It's 2010. Polls Show the Excise Tax is Still Unpopular.

A Washington Post poll taken in mid-October showed that 61% of people surveyed opposed the excise tax, with only 35% supporting it. A USA Today/Gallup poll taken at the same time showed essentially identical results, with 61% against the tax and 34% in favor. An Associated Press poll (pdf) taken a couple of weeks later showed 56% of respondents opposed to the tax and 26% in favor. (The less decisive responses to the AP poll may be due to the way they phrased the question.)

Now Rasmussen's tracking poll on health reform has found that the excise tax remains as unpopular as ever. Rasmussen shows 59% of registered voters opposing the excise tax and only 32% supporting it. Advocates have failed to make their case to the public, and voter disapproval remains strikingly high. The tax is getting no traction at all.

It should also be noted that support for the House alternative to the excise tax has been consistently high. The public's support for the House alternative is, in fact, essentially just as strong as its the opposition to the excise tax. If anything, the House tax is growing more popular over time. Specific numbers:

USA Today/Gallup: 59% support the House alternative, 38% against
Associated Press: 57% support the House alternative, 36% against
Rasmussen: 64% support the House alternative, 35% against

The Rasmussen results are also consistent with polling in front-line states conducted by John Anzalone , which showed that the excise tax could have serious electoral consequences for its backers if it passes. We've discussed the tax's policy shortcomings at length - but it's a political non-starter, too.

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future