Dear reporters:

Poll data about whether people “approve of President Obama's handling of health care” tells us approximately nothing.

Some may disapprove because they think the government should have no involvement in health care whatsoever, and wish Obama would push a repeal of Medicare. Some may disapprove because they favor true government-run health care wherein the government employs doctors and runs hospitals. Some may disapprove because they want exactly what Obama is proposing, but think he is pursuing a flawed political approach to passing the legislation.

In short, poll questions about whether people approve of Obama's handling of health care, without getting at why they feel that way, are pretty much useless at this stage of the game. Please stop reporting them as though they are meaningful.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.