New Polling Does Not Bode Well For “Reconciliation”
If this new Rasmussen poll of Nevada on Harry Reid’s reelection chances is even close to accurate, I don’t think it’s likely he’ll pursue “reconciliation” to pass a Dem-only health care bill anytime soon.
The numbers are not good for Reid. He’s trailing one GOP challenger by 10 points, and another by seven. More to the point, though, is this finding on the unpopularity of the health care reform plan in Reid’s home state of Nevada:
The health care debate is not helping the majority leader, though. Most Nevada voters (52%) oppose the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats, while 45% favor it.
What’s more, in Nevada, opponents are far more motivated than supporters:
Just 29% of Nevada voters Strongly Favor the congressional plan while 46% are Strongly Opposed.
At least one recent national poll also found a large majority wants Dems to win Republican support for reform. Reconciliation seems less and less likely, at least to me.
Reid supporters insist that the Nevada polls will not be a factor in Reid’s decision. And speaking to reporters today, Reid warned that “if we can’t get the 60 votes we need, then we’ll have no alternative but to do reconciliation.”
A lot of liberals, obviously, would love to be pleasantly surprised to discover that this is the case. We’ll see.
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This is the problem across the board with the Blue Dogs – threatening to replace them with more liberal Democrats is not feasible because they represent more conservative districts.
Reid warned that “if we can’t get the 60 votes we need, then we’ll have no alternative but to do reconciliation.”
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That reads like Harry has no choice, but to pass a healthcare bill, one way or another.
I do not see how his colleagues, or the President would let him get away with letting a bill get killed by a Republican filibuster.
If the Democrats do not pass a bill, then many of them will be in big trouble in 2010, so I do not see how Harry having a tough fight in Nevada, will persuade his colleagues to let the bill die.
Health care reform is bigger than Senator Reid, and also, if the bill is blocked, that is not going to gain support for Harry in Nevada. It would just make him look weak and ineffective.
Harry better push through the bill, one way or the other, because he has no chance of surviving, if he does not get it passed.
Greg
I got back in. It just goes to “Internet Explorer cannot display webpage”. Yours is the only website I’m having trouble with. Will reboot my computer tonight after work. I can’t do it now because we’re working and it aborts our accounting program if I shut down. Already dumped cookies etc.
Greg
Also if I minimize and then refresh to see new comments etc. it also tosses me out.
Ensign is no where to be seen and is a Republican. Do Nevadans want to lose Majority Leader to a) a back bencher b) a Republican back bencher?
I wonder if some of these polls represent Nevada Dems discontent with Reid rather than health care. That’s probably a stretch but may be a possibility. I know I’m not very impressed with him but I’m not from Nevada.
Just once wouldn’t it be nice to see a politician do the right thing instead of poll watching. Perhaps Harry Reid could leave a longer lasting legacy if he could get us the public option before going down to defeat. If he reads polls like tea leaves and does the expedient thing then even if he retains his seat he’ll just be another in a very, very, very, long line of forgettable politicians. Do the right thing Harry!
Ridiculous
All this polling is silly. By the time 2010 elections come around, the economy should be more than back on track. Heck, we should start seeing positive job growth any day now. Consumer confidence index is back up again. August sales were up 2.X%, this included increases in retail and others apart from the clunkers sales.
I don’t see how an economy that has turned around could be in any way a good thing for Republicans. Any time a Republican says something stupid all they have to do is point to the economic news.
come on Greg Rass? we’ll see in a few months I am sure this play differently
I wouldn’t even wipe my @ss with a Rasmussen poll. Meh
This might be a good reason to have a majority leader from a state with a strong Democratic majority. Were there other times Reid may have looked at his polling at home when choosing a course? I know I’ve wondered more than once why he did some counterproductive thing.
What are the odds of Reid doing the right thing, then retiring and letting the NevDems finding someone decent to run?
It’s easy for Reid. He can either pass health care – by any means possible – and still have a chance at re-election, but likely lose his majority leader status. Or he can let health care fail, and have almost zero chance of getting re-elected, period.
The fourth ACORN office, this one in San Bernardino, CA, caught on film. RICO anyone?
http://biggovernment.com/
The Senate votes 83-7 to deny funding to ACORN.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE58D6CW20090914
One wonders when the “major” media will decide they should report on this.
Reid’s been in trouble for a while; Daschle deja vu. Its getting harder to be one guy at home and another in Washington.
YIPPIE!
@ Freehold
“One wonders when the “major” media will decide they should report on this.”
Big deal! You clowns act like Obama is CEO or President of this org. He has nothing to do with it. So what, they gave him money to run… Why aren’t you pointing the finger at many other evil orgs that funnel funds to crooked politicians to support their cause? Oh! cause that is how it all works! Try some of those in the Health Care or Insurance industry. Many in the congress leadership are guilty (red & blue) And the reason it isn’t in the MSM… non important and actually irrelevant to the issues of the American People.
Please stay on topic!
Liam:
“I do not see how his colleagues, or the President would let him get away with letting a bill get killed by a Republican filibuster.”
Senators answer to the people of their state, NOT the President OR their colleagues. Reid deems to have forgotten that. He’s being reminded of that.
“If the Democrats do not pass a bill, then many of them will be in big trouble in 2010, so I do not see how Harry having a tough fight in Nevada, will persuade his colleagues to let the bill die.”
Dems are in trouble in 2010, period. “Reconcile” Health Care Reform and watch taxes hike and the economy tank further, and you might be looking at something worse than 1994…2010 might look like 1932.
Everyone sees it coming.
# Bilgeman | September 12th, 2009 at 11:52 am
End the illegal occupation of Confederate Land and begone from us. We are not of the same nation, and judging from the slurs posted and allowed here yesterday, nor should we be. They would then be free to sneer their contempt at us to their heart’s content from within the borders of whatever lands that remain to them.
…………………….
You have renounced your American Citizenship. By your own standards, that makes you a foreigner, and that means you have no right to make any comments about the United States of America.
In fact, you are now an Illegal Alien, so you better not try to use any of the USA social services, or show up at an emergency room for treatment. Turn in your social security card, because only legal residents are allowed to have them.
Спасибо. было очень интересно.
It’s said, “There are two Americas that distrust each other.” Many probably have that sentiment. I have a different perspective, especially on healthcare.
Data shows high-cost healthcare in big-city states east of the Mississippi. These states are Liberal, Democratic and Blue. They seek reform, especially the “Public Option” to lower cost and eliminate the scourge of “insurance denial”.
Per-capita low-cost consumers of care are located in the South, Mid-west and rural regions. They are Conservative, Republican and Red. They don’t see the need to over-haul the low premium system. Does their politics results in low premiums? Low-cost states have low incidence of chronic illnesses like emphysema; greater social support network; and lower cost of end-of-life care. Only 15% in the northeast die at home; while a much higher % in rural and traditional societies. These factors have major effect on costs. Medicare expenditure is 70% for chronic illnesses and 30% on end-of-life care.
It isn’t distrust that exists between the two Americas; it is mis-perception. Conservatives should credit Liberals for coming to grips to control costs; and discipline those who are not savvy consumers of healthcare. Both sides should have a rational dialog and learn from each other. Instead, we succumb to catch-phrases like “Death Panels”, “Obamacare” and “Government takeover”; allowing ourselves to be exploited by political parties and special-interest groups.
You Liberal fuckers suck. You are going to swept out of office in November.
Hey just a thought, you would probably get more frequent readers if you interviewed controversial personalities for your blog.