Poll: Amid Bayh’s Skepticism, Indiana Voters Back Public Option

[SemiCharmedQuark]

"Coming on the heels of Sen. Evan Bayh's threat to potentially block Senate debate on health care reform, thus keeping the bill from being considered, a new poll is showing most of his constituents favor creating a government-run health insurance plan, or "public option."

In a Research 2000 poll conducted last weekend, 52 percent of Indiana residents said they favored the government offering everyone a government administered health insurance plan like Medicare. Another 42 percent opposed the idea.

...

On CBS News' Washington Unplugged on Thursday, Bayh said the public option was not his main concern with Reid's health care bill. However, he said that depending on the fiscal impact of the bill, he would consider joining a Republican effort to prevent the Senate from even debating the bill on the floor.

...

Most would seemingly prefer he avoid a supporting a filibuster, however: Twenty-nine percent said they would be less likely to vote for Bayh in the general election in 2010 if he joined Republicans in a filibuster against the bill because of the public option. Eighteen percent said they would be more likely to vote for him, and 55 percent said it would have no effect.

Among Democrats, 54 percent said they would be less likely to support him in a primary, and 40 percent said it would have no effect. Six percent said they'd be more likely to vote for him. "


http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/29/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5451274.shtml


Evan Bayh used to be my Senator. He never answered email. Hell, his staff usually didn't even bother to pick up the phone. Even Dick Lugar had the guts to respond to a constituent. I despise Bayh.

[NorthCarolina]

1. It's clearly not about what "the constituents" want. n/t

[saltpoint]

2. Evan Bayh has designs on the White House. If he can assist in the effort to

impede Obama's health care reform initiatives, he may perceive himself to then be in a stronger position in the party even to the point of becoming a 2012 primary challenger to the president.

Also his wife is like, you know, up to the gills in WellPoint.

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. Quite true!

Evan Bayh wants very badly to be president. It is what he has worked his whole life to attain.

Sadly, in addition to being the 800lb gorilla of Democratic politics in Indiana, the Lieberman effect is in play. The fact is that many Republicans vote for Bayh in the general election. I cannot imagine a strong contender for his seat in the primary. In short, Bayh knows that he is very secure in his seat and he will do what he damn well pleases.

[bvar22]

4. Bayh is up for re-election in 2010.

Any sign of a Progressive challenger?

I would love to see a Nationally co-ordinated campaign from The Left to bankroll a Progressive challenger during Bayh's Primary.

Even if we can't unseat him, we can certainly make our collective voices heard in his Primary, and send a "message" to corrupt Conservative "Democrats".

[Vinca]

5. I think it was Rachel Maddow who called out Bayh and his wife

for having between a half million and a million dollars worth of health insurance company stock. No conflict of interest there.:sarcasm:

[Cha]

6. Kick Kick

Kick.