If Democrats ignore health-care polls, midterms will be costly

If Democrats ignore health-care polls, midterms will be costly

By Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen
Friday, March 12, 2010

In "The March of Folly," Barbara Tuchman asked, "Why do holders of high office so often act contrary to the way reason points and enlightened self-interest suggests?" Her assessment of self-deception -- "acting according to wish while not allowing oneself to be deflected by the facts" -- captures the conditions that are gripping President Obama and the Democratic Party leadership as they renew their efforts to enact health-care reform.

Their blind persistence in the face of reality threatens to turn this political march of folly into an electoral rout in November. In the wake of the stinging loss in Massachusetts, there was a moment when the president and the Democratic leadership seemed to realize the reality of the health-care situation. Yet like some seductive siren of Greek mythology, the lure of health-care reform has arisen again.

As pollsters to the past two Democratic presidents, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, respectively, we feel compelled to challenge the myths that seem to be prevailing in the political discourse and to once again urge a change in course before it is too late. At stake is the kind of mainstream, common-sense Democratic Party that we believe is crucial to the success of the American enterprise.

Bluntly put, this is the political reality:

First, the battle for public opinion has been lost. Comprehensive health care has been lost. If it fails, as appears possible, Democrats will face the brunt of the electorate's reaction. If it passes, however, Democrats will face a far greater calamitous reaction at the polls. Wishing, praying or pretending will not change these outcomes.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/11/AR2010031102904.html?nav=hcmodule

First look at the Mass. election and healthcare system in Mass., it wasn't about that. Secondly, the public option still has a chance and much more likely to be passed than the better system of single payer. If nothing passes then Democrats will pay the price, since Republicans thinks the Democrats can't agree with themselves, and turn on their own, which sadly appears true. If we pass this bill and then make the changes the Democrats might fair better, but nothing at all is a losing situation for the Democrats and a win win for the Republicans.

We are asked to accept the Baucus bill.

The bill is damaged by lobbying power and Republican desire to not give the country a win under a democratic President. Also, Fox owned by a corporatist is using the mainstream to defeat democracy's common good.

The battle for public option is beening fought while the majority of the public still wants it. I think this entire article is based on a trumped up premise, so it is impossible to respond to a fictional assumption.

"Public opinion" on this has been largely shaped by a highly orchestrated propoganda campaign.

The difference between Repubs and Dems is that the former force through their agenda no matter what the public thinks, and then use PR to bring the public around to their views. The Dems just look at the polls and run screaming for the hills.

We ultimately come off looking extremely ineffectual, and like we have no core principles at all.

If something doesn't pass, there will be a blood bath in November, as people like myself simply give up on the party and stay home.

The Washington Post is trying to scare the Dems out of doing the only thing that can save them from disaster.