While the national public disagrees with Republicans, this doesn't mean that their constituents also disagree with them. In fact, given how House districts are gerrymandered, it's quite likely that Republican House members are taking positions consonant with (or at least not terribly far from) the views dominant in their districts.

We've seen this before. For instance, back during the Clinton impeachment, all that was terribly unpopular nationally but Republicans thought it was great. Also, the media's presentation of the impeachment was closer to Republicans' views than to the public's as a whole.

The Republicans would love to see the whole thing fail. Their party is infinitely more important to them than the future of the country ever was. They will riddle this plan with as many holes as possible and then stand back and say it was all someone else's fault.
All of this is much more obvious to most people than you think.

The Republicans would love to see the whole thing fail.

It seems the Republicans more closely represent the will of the people.

">
Support for Stimulus Package Falls to 37%

The utter disrespect Democrats have for the "little People" is simply astounding.

Simple Answers to Easy Questions:

"Incidentally, I'm not exactly sure what you call a political system in which politicians routinely ignore public opinion."

- an oligarchy

Here's the link...

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/economic_stimulus_package/support_for_stimulus_package_falls_to_37

El--CNN polls have 54% of the country wanting it to pass. US News and World Report polls have 38% wanting it to pass as is, 37% to pass but with major changes. Seems like your statement "support for the stimulus package falls to 37%" is a tad off.

The disrespect is how a Republican in Indiana, Michigan, and other severely hit places can vote against this. That Congressman is ignoring the "little people".

CNN polls have 54% of the country wanting it to pass. US News and World Report polls have 38% wanting it to pass as is, 37% to pass but with major changes.

News organizations. Of COURSE they show it up.
Rassmussen is a professional pollster. Even if they were equivalent, which they aren't, why was Rassmussen conspicuously missing in this discussion?

HEY EL V:

About 80% of those polled want to see some sort of stimulus plan passed.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/114202/Obama-Upper-Hand-Stimulus-Fight.aspx
Over half overall call it critical.

So, considering that roughly 20% of folks still think that George Bush walked with angels and had the brain of Jesus, you could say that 100% if SANE people want a stimulus plan.

Of course none of these pesky "facts" will ever bother you of course.

El...Rassmussen is known for some pretty skewed polling. Enough said. Nice try though. You are truly one of the 27%.

Not one Republican House member voted for the stimulus bill.

And the only thing noteworthy about that factoid is that the Obama Administration ever thought it would be otherwise.

"According to Rasmussen, neither of the Dem frontrunners are polling well against McCain, the Republican frontrunner...." El Viajero, 2008.

How's that working out, buddy?

Every other poll shows that people (a) support the stimulus (b) support Obama and (c) hate the Republicans in Congress dozens of points worth more than they hate the Democrats in Congress.

Is there any evidence that a majority of the constituents of the Republicans who voted against the bill actually support the bill.

It's clear what a majority of the country, but I can pretty easily imagine that most of the Republicans are acting in accord with the wishes of the people they represent. I havn't seen regional breakdowns of the polls, so I'm not claiming it's the case one way or the other, but it's not implausible.

About 80% of those polled want to see some sort of stimulus plan passed.

I would fall into that category. However, the bill we have is so flawed that I, and many, many others, believe it's simply a waste.

If you want to stimulate the economy, then stimulate business.

How's that working out, buddy?

Not as bad as I believed it would be. Democrats are in charge and yet they pine away for Republican support.

Why is that? Why do they want the approval of Republicans?

The only explanation I can think of is they want cover when things go South.

Like I said to start with, the Republicans are perfectly OK with everything going south, as long as they can finesse a way to blame it on the other guy. They pitifully offer up the exact same worn out ideas that they have spouted out for eight long years now, and never once acknowledge that their eight year conservatard party has had anything to do with the current economic collapse.

And Harry Reid was the cheerleader hoping and praying (nevermind he probably doesn't do that) that Iraq was going to become a more stable place. Pot meet kettle. Kettle, Pot. The only thing Reid needed when he said the war in Iraq was lost (we told you so) was addiction to percocet and radio show in Florida to complete the parallel.

Ezra is right it's politics 101 both parties do it.

Yes, I believe you are correct. Reid told us the war is lost....GIVE UP. His main concern was not the security of the US. His main concern was trying to hang a failed war on the opposition.

He's the perfect politician...a sociopath.