GOP Runs Against HCR -- And Loses Badly

by Jonathan Singer, Wed Apr 14, 2010 at 11:46:28 AM EDT

The Republicans made their case against healthcare reform to voters in the days and weeks leading up to yesterday's special congressional election in Florida -- and lost badly.

Republican backlash over President Barack Obama's health care overhaul had little effect in the nation's first U.S. House race of 2010.

 

Florida Democratic state Sen. Ted Deutch handily won Tuesday's special election to replace retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler after his underdog GOP opponent attempted to make the contest a referendum on the massive health care bill.

The district, Florida's 19th, leans strongly towards the Democrats, so the overall 62 percent to 35 percent spread in favor of the Democrats means less than the numbers underlying it. Here's First Read's take:

Yet perhaps the biggest news here has to do with seniors, who heavily populate that Broward/West Palm Beach district. That seniors -- the demographic group Obama has struggled with -- overwhelmingly stuck with the Democrat is pretty significant.

If the Republicans think that they have the House locked up in November, they may want to think again. Don't get me wrong, yesterday's election doesn't mean that the Democrats are ensured of victory in the upcoming midterms -- but that also doesn't mean that all the naysaying about the Democrats' chances isn't all a bit hasty.

Tags: FL-19, Florida, Special Election, healthcare reform (all tags)

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Coatofarms
The best part about healthcare reform

Is that it has obvious benefits.  It is however, not as effective a weapon against the GOP as it can be.

Think to Alan Grayson. He is another Florida statesman who stood up very loudly and vocally for a National Health Service -

Where did his bill go? The bill to remove age limites on Medicare? I can tell you where his campaign is headed. Skyward.

 

My view is that if you campaign against the GOP trying to use Healthcare reform in referendum,  campaign that the existing package could be improved and you will have an instant base. And then you can add to that all the people that are basically happy that any reform passed - trust me, people are excited over the fact that Washington actually did something to improve their lives. HCR is very real. And its very popular.

 

Its a huge victory for the Obama people.  We picked the right guy. But the job has only begun. This election should be fun. Might take alot of work. But after all is said and done the national health service will be well on its way to reality.

 

 

by Trey Rentz 2010-04-14 02:12PM | 1 recs
Shadow_head_small
Well, it isn't bad news.

I believe that all races should be viewed individually, and that it is still way too early to make predictors about November. Apparently the GOP candidate here was weak, and this is a strong democratic district.

But! This certainly does throw some cold water on he GOP tidal wave.

by NoFortunateSon 2010-04-14 02:38PM | 1 recs
Shadow_head_small
this is a D+15 district

unlike the battleground districts where control of the House will be decided. But it's good that running against health care didn't seem to help the Republican much with seniors.

by desmoinesdem 2010-04-14 04:54PM | 0 recs

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