According to a new Research 2000 poll, Blanche Lincoln is in deep, deep political trouble unless she votes in favor of the public health insurance option. The numbers are pretty shocking.
This Research 2000 Arkansas Poll was conducted for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America from October 27 through October 28, 2009. A total of 600 likely voters who vote regularly in state elections were interviewed statewide by telephone. Margin of error is 5%.
Summary of highlights:
Voters in Arkansas Support a Public Option
56% of all voters favor a public option, while 37% oppose it. Among Democrats, an overwhelming 83% favor a public option, while 12% oppose it. 57% of Independents favor a public option.
73% of all voters think that private health insurance companies care more about profit than about the health of the patients that they cover. Among Democrats and Independents, that number skyrockets to 86% and 72% respectively.
2010 Political Vulnerability Linked to Voting Against Health Care Bill
43% of Democrats are less likely to vote for Blanche Lincoln in 2010 if she votes against the public option--and 49% of Democrats and 35% of Independents are less likely to vote for her if she helps filibuster a bill.
If the 2010 election were held today, Blanche Lincoln receives 41% of the vote and Republican Gilbert Baker receives 39% of the vote--with 20% of voters undecided. Blanche Lincoln has suffered a net drop of 5% support since last month’s Research 2000 poll.
46% of Democrats are less likely to vote for her in the 2010 primary if she votes against the public option, and 48% are less likely to vote for her in the 2010 primary if she helps filibuster a bill.
Among Democrats, 43% think Blanche Lincoln should be the Democratic nominee again in 2010. 57% are not sure, or think it should be someone new.
Blanche Lincoln Seen as Out-Of-Touch With Arkansas Voters.
Overall, 47% say she is out-of-touch with Arkansas voters. 51% of overall voters think she is ineffective, 35% effective. 36% of Democrats and 50% of Independents think she is ineffective.
These numbers show that voting against the public option -- or helping Republicans block a vote on health care altogether -- would be career suicide for Blanche Lincoln.You can see the results here.
UPDATE: Thanks everybody for putting this on the Most Recommended list! Please keep the recs coming so more folks see this poll!
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