Here we go again: Pew over surveys Democrats by 27% as it pictures a population rejecting Medicare changes by 18%.

PewResearch:  As has consistently been the case, seniors express the strongest opposition to changing Medicare into a program that offers future participants credits toward purchasing private health insurance coverage. People age 65 and older who have heard about this proposal oppose it by a 55% to 24% margin, with fully 46% saying they are strongly opposed. There also is more opposition than support among people age 50 to 64, while those under age 50 are more divided.

The issue also splits along partisan lines with Democrats opposed to such a change by a 61% to 28% margin, while Republicans are more likely to favor it, though by a slimmer 46% to 32% margin. Among independents, 49% are opposed to this sort of gradual shift toward Medicare vouchers, while 34% are in favor.

Editor’s notes: 

On page 2 of this report,  PEW reveals the details of its survey sample and the revelation is disturbing.  237 Republicans were surveyed compared to  323 Democrats.  

As relates to the 18 to 49 age groups,  there is an 18% differential favoring the status quo in a survey with a 27% differential favoring Democrat opinion.   

In other words,  if the survey had fairly represented national opinion,  those most affected would have approved of the coming changes. 

Expect to see this polling trend  --  over sampling in favor of the "progressive" opinion  -- to continue throughout the 2012 campaign process.