I found it interesting that John Harwood, appearing on CNBC’s Squawk Box, declared ObamaCare a non-issue in the up-coming mid-term elections.
From past poll coverage given by the NBC units – NBC News, MS/NBC and CNBC– the record shows that when polling doesn’t favor the Obama administration, NBC chooses to ignore the results.
CNBC’s parent company, NBC News, regularly collaborates with The Wall Street Journal on voter polling.
Meanwhile, a six-column banner headline across the top of a first section page of the Oct. 15, 2014 Journal reads, GOP Holds Better Hand Amid Wild Cards, with no mention of ObamaCare.
As poll writers do, they often fashion questions to give the respondent a choice. In this instance, the poll asked, “Do you want a candidate who will give ObamaCare a chance to work with changes, repeal or start over?” The majority in this case want somebody to give it a chance to work.
In the NBC/WSJ poll Just last month, 48 percent continued to oppose ObamaCare, while just 34 percent favor it. Most respondents with an opinion said they felt strongly about their position; 82 percent of Republicans feel it’s a bad law, while 63 percent of Democrats say it’s good. Among Independents, 51 percent say its bad, 26 percent say it’s good.
Harwood’s commentary, unfortunately, bore some good advice for the GOP. The Obama administration’s practice of cover-up and stonewalling tends to drag out important issues so long that the public tires of them. That not only goes for ObamaCare, but the long list of scandals it faces. Meanwhile the Democrat Party continues to peddle the line, “people will learn to love the law.”
“President Obama’s healthcare law is the gift that keeps on giving to the GOP,” wrote Scott Rasmussen, who also does regular public policy polling. In his recent op-ed in the Washington Examiner, he referenced health industry expert Bob Laszewski, who says, “Democrats who think the issue will fade by Election Day are engaged in ‘Wishful thinking.’”
Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee vigorously fought to repeal ObamaCare. (dailycaller.com)
Republican Senator’s Ted Cruz and Mike Lee worked vigorously to gain support for the repeal of ObamaCare, and lost support from their own party in the process. Senatorial candidates in key state races, however, are aggressively tying their opponents to Obama and the health insurance mess.
It’s important for candidates to relate stories of their constituents, who have been affected by this flawed health insurance scheme. Testimonials of increased premiums and deductibles, and the loss of jobs will register with voters.
Beyond the personal insurance problems being experienced, the fact is that ObamaCare reduces the number of hours people work, making their contribution less productive. Of course, this slows growth in personal income and the GDP.
As ObamaCare continues to weaken the economy, maybe we need to bring back that old campaign slogan: It’s the economy stupid.
