Between the wingnut loud noises and the general demonization of "socialized medicine," I think it's generally assumed that government interference in healthcare is a third rail at this point. But it turns out the exact opposite is true. By overwhelming margins.
The new AP poll shows that Americans want more government involvement in healthcare, not less. By a 2-to-1 margin.
That's a pretty big fudging deal. Put another way: healthcare reform would be more popular right now if the legislation had been more universal and government-run.
All of it further illustrates our dumbstupid backwards discourse. Despite the popularity of things like the public option, the Republicans attacked the bill based on the exact opposite of reality. They made a case against government-run healthcare, even though Americans want exactly that -- government-run healthcare. And somehow that message resonated, partly because the Democrats perpetually take right-wing frames way, way, way too seriously, mistaking loud noises for reality.
One way or another, the Demcrats and the administration would be well-served by diving back into the healthcare situation and begin to pass add-on features as we go. How about we start with a public option bill? All you need to know, Democrats, is that it's hugely popular. It's a winner.