AMERICANS SPLIT ON OBAMA HEALTH PLAN - AT 9:01 A.M. ET:  Despite some heavy pro-Obama spin in the reporting, a new CNN poll on Obamacare can't be great news for the president.  It shows only a bare majority - 51% - in favor of the Obama plan, with 45% opposed:

The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Wednesday morning indicates that most people worry that their health care costs would go up if the administration's proposals passed and only one in five thinks that his or her families would be better off under the Obama plan.

Fifty-one percent of people surveyed say they favor the president's health care plan, with 45 percent opposed.

COMMENT:  Those numbers are likely to worsen for the president as the debate proceeds and more Americans learn the shaky details of the plan.

This is an opportunity for Republicans.  They can't simply opposed the plan on the table.  They must come up with an alternative that will improve current conditions without breaking the bank.  They're not going to get far simply saying no. 

The poll does provide some ammunition for Republicans opposed to the president's proposals, however. Fifty-four percent of those surveyed say their medical insurance costs would increase if the Obama plan became law, with 17 percent saying their costs would decrease.

All right, GOP.  Let's see if you're alive.

July 1, 2009