
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Two out of three Americans who watched President Barack Obama's health care reform speech Wednesday night favor his health care plans - a 14-point gain among speech-watchers, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation national poll of people who tuned into Obama's address Wednesday night to a joint session of Congress.
Sixty-seven percent of people questioned in the survey say the support Obama's health care reform proposals that the president outlined in his address, with 29 percent opposed. Those figures are almost identical to a poll conducted immediately after Bill Clinton's health care speech before Congress in September, 1993.
The audience for the speech appears to be more Democratic than the U.S. population as a whole. Because of this, the results may favor Obama simply because more Democrats than Republicans tune into the speech. The poll surveyed the opinions of people who watched Wednesday night's speech, and does not reflect the views of all Americans.
(Full results after the jump)
About one in seven people who watched the speech changed their minds on Obama's health care plan. "Going into the speech, a bare majority of his audience - 53 percent - favored his proposals. Immediately after the speech, that figure rose to 67 percent," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "But the real question is whether those conversions will last. Bill Clinton got similar numbers after his 1993 address to Congress, but five months later a majority of the country no longer supported his plan."
Fifty-six percent of people questioned say they had a very positive reaction to the speech, with 21 percent indicating they had a somewhat positive reaction and a equal amount suggesting they had a negative reaction. The 56 percent who said they had a very positive reaction is lower than the 68 percent of speech watchers who had a similar reaction to the president's first address to a joint session of Congress in February.
More than seven in ten say that Obama clearly stated his goals, with one in four saying he didn't express his goals clearly.
Three out of four say it's very or somewhat likely that the president will pass most of his proposals on health care reform through Congress, with one in four saying it's unlikely.
Seven in 10 say that Obama's policies will move the country in the right direction, up 10 points from before the speech.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted just before and just after the president's speech, with 427 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus 5 percentage points.
The sample of speech-watchers in this poll was 45 percent Democratic and 18 percent Republican. Our best estimate of the number of Democrats in the voting age population as a whole indicates that the sample is about 8-10 points more Democratic than the population as a whole.
–CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
Read: The full results of CNN's poll


The President laid out a compelling case for why reform was needed and what it needs to accomplish. He's right that we're closer to this than we've ever been. Health insurance reform will benefit everybody, conservatives as well as moderates and liberals. The sooner everybody realizes this the better.
"...and the Dream shall never die."
Simply not possible. A 14 point swing in those polled? You have got to be out of your mind to be writing this, nothing more than an Obama staffer.
Brilliant speech!
that's because most people that watch CNN like Obama.
I really don't care what polls say.
Re: Rep. Wilson's outburst during President Obama's speech.
I hope that the good people of SC who voted that man into office have the decency & class to boot Rep. Wilson's disrespectful ass out of office!!
He residents in his district deserve better....alot better !!!!!!
Of course, only Obama loony libs wasted their time watching this phony event, and so the polled population was just a little bit skewed!!
What is it with South Carolina? Hubris must in the drinking water there ... First you have The Luv Guv Sanford and his lying, cheating, misleading ways; now you have Rep. Joe Wilson calling President Obama a liar during his health care reform speech before a joint session of Congress.
Not only was Wilson rude, he was wrong. President Obama wasn't lying – no where does it say that illegal immigrants will be provided coverage under President Obama's health care proposal.
Wilson just didn't like what he was hearing and since he's a Republican, when faced with unpleasant facts, the standing order is to .... act like a child, whine and complain, and then blame the "gotcha media" for catching their bad behavior on tape.
Your poll does not reflect the opinions of all Americans. The people that watch your proggrams are Democrats and that is why your polls are skewed. Look at the non partisan polls to see what America thinks. It is hugely different than your polls!!!!
All of the republican members of the house and senate should be required to
complete a hate management program. As far as the South Carolina people
they lost my respect when they sent a 90 year old to Washington.
With dignity and fairmindedness, let's pass it.
Just to explain it more slowly this time to Rep. Joe Wilson and his constituents:
There is no provision in President Obama's health care proposal to provide coverage for illegal immigrants.
However, illegal immigrants will not be turned away for medical treatment because of their immigration status; you know, that pesky Hypocratic Oath doctors take to "First, do no harm." That, coupled with the fact that America is a largely compassionate country (in the real, tangible sense, not in the in-name-only sense) and would not let a person suffer and die just because they didn't have insurance.
