Rasmussen: Obamacare is Killing Harry Reid

 All indications are that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid may be the second Senior Citizen finding himself "out of luck" because of Obamacare (Chris Dodd was the first). The latest Rasmussen Poll shows his support in Nevada has dropped 7% over the past month to 36%, obviously awful numbers for an incumbent seeking reelection. Reid, who is seeking a fifth term, received 61% of the final vote in 2004.

Harry's problem with voters stems from the fact that are really two Harry Reids. In Washington DC, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is one of the nation's most powerful politicians (even though he gives Nancy Pelosi the creeps). He spearheaded the passage of much of the Democratic Party agenda. The problem is much of that agenda, including Obamacare, is not very popular with Nevada voters.

Then there is the Nevada Harry Reid. The one that is supposed to represent the people of Nevada, a "purple state." Nevada voters feel that Reid puts the progressive priorities of his party in front of the needs and wants of his "purple"  home state.

But the poll shows that neither of the Republicans - Sue Lowden, ex-chairman of the Nevada Republican Party, and businessman Danny Tarkanian – gained any ground in the new survey, highlighting the fact that the race continues to be a referendum on Reid rather than an outpouring of support for either of the top GOP hopefuls.

“Reid’s difficulties stem directly from the fact that he is the Majority Leader of the United States Senate,” according to Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports. “His responsibilities as leader of the Senate Democrats have placed him in a very visible position promoting an agenda that is viewed with some skepticism by Nevada voters.”

Some have speculated that Reid like other longtime Senate incumbents Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota may ultimately decide to retire rather than face an increasingly hostile electorate.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Nevada voters say they have followed news reports about Reid’s comments about Obama, including 55% who have followed very closely. But his bigger problem appears to be his championing of a health care plan that remains unpopular in his home state.

Reid is out front pushing the national health care plan crafted by President Obama and congressional Democrats, but just 39% of Nevada voters support that plan. Fifty-four percent (54%) oppose it. Those numbers include just 21% who Strongly Favor it while more than twice as many, 45%, Strongly Oppose the plan.

Among those who Strongly Oppose the plan, anywhere from 80% to 89% support any of the Republican candidates who oppose Reid. The incumbent earns slightly less support from the smaller group that Strongly Favor the plan.

In a match-up with Reid, the GOP’s Lowden now earns 48% of the vote while Tarkanian picks up 50% of the Nevada vote against Reid. . In December, both had 49% support.  In September, Lowden led Reid by 10 percentage points, 50% to 40%, while Tarkanian bested him 50% to 43%.

A third Republican contender, former Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, now beats Reid 44% to 40%, with 10% opting for another candidate and seven percent (7%) undecided. In the previous survey, Angle bested Reid 47% to 43% in December, while seven percent (7%) liked another candidate and three percent (3%) weren’t sure.

The strangest part is most people in Nevada, have never heard of Sharron Angle, and she is still beating the five-term incumbent.

...Those who have a very unfavorable opinion of Reid now outnumber those with a very favorable view of the longtime senator by two-to-one – 47% to 23%. This marks virtually no change from December.

It would be great to knock Reid out and pick up another Senate seat, but keep in mind unless the GOP takes control of the Senate (very unlikely) the next Senate Majority Leader my be Chuck Schumer, one of the most annoying people in congress the world.