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Poll: Baucus Popular in Montana on Health Care...with Republicans
Brian Beutler | August 21, 2009, 6:57PM
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)
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Happily for reformers, the member of Congress with the most power to influence health care legislation is a man who a). has a higher approval rating on the issue in his state among Republicans than among Democrats, and b). is willing to ignore the stated preference of a plurality of his constituents.
According to a new Research 2000 poll commissioned by DailyKos, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) a minority--33 percent--of Montana Democrats approve of Baucus' actions on health care compared to 55 percent who disapprove. Compare that to Republicans, 49 percent of whom approve and 38 percent of whom disapprove. A clear plurality of Republicans think he's doing a bang-up job on health care.
On the public option, a plurality of Montanans (47 percent) support "creating a new public health insurance plan that anyone can purchase". Forty-three percent oppose. Of course Big Sky Democrats strongly favor the public option (78-15), while Montana Republicans strongly oppose it (66-23). But 23 percent Republican support for a public option ain't too shabby.
Of course, the Senate Finance Committee has ruled out endorsing a public option.
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AnswerFrog
August 21, 2009 8:03 PM
Call his office:
Sen Max Baucus D MT 202-224-2651 http://baucus.senate.gov
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CVille Dem
August 21, 2009 8:55 PM in reply to AnswerFrog
OK, it is almost 9 pm and I just called his office and left a (very inarticulate) message. I said that although I am not from his state I will contribute to whoever will run against him, because he is nothing but an insurance industry shill and he has no concern for his constituency or for the citizens of our country. I'm sure it was useless, but I felt better for doing it. I wish I had collected my thoughts better, because there were a lot of pauses. I think I'll call back on Monday with a more rehearsed comment.
This guy reminds me of the guy in the Music Man who was scamming everyone. He is a washrag
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AnswerFrog
August 21, 2009 10:03 PM in reply to CVille Dem
Great, keep calling.
If asked, I just give them a generic zip code.
Helena MT, 46201
I think they might ignore out of staters.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/observer2/
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AnswerFrog
August 21, 2009 10:07 PM in reply to CVille Dem
I gave them an earful. Of course I remained polite, but I let loose with complaints.
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Overreach THIS!
August 23, 2009 5:37 PM in reply to CVille Dem
And I'm glad you did it! Very!
BTW what's with this repulsive pic of him? He looks like some baggy-pants man for the insurance industry or some similar social parasites...
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JohnW1141
August 22, 2009 10:38 AM in reply to AnswerFrog
Answer,
exactly, even if you aren't in their state, bombard them with phone calls and whatever other communications you can use.
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screaminmeme
August 22, 2009 5:27 PM in reply to AnswerFrog
Just wrote to the senator. Feel free to crib whatever in it suits your fancy (or, gag, if you are so inclined). My feeling is that you never win arguments with folks you want to turn-around by screaming at them, insulting them or threatening them. (Unless you're a tea-bagger and your target is a wuss, that is.) Here's the e-mail:
Dear Senator:
We do not live in your wonderful state . . . yet. Indeed, my wife and I are considering retiring to Montana. When we do, we hope more than anything that we, our children, and our soon-to-arrive first grandchild will have what Americans have never had before: a broad range of health insurance options, at affordable prices, and available to all Americans regardless of one's economic circumstances.
Please, Senator, when the time comes, put your considerable skills, influence and standing behind President Obama's call for meaningful reform, including the so-called "public option".
Respectfully,
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CVille Dem
August 21, 2009 8:58 PM
I think you meant, "Happily for those who don't WANT REFORM"
What do you mean by this?
"Happily for reformers, the member of Congress with the most power to influence health care legislation is a man who a). has a higher approval rating on the issue in his state among Republicans than among Democrats, and b). is willing to ignore the stated preference of a plurality of his constituents."
Do you maybe want to edit your blog? It needs it.
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Brian Beutler
August 22, 2009 12:18 PM in reply to CVille Dem
That was meant as snark. Apologies if unclear.
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johnmccsf
August 21, 2009 9:00 PM
After reading this at HuffPo, I think insufficient attention's been paid to fellow Gangster Kent Conrad
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/21/budget-buster-kent-conrad_n_264123.html
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AnswerFrog
August 21, 2009 10:04 PM in reply to johnmccsf
Sen Kent Conrad (D ND) 202-224-2043 http://conrad.senate.gov
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musgrove
August 21, 2009 9:23 PM
Wasnt he claiming that he was doing what his people in his state wanted. Yet of course that was just a lie.
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nova voter
August 22, 2009 11:29 AM in reply to musgrove
people in his state, schmeople in his state. his vote affects you and me just as much as it does the "people in his state."
moreover, he decided that ONLY he and 5 others (who represent some of the least populous states in the union) will be responsible for deciding the scope of proposed reform for ALL americans.
so we have just as much right to complain to this jerk as "people from his state." and i like the idea of donating to an effort to primary his ass.
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klondikejack
August 22, 2009 3:08 AM
Gee, a long time democratic Senator from MONTANA who happens to be bought and paid for. Who'd a thunk it?!?!
Chill people, Bill Kristol(TM) says HCR won't happen. That makes it a dead lock cinch. Plus the veil has been torn from that old woman senator of mine Chuck Grassley. The stars are aligning.
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beltwayskeptic
August 22, 2009 8:22 AM
Another example of federalism at work against solving a national problem. The expected parochial "atta boy" reaction of Montana Republicans is case in point.
How will we ever be able to face up to huge challenges, like developing some type of equitable healthcare delivery system OR addressing energy, ex. national grid system that has to go through a myriad of state and county self protectionism or 50 little countries.
Our proud heritage and form of states' rights predominance may well be our undoing.
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AJM
August 22, 2009 8:52 AM
Montana Democrats need to start thinking about Primary Time. It's a ways away so you have time to start grooming a good candidate. Baucus is giving several reasons for such a change -- ignores the wishes of a majority of his party and a plurality of his state. Bought and paid for by the insurance companies. I'm sure there is more.
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markg8
August 22, 2009 9:29 AM
Happily for reformers? What's happy about that?
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markg8
August 22, 2009 10:06 AM
Called Baucus's office and left a msg. Told him the health insurance business is a monopoly racket in most states and we need reform to make a true regulated free market in the exchange so t5he insurance companies compete against each other and the public option for our business.
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JohnW1141
August 22, 2009 10:36 AM
Baucus/Conrad/Reid/Ben Nelson, etc. are examples of why we need a resurgence of the Liberal wing.
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bluebell
August 22, 2009 10:56 AM
Don't call Baucus, call your own Senator and tell them that you hold THEM accountable for Baucus. You didn't vote for Baucus and if all they're going to deliver is Baucusism then they're not getting one more vote from you.
I am no longer a member of the Max-Joe-Evan-Kent-Diane-Ben Party. If they run the party and there is nothing we can do about it in the party then I am not in the party any more.
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FreeRider
August 22, 2009 1:03 PM in reply to bluebell
Wait. So you STILL haven't quit the Democratic party? How many times have you threatened to quit since November?
I take it you never heard the story about the boy who cried wolf?
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gharlane
August 24, 2009 9:16 PM in reply to FreeRider
Someone's reading comprehension skills need, er, a bit of a bump. Color me shocked. Shocked.
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no exit
August 22, 2009 4:16 PM
it's no accident that the senators most beholden to corporate influences hail from small states. they are the cheapest.
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Aunt Sam
August 23, 2009 5:44 PM
Interesting that no ones stating the facts about the million$ he's received in contributions from healthcare entities!
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