Not-A-Winner: Ellsworth Trails All GOP Rivals for Senate

by Stephan Tawney on March 23, 2010

Every single one of them. Upon reflection, voting for government-run health care that funds abortion-0n-demand probably wasn’t the best electoral strategy in Indiana. Especially when you’re running for a higher office than you currently occupy.

Two of the three top Republican hopefuls for the U.S. Senate in Indiana continue to hold double-digit leads over Democratic Congressman Brad Ellsworth. Ellsworth supported President Obama’s health care plan in a state where opposition to the legislation is higher than it is nationally.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state finds former Congressman John Hostettler with a 50% to 32% lead over Ellsworth, a current House member who voted with most other Democrats on Sunday to pass the health care plan. The survey was taken last Wednesday and Thursday nights. Fifteen percent (15%) remain undecided in that match-up.

Ex-Senator Dan Coats now posts a 49% to 34% lead over Ellsworth, with 12% undecided.

Ellsworth runs best against the third GOP contender, freshman State Senator Marlin Stutzman. In that match-up, Stutzman leads by just seven points, 41% to 34%. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided.

The survey was taken prior to the actual vote, but the legislation he voted for is highly unpopular in Indiana. The fact that he voted for taxpayer-funded abortions isn’t likely to help, either.

Obama’s approval rating in Indiana? 39% with 60% disapproving. His health care legislation is even less popular. 35% favor the just-passed legislation while 63% disapprove. And Indiana’s voters already believe the economy will get worse over the next year.

Ellsworth is going to start waking up in cold sweats, muttering “health care” and “stimulus” in a quiet dread.



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