U.S. Senate: ‘Naughty or Nice’ This Season?

They believe the liberal base expects them to deliver and will punish them if they don’t.

Voters are increasingly worried about unemployment, but Democratic leaders in Congress remain obsessed with passing health- care reform. Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin was asked recently if a health-care bill would pass the Senate by the end of this month. “It must,” he said. “We have to finish it.”

Still, many in the trenches are uneasy about the sprawling, complex bill they privately acknowledge has no bipartisan support, doesn’t seriously tackle soaring costs and will increase insurance premiums. That may explain Majority Leader Harry Reid’s haste—he has ordered a rare Sunday session this weekend to hurry up the debate. Public support for the bill averages only 39.2% backing in all polls compiled by Pollster.com.

But buried in the surveys is an explanation for the Democratic obsession to pass the bill: An overwhelming 76% of Democrats back it. “They believe the liberal base expects them to deliver and will punish them if they don’t,” says Democratic pollster Doug Schoen, who worked for Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

That fear is backed up by a new poll taken for the Daily Kos, the left-wing Web site: 81% of self-described Republicans say they are certain or likely to vote in 2010 compared to 65% of independent voters and only 56% of Democrats. “Democrats have simply not been given enough of a reason to come out and vote yet,” writes liberal blogger David Dayen. “The left is waiting for that long-promised ‘change’ they can believe in.”

Mr. Reid’s own re-election troubles—he trails his two most likely GOP opponents by between six and 10 points—may be influencing his behavior. He needs his liberal base to turn out for him to have a chance to win…

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com …

With the Senate in session debating over health care this weekend, it is so important that we contact our senators and make our concerns clear.

Friends,

Our next meeting of the Vilas County Republicans will be:

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Monday, September 21st at 7:00 P.M.
at the Wild Eagle Lodge in Eagle River

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Our featured speaker will be David Westlake,
the only announced Republican candidate for U.S. Senate to oppose Russ Feingold.
Dave Westlake Campaign Website

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Hope to see you all there.

Jim Knuth
Chairman, Vilas County Republicans