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Dems Could Actually Lose Kennedy Seat

Swing voters weak on Coakley—even some who back health care

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 13, 2010 8:58 AM CST
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(Newser) – Turnout remains the most important factor in the Massachusetts Senate election, but it’s not the only factor. The latest Rasmussen poll has Coakley ahead by just 2 points, despite an electorate that gives Barack Obama a 57% approval rating, notes Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com. In an election widely characterized as a health care referendum, 8% approve of health care, yet aren’t in Coakley’s column—including 5% planning to vote for Brown.

“If this were just about turnout, I would feel relatively safe about Coakley’s position,” writes Silver. The Democratic establishment has, belatedly, realized just how close it is to an embarrassing upset, and is working to get out its voters. But the numbers show that “there are still some swing voters here, and there is still some persuasion to do.”

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley speaks during a news conference at her campaign headquarters in Charlestown, Mass. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley speaks during a news conference at her campaign headquarters in Charlestown, Mass. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 20 comments
gracekellie13
Jan 15, 2010 7:58 AM CST
hope you vote for Brown!
gracekellie13
Jan 15, 2010 7:56 AM CST
soon shall be the people's seat.... go RED, SCOTT BROWN!!!
gracekellie13
Jan 15, 2010 7:54 AM CST
You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it." Adrian Rogers,1931-2005

 
Senate • Ted Kennedy • Massachusetts • health care reform • Senate race • Nate Silver • Senate seat • Martha Coakley • Scott Brown • Massachusetts senate race

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