Americans paying attention to health care debate?

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/11/17/health.care/story.harry.reid.gi.jpg caption="Sen. Harry Reid accused Republicans of trying to dodge a full Senate debate on health care." width=300 height=169]

Ed Hornick
CNN

November and December tend to be a typically slow time for Congress as it wraps up business before a new session begins.

But not this year.

The Senate is expected to soon return to health care reform, the legislative lightning rod of 2009. Most analysts expect it to be an engaging debate.

But will Americans be paying attention as they carve the Thanksgiving turkey and shop for the holidays?

Analysts say yes - and that Americans are more tuned in than ever.

"I do think the audience for this debate will go beyond 'inside baseball,' though it won't extend beyond the already politically engaged electorate," says Frances Lee, a political scientist with the University of Maryland. "I would expect this debate to be equally engaging, though it will also be far longer."

Keep Reading...