The Senate will begin debate this afternoon on a comprehensive health care bill that a plurality of Americans don't want passed.

Gallup reports that 49% of Americans now say they would lean toward advising their member of Congress to vote against health care legislation, while 44% say they want their representative to vote in favor of it. Before those with no opinion were asked which way they leaned, the divide was even greater: 42% against, 35% in favor, and 22% had no opinion.

"Despite the considerable efforts of Congress and the president to pass health insurance reform, the public remains reluctant to endorse that goal," Gallup's Jeffrey M. Jones writes.

The downward trend among independents is troublesome for Democrats, who are pushing the bill to be passed as soon as possible. In mid-September, 48% of independents wanted their member of Congress to vote for health care. But that number has dropped to 37% in Gallup's latest survey. Support among Democrats, at 76%, has dropped in the last two months as well, while Republican support -- after peaking at 24% last month -- is back down to 12%.

"The cost question is vital," the San Francisco Chronicle reported this morning, citing concerns with the unpredictability of the Senate bill's cost control mechanisms. "Parts of the Senate bill could control costs but no one knows how much. Nearly everyone agrees that the bill's cost controls have been weakened and may grow weaker. And all agree that the House bill would do even less."

After voting Nov. 21 to allow debate on health care legislation and a subsequent Thanksgiving week recess, the Senate convenes today at 3 p.m. to begin floor arguments on the bill.

The Gallup survey was conducted Nov. 20-22 of 1,017 adults with a margin of error of +/- 4%.