I should have included this link in my post two days ago about repeal, because it might have headed off a response challenging the validity of my assertion that the public supports repeal of the health care legislation. (That’ll teach me to rush through my posts when my 4-year-old is clamoring to play Wii with me.) The commenter cited as evidence a USA Today poll from March 23rd stating, “By 49%-40% those surveyed say it was ‘a good thing’ rather than a bad one that Congress passed the bill.”
Fine. Let’s assume those numbers are accurate. But now that the public has had over a month to digest what happened since then, learning more every day about the horrors included in this bill, what is the current mood for repeal? Rasmussen has the answer:
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of likely voters nationwide favor repeal, while 38% are opposed.
Granted, Rasmussen polls likely voters, so that will naturally skew more toward repeal. But that can’t account for anywhere close to a 20% gap. Regardless, the voting public—those most engaged in and passionate about the issues and, therefore, most likely to be better informed—supports repeal in overwhelming numbers. This only makes my point stronger from a political strategy standpoint that Republicans should follow their lead, because those who end up voting are all politicians ultimately care about anyway.
By the way, I don’t focus on Republicans because I am one. I’m not. I’ve been an independent for years. But if repeal is to happen, Republicans will obviously have to be the ones to step up, as Democrats are the party that crammed the legislation through using every bribe and parliamentary trick they could think of.
I mention this because the commenter also accused Richmond Tea Party of being in the pocket of Republicans. That’s fine. If that’s what some have to believe to make themselves feel better about our movement, they’re welcome to. But the reality is that the day Richmond Tea Party becomes an arm of the Republican Party is the day I leave. And I can confidently say that’s the case for many other leaders and supporters in our organization as well.