What's sad and Republicans don't get is the truth will always trump a lie. Americans are not stupid, but they continue to preach about a "Death Squad", give me a break, they should be thankful that there isn't one for Moron's
Thus showing how gullible Americans are willing to disregard the Constitution and follow after illegal legislation wrapped up in charisma.
The only people who bothered to watch the speech were those who wanted it to be a "game changer". The rest of us wrote Health Care Reform off before the summer recess. The attempt to portray this partisan diatribe as an olive branch to the opposition simply demonstrates how badly the President over-reached himself.
The Democrats will hold the majority for years to come.
What a crock. The sampling is so heavily weighted with Democrats. The hero of the evening wasn't Obama, it was Joe Wilson.
The health care plan can't be trusted.
What will be interesting to hear and read are the reactions by Fox News. They didn't broadcast the President's speech (didn't want to risk their viewers being corrupted by the truth), but they'll sure to be full of opinions about it. Which they will dutifully report as truth to their viewers who didn't see or hear the speech because they have been made afraid of the Liberal Media and its bias and spinning and not telling the whole story ... made afraid by Fox News and their minions and lackeys ...
Makes your head kind of want to explode, doesn't it?
Come on.. this is CNN... Obama;s station... we canot go by this poll to tell us how Americans feel.
Give me a break!
Magnificant speech tonight! President Obama showed specifics, ownership and and practical and moral integrity. This is coming from an Independent who voted for the President and certainly am glad that I did.
President Obama met his goal this evening. Explain health care in layman's terms. He did that. Now for the GOP. No one should be upset with the Repugs' behavior. It's a sign of fear and loathing. Never in the history of American politics has a party totally disembowel themselves of purpose and reason. Our President bought it home this evening and many can't stand it...but many more love it! Keep your heads up. We're winning.
I'm not surprised in the jump in the poll numbers. President Obama is an intelligent, thoughtful man who is also a greater writer and speaker. He believes in what he says, and backs it up with a genuine, heartfelt love and concern for his country, and an abounding sense of service.
When he talked about the late Senator Kennedy and the passion and compassion he brought to his work on health care issues, my impression was that President Obama shares that level of concern and understanding, as well as the importance of it in how it directly affects the lives of all Americans, especially those of lesser means.
A very inspiring, hopeful speech, one that makes me proud to have elected such a strong leader. I am also inspired to continue to do whatever I can to help create real, lasting, substantial health care reform.
LOL a CNN poll. Obama wants to tax workers to pay insurance companies, and he said it in his speech.
You gotta be kidding. You based this on a poll with a 5% declared margin of error? That is a useless result in statistics yet you use these statistic like they were a fact. Better refresh your memory of what constitutes a valid sample and valid results.
The health care bill is an economy buster. Illegals will be covered as soon as the amnesty bill is passed – or they are given temporary green cards. They are no longer illegal/undocumented at that point and will be covered by your tax dollars.
Sleight of hand and total disregard for the will of the people. That's Chicago Politics gone to Washington. You elected the people doing this so you can't complain when they give you the shaft – and here it comes.
Have you people lost your minds? The only thing swinging about this socialist healthcare bill is the smooshy stuff in your heads where your brains are suppose to be!
Socialism only works till you run out of other peoples money.
Guess what, that will happen very quickly. Most wealthy people lost all of their money during September 08's stock crash.
I agree, I had a positive reaction after hearing the speech. More than that is my husband's change, he'd been pretty disappointed lately. He actually applauded afterward!
Genius CNN. I love the spin. What this poll actually shows is that nobody but die hard dems watched the speech. I bet his poll numbers sink even farther as it was the same old flulff.
When the truth came out, and the when the President had the floor the People will see that his plan is for everyone, and it will not add to the debt, and it will bring us in step with other nations. He did a great job and I think we will get reform out this...thank God
Joe Wilson wing nut from the GOP confederated Taliban state of south carolina. Thank Joe you just help pass the bill!!!
President Obama came out sounding like the Obama we all know and voted for. His intelligence , compassion. and character came shining through. The world would be a better place if more people demonstrated the same. President Obama Hawaii taught you well about ALOHA for your fellow citizens. Proud of you.
