How Can Heidi Heitkamp Support Something 60% Of North Dakotans Oppose?

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Written By:
Rob Port

Oct 28, 2012
11:51am

A Forum Communications poll indicates something that’s not exactly news. A strong majority of North Dakotans, 60% according to this poll, oppose Obamacare.

Opposition is almost unanimous among Republicans, with 93% in opposition, and strong among independents with 56% opposed. Even among Democrats, 10% oppose the law. Previous polling in the state from Rasmussen reports showed 57% believed the law would be bad for the country and 64% favor repeal.

And let’s not forget that support for the law was the key factor in nine-term Democrat Representative Earl Pomeroy losing his seat to Rick Berg in 2010, and was no doubt a big factor in former Senator Byron Dorgan deciding not to run again.

So the question is, how can liberal Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp continue to support the law as policy?

Heitkamp has said repeatedly in her campaign that she will “fight for North Dakota.” Except, not on this issue it seems. On this issue it seems Heitkamp would rather side with her party than with the clear preference North Dakotans have expressed both in public opinion polls and at the ballot box.

That partisan obstinance on Heitkamp’s part will no doubt cost her the election in November.