Obama Gives Another Speech on Healthcare with Low Approval in the Polls
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In 15 consecutive Rasmussen Reports polls conducted over the past four months, the percentage of Americans that oppose the plan has stayed between 52% and 58%
President Barack Obama spoke yesterday at a St. Louis high school in order to make his closing argument for a health care overhaul.
At St. Charles High School Obama said: “What we’re proposing is a common sense approach to protecting you from insurance company abuses and saving you money.”
It was another campaign-style appearance, his second health care speech outside Washington in a week, with another one scheduled in Ohio on Monday.
The trip took place right when Obama´s approval rating continues to be a topic of debate. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that only 22% of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President.
A total of 43% Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -21. That matches the lowest Approval Index rating yet recorded for this President at Rasmussen.
On the other hand, the latest Associated Press-GfK poll found that fewer people approve of Congress than at any point in Obama’s presidency. Support has dropped significantly since January to a dismal 22% as the health care debate has roiled Capitol Hill.
Obama´s speech in St. Louis yesterday took place in a state where 58% of Missourians disapprove of the president, while just 41% approve his policies.
Missouri is one of Obama´s most difficult states as it will see competitive Senate races in 2010. In those states where races will be tight, Obama collects only a few showings above 45%.
In California, Delaware, and Pennsylvania Obama´s approval rating is higher than his disapproval, and in states like Kentucky, Arkansas, and North Dakota his approval rating is below 40 percent.
In 15 consecutive Rasmussen Reports polls conducted over the past four months, the percentage of Americans that oppose the plan has stayed between 52% and 58%. The number in favor has held steady between 38% and 44%.
Despite repeated and intense sales efforts by the president and his allies in Congress, most Americans consistently oppose the plan that has become the centerpiece of this legislative season.
In 15 consecutive Rasmussen Reports polls conducted over the past four months, the percentage of Americans that oppose the plan has stayed between 52% and 58%. The number in favor has held steady between 38% and 44%.
Scott Rasmussen and Doug Schoen wrote a piece in the Wall Street Journal where they explained the facts and the reasons for Obama´s inability to change the numbers.
The authors believe that the reason President Obama cannot move the numbers and build public support is because the fundamentals are stacked against him.
According to Rasmussen and Schoen, most voters believe the current plan will harm the economy, cost more than projected, raise the cost of care, and lead to higher middle-class taxes.
In another op-ed, Dick Morris believes that the final fight over health care boils down to a simple formulation: “The People vs. Pelosi.”
Morris explains that in district after district, the next 10 days will feature an aroused citizenry demanding a no vote while an ideologically motivated speaker demands assent.
“The echo of this push/pull will take place in the minds of the Democratic House members. Each will ask himself whether he is really prepared to throw away his career for this vote,” writes Morris.
Groups that oppose the legislation are stepping up their criticism, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announcing a coordinated campaign to spend as much as $10 million on ads, starting Wednesday, saying, “Stop this health care bill we can’t afford.”
The President wants Congress to act on the legislation by March 18, when Obama leaves on a trip to Indonesia and Australia, a timetable that may be hard for Congress to meet.
The Americano / Agencies
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