For those national Republicans who have been urging Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman to challenge Democrat Ben Nelson for his seat in the U.S. Senate in 2012, the job has just become easier. Though it’s still early yet, the results of a new poll have to be encouraging to the Cornhusker State’s GOP governor.

Rasmussen Reports found that Nelson’s sellout on the ObamaCare bill would hurt the Senator should he have to face Heineman in 2012:

“…the Republican would get 61% of the vote while Nelson would get just 30%. Nelson was reelected to a second Senate term in 2006 with 64% of the vote.”

“Nelson’s health care vote is clearly dragging his numbers down. Just 17% of Nebraska voters approve of the deal their senator made on Medicaid in exchange for his vote in support of the plan. Overall, 64% oppose the health care legislation, including 53% who are Strongly Opposed. In Nebraska, opposition is even stronger than it is nationally.”

“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.”

If Nelson thought that bringing home the pork would endear him to Nebraska’s voters, he needs to learn a new political calculus. Even if Nelson reneges on the deal he made with Harry Reid and the Obama White House and votes to block health care reform, Rasmussen’s results show that the damage has already been done. Fully 47 percent would still vote for Heneman, while just 37 percent would mark their ballots for Nelson. We’re at a loss to explain how Congress critters can be so out of touch with voters in their home states and districts. The disease of Beltway Bloat must severely affect the eyes and ears, as well as the ego.

Overall, the poll shows Nelson’s favorability ratings to be well below the water line. 55 percent have an unfavorable view of the incumbent, while just 40 percent view Nelson in a favorable light.

The poll, which surveyed only likely voters in Nebraska, has a 95% confidence level.

- JP

6 Responses to “Nelson’s sellout could cost him his Senate seat”