The first anniversary of Obama's presidency could hardly have been gloomier. Especially since the day before on Jan. 19, Republican Scott Brown shocked the political world by winning the seat long held by Kennedy, a lifelong champion of health care reform. The ramifications were huge. Obama's public opinion rating was dropping and he hadn't brought about any change liked he promised during the 2008 election season. However, with a lot of determination, deals and luck, Obama sealed the deal on his health care plan.
On Monday, President Obama began an immediate public relations blitz aimed at turning around Americans' opinion of the health care bill and so far there's been progress. A USA Today/Gallup Poll finds that 48 percent, calls the legislation "a good first step" that needs to be followed up by more action, and 4 percent says the bill itself makes the most important changes needed in the nation's health care system.
The reshaping the legislation's image will take place in three phases, White House aids said: the immediate aftermath; the seven months until the November midterm elections; and the several years that follow, during which many provisions in the measure will gradually take effect.
Obama and those in favor of the bill have a lot more PR to do though, especially since no Republicans are in favor of it and will do everything possible to point out the negative aspects of the bill.
A lot of the public dislike of the legislation is bound to not understanding how it will affect them or suspicious about Washington and the historically low approval ratings of Congress as an institution. Turning around that sentiment will require the law to be implemented smoothly. Many Americans believe that no matter what, the government always finds a way to screw something up. White House officials say they will handle this by developing a comprehensive public education campaign that helps people understand is as it comes on.
White House officials say that Obama will not make health care a daily topic for the rest of the year, and will quickly shift to financial reform and the economy. Hearings on revamping financial regulations will begin Monday.
But officials say there will be several key moments before November's elections when popular parts of the health care legislation, such as the provision that prevents children from being denied coverage and changes to the "doughnut hole" for seniors, will take effect. Obama will surely build high-profile public events around those moments.
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