Thursday, July 5, 2012
MOScout Poll: Missourians Favor Medicaid Expansion
Here is more on my latest poll. See the full report here.
Most Important Issue
Economic issues continue to be the biggest concern for Missouri voters. Just under half of respondents (47%) indicated that Unemployment and Jobs was the most important problem. A fifth of respondents (21%) indicated that Government Spending was the most important problem. Education and Health Care were each noted as the most important problem by 16% of the electorate.
Although Unemployment and Jobs is the most important issue for voters, it should be noted that the number of voters identifying it has dropped ten points from our January survey - perhaps indicating somewhat improving economic conditions.
Expansion of Medicaid
When Missouri voters were asked if the Medicaid expansion available under the new federal healthcare law should be undertaken – a majority of voters agreed (57.8%). This left 42.2% saying that Medicaid should not be expanded. While there were large differences along party lines, Independent voters approved of the expansion 57% to 43%.
Additional Tax Burden and Federal Matching Funds
This question was crafted to see what impact the additional tax burden and federal matching funds would have the support or opposition of the Medicaid expansion. What is remarkable about the results is that there is minimal movement from the previous question where a majority of voters said they would support the expansion.
Ad Parade
Todd Akin
Mike Huckabee touts Akin as a bible-belt conservative his first TV ad. See it here. And I guess some political genius can explain how the Matrix camera angles and background music of electric guitars works with his message. Anyone?
Latest Lager
Brad Lager unveils his latest TV ad. See it here. “Where was he?” flashes in nylon lights. Answer: luxury hotels. I really expected something harder hitting from the Axiom Deathstar. But maybe these are still the jabs setting up the introduction of Tammy Chapman in a later ad?
Carnahan Creates Outrage Among Conservatives
On the eve of the 4th of July, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan issued the ballot summary language for the Court Plan Change and for Healthcare. Conservatives railed that it was written with liberal bias to affect the outcome. Read the mighty Jason Rosenbaum’s article here.
Court Plan Language
“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to change the current nonpartisan selection of supreme court and court of appeals judges to a process that gives the governor increased authority to:
• appoint a majority of the commission that selects these court nominees; and
• appoint all lawyers to the commission by removing the requirement that the governor’s appointees be nonlawyers?
There are no estimated costs or savings expected if this proposal is approved by voters.”
Healthcare Language
“Shall Missouri law be amended to deny individuals, families, and small businesses the ability to access affordable health care plans through a state-based health benefit exchange unless authorized by statute, initiative or referendum or through an exchange operated by the federal government as required by the federal health care act?
“No direct costs or savings for state and local governmental entities are expected from this proposal. Indirect costs or savings related to enforcement actions, missed federal funding, avoided implementation costs, and other issues are unknown.”
Mini-Tyrants in our Midst?
The outrage of this and recent Supreme Court decision infected some campaigners’ Independence Day messages, going so far as to imply that Robin Carnahan and Chief Justice John Roberts were threats to the American way of life.
Shane Schoeller’s 4th of July Message
“…And let us remember that our freedom and our way of life are continually under attack, sometimes by those from faraway places and even sometimes by those elected to represent us.
“We have no better example than the events which took place yesterday when Robin Carnahan, Missouri’s current Secretary of State, released ballot language that was again, politically charged and misleading. Without fair ballot language, it is impossible to have fair elections. Her use of the Secretary of State’s office to, once again, advance her liberal agenda is an affront to the most fundamental tenants of our form of government...”
Ed Martin’s 4th of July Message
“This has been a couple rough weeks for our birthright of liberty and the proposition of equality. The Supreme Court in its ruling on Arizona immigration laws hollowed out the sovereignty of every state. They said that if the Federal government refuses to do its job, states may not take up the task. In the Obamacare ruling so contorted and illogical it defies description, the Supreme Court handed Congress the power to levy taxes on any citizen who chooses to not participate in an activity Congress demands. These combined with other acts from Washington D.C. make this July 4th a somber holiday.
“Thanks be to God, this conflict is not with grapeshot and musket balls, but it is most definitely a war. It is every bit a war for independence. This war for independence is not against a foreign tyrant who will blockade our ports or massacre protesting citizens. It is a war against the petty tyrannies that can only be heaped upon decent, law abiding people who believe in the rule of law. Slowly, slowly, slowly Washington D.C. has become as removed from the people among the states as King George ever was…”
$5K+ Contributions
Citizens for Timothy Jones - $10,000 from Howard Wood.
Citizens for Timothy Jones - $10,000 from Integrity Home Care.
HCA Missouri Good Government Fund HCA - $50,000 from MidAmerica Division Office.
UTA-PAC – United Transportation Union PAC.
Citizens to Elect Cottle - $10,000 from Flynn Drilling Company.
MO State Council of Firefighters - $20,000 from PACIAFF.
Friends of Bill Stouffer - $8,000 from The Lamar Companies.
Clint Zweifel for Missouri - $8,066 from Sam Hamra.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Rep. Chris Molendorp (43), St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman (38), and former Rep, Gary Dusenberg (66).
Friday: Former Auditor Susan Montee and Empire District’s Elizabeth Dumm.
Saturday: Formr Reps. Gayle Kingery (73) and Fred Kratky (70).
Sunday: Rep. Marsha Haefner (51).