Before you answer, consider the following astonishing quote from a New York Times article published Tuesday:
While the month of August clearly knocked the White House back on its heels, as Congressional town hall-style meetings exposed Americans’ unease with an overhaul, the uproar does not seem to have greatly altered public opinion or substantially weakened Democrats’ resolve.
I guess wherever author Sheryl Gay Stolberg lives, they don't have Gallup polls.
After all, in September, Gallup found (emphasis added):
39% of Americans saying they would direct their member of Congress to vote against a healthcare reform bill this fall while 37% want their member to vote in favor.
This was down from 56 percent in favor back in July. That's a 19 point drop in less than two months.
Isn't that what you would call "greatly altered?"
As for "Democrats' resolve," The Hill reported Tuesday:
Political momentum appeared to swing sharply against the public health insurance option prized by liberals Tuesday, on the eve of President Barack Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress.
Democratic leaders in the House and Senate on Tuesday signaled they are increasingly willing to pass healthcare reform without a public insurance option, even while Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) again insisted it must be included in a House healthcare bill. [...]
Centrist Democrats, who were skeptical about the public option in July, have hardened into outright opponents after hearing a deluge of constituent complaints.
I guess Stolberg somehow missed this shift.
