Have Democrats been backed into a corner? Consider these compelling numbers from recent polls:
- 68% of voters rate their health coverage as good or excellent.
- 80% of voters with insurance rate their coverage as good or excellent.
- Just 25% strongly favor the Democrats' health care reform effort, while 41% are strongly opposed.
- 54% of voters now say tax cuts for the middle class are more important than new spending for health care reform.
- Only 14% of likely voters give Congress good or excellent ratings this month.
Taking these numbers into account, it becomes very clear that the Democrats have a tough fight ahead, even with their great advantage in Congress.
In their effort to combat unfavorable public opinion, Democrats will obviously need to engage us in constructive dialogue. Thus far, however, their efforts to reach out to voters have been poorly received. In fact, town hall meetings have been so hostile, Democrats are withdrawing from the public square.
"The most powerful man in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), announced on Friday that as a result of recent protests at town hall meetings he won't hold any town hall gatherings during this month's Congressional recess.
"Instead, he will only do what's called 'telephone town halls' where he and his staff have complete control over the questions being asked and who's asking them."
Amazing cowardice! How do you effectively push your agenda if you don't appear in public?
Congressional Dems are in a tight spot. At this point they know they're in trouble no matter what they do. On the one hand, they fail to pass substantive leftist health care reform and upset Obama and the party leadership. On the other hand, they upset the voters by ramming ill-conceived legislation through Congress.
One wonders who Congressional Dems fear most, the big wigs or the little guys? And what do they dread more...immediate pain from their comrades in the party, or delayed pain from the elections of 2010?
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By a 2-1 margin, voters believe that no matter how bad things are Congress can always make matters worse!
Dan Maffei (D, NY): "I'm insulted that you asked me if I read the bill!" h/t New Conservative Generation
Team Obama to violent union thugs: "Keep doing what you're doing"!
Take action against ObamaCare every single day during the August recess. Call, write, email, fax, tweet, blog, go to town hall meetings, go to tea party protests — attack from every angle!
