Poll shows Democrats taking lead in health care reform

The battle for American hearts and minds in the debate over health insurance reform is tilting toward Democrats, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll.

In addition to losing the argument on health care, the poll says Republicans continue to lose electoral footing as well.

Here are some highlights:

"Indeed, Americans by 51-37 percent in this latest ABC News/Washington Post poll say they'd rather see a plan pass Congress without Republican support, if it includes a public option based on affordability, than with Republican backing but no such element.

"That cuts to the GOP's basic challenges finding political footing: Only 20 percent of Americans now identify themselves as Republicans, the fewest in 26 years. Just 19 percent, similarly, trust the Republicans in Congress to make the right decisions for the country's future; even among Republicans themselves just four in 10 are confident in their own party. For comparison, 49 percent overall express this confidence in Obama, steady since August albeit well below its peak."