Uneducated Republicans didn't bother to watch because they had no desire to learn anything or get informed. Hmmm, what else is new. Just heckel the President and show your ignorance and hate for your fellow Americans. How pathetic!
I was appalled of the disrespect by Rep. Joe Wilson on national TV during the President's speech. As much as I have disagreed with past Presidents I have never heard this kind of disrespect by calling the President a lie by shouting during his speech. I have never heard this kind of disrespect during any Presidents address. I hope the residents of South Carolina remember this when it is time for his re-election. I wish there was some type of sanction that could be given to this great congressman.
It appears that some members o congress really do not care about America and care more about this President failing without regard to the fact that if Obama fails so does America. This is racism in its greatest and sickest form.
This is a sad day for our country.
Thats all bull crap... Osama(obama).. is tryign to shove his crap down out throats... once he totally screwed this country up.. next time people wont vote looks next time. Perhaps they will actually vote issues
Great speech
If republicans didn't watch the speech then it indicates that they don't want to work with the President or the democrats. So to hell with them. The democrats should move on without them. They are irrelevent anyway. The disrespect they show for this PResident goes beyond just politics. Theres only only one thing in American history that loses control of emotions the way these people do when it comes to Obama, and we know what that is.
what part of the country do you take these pollls, I live in the in New York and i have never been asked, as for me I have health care insurance.President Obama health care reform is a positive solution, I would hope some the GOP would help is agenda, if not they will suffer in the near future at the polls and you can take that to the bank.
LOL, Well, then this poll means 7 in 10 Americans are big-government- loving.. hapless non thinking idiots who think government is the answer to anything and everything. WAKE UP!
Rep. Joe wilson was an epitome of republicans demagogue at town halls. I think it is time for civility and not entertaining nonsense like this.
Obama reached out to his core supporters tonight and touched us with a very important message that we can rally behind: the status quo is unacceptable. His second message also resonated: if you don't have something constructive to add to the conversation – shut your beak and sit down!
Obama won the day. Great, moving and clarifying.
Excellent refutation of the fear mongers.
Obama just got one step closer tonite to a bill. Republican hecklers only point to their weak waning fear campaign.
The guano crazy right is about to be beat by Obama again.
Those republicans jumped the gun a bit. Not only on the stimulus package but also on healthcare. Sometimes what you throw out (like tonight and the "school socialist plan to kids") comes back at you hard. Go get 'em Barack
HIs increased poll numbers on Health Care Reform will drop back down soon as the Repubs can keep repeating the same old lies and make up a few more to scare their supporters.
By the way, Republicans need to stop and think a minute what their leaders are telling them by always using scare tactics. Terrorist attacks, mushroom clouds, death panels.... You don't use scare tactics on people who are brave. It won't work. You use scare tactics on those who are easily afraid. In fact, the bigger coward you are, the better the scare tactics work. Obviously, Republican leaders think their supporters are the biggest wimps in the world. I couldn't be a Repub because I just don't feel fearful often. How would they get me to support their agenda if they can't scare me?
What's ironic is, the Repub leaders will keep doing this forever because there aren't enough of their supporters that have the nerve to tell them to stop. I guess they're afraid.
If any Goppers watched it, it takes away their chance to make things up about the bill. They wouldn't want that to happen, cause then the truth would be out there for all to plainly see.
President Obama, please know that the world is sending you LOVE tonight, and always.
President Obama, please know that the world is sending your family LOVE tonight, and always.
What you accomplished tonight was to really tell the TRUTH. Thank you for showing up and being determined to create a better nation for all our children simply through your example.
With so much PRE-STAGED hatred and conflict going on across this nation, please know that the dark will more-than-likely get darker only because that is what is knows best, but the light, yes Obama's essence will prevail through our love and his truth.
For you see citizens, President Obama is probably the most emotionally balanced President ever to preside over our nation. (Thank goodness he is our President.) Therefore his power, his presence inspires us all to be better human beings, including our children. Many thanks.
The speech was great,The Republican party needs to get beside the president or be left behind like the 8-track.
Candy Crowley why bother with the analysis of the poll numbers, you technically took the life out of it before giving the poll numbers once again proving how dishonest and completely biased you are.
