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As Pres. Obama steps up his advocacy for health care reform, Dem pols are not sure that he needs bipartisan support to get it passed according to this week's National Journal Insiders Poll. Only 27 percent of the Dem Insiders said it was "very important" for Obama to secure a bipartisan package, while 47 percent said that was only "somewhat important" and another 22 percent said it was "not very important." Five percent said bipartisanship was "not important at all." With 59 votes in the Senate--and a filibuster proof 60 should Al Frankenbe seated after a recount of last year's MN race winds its way thorough the courts--and healthy majorities in the House, many Dem Insiders believe it is critical to focus on enacting an effective plan soon rather than wooing GOPers. "Far more important that it pass and that it works," said one Democratic Insider.
GOP Insiders predictably felt there was a greater imperative for Obama to bring GOP Members of Congress on board his health reform plan. Some 48 percent said it was "very important" that reform be bipartisan, followed by 22 percent who said it was "somewhat important" and 25 percent who said it was "not very important." Four percent said it was "not important at all." GOPers generally felt that attempting a massive overhaul of a key sector of the economy would necessarily require GOP support, if for no other reason than to provide some political insulation for Obama if his reforms don't work or cause political backlash. But even some GOP pols acknowledged that Obama's main task is getting something accomplished that works. "At the end of the day, all that will matter is whether it happened," said one Insider. "Style points may mean something around D.C., but precious little elsewhere."
For complete results of the Insiders Poll and all the verbatim comments click here.
(National Journal's JIM BARNES)
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