Luntz Focus group reacts to Rationing Summit

The video shows that 13 McCain voters and 13 Obama voters from 2008 who mostly agree on key points. Republicans did much better than expected and Democrats did not. They also tell Lutz.

"Democratic dismissal of any attempt by Republicans to start a dialog"

"They're not listening to us, they're not listening to the people"

Lutz asked the entire group: "how many of you feel they are listening to you, raise your hands?"

Not one single person raised their hands.

Next question, "How many of you think Washington is still ignoring you?"

Every single person raised their hands.

Yesterday Gallup reported that if an agreement was not reached "Americans by a 49% to 42% margin oppose rather than favor Congress passing a health care bill similar to the one proposed by Obama. By a larger 52% to 39% margin, Americans also oppose the Democrats in the Senate using a reconciliation procedure to avoid a possible Republican filibuster and pass a bill by a simple majority vote. Reconciliation has been used by both parties as a means to pass a needed budget; it has never been used in a major piece of legislation such as health care or to determine policy.

Some quotes from CNN, The Hill and Fox:

CNN’s WOLF BLITZER: “It looks like the Republicans certainly showed up ready to play.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)

CNN’s GLORIA BORGER: “The Republicans have been very effective today. They really did come to play. They were very smart.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)

• BORGER: “They took on the substance of a very complex issue. … But they really stuck to the substance of this issue and tried to get to the heart of it and I think did a very good job.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)

• BORGER: “They came in with a plan. They mapped it out.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)

CNN’s DAVID GERGEN: “The folks in the White House just must be kicking themselves right now. They thought that coming out of Baltimore when the President went in and was mesmerizing and commanding in front of the House Republicans that he could do that again here today. That would revive health care and would change the public opinion about their health care bill and they can go on to victory. Just the opposite has happened.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)

• GERGEN: “He doesn’t have a strong Democratic team behind him.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)

THE HILL’S A.B. STODDARD: “I think we need to start out by acknowledging Republicans brought their ‘A Team.’ They had doctors knowledgeable about the system, they brought substance to the table, and they, I thought, expressed interest in the reform. I thought in the lecture from Senator John McCain and on the issue of transparency, I thought today the Democrats were pretty much on their knees.” (Fox News’ “Live,” 2/25/10)

THE WEEKLY STANDARD’S STEVE HAYES: “I think to me the most important thing to come out of the morning so far is that Republicans have spent a great deal of time talking with great passion, and I think eagerness about their plans, detailing the plans that until this morning them democrats had been saying didn't exist. Well, you now see, I think, in great detail that Republicans do have plans, that they care about the same issues and that they feel passionately about it.” (Fox News’ “Live,” 2/25/10)

According to the compiled statistics:

Obama spoke longer than either the Republican or the Democrat delegation. Democrats collectively talked for more than twice as long as Republicans. Democrats (including Obama): 233 minutes or nearly four hours; Republicans: 110 minutes; Obama alone: 119 minutes.