Is Sen. Nelson listening to Nebraska?

Written by: Mary R on Nov 6, 2009 12:31 PM EST

Over the last two weeks, we've delivered some hard hits to DC conventional wisdom. DC Insiders and media talking heads have repeatedly claimed right-wing Democrats like Senators Blanche Lincoln, Evan Bayh, and Ben Nelson should vote against a public option because voters back home don't want it.



The problem is it's not true. 



So, we joined with our friends at the PCCC and commissioned a few polls from a respected polling firm. Guess what? In all three states, more voters want a public option than don't. To top it off, if their Democratic Senator votes against a public option or supports a Republican filibuster, almost 50% of Democrats would be less likely to vote for their reelection. 



But polling alone isn't likely to be enough. We need to pull out all the stops in pressuring right-wing Democrats to do the right thing. So, we're calling on the 60 member Senate Democratic Caucus to strip all committee chairmanships from any Senator who supports a Republican filibuster of a public option.

ADD YOUR NAME AND SEND RIGHT-WING DEMOCRATS A MESSAGE

Already our polling is having an impact. Here's what POLITICO reporter Glenn Thrush wrote in his second story on the Indiana poll only hours after his first story releasing the results:

"Hours after POLITICO posted results of a poll showing a possible backlash by Indiana Dems, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) backed off of previous statement saying he was considering siding with the GOP on a public option filibuster."

Here's just a sampling of some of the more than 50 media hits we're generating both nationally and in each Senator's home state: 



Arkansas News: "Arkansas voters support public option, poll finds" 

Talking Points Memo: "Poll: Arkansas Voters Disagree With Lincoln's Public Option Skepticism"

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

South Bend Tribune: "Bayh now supports health-care debate on Senate floor" 

Examiner: "Nebraska Senator Nelson clashes with constituents on public option" 



Our campaign is working. Let's back it up with action. Sign the open letter and we'll deliver all the signatures directly to each member of the Democratic Caucus. 



SIGN THE OPEN LETTER NOW 



Are these Senators going to listen to the voters in their states? It's up to us to make it clear: if they want to be reelected, they don't have a choice. 



We will not let up until we win.

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