Allowing the federal government to negotiate with drug companies to lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries and people enrolled in private plans – a key cost-saving proposal in the Democrats’ massive reconciliation bill – is favored by large majorities across political partisans, even after they hear arguments from both sides, […] Read more »
Kids could be the budget bill’s big winners — or losers
President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats are poised to channel historic investments into programs for kids — if they can navigate around competing demands, particularly from programs for seniors, as they slim down the massive public investment and social safety net bill now under intense negotiation on Capitol Hill. The […] Read more »
‘Frustration is at an all-time high’: Behind Biden’s falling poll numbers
… After an initial burst of support, Biden has seen his approval ratings fall significantly in recent months. A Washington Post average of polls since the start of September shows 44 percent of Americans approve of Biden’s job approval, while 49 percent disapprove. And polls suggest support for Biden has […] Read more »
What’s in Democrats’ Build Back Better plan? A lot of Americans don’t know
While congressional Democrats negotiate within their ranks over the “Build Back Better” plan, the public is more likely to have heard about what it would cost than about the specific policies that would be in it. Despite the popularity, in principle, of these program ideas, some of the very popular […] Read more »
Independents aren’t a unified political bloc. Here’s what they really think
Political independents are among the most heavily scrutinized groups in American politics. They’re also, as a new analysis of CNN’s most recent polling shows, not much of a bloc at all: Their backgrounds and viewpoints cover a wide spectrum. A dive into independents’ views highlights two basic principles for thinking […] Read more »
Democrats have a midterm turnout problem. Being more liberal won’t help.
Democrats are likely to have a turnout issue in 2022. To solve this turnout problem, there will be a temptation to double-down on progressive policies. And indeed, President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda polls fairly well. But Democrats should keep in mind that the Democratic voters likely to sit […] Read more »