Resurgent Republic measures public opinion on whether health care policy should favor more government control and regulation or enable greater individual freedom and opportunity.
Resurgent Republic sponsored a series of focus groups in June in four battleground states: Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, and Colorado. We measured voter sentiments on the current state of the economy, increasing the debt ceiling, and the debate over Medicare. We also probed voter opinion regarding President Obama’s handling of the economy and whether voters believe President Obama has put forward the right policies to spur job growth.
Resurgent Republic sponsored a series of focus groups in June in four battleground states: Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, and Colorado. We measured voter sentiments on the current state of the economy, increasing the debt ceiling, and the debate over Medicare. We also probed voter opinion regarding President Obama’s handling of the economy and whether voters believe President Obama has put forward the right policies to spur job growth.
President Obama loses support among all partisan groups on controlling the rising costs of health care. Comparing ratings before and after remarks on lowering Medicare and Medicaid costs and the statement “health insurance reform will slow these rising costs,” Obama’s dial test support among Democrats saw a 20 percent dip
A plurality of registered voters (49 to 44 percent) supports Republican plans to repeal and replace the health care reform bill, including a majority of Independents (54 to 36 percent support). While overall intensity is balanced (37 percent strongly support and 34 percent strongly oppose), Independents are more intense in their preference for repeal (39 percent strongly support and 24 percent strongly oppose). Voters aren’t swayed one way or the other by arguments for and against repealing and replacing the law (50 to 44 percent overall), suggesting that they have already absorbed enough information on the subject and are settled in their views.
Since our inaugural survey in April 2009, Resurgent Republic has been chronicling the migration of Independents away from Democrats and toward Republicans, driven by their strong opposition to Democratic fiscal and health care initiatives. Our 2010 post-election survey, conducted jointly with Democracy Corps, demonstrates clearly how Independent voters are now far closer to Republicans than Democrats on their outlook on the direction of the country, their attitudes about its political leadership, and their policy preferences.
The Democratic versus Republican/Independent divide flows through to critical issue debates such as health care. The Obama health care reform plan was an albatross around the necks of Democratic candidates on Election Day, and our post-election survey shows why.
Resurgent Republic helps policy makers, think tanks, interest groups and others advocate for policies that are consistent with conservative principles, and to oppose policies that stifle job creation, weaken national security and undermine values that have made America a great country.
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