The Public Loves the Public Option

Of course, polling is all about the wording. But considering that a public option for health care receives the support of only some Democrats exactly zero Republicans on the Hill, this is pretty shocking:

From the NYT poll today:

"Would you favor or oppose the government offering everyone a government administered health insurance plan -- something like the Medicare coverage that people 65 and older get -- that would compete with private health insurance plans?"

Favor 65%
Oppose 26%

Of course, the most important number in today's poll is 46. That's the percent of people who "don't know enough" about health care reform to support or oppose it. Considering the media coverage of health care over the last few months, that's a pretty high number. But at least it suggests a modicum of honesty.

The logic of The Washington Post poll earlier this month was downright labyrinthine. Most people supported a public option. But most people did not support health care reform. (OK...) Even better! Support rose when you took out the very public option most people claimed to support.* Yeesh. Marshaling popular opinion on health care reform is like herding cats blind on a bareback.

*Like I said...

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2009/09/the-public-loves-the-public-option/27276/