My favorite liberal pro-abort columnist, Mickey Kaus, is a very honest man, and will never let his ideology stand in the way of a keen analysis of the events of the day. That is one of the reasons why I stop by each day to read his Kaus Files. The other reasons are that he is witty and concise. Here is his take on a recent poll in the New York Times:
Here’s what the NYT‘s story on its latest poll told readers:
In recent weeks, there has been much debate over the government’s role in guaranteeing insurance coverage for contraception, including for those who work for religious organizations. The poll found that women were split as to whether health insurance plans should cover the costs of birth control and whether employers with religious objections should be able to opt out. [E.A.]
If the Times says women were “split,” you know that must mean they were actually narrowly against the NYT‘s preferred position. Sure enough, when asked, “Should health insurance plans for all employees have to cover the full cost of birth control for female employees or should employers be able to opt out for moral or religious reasons?” women favored opting out by a 46-44 margin. The margin increased to a decisive 53-38 for “religiously affiliated employers, such as a hospital or university.”
That’s among women. Unbeknownst to those who read only the Times‘ main story, the poll asked the same question to men. They were not split. Men favored opting out by a 20 point margin (57 vs. 37), except when a “religiously affiliated employer” was involved, in which case the margin increased to 25 points. Combining men and women, a substantial majority (51-40) favors allowing an opt-out–increasing to 57-36 where religiously-affiliated institutions are involved.
These are not close results. It’s hard to read this poll and not conclude that, contrary to some accounts, Obama wasn’t such a genius to pick a fight over mandated contraception coverage–because he appears to be losing the public debate on the question. That’s a conclusion the Times story effectively hides from readers.
It’s also one possible explanation for Obama’s otherwise somewhat mystifying overall drop in approval during the period–March 7-11–when the poll was in the field. But not an approved explanation.
Gas prices are the official MSM explanation. Got it? Gas prices.
Go here to read the brilliant rest. Always remember that this is an election year, and almost the entire Mainstream Media is once again in the tank for Obama. Much of what you read initially about public perceptions of an issue and its impact on the campaign is going to be flatly false.
There is hope, but not for the main stream media.
Donald, I like the way you refer to Kaus as a pro-abort. This should become part of our lexicon. I’m going to do my part to use this as much as possible.
Here’s a sample:
He’s a balding, pro-abort, Yankee fan who served in Vietnam.
I love it.
daledog –
it makes perfect sense; “I’m not pro-slavery– in fact, I’m personally opposed! However, I would never try to impose that view on my neighbor, especially not when it comes to something as deeply personal has his imported concubines.”
“Gas prices are the official MSM explanation. Got it? Gas prices.”
What’s funny is how this is the same explanation for many in the GOP fiscal wing and the punditry. I recently witnessed a nice Jewish Republican lady claim that the HHS mandate was a “trap” the Dems had created for Republicans to distract from the real issues.
Apparently, the geniuses around Obama thought this was a facile means to twist the pro-life message to make a trap for fools. Howz that working for ya liberals?
Libs are just too smart!
Endless wars
Drone assassinations
Gitmo open
No real jobs
Unemployment still higher than Obama promised
Skyrocketing food prices
Skyrocketing gasoline prices
Obamacare – centralized harm to 85% of Americans’ health care
HHS mandate
Straw meets camel’s back: HHS mandate causes Cardinal Dolan coincidentally to identify the massive feces sandwich which is Obamacare.
Something must be cooking to reel in that opinion for the next seven months.
Meanwhile:
(from the Novena to St. Anthony of Padua)
St. Anthony’s Prayer:
Lord Jesus, bind us to You and to our neighbor with love. May our hearts not be turned away from You. May our souls not be deceived nor our talents or minds enticed by allurements of error so that we may never distance ourselves from Your love. Thus may we love our neighbor as ourselves with strength, wisdom, and gentleness. With Your help, You who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen.
Responsory of St. Anthony:
Priest: If then you ask for miracles,
death, error, all calamities, the leprosy and demons fly, and health succeeds infirmities.
All: The sea obeys, and fetters break, and lifeless limbs you do restore.
While treasures lost are found again, when young and old your aid implore.
Priest: All dangers vanish at your prayer, and deepest needs are cared for, too.
Let those who know your power proclaim, Let Paduans say, ‘These are of you’.
Novena Prayer to St. Anthony:
Holy St. Anthony, you are the consolation of so many people. We come to invoke your help, confident of experiencing your goodness and power. Pray for us to the Father of mercies, that we may obtain the graces we need for ourselves and for our loved ones ….
and if we pray for miracles for our Church?
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