Just 25% of Voters in Competitive 2010 Senate Races “Much More Likely” to Support Pelosi-Democrats Who Voted for Health Care Bill
Senators and Congressmen in competitive re-election battles could be in trouble over their health care vote.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009
Media Contact: Tim McGinnis at (727) 214-4903 or timmcginnis@pm-direct.com
Washington, D.C. — Senators and congressmen running for re-election next year in races deemed to be competitive by political guru Charlie Cook, may come to regret voting for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s health care bill, according to a breaking Zogby International/O’Leary Report poll. (The Poll surveyed 2,879 Americans on November 10-12, all of whom voted in the 2008 presidential election, and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 1.9 percentage points.)
Are Senators and Representatives Who Vote for the Pelosi Health Care Bill in Trouble for 2010 Re-election?
The Zogby/O’Leary Poll asked:
If your U.S. Representative supported the healthcare bill introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, does that make you more or less likely to support him or her in the 2010 elections?
Only 25 percent of voters, who reside in states with competitive senate races, say they would be “much more likely” to vote to re-elect their congressman in 2010, and 49 percent would be “much less likely.” Just 15 percent of voters in such states say they would be “somewhat more likely” to support their congressman, and 5 percent would be “somewhat less likely.”
Only 19 percent of voters, who reside in competitive congressional districts, say they would be “much more likely” to vote to re-elect their congressman in 2010, and 54 percent would be “much less likely.” Just 15 percent of voters in such districts say they would be “somewhat more likely” to support their congressman, and 4 percent would be “somewhat less likely.”
Nationally, just 27 percent of voters said they would be “much more likely” to vote to re-elect their congressman if he or she voted for the Pelosi health care bill, and 47 percent said they would be “much less likely.” Just 14 percent of voters nationwide say they would be “somewhat more likely” to support their congressman, and 5 percent would be “somewhat less likely.”
Voters in Competitive Senate and House Races Oppose Penalizing Small Businesses That Don’t Offer Health Insurance
Small businesses are not one-sided in their support for Republicans or Democrats; rather, they tend to support the incumbent office-holder, regardless of party affiliation. Incumbents’ decision to penalize small businesses in their districts for not providing health insurance to their employees is almost universally opposed by voters in their districts. This strong voter disapproval could have a negative effect on fundraising for incumbent congressmen, driving away small business donors.
The Zogby/O’Leary Poll asked:
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a new healthcare bill recently. If approved by the Senate as is, companies that do not offer health insurance would be penalized based on payroll costs. This could include small firms with 25 or fewer workers depending on the payroll size. Most Democrats support this as a way to encourage businesses to offer healthcare to their employees, while most Republicans disagree with this because they say it discourages increased pay or new hires a small firms. Do you agree or disagree with this portion of the bill?
Only 19 percent of voters in competitive senate races “strongly agree” with such a penalty, and 46 percent “strongly disagree.” Just 19 percent “somewhat agree” and 11 percent “somewhat disagree.”
Only 16 percent of voters in competitive congressional districts “strongly agree” with such a penalty, and 52 percent “strongly disagree.” Just 16 percent “somewhat agree” and 10 percent “somewhat disagree.”
Nationally, just 19 percent of voters “strongly agree” with penalizing small businesses, and 45 percent “strongly disagree.” Just 20 percent “somewhat agree” and 10 percent “somewhat disagree.”
Brad O’Leary is publisher of “The O’Leary Report,” a bestselling author, and is a former NBC Westwood One talk show host. To see more poll results, go to www.OLearyReport.com. To interview Brad, contact Shawna Shriner at (703) 272-1500 or shawnashriner@pm-direct.com.
