| | | | BREAKING: People really, really like their health care |  | | Here's a number to chew on: 71%.
That's the percentage of Democrats in new Gallup polling that say their health care is either "excellent" or "good." Which is a very interesting finding given that the biggest divide within the 2020 Democratic field is over health care.
On one side are former Vice President Joe Biden and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who support a sort-of mend-it-don't-end-it approach to the current law of the land -- the Affordable Care Act. Both Biden and Buttigieg support keeping the Affordable Care Act, passed into law by President Barack Obama, while seeking to fix the parts of the law -- high premium costs, lack of choice -- that have come under criticism.
On the other side are Sens. Bernie Sanders (Vermont) and Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), both of whom support "Medicare for All," which would get rid of all private health insurance in favor of a government-run system. Their argument is that the current system -- put in place by Obama -- is an improvement on what it replaced but is simply not enough, and needs to go in order to be replaced by a public health insurance system.
If you are Sanders or Warren, the Gallup numbers have to give you some pause. When seven in 10 of your voters say they are happy with something -- anything! -- it is usually inadvisable to stake your campaign on the idea that the thing they like needs to be fundamentally altered.
Now, you can -- and they will -- argue that people may like their coverage but that these Democrats believe deep down that the best way to cover everyone at an affordable cost is Medicare for All. And that their principles will trump their personal satisfaction with their health care.
Which could happen. But doesn't seem likely.
The Point: Health care has been at the center of, at least, the last five national elections -- dating back to the 2010 midterms. These Gallup numbers suggest that health care could also decide the identity of the Democratic presidential nominee in 2020.
-- Chris | | "The chairman is not in order."
-- GOP Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner making one of the many Republican objections during Monday's impeachment hearing. Chris has more on what appears to be the GOP's goal here: Make people turn off the TV. | | |  | Do witnesses have to comply with subpoenas? | | In this impeachment edition of The Point, Chris and CNN legal analyst Laura Coates dig into one of our most-requested topics -- what's the deal with congressional subpoenas?
Stay in the know with The Point on YouTube. | | The Pentagon Papers of the Afghanistan war are here
I LOVE Bloomberg's yearly list of the stories they wish they had done
The story of Rosario and Cory
The story of Rudy and Donald
RIP, Paul Volcker
WaPo music critic Chris Richards is out with his always-eclectic list of the best music of the year | | | NPR's "All Songs Considered" goes over the year in music. The best hour you will spend this week. | | Two familiar names are seeking office in Texas this cycle.
Pierce Bush, a grandson of former President George H.W. Bush, is running in Texas' 22nd Congressional District to replace retiring GOP Rep. Pete Olson. Bush's announcement video touted his experience at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, a youth mentorship organization -- and knocked socialism, emphasizing the need for new conservative leaders.
And Ronny Jackson, President Trump's former chief physician, just filed to run in Texas' 13th Congressional District. Jackson, who has been reportedly interested in the seat, joins a crowded primary field to replace GOP Rep. Mac Thornberry. | |
LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST | | Elizabeth Warren: Earned nearly $2 million consulting for corporations and financial firms during her time as a professor over three decades.
Pete Buttigieg: Released a timeline of his three years working for the elite consulting firm McKinsey and the firm cleared him to release the clients he worked for during his tenure. He's been criticized for not being more transparent about his work there. Buttigieg also announced all his fundraisers will now be open to the public.
Michael Bloomberg: Has spent $84.7 million on TV advertising -- and already surpassed Tom Steyer's $79.5 million to date. | | | 1
The number of qualifying polls Andrew Yang and Tulsi Gabbard still need to make it onto the December debate stage ahead of Thursday's deadline. They could get that on Tuesday, when Monmouth University releases its latest national poll. | | | | | | |
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