As for John King I hear you have children and for all intents and purposes you love your children, yet for some reason you think that by cheating other people's kids from having health care that you leave a good legacy for them. I say be careful, what goes around always has a way of coming around. You may think you do this for political reasons but nothing escapes the eyes of God.
Believe me when I say the old guard has retired. What you sow you will reap. Whether the president wins this or not, if you oppose this in good faith then you are innocent but if not, I repeat, what you sow you will reap.
I am so proud we have a President that shows his care and concern for all of us in America! Refreshing!
I'm so proud of our President!
Bravo! Mr. President.
Now class..
Can you osay "Wishful thinking" ?
Obama is a gifted man of critical thinking! I was impressed, as usual, with his straight talk speech, as well as the passion and dedication he showed to and for the American people. We are extremely lucky to have this man as our President. I can only hope that sentiment will soon be felt by even more people. We can trust Barack Obama!
I agree with the President and thank him for such clarity in his presentation. Also I would like to thank him for dispelling the baseless rumors and distortions created by folks like Rep Wilson.
I CONDEMN Rep Wilson for his uncivilized baseless heckling remark during the speech.
I don't understand why that is or sounds like a big surprise! Probably 95% of the people polled were dems. I think the dems are so hell bent on having their guy in office that they tend to overlook how bad of a job he is actually doing! The rep who shouted out was correct. Maybe he should have waited and told it to his face, but none the less he was right. This is what happens when someone keeps saying one thing, but does another. We need a person in this office who can lead and surround himself with very bright people. Obama has not done neither. His flunkies are not worth the spit on the sidewalk. They care just about their own plans and the heck with the public. If Obama would have done absolutely nothing when he took office, this economy would have started turning around probably quicker than it is right now. It has started turning without he or his staff doing anything. But, he has to have his name on everything. He is very greedy and self-centered.
Two thumbs up!
I am for some reform, but not Socialism !
Besides you can not believe a word he says.
Laws/legislation is a far better option:
* Enable to cross state borders for health ins (competition).
* Prevent ins companies from increasing or droping your health ins, because of illness.
* Tort reform.
* Some type of constraint on pharmaceutical companies
(example, $4000 for monthly cancer pills is a scam!).
I am very opposed to:
1). The government to get bigger and bigger !
2). The government spending money they do not have !
Whether you agree with President Obama or not, If you didn't take the time to listen to his speech, you don't deserve to have an opinion on this issue. It was very obvious that he had taken the time to listen to all sides of this very complex issue and is doing everything he can to move forward and not just throw in the towel like so many before him.
simply put... the truth over comes the bable of politicians.
The USA voters have heard a promise of our President and that is the final decision.
All the pundits rhetoric was washed down the toilet until the try to put a new spin on there babel.
If the President succeeds we will be a better country in the long run.
There is no price put on a child or a parents life. We still will take the moral high ground.
YEA USA!!
Good job from the president on this one...Clearly put the wing nuts in their place and put them on notice that an adult was coming in to clean up the mess.
Now all you Rebubs who publicly scream against health care reform but secretly pray for its passage can breathe a sigh of relief. It looks like this may actually get done!
Gee, a heavily-Dem skewed viewership, watching CNN of all news outlets, giving Barry big approval numbers on his speech. Shock, shock! Whodathunk?
In other news, water is wet.
I must admit the man is a good speaker. But if the country is being bankrupted, it will not be able to support any healthcare policy. This speech sounded like a campaign speech without any substance.
Same stuff different day! I do not trust the Dems or the President to do what they say. Obama said at least three times before the Stimulus Bill was passed that he was going to go over it line by line and veto any pork etc...he signed that so fast and NEVER gave it a once over. Since then, I do not trust him at all! So he expects a gov't that can't seem to run Medicare without massive waste and fraud to start up a humongous new branch of gov't spending of colossal proportions and not have more waste on a scale unprecedented before? He must really think we are gullible.
The speach was great. The republican opposition is in mass confusion over healthcare in DC. Moreover, many republicans some ranking want to support the current healthcare plan, including the public option. However, they are being pressured by their own party that they will turn on them if they vote their conscious or express their views publicly. In my opinion, they have already turned on them, and someone needs to allow those republicans to speak their true feelings, instead of forcing them to sit in silence. People need to see that the Republican Party is more diverse in opinion then meets the eye.
