the winds begin to shift

a recent cnn poll measuring public opinion on the health care reform bill showed 39% in support, 59% opposed.

those numbers look quite different if you break them down a bit. of that 59%, 13% opposed it because it isn't liberal enough. in other words, 46% actually opposed the bill. 52% supported it or wanted it to go further.

today, both a usa today poll and a gallup poll show public opinion is shifting in favor of the legislation, the president and - hold on to your hats - democrats.

usa today:

By 49%-40% those surveyed say it was "a good thing" rather than a bad one that Congress passed the bill. Half describe their reaction in positive terms, as "enthusiastic" or "pleased," while about four in 10 describe it in negative ways, as "disappointed" or "angry."

The largest single group, 48%, calls the bill "a good first step" that should be followed by more action on health care. An additional 4% also have a favorable view, saying the bill makes the most important changes needed in the nation's health care system.

gallup:

Nearly half of Americans give a thumbs-up to Congress' passage of a healthcare reform bill last weekend, with 49% calling it "a good thing." Republicans and Democrats have polar opposite reactions, with independents evenly split. Americans' emotional responses to the bill's passage are more positive than negative -- with 50% enthusiastic or pleased versus 42% angry or disappointed.