TRYING TO SELL A LEMON – NO SALE – AT 11:12 A.M. ET:  A new survey shows that support for Obamacare has reached an all-time low.  From the Washington Examiner: 

Americans' opinion of Obamacare has reached an all-time post-passage low according to the Kaiser Health Tracking poll. Only 39% of those surveyed have a favorable view of the law, two points below the previous nadir of 41% first set in May 2010. Forty-four percent of Americans have an unfavorable view.

While there continues to be a sharp partisan divide over the law, the Kaiser poll shows Americans' views converging. Democratic and Independent support for Obamacare has fallen to all-time lows of 60% and 33% respectively. But Republican support for the law is at an all-time 24% high.

A plurality of Americans, 47%, believe the law "won't make much difference" in their own lives while 31% believe it will help and 14% say it will hurt. Asked how the law would help, a respondent told Kaiser, "Coverage will be available to me and my family." A respondent who believed the law would hurt explained that the law is "going to increase taxes a whole lot and make it difficult to find a job and take more paperwork and take decisions out of doctors [hands]."

COMMENT:  There has been remarkably little discussion of Obamacare in the mainstream media since the law was passed.  And I have yet to see a full, graphic, factual, complete presentation of exactly what the law will do.  We get it in bits and pieces, consistent with modern journalism's demand for speed and summary. 

At the same time, Republicans have not come up with a convincing alternative, which is one of the problems they face in presenting themselves to voters – much criticsm of Obama, few specific alternatives.  Michael Barone has complained about this.  So have others on the right.  Paul Ryan's plan for the future of Medicare went nowhere because it placed too much power in the hands of the much-disliked insurance companies.

Health care is one of the most important issues before the electorate.  A convincing alternative is needed to make Obamacare part of history.

August 30, 2011