RASMUSSEN ON THE HEALTH PLAN - AT 4:14 P.M. ET:  Scott Rasmussen is reporting today the lowest numbers the Democratic health plan has yet received in his polling:

Public support for the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats has fallen to a new low as just 42% of U.S. voters now favor the plan. That’s down five points from two weeks ago and down eight points from six weeks ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that opposition to the plan has increased to 53%, up nine points since late June.

More significantly, 44% of voters strongly oppose the health care reform effort versus 26% who strongly favor it. Intensity has been stronger among opponents of the plan since the debate began.

COMMENT:  Yes, the majority now opposes the plan.  However, I caution again:  This can be turned around.  The Dems now have a 42-percent base in favor.  Their position is slipping, but that's still a reasonable point from which to rebound.

And the Dems can turn the tables, asking what the Republican plan is.  There has to be, on our side, either a plan or at least some major fixes to a system that almost everyone believes has serious problems. 

Start with the fixes.  The GOP can propose five things to do immediately that will improve the system, and proceed from there.  Just saying no is not good enough.  I'd begin, by the way, with malpractice reform, tort reform, now draining the health-care system of up to $200-billion (with a B) a year.  And I'd write a health-care contract with America, listing the rights all Americans would have under any GOP health-reform plan.  One page.  Not more.  How long, after all, is the Bill of Rights?

August 11, 2009