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Trump& #39;s belligerent & dangerous behavior obscured how poorly Biden performed for much of #2020debate. On health care he totally misrepresented his own position-making it sound worse than it is. His lead on health fell dramatically in @StanGreenberg focus groups of debate watchers
Sure it was tough w/Trump hectoring, but Biden not only failed to explain his plans to build on #ACA but said his public option is "only for those people who are so poor they qualify for Medicaid they can get that free in most States." No it& #39;s not. It& #39;s available for everyone
including those who pay too much for employer provided care. His website: "Whether you’re covered through your employer, buying your insurance on your own, or going without coverage altogether, the Biden Plan will give you the choice to purchase a public health insurance option"
He would automatically enroll those eligible for Medicaid in GOP states that won& #39;t expand it, but importantly he makes this available to everyone. Again, tough w/Trump hectoring, but Biden never mentioned any of his plan& #39;s elements that aid the middle-class,
These include much higher subsidies for people buying on exchanges and allowing Medicare to negotiate w/drug companies for lower prices & forcing all drug companies who want to participate in Medicare to limit price increases to inflation.
Again: extenuating circumstances, but pretty astonishing that as Trump names a Justice who could overturn the #ACA, Biden portrays his biggest health initiative as something solely for poor-exactly the messaging Ds have been trying to escape from 1st day Obama unveiled ACA
Bottom line: in the @StanGreenberg dial groups, Biden& #39;s advantage over Trump dropped during the debate more on health care than any other issue, w/ very big decline among non-col white women: precisely the group that were Ds most important target on #PreExistingConditions in 2018
Trump& #39;s ominous and erratic behavior, his open incitement & encouragement of white nationalists, his summons for violence & intimidation on Election Day, all justifiably overshadowed Biden& #39;s performance. But apart from #ClimateChange he didn& #39;t effectively explain any of his plans
Focus group women re-contacted by @SarahLongwell25 reinforce: horrified by Trump but few impressed by Biden. He& #39;s clearly ahead & any day that doesn& #39;t change the dynamic is good 4 him. But no one should pretend he performed well enough to resolve the doubts voters hold about him.