I watched the speech and was very pleased with Obama's proposals. I must say I was a bit skeptical going in, but am relieved and wholeheartedly support him! Rep. Wilson from South Carolina owes the American people an apology for such appalling behavior tonight towards are President. Totally and unequivocally unacceptable and embarrassing.
We don't need double digits, what we need is for youCNN to stop running ads which are lies and the Presidents job will be easier! but can you do that? NOPE greediness rather than common sense prevails in the American society!!
Who the heck were you polling??? His cleverly repackaged lies deceived no one. You must have polled ACORN workers!
Powerful speech. Game over. Cap and Trade is next. Ladies and gentlemen we have a great President.
He said nothing new, just read a good speech.
Wait a few days when reality sinks in and then take a poll.
I support President Obama's health care reform....he is for the American people, not a corporate american robot.
What a bunch of crap! There was absolutely nothing in this speech that was new. Obama's same old song and dance. It reminded me of an infomercial you see at 2:00 a.m. when he said that government run healthcare would not cost us a dime "You can sit on your couch, eat anything you want and still lose weight!" Of course the key sentence here is that this was a CNN poll and most of the people were democrats. To even use this poll as some kind of serious data is pathetic. I'm surprised the networks or CNN didn't just write their reviews before the speech. It was too long...short on facts...and did not offer anything new. The DNC can't pass a major healthcare bill. That is the fact. The only way they will get this thru is through reconciliation and if they do that they can kiss goodbye their majority in 2010.
First of all I am pleased to hear somebody talking about real issue, facts, solutions today. If this bill don't pass, then I will know that the special interest and the GOP hate the American people after what I've hear this evening. Second of all, Rep Wilson should be empeached. He insulted the commandant in chief of our nation on National tv, in front of millions of people, even in front of people abroad. It is a shame for the GOP. This man does not respect me,nor the president of the United States of America nor the American people. I was chocked and stunned, period.
The president was embarassed to be treated like that. I guess now anybody can go ahead and curse at the president. And It was not even the only who behaved badly in that room. It is just a SHAME.
I never got a call, he makes a good sales men. I like to know the cost.
Bounce and then renounce. It is not a good thing when a congressman thinks he can shout out the President This was akin to those town hall meetings. Not only that, did you see the look on the faces of some of those Republicans? I don't think they like Obama or what they think of him, but he's in for a fight.
I'm an Independent and I have to admit at first, earlier this summer with all the things I heard in the media I was against the healthcare plan too, however, I think tonight President Obama made an excellent case with excellent points and now that the President mentioned it, he is right, many of the same people that are against healthcare reform are the very same people that tried to make cuts to Medicare/Social Security by putting it in the stock market. I also think President Obama answered many unanswered questions that not only put my mind at ease to support his plan but I think that others will come around too and see through the political spin of those that are against it and refuse to even try to meet the President half way. One of the ways I think the government can save on Medicare without making any cuts to benefits is to stop allowing the wealthy to have Medicare in the first place even though they paid into the system, anyone with an income over $500,000 shouldn't qualify to have Medicare because those folks can afford to buy a health insurance policy of their own.
We know what the 29 percent opposed was. 20 percent republican(ALL OF THEM) and 9 percent redneck.
It's not that there were more Democrats watching it is more likely that there are far few Republicans left to watch as they leave this now extreme right-wing extremist filled No party. Democrats have moved more towards the middle and Replublicans have moved to the extreme right.
Excellent speech! President Obama covered all the key points and demonstrated once again that he is the voice of reason in this debate. The Republicans can continue to be obstructionists, but it will only backfire on them.
Fools are born every day. The plan will never fly. Beware the man from the Asian Continent.
why do you bother posting such a story when you know that your poll was not done in a fair and scientific manor.
You said yourself in fine print that it does not truly reflect what Americans think because the majority of viewers were infact democrats.
Well that makes your stupid poll invalid and pointless.
Why bother????
i really for bad for the congress member who decided to shout out during the presidents speech.. he made himself look foolish, most likely shouted that out becuase he didn't hear what he was wanting to hear, it's really quite sad, he made himself look a fool and made his state look bad as well.
