The NYT/CBS poll on the health care law offers interesting clues

[bornskeptic]

7. The mandate will be much less unpopular after it is implementeded than it is now.

More than 50% disapprove now, but less than 5% will actually be affected by it.
Most of the people who hate the mandate have insurance now, so it either doesn't affect them or they will be able to get better insurance at a lower price. Most people who don't have insurance now would like to have insurance, but can't afford it because their income is too low, or can't get it because of pre-existing conditions. Thosw problems will be mostly eliminated by the premium support payments and guaranteed issue. Many who oppose it now, imagine that the insurance offered on the exchange will be similar to what they could buy now in the individual insurance market, because few people have any idea what 70% actuarial value means. Millions who oppose the individual mandate now will be so surprised by what the insurance they can get covers that they will rush to sign up before the mandate takes effect.