"A New York Times/CBS News poll released early this month found that 41 percent of Americans thought that the entire law should have been overturned, while 27 percent thought only the mandate should have been overturned and 24 percent thought the whole law should have been kept intact.
If you just took the numbers at face value, they would seem to support the Republican position. But let’s not. The same poll found that 37 percent of Americans believed the law went too far, while 27 percent said not far enough and 25 percent said about right.
When you cross-reference the numbers, just over two-thirds of the people who wanted the law struck down thought it went too far. That’s only 27 percent of those polled. Suddenly, the claim that a majority of the public wanted the court to strike it down for overreaching evaporates."
Thank you, Charles! A numbing fete of numerical legerdemain if ever there was one.
A fly in Blow's ointment? Of course. According to a new Newsweek/Daily Beast poll (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/29/new-poll-voters-dislike-supreme-court-s-obamacare-ruling.html), a majority of Americans disapprove of the Supreme Court ruling:
"Overall, 50 percent of those polled said they disapprove of the court’s 5–4 decision, while 45 percent said they support it. Consistently, a majority of voters said that they oppose the individual mandate (53 percent); believe taxes will increase (52 percent); believe their personal health-care costs will increase (56 percent); and disapprove of Obama’s handling of health care in general (58 percent). Only 24 percent of those polled said that they believe the ruling will make the country better off."
Did you catch that last line, Charles? "Only 24 percent of those polled said that they believe the ruling will make the country better off."
An "unmitigated win" for Obama? Why do I have my doubts?
Bottom line, Charles and I are in agreement. Charles Blow? No. Charles Krauthammer? Yes.
Charles Krauthammer writes in a WAPO opinion piece entitled "Why Roberts did it" (http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-krauthammer-why-roberts-did-it/2012/06/28/gJQA4X0g9V_story.html) that it's now up to voters to make their voices heard. Krauthammer concludes:
"Obamacare is now essentially upheld. There’s only one way it can be overturned. The same way it was passed — elect a new president and a new Congress. That’s undoubtedly what Roberts is telling the nation: Your job, not mine. I won’t make it easy for you."
In short, no need to wax ecstatic or fume over the Supreme Court's decision. In November, the American electorate will have the final say.
O.K., there's a poll for every opinion, but Obama now has a second chance to explain and defend the Affordable Care Act. As POTUS, he has the ability to move public sentiment. Will he sieze this opportunity to lead? Early indications suggest he doesn't want to talk about it, again.
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