As a physician the speech after Mr. Obama by the GOP was much more impressive and realistic. The American people better wake-up to what both sides are saying......nothing is more important than our health. The inefficiencies of government run healthcare programs is not the answer to healthcare reform.......please wake-up America.
In the words of the inimitable B-Real: "He's got juice, how long can it last him?"
I am awed by the power and intellectual clarity of Obama's speech. He spoke most profoundly on the meaning of democracy and the role of government. He defined the need for health care reform as not just an economic but a moral imperative. His speech can be compared to the great addresses of Lincoln, Gladstone, Roosevelt, Churchill and Kennedy. He convinced me health care reform is the great unfinished task of American democracy.
A country is truly united when it unites its entire people, rich, poor, health and ill to the ways of a pure liberty for all. Men, women, and children that are so blessed to be a citizen of this fine country we call America, shall never have to be pushed away from the a proper care of health, and any exception should be considered a careless and selfish attempt to fill ones pockets, instead of hearts of those that are less fortunate. Greed will be frowned on, and healthcare reform will undoubtedly reinforce the working-class people to help build this great nation, a powerful cornerstone with a healthy vigor. With this understanding no citizen shall ever be left behind, because we are a great nation that was founded by its people and for its people.
-Terence Fallon, Jr. Louisiana
The Repugnantcans can lie prodigiously and disgracefully about "death panels"; their demagoons Back, Maulkin, and Limbaugh can stir their toxic cocktail of race-baiting, hypocrisy, and distortions; the "birthers," "deathers," and all manner of Palinistas can try to out Fascist each other––and why not, Fascism was and will always be a "style of politics" from the RIGHTWING, as scholars as varied as Eugen Weber, George Mosse, Hannah Arendt, and Robert O. Paxton have all illucidated––but they always underestimate Obama. Look at where it has gotten them: nowhere but a shrunken party of fakes, fools, and home-grown Fascists afraid, so afraid, that "their" America of Ronnie the Raygun is going, going, gone.
It is, but not without a fight, indeed. So be it. "The torch has been passed. The dream lives. And the hope never dies"
It would have been nice if the President gave more specifics on how it will be paid for. Saying he will remove waste is pretty generic.
1) Watching the applause and standing ovations, I don't think you could expect more bi-partisanship. Conservatives joined in applause more often than not.
2) Boustany's prepared speech echoed what the president sought to dispell. It brought nothing new to the conversation.
Republican's only seem to care about healthcare when Democrats make them.
Just more debt-will hurt the county
CNN, You Lie! There was no CNN poll available for voting after the speech.
If Obamacare can save billions from medicare, why not do it now?
Obama gave a lengthy convoluted, incoherent diatribe that was surprising in its petty partisanship.
He missed the mark and will pay the price!
President Obama made me proud to be an American. This speech will go down in history as one of the best.
For every $1 spent on private healthcare insurance, 3c is insurance company profit, 6c government taxes and 10c malpractice insurance and defensive medicine.
It seems to my simple mind, that the place to start with reform is with the lawyers. Malpractice insurance and defensive medicine currently gets more than 3x what the healthcare insurance companies gets.
Why is Obama still only prepared to "pilot" malpractice reform? Surely most of congress being attorneys has nothing to do with this?
God forbid the male, fat, old, radical religious, white, Southern gentleman's party supporters listen to an educated, rational, calm Black gentleman, or for that matter let their kids listen to the President of the United States. How can they spread lies about someone when he comes across as such a genuine, kind and decent human being!!!
Bunch of down right racists...it would be so interesting to see if Obama had been white – if all this vitriol would be quite as "elevated" as it has been (Faux News)!
Shame on this country, shame on the white MINORITY to play such dirty, low-down tricks on a President who won the MAJORITY of this countries votes!!!
Again, I ask, under what constitutional authority do the President's propsed changes to fundamental state/individual rights fall under?
President Obama is well versed on constitutional matters but his speech so blurs and confuses the lines between state and federal responsibilities as to be mind boggling. His metaphor about auto insurance is just ridiculous. Automotive inurance is ENTIRELY a states decision whether to require and/or enforce; but, even more pressing is the difference between the "priledge" to drive and the "right" to breathe.
In all realtiy, the only way that the federal government can possibly infringe in indivual rights to the exent that the president expressed in his speech would be through a constitution convention to add amendments to our governmental contract. It is time for that call I believe.
