Worse for Dems come Nov.: passing health care or not?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Democrats could face "unmitigated disaster" in the mid-term elections... if they continue to ignore the public's opposition to health care reform.
This dire warning comes by way of pollsters who worked for the last two Democratic presidents.
Patrick Caddell and Douglas Schoen write in the Washington Post that the Democrats' "blind persistence in the face of reality threatens to turn this political march of folly into an electoral rout in November." They suggest that if health care reform passes - the Democrats' losses in the midterms will be even worse.
They say the political reality is that the battle for public opinion has been lost. Polls show a solid majority of Americans oppose the health care reform plan... even though most people believe that reform is needed and they support certain parts of the bill.
Caddell and Schoen write that President Obama and the Democratic party are deceiving themselves into believing that this reform is what the public wants.
They also point to polls that show the country is moving away from big government... saying the debate over health care has now become less about the issue itself... and more about the politics surrounding it. The American people see a government that "will neither hear nor heed the will of the people."
They suggest the only way for the Democrats to change course is to acknowledge that health care reform is a failure - whether or not it passes.
Here’s my question to you: Which will be worse for the Democrats in November: passing the health care bill or not passing it?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 6pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
How would you suggest your town save money?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Times are very tough in cities and states across the country. High unemployment means dwindling tax revenues... which is forcing local governments to make cuts in lots of places in order to keep things running.
CNNMoney.com highlights some of the quirkier services that are being cut:
- Miami is cutting the position of "chicken catcher"... Apparently the city was overrun with loose chickens four years ago, so they added a full-time Chicken Buster to the payroll.
- Chicago is toning down its annual July 4th fireworks presentation
- Detroit is outsourcing the traditional yellow school bus service to private companies. Some school districts have even cut bus service altogether - and parents now have to transport their kids
- Henderson, Nevada, is doing away with a free coffee program for seniors
- St. Louis is considering charging residents for once-a-week trash collection
- Colorado Springs is turning off the city's least efficient street lights... and they're grounding two police helicopters
- Speaking of police, San Diego is getting rid of its horse-mounted patrol after nearly 3 decades.
- Los Angeles, which is drowning in debt, wants to take the zoo off the city's books... they're negotiating with a non-profit group to take over operations.
- North Las Vegas will quit offering free medical exams to city council members
- and some Utah lawmakers want to make the 12th grade optional
Here’s my question to you: How would you suggest your town save money?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 7pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
What kind of reception for Tiger if he returns at Masters?
FILE PHOTO: Tiger Woods poses with his trophy after the final round of the 2009 Australian Masters on November 15 in Melbourne. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
After months of hiding out, the implosion of his personal life and squeaky clean reputation... and lots and lots of therapy - Tiger Woods might soon play golf again.
The AP reports Woods will likely play for the first time at the Masters in April - and there are other reports he could play at Bay Hill in the Arnold Palmer Invitational later this month. His agent says "no decision has been made yet."
But just imagine the TV ratings if he returns. In the past couple weeks - Woods has been practicing near his Florida home, including work with his swing coach.
Woods hasn't played in a tournament for four months - since November 15th - when he won the Australian Masters. Less than two weeks after his 82nd career victory - he crashed his SUV into a tree near his home in the middle of the night... which launched an avalanche of creepy revelations about his infidelities.
When Woods made his first public appearance last month in that tightly scripted, awkward event at PGA Headquarters... he said he would play golf again and didn't rule out this year.
Meanwhile - it's more than his golf swing that needs work. Tiger is also working on him image - which was more badly damaged than his SUV. He has lost a boatload of valuable sponsors not to mention the respect of many fans. There are reports that Woods has hired former Bush White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, who owns a PR sports firm, to help plan his comeback.
And the Masters may be a pretty good place to do it... Tiger has won there four times... plus it's the only tournament where the media aren't allowed inside the ropes.
Here’s my question to you: If Tiger Woods returns at the Masters, what kind of reception will he get?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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