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Rasmussen: After HC Vote, Nelson Trails in Reelection Bid by 31 Points

By Philip Klein on 12.29.09 @ 10:56AM

As a result of his vote for the Senate health care bill, Sen. Ben Nelson now trails Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman in a hypothetical reelection race by a two-to-one margin, or 61 percent to 30 percent, a new Rasmussen poll finds.

There are several caveats worth considering. Rasmussen polls have a tendency to be more favorable to Republicans; the election isn't until 2012; and we don't even know whether Heineman will challenge him.

With that said, there are a number of troubling signs for Nelson.

Among the poll's findings:

-- Just 17 percent of Nebraska voters approve of the Medicaid deal Nelson cut to secure his vote for the health care bill.

-- 64 percent of Nebraskans oppose the health care legislation and 53 percent strongly oppose.

-- 65 percent "say that coverage of abortion should be prohibited in any plan that receives government subsidies." The language in the bill that Nelson voted for did not include such a prohibition.

--And another killer number for any incumbent: just 40 percent have a favorable view of Nelson, while 55 percent have an unfavorable view.

View all comments (7) | Leave a comment

Al Adab| 12.29.09 @ 11:30AM

Nelson isn't up for re-election untill 2012, so it is likely his bought vote will go unpunished. Prior to direct election of Senators, the Nebraska legislature could call him on the carpet if they so chose.

The lesson here is that all too often these people are imune from the citizens wrath. Unless NE has recall available it is unlikely Nelson will suffer any for his vote.

What alternatives exist for voters, tar and feathers?

darcy| 12.30.09 @ 1:08AM

"It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged." G.K.Chesterton, The Cleveland Press, 3-1-1921.

bluecollarbytes| 12.29.09 @ 11:33AM

"Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters in the state believe that passage of the legislation will hurt the quality of care, and 62% say it will raise costs."

indicating wishful thinking still influences many.

My doctor is leaving private practice, due in part to the coming tsunami of govt mandates, Medicare reimbursement rates, and ungodly hours.

Kyle| 12.29.09 @ 2:25PM

That's right bluecollar, the Democrats left out taking care of the most important part of health care; the doctors. They go to college/ med school/ residency rotations, for close to 10 years only to be told how to treat patients by frickin' ambulance chasing lawyers in Congress.