I previously covered the headline numbers for the US Senate race in Montana, but how do Montanans sit on the issues? And how did polling turn out for former Senator-turned Ambassador Max Baucus (D-MT), and Gov. Steve Bullock?
My full interview dissecting the poll with Rasmussen Reports’ Managing Editor Fran Coombs is below:
Click to Listen
According to Rasmussen Reports latest poll, 56% either somewhat or strongly disapprove of President Obama. Meanwhile, 61% either somewhat approve or strongly approve of Gov. Steve Bullock. That compares to 49% for former Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT).
I pointed out previously how Steve Daines (R-MT) maintains a sizable lead over 2 of 3 Democratic US Senate candidates. So, where do the negative numbers sit for Daines, interim Sen. John Walsh (D-MT), and former Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger (D-MT)?
Somewhat Unfavorable/Very Unfavorable:
Daines (R): 34%
Walsh (D): 40%
Bohlinger (D): 37%
As for the issues, here’s a couple questions that stood out to me:
Speaking of Obamacare, more negative headlines are taking the air out of the room this week.
The Hill: O-Care premiums to skyrocket
Health industry officials say ObamaCare-related premiums will double in some parts of the country, countering claims recently made by the administration.
The expected rate hikes will be announced in the coming months amid an intense election year, when control of the Senate is up for grabs. The sticker shock would likely bolster the GOP’s prospects in November and hamper ObamaCare insurance enrollment efforts in 2015.
The Daily Caller- Report: Premiums rising faster than eight years before Obamacare COMBINED
Health insurance premiums have risen more after Obamacare than the average premium increases over the eight years before it became law, according to the private health exchange eHealthInsurance.
The individual market for health insurance has seen premiums rise by 39 percent since February 2013, eHealth reports. Without a subsidy, the average individual premium is now $274 a month. Families have been hit even harder with an average increase of 56 percent over the same period — average premiums are now $663 per family, over $426 last year.
And, as The Daily Caller also reports, it appears Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO), who is also facing a tough election this Fall, was busted trying to doll up the Obamacare numbers in Colorado…
New emails have been released about whether Colorado Democratic Sen. Mark Udall pressured a state agency to change its estimate of Obamacare cancellations.
Udall wanted the state Department of Insurance to downgrade its estimate of Obamacare-related insurance cancellations from 250,000 to just 73,000, because some Colorado residents were offered replacement plans.