Poll: Arkansas Voters Disagree With Lincoln's Public Option Skepticism

The trend continues: a new Research 2000 poll, commissioned by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America, finds that a Democrat from a red state may not be doing herself any favors by standing in the way of a public option.

The poll asked Arkansans "Would you favor or oppose the government offering everyone a government administered health insurance plan -- something like the Medicare coverage that people 65 and older get -- that would compete with private health insurance plans?"

The findings are in line with other statewide and national polls that find the public option to be broadly popular. 56 favor, 37 oppose.

Lincoln's approval numbers still suffer, but the poll also suggests she won't be doing herself any favors if she opposes health care reform on the grounds that the legislation includes a public option.

"If Blanche Lincoln voted against a strong public health insurance option as part of health care reform, would that make you more likely or less likely to vote for her in the 2010 Democratic primary election or would it have no real effect on your vote?" the survey asked.

Only 11 percent said they'd be more likely to vote for her for obstructing the public option. By contrast 46 percent said they'd be less likely to vote for her, and 43 percent said such a move would have no impact on their decision.