The NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released today has a great series of questions showing why the Democratic Message Machine created Sandra Fluke. Here is the first question they asked:
As you may know the Obama administration announced a new policy concerning health insurance plans provided by employers and how they handle birth control and contraceptive services. The new policy requires these services are available as part of the preventative care women would receive.
Q31 Now, please tell me whether you favor or oppose each of the following, or if you do not have an opinion one way or another. (ROTATE)
The federal government requiring employers to offer free birth control coverage as past of their health insurance benefit plans.
Favor.............53
Oppose.........33
No Opinion...14The Federal government requiring employers to offer free contraceptive services, including the morning after pill, as part of their health insurance benefit plans.
Favor............43
Oppose........43
No opinion...13
So when the issue is framed as "birth control" a strong majority of Americans support the Obama/Democrat position. And just by educating respondents on the morning after pill aspect of the debate, the nation is suddenly divided. Now let's see what happens when religious freedom is added into the question.
Q32 Now, please tell me whether you favor or oppose each of the following, or if you do not have an opinion one way or the other. (ROTATE)
The federal government requiring health insurance plans for the employees at Catholic and other religiously affiliated hospitals and colleges to offer free birth control coverage and mandate that the health insurance company pays for that cost.
Favor............38
Oppose........45
No opinion...16
The federal government requiring health insurance plans for the employees at Catholic and other religiously affiliated hospitals and colleges to offer free contraceptive services, including the morning after pill, and mandate that the health insurance company pays for that cost.
Favor............34
Oppose........49
No opinion...16
So when the issue is framed as one of religious liberty, Americans immediately become more sympathetic to the libertarian/conservative view. Add in the fact that Obama would force Catholic institutions to pay for abortifacients and the Obama/Dem position loses by 15 points. And that is even with the phony "health insurance company pays for that cost" compromise wording used.
This is why Democrats pulled Rev. Barry Lynn, head of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the issue. That is why they pushed for Fluke instead. If the debate is about the facts and religious freedom, Democrats lose. If its about birth control and Rush Limbaugh calling Sandra Fluke a slut they win.
