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Republican attacks on President Barack Obamas policies are resonating with voters, even as many Americans give a thumbs-down to the party and some of its specific ideas, a Bloomberg National Poll shows.
Three weeks before the midterm elections, Republicans maintain a position of strength due to the commitment of their supporters and the likelihood they will vote.
The general Republican message of less spending, lower taxes and repeal of the health-care overhaul is connecting. Pluralities of those polled support overturning the health-care measure -- Obamas signature legislative accomplishment -- and back the Pledge to America that offers a road map for how Republicans would govern if they win congressional majorities.
Still, the poll suggests voters arent embracing Republicans as much as they are rejecting Democrats. ...
The poll finds Republicans in an anomalous position -- poised to make political gains while the party and its policies are unpopular. That stands in contrast to midterm elections in 1994 and 2006, when the insurgent party gained congressional control after polls showed voter attitudes tilting toward them.
Unfavorable View
In the Bloomberg Poll, almost half of likely voters -- 49 percent -- said they had an unfavorable view of the Republicans. Democrats have a narrow advantage on favorability, 47 percent to 45 percent.
In October 1994, the month before Republicans won enough seats to gain control of both the U.S. House and Senate, their party had a 7 percentage point advantage in positive ratings among registered voters, according to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. In October 2006, before Democrats retook control of both chambers, a NBC/Journal poll showed their party with a sizable popularity advantage over Republicans. ...
Much of Obamas focus in his first year was on passing the health-care overhaul that aims to insure tens of millions of Americans, cut costs and bar insurers from rejecting customers with pre-existing medical conditions. In the new Bloomberg poll, the measures repeal is favored by 47 percent of likely voters, while 42 percent say it should be left alone.
Still, the poll found strong backing for most of the laws provisions. Three-quarters favor its ban on insurance companies denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions; 67 percent support allowing children up to age 26 to stay on their parents policies. Also, 73 percent want to keep the addition of more prescription-drug benefits for those on Medicare.
Eight Provisions
Among eight of the laws provisions on which the poll sought opinions, repeal was backed by a majority of likely voters for just two: requiring everyone to have health insurance and taxing companies that offer especially generous coverage. ...
The Republican Pledge to America is viewed as a good idea by 48 percent of likely voters, compared with 39 percent who term it a bad idea. Also, more than half agreed with a statement that the federal budget deficit is dangerously out of control and threatens our economic future.
The Republican pledge is short on specific proposals. Keeping the promise to cut an estimated $100 billion from the federal budget next year, though, implicitly would slash spending for education, cancer research and aid to local police and firefighters, among other items.
Deficit Reduction
Most likely voters are opposed or lukewarm to sacrifices often mentioned in debates on reducing the deficit.
At least half said that among 12 ideas that are commonly broached, a third should be taken off the table. These include raising the age of eligibility for Medicare, privatizing Social Security and reducing federal funding for disease research.
Almost half of likely voters say the idea of cutting federal spending on roads, bridges and public transportation shouldnt be considered, and theres a comparable level of opposition to raising the age for Social Security benefits.
On whether to renew tax-rate reductions enacted under President George W. Bush that are to expire at years end -- an issue that is dividing the parties -- likely voters are closer to Obamas position.
A plurality of them -- 43 percent -- support his goal of continuing the lower rates for individual income up to $200,000 and up to $250,000 for couples filing jointly, which accounts for about 97 percent of taxpayers, according to Internal Revenue Service data. Support for the Republican push to extend the cuts for all tax brackets was at 34 percent, while 20 percent backed letting all the reductions expire to help cut the deficit.
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What they're in favor of is the idea of reform.Interestingly, on health care, Americans are generally in favor of the reform, with one exception, and that is forcing people or companies to buy and pay for it.
The one "exception" is they oppose Obamacare.
Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
Republicans Unpopular, Just Less So than Democrats
Free ice cream is popular, too.The one "exception" is they oppose Obamacare.
Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
Eight of the 10 provisions asked in the poll regarding "Obamacare" are popular.
Free ice cream is popular, too.The one "exception" is they oppose Obamacare.
Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
Eight of the 10 provisions asked in the poll regarding "Obamacare" are popular.
Well, it has driven premiums through the roof and caused several companies to stop writing new policies.Has any of Obamacare worked the way we were told it would?
Well, it has driven premiums through the roof and caused several companies to stop writing new policies.Has any of Obamacare worked the way we were told it would?
Oooooh...You mean has it worked the way that the Obammytrons told us it would!....Um, nope.
The reform of the Republican Party hasn't completed yet, and the new comers will need to prove themselves. The transition of the Republican Party away from Democrat-like behavior has a long way to go.
Meanwhile the Democrats will accuse Republicans of cutting teachers, cops, and firefighters if they get in office. Amazing the gall of these Democrats. The Democrats have already laid off teachers, cops, firefighters, social workers, aid for the helpless on their own across this nation.
Do they think all Americans are stupid? Yup, that's their arrogance for you.
Are massive student loans with no jobs to pay them the way Democrats are going to get "the youth vote?"
Are you free if government tells you that you have to buy health insurance?
A future of debt you can't pay off because Obama is standing on the throats of your prospective employer?
