Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 8/17-19. Likely voters. MoE 4% (No trend lines)

Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Max Baucus' actions on health care? Approve Disapprove Not sure All 42 44 14

Dem 34 55 11

Rep 49 38 13

Ind 41 42 17 Do you favor or oppose creating a new public health insurance plan that anyone can purchase? Favor Oppose Not sure All 47 43 10

Dem 78 15 7

Rep 23 66 11

Ind 48 41 11



You want "bipartisan"? A quarter of Republicans want a public option.







If Max Baucus opposed a public health insurance option would that make you more or less likely to vote for him or would it have no real effect on your vote? More Less No Effect All 17 22 61

Dem 12 36 52

Rep 23 8 69

Ind 15 27 58 If Max Baucus joined Republican Senators in filibustering and killing a final health care bill because it had a public health insurance option would that make you more or less likely to vote for him or would it have no real effect on your vote? More Less No Effect All 15 27 58

Dem 8 44 48

Rep 25 7 68

Ind 10 36 54



While Baucus continues conspiring with Republicans to delay and kill effective health care reform, his antics aren't doing him any favors back home. And despite the onslaught of pure bullshit slung by opponents of effective reform (death panels! government takeover! Canada!), a plurality of all Montana residents (and independents as well) still support a public option.

So who is Baucus working for? The Republicans in (and outside) his state? The health care insurance companies that have purchased his Senate seat?

Incidentally, here's Gov. Brian Schweitzer, just a week ago:

As Gov. Brian Schweitzer warmed up the crowd Friday for President Barack Obama, he paid a lengthy compliment to a health-care system that leading Democrats, including the president, have declared "off the table" as a reform here: the Canadian single-payer system. "Did you know that, just 300 miles north of here, did you know they offered universal health care 62 years ago?" he said, referring to Canada's system of providing government-funded health insurance for all citizens.

Schweitzer, a Democrat, said he sometimes mentions the Canadian system when he hears people say that universal health coverage is a radical, new idea being rushed through the political process. Quoting a Canadian journalist, Schweitzer said "there's more likelihood of a person in Canada being struck by lightning, then there is a likelihood of a Canadian going to the United States for their health care."

Most of the crowd of 1,300 in the Gallatin Field Airport hangar roared in approval.

Schweitzer's favorability rating? 58 favorable, 38 unfavorable, including 62-34 among independents.

Turns out that in Montana, being a mealy-moused champion of the insurance companies isn't exactly the path to great popularity.