Take this for what it's worth. Over the next several months, Speaker Pelosi's approval ratings will probably go up.
I don't know by how much, but it can't hurt that she's strongly and precisely backing a policy which a super-majority of the American people support.
It's no mystery that Americans tend to get behind 1) strong unwavering leadership even in the face of vocal opposition, and 2) programs that offer choice and financial savings. I simply do not see a downside to this approach as a political strategy. Historically, this posture succeeds far more than it fails.
UPDATE: I think Charlie Cook has reached a similar conclusion. Americans want strength and leadership and they'll follow along even if they don't always agree on the fine points.