Poll: Deep divide remains on health reform

Video: In victory lap, Obama returns to Iowa

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   >>> "nightly news" begins now.

   >>> good evening. while the white house continues to celebrate its largest-ever legislative victory, opponents of health care reform have reacted to the final vote with anger, a few with threats of violence. some republican law makers set out to repeal the bill. all of it or part of it, and today in something of a victory lap speech in iowa where it all started for him on the road to the white house , president obama dared the other side to repeal what he has just passed. it's where we begin tonight with white house correspondent savannah guthrie . good evening.

   >> reporter: good evening, brian. this was the first road trip since the president signed the health care law , and the site of his first presidential victory was chosen to highlight campaign promise that was kept. returning to the state that launched his campaign --

   >> i've got to take off my jacket when i'm in iowa.

   >> reporter: -- the president made clear he's ready for the next one, republicans running against the new health care law .

   >> they're actually going to run on a platform of repeal in november. you've been hearing that. my attitude is, go for it.

   >> reporter: it was here in iowa city that candidate obama first unveiled his health care plan.

   >> we can do this. the climate is far different than it was the last time we tried this in the early '90s.

   >> reporter: today, campaigning again, this time to convince the country the law he signed will improve their lives. nbc's mike viqueira traveled with the president.

   >> the president spoke to a largely receptive crowd at the university of iowa , and still one man in the crowd kept shouting, "what about the public option?"

   >> that's not in it.

   >> why not?

   >> because we couldn't get it through congress. that's why. let's -- there is no need to shout, young man.

   >> reporter: from one disappointed supporter inside to passionate opponents outside.

   >> if it's so great, why does he keep having to try to convince people? the majority of americans don't want it.

   >> reporter: the president's challenge now, highlight reforms that will go into effect almost immediately while preparing the public that landmark change won't happen for years.

   >> health care costs won't go down overnight. not all the changes are going to be in place. there are still going to be aspects of the health care system that are very frustrating.

   >> reporter: so what's next? senior aides tell nbc news they are readying a massive education effort in the various government agencies so there is not mass confusion how this bill is implemented.

   >> savannah guthrie from the white house lawn tonight, thanks.

   >>> while the president was in

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