The polling on how much all of America hates the SCOTUS Citizens United ruling is striking.

Americans of both parties overwhelmingly oppose a Supreme Court ruling that allows corporations and unions to spend as much as they want on political campaigns, and most favor new limits on such spending, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Eight in 10 poll respondents say they oppose the high court's Jan. 21 decision to allow unfettered corporate political spending, with 65 percent "strongly" opposed. Nearly as many backed congressional action to curb the ruling, with 72 percent in favor of reinstating limits. The poll reveals relatively little difference of opinion on the issue among Democrats (85 percent opposed to the ruling), Republicans (76 percent) and independents (81 percent).

And how's this for a wedge issue for Dems?

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and other Republican lawmakers have praised the high court ruling as a victory for free speech, however, and have signaled their intent to oppose any legislation intended to blunt the impact of the court's decision.... Republicans and business groups have rallied around the ruling, arguing that the decision merely levels the playing field with free-spending unions and other liberal interest groups. The new poll, however, suggests there may be political risks for the GOP in opposing limits that appear to be favored by the party's base.

Dems can capitalize on this sentiment, if they recognize it for what it is and push hard on as many populist efforts as possible--that means not just some sort of fix for this SCOTUS decision, but financial reform with real teeth and real consumer protections and a strong jobs bill. There's a tremendous opportunity right now to differentiate the Dems from the Republicans.

Consider this from Roll Call [sub req]:

Senate GOP Staff Meet With Lobbyists on Jobs Bill Senate Republican leadership staff are huddling with K Streeters this afternoon over Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) decision to forgo a bipartisan jobs package in favor of a smaller, targeted plan. The meeting is expected to draw staff from the offices of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Sens. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) and Orrin Hatch (Utah), according to a lobbyist planning to attend the meeting. "People are curious and want to know what’s happening," the lobbyist said.

You know who the Republicans are going to be looking out for on this one. This jobs bill is the first chance, and possibly most important opportunity, Dems have to really show that they are looking out for regular Americans. Of course, to show that, they'll have to do it. Passing a real, effective jobs bill centered on creating jobs and not giving out more tax cuts would be a great start, and great policy. Putting the Republicans in a position to either support the effort, or to show America that they care more about their corporate sponsors than they do jobs, is just smart politics.