From a Daily Kos poll, the Democrats are going to have a problem in 2010:
Voter Intensity: Definitely + Probably Voting/Not Likely + Not Voting
Republican Voters: 81/14
Independent Voters: 65/23
DEMOCRATIC VOTERS: 56/40
The blogger concludes that these numbers (as well as these) indicate that the Democrats have to pass “legitimate health care reform.”
I think that may only be half the problem the Democrats are facing, they could pass a health care bill and still have their base sit it out because of the lack of job growth. In all of the polls I’ve seen the number one issue for voters is the economy. Not only do the Democrats face the wrath of their own base but that of the Independents as well.
And when the details of the plan are widely available (don’t think the Republicans are stupid enough not to make this a huge issue in 2010) and the public realizes that they will be paying taxes next year for benefits that will not begin for 3 years, will be paying higher premiums than they are now (the taxes on medical devices alone are going to drive up health care costs) and that seniors will be getting their benefits cut, the Democrats will realize what it means to tick off those who were happy with their health care (check out this poll as well) before they messed with it.
And not even their base is happy with this bill, they view it as watered down, lacking any true reform (which they see as single payer). They expected more from having a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. Why would anyone think its passage would fire up the base? And if they get it without the public option? I would hate to see the bloodbath in the primaries (actually, I’m looking forward to the bloodbath in the primaries 
.
posted November 29, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Don’t get too excited. There’s still a year to go, and nobody thought this year would look stellar for Democrats considering the toxic environment they entered into.
posted November 29, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Did anyone read Michele’s hyperlink about taxes being collected in advance of the program? Well what she doesn’t point out is article states that many budget experts feel that this is the RESPONSIBLE way of doing things !!!
Michele, I just want you to answer one thing…maybe I missed the post….where was your outrage when the 2003 prescription drug benefit was passed with ZERO corresponding budget cuts or increase in taxes to pay for it???
Or for that matter what about the costs of the wars?
Not a single dime – not one dime- of the wars of the past 8 yrs have been paid for. Your hero – George Bush – was the first president in our nation’s history to finance a war entirely by adding to the deficit !!!
You’re right, it is about jobs. And as I recall on 11/4/2008 the nation trusted Dems far more that Reps when it came to the economy.
posted November 29, 2009 at 11:21 pm
“And as I recall on 11/4/2008 the nation trusted Dems far more that Reps when it came to the economy.”
Yes, well that didn’t last long once they saw the Dems not triangulating, but actually being the liberals they are.
“I’m not Bush’ is good campaign stuff; but then you actually have to lead. In order to lead, people need to be willing to follow. They aren’t.
posted November 30, 2009 at 8:59 am
Leading is exactly what this is, Gerard — we must act responsibly and pay for things we need. My reference to Bush has to do with this attitude — no one was singing that tune before but suddenly you want people to believe you got religion?
And name one person who didn’t think Dems would act like liberals? Duh !!
posted December 2, 2009 at 1:54 am
i don’t know… i think the republicans have mistakenly stumbled onto a winning strategy: screw the economy over so bad that even when a democrat turns it around, it’s still bad enough that the independents want blood and punish the majority party.
we’ll see what happens. republicans have to win by big numbers to do too much damage. but right now it’s too early to guess. the public still trusts democrats over republicans.
posted December 10, 2009 at 4:07 pm
“I’m looking forward to the bloodbath in the primaries
”
i remembered you writing this, so i had to come back and comment after hearing how much your teabaggers are tearing apart the remaining 20% of americans who identify as republicans. yes, a bloodbath indeed.