Nebraska's Nelson Tumbles in Poll After Vote for Health Overhaul

Nelson, a strong foe of abortion, held out for changes in language dealing with abortion funding and also for a commitment by the federal government to pay 100 percent of additional Medicaid costs in his state. Nelson had expressed concerns about whether Nebraska could shoulder the increased costs of Medicaid expansion included in the legislation. Normally, states pay a share of the Medicaid bill.

But Nebraskans are strongly opposed to the health care overhaul advocated by President Obama and congressional Democrats. Fifty-three percent "strongly" oppose the legislation and another 11 percent "somewhat" oppose it, compared to 35 percent who strongly or somewhat favor it.

Forty-seven percent of voters in the state rated Nelson's performance in the health debate as "poor," 22 percent said it was fair, and 26 percent called it good or excellent. Forty-two percent said Nelson was too supportive of Obama's agenda, 30 percent considered his support for the president "about right" and 13 percent said he was too opposed.

Sixty-one percent disapprove of the job Obama is doing (with 47 percent in the "strongly" disapprove category) while 38 percent approve.

Although Nelson is not up for re-election until 2012, Rasmussen matched him in a race for his seat against first-term Republican Gov. Dave Heineman, who came out on top 61 percent to 30 percent with 5 percent preferring someone else and 4 percent undecided.

Heineman's margin falls when voters were asked who they would back if Nelson had not provided the key vote to force cloture and move the health bill to a vote. Had Nelson blocked the bill, Heineman's lead over him would be 47 percent to 37 percent with 10 percent preferring another candidate and 7 percent undecided.

Heineman has attacked Nelson for his vote, saying last week on Fox News, "Nebraska doesn't want a special deal" and that Nelson was bucking the tide of public opinion in the state.

"He's hearing loud and clear from Nebraskans, 'Senator, don't do this'," Heineman said. "People are calling in, in opposition. People can't even get through on phones to call him because so many people are calling, expressing their anger."