Poll: Voters unware no GOPers supported Senate healthcare bill

[cal04]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/78825-poll-voters-unware-no-gopers-supported-senate-healthcare-bill

Most voters were unaware the Senate passed a healthcare bill without a single Republican vote, a new Pew Center study reveals.

Moreover, even fewer knew how Democrats broke Republicans' filibuster in the days leading up to the Christmas Eve vote, according to the poll, released Friday.

The Pew Research Center's periodic public knowledge study typically reveals a lack of understanding about some major, national topic. But this month, the doubt seems to center around the healthcare debate -- specifically, the Senate's handling of it since December.

Fewer than one in three surveyed voters earlier this month knew that Senate Democrats advanced their bill without a single Republican vote, according to Pew. Additionally, slightly more than one-fourth were aware it took 60 votes to break a filibuster, pollsters found.

Ultimately, both numbers perhaps add some credence to the president's assertion during Wednesday's State of the Union address that lawmakers have not communicated the healthcare debate clearly to voters.

[customerserviceguy]

1. That won't last for long

Surely the Repigs will trumpet it from the rooftops in the coming election campaign.

[gkhouston]

2. There's a silver lining here, Dems. If the public isn't aware that no R's are voting

for your bills, don't waste any time compromising! :grr:

[derby378]

3. That sounds like a mighty fine idea

Still, democracy only works when the public is informed and educated - and not merely demagogued.

[gkhouston]

4. True dat. And I wasn't proposing we lie to them. I actually like the idea

of the President doing a regular televised "town hall" with the Senate and the House. Talk about must-see TV.