Opposition Mounts

More Americans are telling Obama to steer clear of statist-driven tinkering with the nation's health care system. From ABC News:

Public doubt about health care reform has grown as the debate's raged this summer, with a rise in views it would do more harm than good, increasing opposition to a public option – and President Obama's rating on the issue at a new low in ABC News/Washington Post polls.

The president accuses Republicans of trying to kill his health care reform.

Fewer than half of Americans, 45 percent, support reform as it's been explained to date, while 50 percent are opposed – with many more "strongly" opposed than strongly in favor, 40 percent vs. 27 percent. Support's at just 36 percent among independents, the crucial political center.

Obama's approval rating for handling health care has fallen steadily from 57 percent in April to 46 percent today, led by a steep 17-point slide among independents.

Political observers are flabbergasted by the extent to which the left, controlling the White House and Congress with robust majorities, has lost near total control of the debate on health care, a welcome sign for friends of the Constitution and freedom. From Politico:

Charlie Cook, one of the best political handicappers in the business, sent out a special update to Cook Political Report subscribers Thursday that should send shivers down Democratic spines.

Reviewing recent polling and the 2010 election landscape, Cook can envision a scenario in which Democratic House losses could exceed 20 seats.

There's a time and place for schadenfreude, and this is it.