
As Americans are learning about reform Congress passed on Sunday night, more have signed on to the historic legislation according to a CBS poll released yesterday.
On Monday and Tuesday, CBS re-surveyed 649 people it had previously asked about the reform bill in the days before it passed and signed into law. And though most still said they were opposed to the bill, support for the reform package climbed five points as did support for the man most think are responsible for the bill's passage, President Obama.
Before the bill passed the House, the CBS poll found that 48% disapproved of Obama's reforms, while just 37% said they supported it. After Sunday's vote, some of the same respondents offered a very different take, with 46% saying they disapproved of the legislation and 42% saying they supported it.
For Obama, the boost was even bigger. Just 41% of those surveyed by CBS in the days leading up to the vote approved of the job the president has done on reform, and 51% said they disapproved. On Monday and Tuesday, the numbers had shifted in Obama's favor, with 47% saying they approved of the job he's done on reform, and 48% saying they disapproved.
Most now say that passing the bill was a "major accomplishment" for Obama, while less than half said the same thing before the bill was passed in the House.
Politically, the poll suggests everything is coming up roses for Obama and the Democrats after the passage of reform. CBS reports that half of independents now view reform as a "major accomplishment" for Obama, which suggests he and the Democrats have a shot at winning over those voters with talk of reform in November.
"It may take more time before Americans decide whether or not these reforms are advantageous to them personally," CBS' Polling Unit writes in its analysis of the numbers, "but the percentage that now say they don't think the bill will affect them has grown."
Dorn76
March 24, 2010 11:05 AM
How's that "Repeal the Bill" strategy workin' out for the GOP so far?
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patmcgrowen
March 25, 2010 8:55 PM in reply to Dorn76
The comeback should be "Replace" with what? That pathetic excuse of a plan they threw out a few months ago? Take away everything and replace it with that, OK. Well surprise, the "Empowering States to be Innovative" amendment does just that. Yep, Red States the bill says that if you can come up with the same coverage requirements then you can pass your very own glorious, holier-than-thou health care system. So Texas, Virginia, and the rest, just piss right off. Go ahead, come up with a better plan, we dare ya!
Psst, Blue states you can do it too!
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celldumceen
March 24, 2010 11:23 AM
This is just the beginning! The numbers will get better and better! In the fullness of time our President will be proven right! Just like he was with the stimulus and with his AFPAK strategy!
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Economides
March 24, 2010 11:36 AM
Yes, just keep saying over and over "Because of this bill you can keep your son or daughter on your insurance until they reach 26."
It immediately cuts though all the hysterical horseshit and makes it clear that for the average family this law provides real concrete benefits rather than turning their whole world upside down. It's s knife through the heart of Republican attempts to win over independents.
For the next 6 months Obama will go around the country and repeat his explanation of what benefits will accrue to the American people "This year". Contrast that will pasty old white guys like Michael Steele screaming about Armaggedon and it's gonna be a political bloodbath.
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oskieoskie
March 24, 2010 11:38 AM
Turns out people didn't like what they were told the bill was, but do like what the bill actually is.
I guess in the frenzy of the bill's passage, some facts were allowed to slip into the media coverage.
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Iris
March 24, 2010 11:39 AM
This is, of course, a Beauty and the Beast moment, a tale as old as time. Generally, sour grapes, once tasted and sweet, are savored.
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Backcountry
March 24, 2010 11:41 AM
And this is just from one day. Wait until people actually understand what's in it. The Rethugs have really painted themselves into a corner on this one.
Rethuglicans are willing to sacrifice just about anything to prevent the black man in the White House from having any tangible success. This is proof of it.
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jthdane
March 24, 2010 11:43 AM
Moreover, in the numbers of those who "oppose" the bill are many liberals who are un happy because it did not go far enough. Among the rest are those who bought the barrage of arguments about death panels, socialism and govmint takeover. In six months many of them will realize how false all of that was when their lives haven't changed, unless for the better.
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FromTexas
March 24, 2010 12:01 PM
A really big boost will come when seniors start receiving $250 checks to close the donut hole and get free preventive check ups. Hard for them to vote against Obama at that point.
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Vincent F
March 24, 2010 12:05 PM
Democrats, take note! When you have steel in your spines and actually DO SOMETHING you will be rewarded! When your policies are sound, pass them and the benefits that Americans see in their lives will give the voters more reasons to vote Democratic. KEEP PUSHING on financial reform, jobs bills, environmental legislation, etc! This is one Democrat who will again send checks to the party now that you guys have passed health care reform.
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jsdc007
March 24, 2010 12:58 PM in reply to Vincent F
Amen.
Voters reward those who produce results, not those who cower before their opponents.
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darkrhyme
March 24, 2010 12:09 PM
Even better for exploding teagagger heads, Obama just rammed himself into "Great President" and "Strong Leader" territory. And he knows it. And he's gonna use it.
Remember...Obama is smarter, exponentially, than ALL of his opponents. All of them.
Let the fun begin.
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Fred N TX
March 24, 2010 12:27 PM
New user here. testing.
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fla_kracker
March 24, 2010 12:30 PM
The truth will out. CBS didn't include a break as to those that opposed the bill because we wanted it to go further. The political reality is the votes where not there for a single payer yet given time that will change
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hollywood
March 24, 2010 1:20 PM in reply to fla_kracker
You know I wonder why they do not include the people who think the bill did not go far enough? It is more than obvious that there is a big chunk of us out here yet these professional pollers just put out the dumb number that implies all the opposition is to the right. I could have done a better job of asking the questions! More crap from the MSM.......
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Fred N TX
March 24, 2010 12:54 PM
More of the public will drive the percentage higher, as the time goes by.
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grimshizzle
March 24, 2010 1:24 PM
This video captures the shift perfectly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpOUctySD68
(It will look familiar at first, but keep watching...)
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