They’d be right, of course, but it’s surprising to see that large of a percentage fully understanding the financial implications for the middle class.

Contrary to the left-wing spin that would have you believe the rich will simply pay for it and there will be no negative reprecussions for average Americans, 78% understand that there will be:

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of U.S. voters say it is at least somewhat likely that taxes will be raised on the middle class to cover the cost of health care reform. Fifty-six percent (56%) say it’s very likely.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% of voters think it’s unlikely that the cost of health care reform will require raising taxes on the middle class.

But the news gets worse for the Obama Administration. McClatchy DC reports this morning that Obama’s approval rating has fallen 7 points since June amongst Americans at large and 8 points since June amongst independent voters. He’s now at the lowest point of his presidency to date and the trend continues downward.

In fact, other recent polls have shown the situation worse for Obama, with Diego/Hotline showing a drop of 9 points amongst all Americans and a drop of 15 points amongst independents, again since June. The same poll shows that 71% of voters would rather have a slower recovery than keep building on the deficit, showing that the overwhelming majority of Americans are terribly concerned about Washington’s spending habits.

Bottom line: Obama hasn’t reached George W. Bush end-of-term figures yet, but the trend isn’t good. How long can you sustain a 50~% approval rating when you’re dropping 7 to 9 points a month amongst all Americans and even more rapidy amongst swing voters? Answer: Not very.