Support for Obamacare dips to 26 percent

A new survey by the Associated Press-GfK survey finds that only 26 percent of Americans support the so-called Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. In April 2010, shortly after the law passed, 39 percent supported it.

The most significant change since that time has been in the number of Americans who neither support nor oppose the law. That percentage has shot from 10 percent to 30 percent since April 2010. The percentage of those opposed to Obamacare has dropped from 50 percent to 43 percent.

I imagine that the large number of “fence sitters” gives Democrats hope that campaigning in favor of “fixing” Obamacare will be a viable political strategy this year. But I’m far from convinced that it will be viable for Democrats who voted to pass legislation on such a vital subject that is opposed by 50 percent more people than support it, and that is viewed skeptically by so many others.

The AP-Gfx poll also shows that most American don’t expect Obamacare to be repealed. Indeed, only 13 percent believe repeal will occur. A narrow majority expects the law to be implemented with minor changes or as passed.

That expectation appears to reflect an assessment of the political landscape, rather than a preference. The expectation is probably well-founded unless a significant percentage of the “undecideds” turn against Obamacare.

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