be done. The breakdown:

Repeal all of it: 18

Repeal parts of it: 19

Wait and see: 17

Less than one in five support full repeal. And this mirrors other examples of the nuanced polling we've seen. The Associated Press released a poll this weekend finding that 43 percent want the law changed so it does more, versus only 26 percent who want it fully repealed. A Marist poll last week found the same, with 35 percent wanting the law expanded versus 30 percent who want it scrapped completely.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/01/bad_polling_exaggerates_suppor.html

[yourout]

1. I wonder why..."Repeal mandate" is not one of the choices.