Update: A Majority Wants a Public Option

This CBS poll from November 17th shows a majority of 51% wants a public option:

What kind of Health Care Bill should Congress pass?

One WITH a public option: 51%
One WITHOUT a public option: 16%
No bill at all: 26%

Further: "When Americans are asked directly about a public option for the uninsured, overall support is at 61%."


Update 12-7: On a related note, when asked in a CNN poll to distinguish why they oppose health care reform in new poll questions, it turns out that about 1/5 of the opposition to the current version of health care reform in poll questions comes from those who oppose current reform because it is "not liberal enough." Other recent polls show similar outcomes.

(11. As you may know, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would make major changes in the country’s health care system. Based on what you have heard or read about that bill, do you generally favor it or generally oppose it?) ...

12. (IF OPPOSE:) Do you oppose that bill because you think its approach toward health care is too liberal, or because you think its approach toward health care is not liberal enough?
Nov. 13-15
2009

Favor (from Q.11) 46%
Oppose, too liberal 34%
Oppose, not liberal enough 10%
Oppose, other reasons 3%
No opinion 8%

This shows that about 56% of those polled want a version of health care reform that is at least as "liberal" (generous) as the currently proposed House version of reform.