ABC News conducted a
poll about the Medicare bill. The results are encouraging:
"Among all Americans, 38 percent disapprove of the Medicare changes, slightly more than the 32 percent who approve (many, 30 percent, are withholding judgment). But it's a broader spread -- 47 percent to 26 percent disapproval -- among senior citizens, and a similar 46 percent to 32 percent disapproval in the next age group, 55- to 64-year-olds.
"Moreover, disapproval is highest among the one-sixth of the public -- many seniors among them -- who have been following the issue most closely. Most people in this highest-attention group, 56 percent, disapprove of the plan; indeed, many of them disapprove "strongly." People who know more about it, this result suggests, like it less."
This has the potential to be a complete disaster for Bush. His "centerpiece" domestic policy achievement...ha!
I think Dean needs to enlist the grassroots to conduct a massive voter education effort about this bill, clearly outlining what is wrong with it and how he will fix it. Then he will have a strong mandate to get it done once in office.