Today’s question:


Will there be a backlash from voters if Democrats pass healthcare reform through reconciliation?


Michelle D. Bernard, President and CEO of the Independent Women’s Forum, said:

HEALTHCARE REFORM THROUGH RECONCILATION NOW WILL BE RECONCILED BY WOMEN AND INDEPENDENTS IN NOVEMBER

Absolutely. Poll after poll shows voters reject the Democrats healthcare proposals. The latest Rasmussen poll confirmed those findings once again: “41% of voters favor the proposed healthcare plan, while 56% oppose it. Those figures include 45% who strongly oppose the plan and just 23% who strongly favor it.”  Yes, nearly half of the country “strongly” opposes the healthcare legislation that the Democrats are now seeking to advance using reconciliation – a procedure that was meant for use only for budget matters, not for legislation that would fundamentally reorder one-sixth of the economy. This surely will infuriate not only those ideologically opposed to this healthcare reform proposal, but political independents who want a more civil, bipartisan Washington.

A poll conducted by Independent Women’s Voice after the Massachusetts special election found that twice as many Massachusetts voters thought Congress should “start over” in healthcare negotiations as thought that Congress should “keep going as is.” Undoubtedly, these voters, like most Americans, will be even more disgusted by those who would seek to advance this most unpopular legislation by thwarting the regular legislative process, and they’ll be ready to show their anger in the voting booths in November.