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

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Health Care

(AP Photo)

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.

The poll was commissioned by the liberal groups the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC)and Democracy for America. PCCC has targeted moderate Democratic senators for their tepid support for health care reform, particularly on the public option. Most recently, it was part of a campaign to pressure Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to include a public option in the bill he brings to the Senate floor.

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.

If there are provisions in the bill that are unacceptable, "I think your maximum leverage for getting them corrected is now," Bayh said.

The Research 2000 poll, which had a margin of error of 4 points, showed that 62 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Bayh, while only 30 percent have an unfavorable view of him.

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.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by SknowsthatP October 29, 2009 7:22 PM EDT

Hey lightningF, did you try google?

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s1679:

I found the bill on Senator Reid's website. It was hidden right there in the open, those sneaky liberal bastards. Hang in there, slugger!

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by BlueDogDem October 30, 2009 11:10 AM EDT: by SknowsthatP October 29, 2009 7:22 PM EDT
Hey lightningF, did you try google?

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s1679:

I found the bill on Senator Reid's website. It was hidden right there in the open, those sneaky liberal bastards. Hang in there, slugger!

Good one, buddy! :)


by BlueDogDem October 30, 2009 11:11 AM EDT: "I found the bill on Senator Reid's website. It was hidden right there in the open, those sneaky liberal bastards. Hang in there, slugger!"

Good one, buddy!


by sprevrhax October 29, 2009 6:15 PM EDT: This might be a small surprise if you know that Sen. Bayh's wife Susan has several Million $ in Wellpoint stock, an Indiana-based healthcare provider. She is on the board of directors not only for Wellpoint but also for several other companies, some of them healthcare. IMHO, the Bayh family's fortunes may be built on the business prowess of the wife and the political muscle of the husband and the connections in between. Of course, it's hard to know how much this influences Sen. Bayh's decisions but it is certainly a concern. Also Sen. Bayh has accepted several large campaign contributions from health-related businesses, e.g. Eli Lilly (check out opensecrets.org). Interestingly, his chief of staff Bart Peterson went to join Lilly as a VP in June 09... http://newsroom.lilly.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?releaseid=388207
Stuff to think about...; Reply to this comment


by lightningF October 29, 2009 4:00 PM EDT: The problem with this poll is they said like,medicare,but a government option will not be like medicare. If it passes it will not go into effect for 3 years so what is the rush? why will the Democrats not post it and allow the Tax Payers to comment on it,before they vote? What are the Democrats hiding? more Bonuses,More Pork? what are they hiding?; Reply to this comment