Tonight we witnessed how focused some Republicans are in destroying this President, with no concern of the real problems facing the same people that put them in office. It is time we all realize the impact of the uninsured on the economy and get in line with other democratic countries and begin to protect the health of all. We witnessed such disrespect for the President and our Country by the Republican who yelled out lies about the illegal immigrants being protected by this health policy; not taking into account that as he spoke those child like words to the President, an illegal immigrant is getting health care at a clinic somewhere in our Country, AND WE ARE PAYING FOR IT NOW. To those that hate, stop your nonsense-you are hurting your kids future and mine and making us look like fools in front of other Countries. I always hear us call our selves the greatest country in the world, perhaps we should begin to act like it and show respect in the eye of disagreements.
What a great speach, I agree with everything our President said concerning the health care plan. Now it is time for congress on both sides to lay down there arms and do what is right for the people of our great country for a change. This has to be accomplished or it will bring the down fall of our great society. It is inexcusable that the richest and most powerful country on this planet has people without health care coverage and children going to bed hungry at night.
Americans are IDIOTS- proving once again, they're vulnerable to brain washing by the political moron with the biggest title. This is one pathetic country!
Were the Republicans prohibited by their "superiors" to listen to the speech given by President Obama.??? Rather keep them uninformed and as ignorant as possible?? What a sad reality...
...this outburst brought to you by Pfizer
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Warnings: if you have trouble thinking clearly or dysfunctional cognitive reasoning syndrome do not take OutBerst.
Additional Warnings: May cause outbursts at times for financial gain from campaign contributors. Has been associated with the suppression of hard working blue collar America. May lead to rants about abortion with no medical care for saved babies. If you have been diagnosed with irrational indignation talk to your doctor first to see if OutBerst is right for you ......
Why even do a poll like that and then trumpet it as a big swing? What a joke. The big clueon this story is that the same thing hapened after Clintons healthcare speech right before the thing went down in flames. Obama is trying to lead on this now? Is that what they call a day late and a dollar short. We allready know all the kool aid drinkers swoon every time he reads a speech. So let's poll all the kool aid drinkers and pretend that's a big swing. Show me something that he's done that is action and not words.
WoW the speech ended at 8pm and a poll is already out less than 4 hours after. I am glad they polled a wide variety of people to get this results. Good, what a joke.
As a mother of two young adult boys who don't have insurance... and I've been layed off of a job after 10 years. We need an option, we currently don't have an option at this time. Something needs to change. Please help it change!
Those elected congressmen that do not support the public option should opt out of there government run health care plans
Support the Public Option
If it’s good for them, then its good for the American people
What a crappy headline versus the real body of the story. You should be ashamed- plying bliss to the ignorant masses who only read headlines.
Hi,
I never leave comments or blog etc......... I watch CNN etc quite a lot and I did see "OUR" President's Speech. and the aftermath........................and it Hurts me that in this day & age elected officials???? Have to act the way they do!!!!
I could go on forever but............it would be in vain & I won't.............................I'm so pissed I just want to say a zillion things but the dis---RESPECT this president has gotten is a shame.............????????????
Forget it............I'm upset about the whole thing
History will determine????
xo
Thanks
E
We saw the same kind of overall approval from 'everyday Americans' during the campaign. Republicans and media folk would spin their webs of cynicism about Obama failing and his speeches a 'failure' and then the polls would reveal majority approval and 'Obama won'.
Likewise healthcare reform: multitudinous lies and negativism, but in the end Obama's plan is what Americans turn out to want. He appeals to American's tolerant and generous spirit, not selfishness and fear.
President Obama's health reform speech was excellent. I will support public option because I like what I heard what he had to say. I trust him. He is our hopeful. Most of the people missed what he said, "if you like doctor. Keep it. If you like your insurance. you keep it." That is simple! Use their common sense. Go pass for the health-care public option now than later.
I have very good health insurance plan and I don't count on the President's plan for my insurance to get any better. However, I fully support the President's efforts for a health care reform because health care is a moral issue. A family's health care should never depend on the family's wealth. Health care is a human right and the government should guarantee it to all citizens.
"The poll surveyed the opinions of people who watched Wednesday night's speech, and does not reflect the views of all Americans."
