Health Care Weighs on Obama's Popularity

(CBS)  In his weekly address today, President Obama called for an "honest debate" on health care reform and accused some critics of making "phony claims."

It's been a rough summer for the president, and, as CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier reports, right now he's looking for a re-charge.

He's a man sorely in need of a vacation. Barack Obama still has a 57 percent approval rating, but that's down by more than 10 points.

In April, 58 percent approved of Mr. Obama's handling of the economy. Now it's 52 percent. On the war in Afghanistan, his approval has fallen from 63 percent to 60 percent. And on health care? He's down from 57 percent approval to just 46 percent.

The president's critics say he hasn't done a good job explaining why reform is needed, despite holding 11 town hall meetings and giving 12 speeches and 16 interviews just devoted to health care.

The reasons the White House gives for the need for reform keep changing.

"I don't think they've ever distilled their argument down into that 25 words or less that break through to people that say, 'Oh, I get it now. I see why he thinks we should do this and I see why I should get on board,'" said Politico's Craig Gordon.

Full coverage of the debate over health care reform

Part of the problem is the president delegated the job of coming up with a bill to Congress. There are now so many versions, the opposition has a lot to attack.

And as Anne Kim of the political group The Third Way put it, "It's very difficult to sell something when you don't have a concrete bill."

And that lack of clarity is confusing or turning off key voting blocks like seniors.

"I think that is the biggest problem that none of us really know what's going to be," said one such voter, Marjorie Rosen, 82.

Reform opponents point to Mr. Obama's own words when they warn seniors their benefits could be cut. Mr. Obama has made reference to "cutting out waste and insurance company give-aways in Medicare that aren't making any of our seniors healthier."

Seniors want to know just what's being cut.

"How do i know? People talk about seniors losing coverage. Where is it written, where are the words?" said restaurant owner Harvey First, 59. "Show me the money."

Democratic strategists say the White House is trying to refocus its message by selling this as a benefit to the middle class - instead of an obligation to pay for 46 million uninsured.

"What it's going to offer to the middle class, and that's stability, or security," Kim said. "It's peace of mind."

The other job ahead is to bring some discipline to the process. Last weekend, we heard confusing messages on whether the White House was for or against a government-provided health plan, the so-called public option. The strategists say Mr. Obama needs to choose one plan and stick to it.

[MarkAllenRoberts]

What we all must remember is we are all ?American?s? first?then Republicans, Democrats,?

In addition, President Obama is our President, if he loses, I lose, and we all lose. We have lived through a country doubting a President with President Bush. It was not fair as Presidents do not act alone, but it also added no value, and I for one do not want 3 1/2 years of public doubt and anger.

I discussed this in my post : 12 Lessons All Leaders Can Learn About Launching New Products and Services ?From the 2009 Health Care Reform http://nosmokeandmirrors.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/12-lessons-all-leaders-can-learn-about-launching-new-products-and-services-from-the-2009-health-care-reform/

It?s time we become active parts of the solution.It's time we help shape the future. We win and lose as a team. That will first require finding common ground.

Mark Allen Roberts

[jab232]

The issue is not popularity. The issue is that all of us know that we will lose our insurance as soon as we get sick (if we haven't already lost it or our jobs). It is time for congress to get off their duffs and vote. We need to know which congress people are on the side of the billion-dollar corporations and which on the side of all the people those corporations have been abusing and leaving out. Health care costs and insurance costs are predicted to double every ten to twelve years. That will destroy Medicare and the economy. We need reform that reigns in costs and covers everyone. Congress, get off your duffs and vote. Up or down, at lest we will know where you all stand.

[pw08-2009]

It's funny how the media is so dismissive and tries to minimize the implications of such a plan. They refer to the general public as followers who believe in the "myths" of the plan.

The American people, though, are smart enough to know that the "myths" are more like likely outcomes based on the Governments past performance on everything else they take over.

And, once we're all locked into this plan, are you going to try and convince me that the Government will not, at some point, "be forced" to make cuts in delivery and service of it, should America hit hard times again...as I'm sure will happen?...

[dibbs977]

To antoniososa---You spread only lies and hate.

[dibbs977]

What don't you get about "unsustainable current plan?" We must have health care reform. Why are so many of you so hateful? Hate is really fear. We cannot make decisions based on fear. We must have love and vision. Obama has both. I will follow and trust him. He is a brilliant and good-hearted man. George Bush and Cheny led us into a mess which Obama has already made better. The banks did not fail. The economy is improving. We must have health care reform! I am a 64 year old Registered Nurse with over 40 years of practice.

[suzyku]

This country is seemingly getting "dumb" again! This country dumbed down to it's lowest level when it elected bush/cheney for the second time and now many people are (at least according to the media and press) buying the stupid and false rhetoric of the right wingnuts again! We "need" affordable health care in this country and the war in Afghanistan may not have continued on for so long if bush/cheney hadn't invaded another country and started "their" war which has all but drained this country. Look to the real bad guys here, it's the republicans who have become the nastiest, dirtiest party there is!

[the_majesty]

Rasmussen - Aug 23, 2009 ... Only 29% of the American voters support the job Obama is doing as president. Many politician are running from Obama like he has the plague. A few Zombie's are going down with the ship.

[the_majesty]

Correction - Only 27% of the American voters approve of the job Obama is doing as president.

[the_majesty]

I will leave you with this.
The truth is, Obama has tore this nation apart.
We have less than 3 1/2 years to find a leader
that can bring this country back together and
put us on the track to recovery. Thank You & GN

[robham777]

by the_majesty August 23, 2009 7:10 PM EDT
"Come Sail Away With Me".

May the wind be always at your back, but I think I would rather stand on solid ground.

[the_majesty]

I'm happy to see we still have some American Patriots in office.

[the_majesty]

The Obama ship is sinking.
As it sinks , the band plays,
"Play That Funky Music White Boy".
The rich jump in their life boats and takeoff.
The poor jump overboard.
Reminds me of the Titanic.

YES ... Help is on the way.
A Bright Beacon of Light.
It's a Trust Worthy Ship.
It's the Sarah Palin.
Climb Aboard and be saved ,
from the tyranny of Obama.
"Come Sail Away With Me".