If Ben Nelson decides to filibuster a Democratic health care bill that includes a public insurance option, he should expect to lose support among Nebraska Democrats.
According to a new Research 2000 poll, 46 percent of Democrats in the decidedly red state would be less likely to support Nelson in a primary should he choose to filibuster the public option. Conversely only seven percent would be more likely to cast a vote for the Democratic Senator.
Even worse news for the former Nebraska Governor is that by a 53 to 31 majority, all Nebraska voters think that Nelson's judgment could be influenced by the $2 million in campaign contributions he received from health care and insurance companies.
The poll was conducted on behalf of Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America, two groups who have been doggedly pursuing Nelson in hopes of showing him that his constituents view differ from his stated opinions on this issue.
Despite an overwhelming number of Republicans in the state, the poll also showed that Nebraskans on the whole want a public option, with 46 percent desiring the reform, and 44 percent against it.
As a whole, Nebraskans do not trust the health insurance industry. Of the 503 citizens polled, 69 percent said they believe insurance companies put their own interests before that of their customers, while only 19 percent thought the opposite.
