A majority of the minority will be in their hearts for higher taxes, universal health care, a heightened emphasis on civiil liberties, and a dramatic and swift reduction of troops from Iraq. They know it, the RNC, NRCC, NRSC, and The Note all know it — the Democrats just have to hope that the American people don't find out until February.
On Iraq, perhaps they should read their own polls:
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"Which political party -- the Democrats or the Republicans -- do you trust to do a better job handling the situation in Iraq?" Options rotated
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Democrats 50% Republicans 36%
...
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"All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war with Iraq was worth fighting, or not?"
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Worth Fighting 37%, Not Worth Fighting 62%
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"Again thinking about the goals versus the costs of the war, so far in your opinion has there been an acceptable or unacceptable number of U.S. military casualties in Iraq?"
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Acceptable 22% Unacceptable 76%
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"Do you think the number of U.S. military forces in Iraq should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same?" Options rotated
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Increased 15% Decreased 54% Same 27%
On Universal health care. ABC poll from 2003:
Public Preference:
Current System or Universal Coverage?
Current system: 32%
Universal coverage: 62% \
Asked of respondents who answered "universal program":"Would you support or oppose a universal health insurance program if it limited your own choice of doctors?"
Support 57% Oppose 41%
Asked of respondents who answered "universal program":"Would you support or oppose a universal health insurance program if it meant there were waiting lists for some non-emergency treatments?"
Support 62% Oppose 33%
Support for the Massachusetts plan (which I don't like very much but it's still sorta-universal):
ABC News/Washington Post Poll. April 6-9, 2006. N=1,027 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults). Fieldwork by TNS.
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"As you may know, a new law in Massachusetts would require all residents to have health insurance. Low-income residents would get state subsidies to help pay insurance premiums, but everyone would pay something for health services. The plan would penalize people without any insurance and charge fees to employers who don't provide coverage. . . ."
MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS: "Do you support or oppose this plan?"
NON-MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS: "Would you support or oppose this plan in your state?"
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Support 55% Oppose 41%
Idiots.