Comments on: Poll: Numbers On Obama’s Approach To Health Care And Personal Ratings Go South

By: JSpencer

JSpencer — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:04:16 +0000

I think the lowering approval rating was inevitable, but he still is in an enviable position compared to many other presidents, and especially republicans in congress. So yes, the party of no has made inroads with their commitment to negative carping, and Obama has made his own mistakes as well, but I don't see much here for his detractors to get giddy about.

By: GeorgeSorwell

GeorgeSorwell — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:32:06 +0000

People are likely concerned about the details and the delay.

But people still want health care reform:

Other key finding: President Obama has "significantly more credibility with the public than his Republican foes when it comes to tackling the problem. Asked who do they trust to develop new health care legislation, 47% of respondents said President Obama, compared to 32% who said Republicans in Congress."

By: landerson

landerson — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:22:22 +0000

Could someone please explain to me why the government is trying to pass a bill on healthcare which will diminish our freedom and bankrupt the country while Congress wouldn't even have to be under the plan???

By: qwert321

qwert321 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:52:38 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpUz5zXywhY

By: Kastanj

Kastanj — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:05:57 +0000

Seems like a degree of schizophrenia has found its way into the public.

Didn't Reagan cream Mondale in the election while still having had some pretty weak approval ratings during his first term?

(Anecdotally, Reagan used to say Medicare would destroy America, Freedom and Make Your Mother Cry, as a comparative to the rhetoric of mass-scale grandparent-slaughtering.)

Plus, saying that Obama is not handling the healthcare issue well doesn't mean you are afraid of his scary public plan that will "take away your doctor" and impose communist rationing. Obama is getting regular criticism from all places left-wing for his poor handling on the issue.

Still, he's not doing a good job inviting the public to get a grasp of the issue and take an informed stance. He's not offering good guidance and is not in control - he tried to employ the lesson Clinton's failure taught him but he overdid it and now seems aloof. Still, it's heartening to see the republicans are recognized as even less accessible and entrusting.

"75 percent of respondents said they were concerned that the cost of their own health care cost would go up if the government did not create a system of providing health care for all Americans. But 77 percent said they were concerned the cost of health care would go up if the government did create such a system."

Wow.

These respondents give me this impression: "Could we please get rid of the cake while not having to eat it? Wait, that's not right... Um..."

Seriously, Obama dropped the ball on this one. Clinton got too hands-on, Obama got too hands-off.