That's the problem with politics today. Those who lack the initiative, or intelligence to actually pay attention still get to vote.
Yeah, thats great, but we still can't afford the 900 billion dollar price tag right now. Are any politicians still living on planet earth? Bush was bad on the budget, I think we can all agree on that, But Obama has been a nightmare on the budget and seems unable to stop spending. He is like some type of spending addict. Sometimes you just have to say, "We can't afford it". Congress repeat after me..."we can't afford it"
wake up America and go with common sense that Obama represents, listen to your senses and go with it, forget the Heckling party .. that is the best they can offer Americans .. rudness & division
What are the results of the Foxnews/Opinion Research Corporation poll? I bet you he lost a lot of independents tonight. People like me who honestly believed he was a "Centrist" when he was campaigning. I haven't see a more partisan speech in years! He lost my vote!
The President's finest pubic policy speech to date. In spite of the unspeakably childish and disrespectful outburst from Representative Wilson, President Obama forcefully made his points and uplifted the debate once again to policy over politics. Now, let's leave the hyperbole behind and get the job done.
When the President stated ..'no free insurance' for illigal immigrants,
your 'Fact Check' ruled FALSE. But the review of the proposed bill
specifically states that there will be 'no subsudies' for illegals...but they
may be required to PURCHASE insurance.
Isn't that exactly what we are looking for from these illegals, come forth
and be accountable, register, and pay taxes AND for benefits?
Support for Obama's health care reform, is not only necessary, it is the right thing to do. If we do not care about the down trodden and the less fortunate among us, we should hang our heads in shame. The rest of the world is watching, and they are judging us, as to our character as a nation.
The Republicans drag us down with them every time because of their fear of something new, something good, something different. God forbid they spare a buck out of their greedy pockets for the good of all! All Western Countries have Universal Health Care. Sweden, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland etc. But us? No. Why? Because Republicans are afraid of it. Do we have to be dragged back with them all the time? Must we always suffer because of the paranoid few gumming up the works? IS IT RIGHT ONE PERSON CAN LIVE SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE BETTER INSURANCE THAN ANOTHER? HOW CAN WE JUSTIFY THIS IS OK? ARE WE A BARBARIAN COUNTRY? Seems so. We drop off sick people without Insurance on the street! Left to die alone and in pain! This is OK with you people!? PLEASE! AND THE IRONIC PART IS MOST REPUBLICANS CLAIM THEY ARE SUCH RELIGIOUS PEOPLE! HA! JESUS WOULD BE FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE! ALL REPUBLICANS ARE SUCH PIOUS HYPOCRITES!
Actually a lot of Independents likely watched the speech – I wouldn't be surprised to see a bump in his approval from Independent voters.
I find it regrettable that there are people who let their party affiliation color even their decision makin process and their ability to think for themselves.
It was an impressive speach until you start looking at the absurdity of the claims.
It will cost 900 billion but not add to the deficit!?!?!?!?!? Bull.
The federal Government is going to save money by opening a new agency!?!?!?!?!? Bull.
He'll get a bump in the polls because he is a smooth talker but once people actually digest what he said they will see his crazy plan for what it is... Bull.
I watched and was relieved that some of the ugly political banter and lies brewing over the last month were answered by the President. That being said the lie thrown at the president by Joe Wilson of South Carolina the republican house member shows disrespect for the office and should be condemned by both parties and the perpetrator should be censored. I just can't wait to hear what spin Rush Limbaugh is going to put on defending that disrespectful outburst.
I am little confused as far as illegal aliens getting health insurance under the new health bill goes. Wilson accused Obama of lying should remember under George Bush they were getting free health benefits anyway he never had the guts to call Bush a liar on national TV.
The "You lie" comment was from Joe Wilson, R-SC. He's already apologized.
I've read all the comments, watched the ratings, and I think minorities are not being considered here. Here we have a great President that's trying to bring this country together and get criticized for the effort. I'm from Clarksdale, MS. I've lived here all my life and it sickens me to know people that don't have any kind of coverage get a band aid at the ER and put out like a dog. We as a country will never be able to come together! The talk about the future, if the future comes, the next generation will keep the old habits that are being displayed. The rich stays rich and the poor just deal with it. And yes I am a business owner that's willing sacrifice in order for the next person to get medical coverage. Americans stop being selfish.