White House Polling Memo Omits Numbers Showing Support For Public Option

[babylonsister]

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/white-house-polling-memo-omits-numbers-showing-support-for-public-option/

White House Polling Memo Omits Numbers Showing Support For Public Option


Okay, so the White House is circulating an upbeat polling memo citing a bunch of public surveys showing that public opinion still tilts heavily in Obama’s favor on health care.

The memo, by Obama pollster Joel Benenson, doesn’t mention the public option (the White House may not be committed to it) and largely cites general numbers showing support for action and for Obama’s plan.

But here’s the funny thing: We went back and checked, and virtually every poll cited in this memo also found strong support for the inclusion of a public plan.

* The memo cited a CBS poll from September 1st, saying it found strong support for action. What does it say on the public plan? Sixty percent support, 34% oppose.

* The memo cited a CNN poll done through August 31st, saying it found deep public dismay with the system. What does it say on the public plan? Fifty-five percent support, 41% oppose.

* The memo cited a Kaiser poll from August 11th, saying it found overwhelming support for consumer protections. What does it say on the public plan? Fifty nine percent support, 38% oppose.

The White House memo did cite one poll that didn’t find majority support for the public option: This MSNBC poll that found only 43% support for it. But that’s the one that generated all that controversy because it didn’t tell respondents that the public plan was a “choice.”

To be clear, it’s not surprising that the White House wouldn’t include these numbers, since it’s currently weighing whether to ditch the public option. But the fact that the very same polls the White House is citing also show very strong support for the public option should tell the White House something, shouldn’t it?

Special thanks to our reporter Amanda Erickson for the research help.

[joeycola]

1. Public Option Now More Popular Than The President...........see this thread......

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Public Option Now More Popular Than The President
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6464433#6464433
6464433, Public Option Now More Popular Than The President
Posted by WeDidIt on Fri Sep-04-09 06:40 PM

The DailyKos/Research 2000 Tracking Poll has Obama at 52% favorable and 43% unfavorable while another poll released today by DailyKos/Reseach 2000 shows that 58% favor the Public Option and 34% Oppose.

So the public option is now more favorable than the President.

Pretty clear how the polling trends get turned around, isn't it?

[DrToast]

2. The public option has always been the most popular part of reform

I can't believe they're thinking about dropping it.

[roguevalley]

8. triangulation, bipartisanship, rahm emanuel, all swear words

around my house now. trying to be too clever by half, see where it gets you?

[ProSense]

3. "currently weighing whether to ditch the public option" What the hell is wrong with the left blogs?

What the hell does he think this means:

"and largely cites general numbers showing support for action and for Obama’s plan."

Obama's plan includes a public option.

[Spazito]

4. LOL! It's like brick walls have replaced brain cells these days..

isn't it!

Keep doing what you are doing, ProSense, I certainly appreciate it and I suspect so do many others.

[babylonsister]

5. The prez needs to start talking about his plan, loud and often

(I know, next week), but I do have to wonder why the PO results were left out of this otherwise rosy pic.

Sorry, but it's concerning to me, too.

[ProSense]

6. The thing is that this is being written with full knowledge that he plans a speech,

has an organization out there pushing for a public option and it's only rumored that the public option is being dropped. A rumor that has been debunked.

[babylonsister]

7. Another distinct possibility would be that he's not even aware of

this memo. :shrug:
As for being debunked, by who? I heard chuck todd said it's in this a.m., while david gregory said it's out this p.m.

:shrug:

[ProSense]

9. I will continue under the assumption that it was never out.

That way the rumors that took it out and put it back in are irrelevant.

[Enrique]

10. I think it's excellent reporting

we're seeing some good journalism in the left blogs on this issue. :toast:

[Thrill]

11. This is silly.

[flyarm]

12. THAT iS not the only place that has posted it..Emptywheel has it too!

Obama Doesn’t Want You To Know He Knows Public Option Is Popular
By: emptywheel Friday September 4, 2009 11:23 am

Greg Sargent has a really important find.

The White House is circulating happy poll numbers in favor of health care reform.

But the White House is not circulating the happy poll numbers--from the very same polls!!--in favor of the public option.

Okay, so the White House is circulating an upbeat polling memo citing a bunch of public surveys showing that public opinion still tilts heavily in Obama’s favor on health care.

The memo, by Obama pollster Joel Benenson, doesn’t mention the public option (the White House may not be committed to it) and largely cites general numbers showing support for action and for Obama’s plan.

But here’s the funny thing: We went back and checked, and virtually every poll cited in this memo also found strong support for the inclusion of a pulic plan.

Click through for Greg's numbers: the White House doesn't want you to know that 60%, 55%, and 59% (and 43% in a flawed MSNBC poll) of people surveyed want a public option.

So Obama is not just planning to ditch progressives and the rest of the majority of the country in favor of a public option. But he's willing to be dishonest in doing so.

[nilram]

13. k&r