The latest shows a dead heat in the U.S. Senate race, solid support for New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as a potential gubernatorial candidate and a big opening for a Democrat to get into the attorney general's race.
Another week, another poll. The latest shows a dead heat in the U.S. Senate race, solid support for New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as a potential gubernatorial candidate and a big opening for a Democrat to get into the attorney general's race.
The Voter Consumer Research poll conducted for the Louisiana State Medical Society and PhRMA, compared to one taken by the same pollster a year ago, shows Sen. Mary Landrieu's 14-point lead over Congressman Bill Cassidy in January 2013 shrinking to a 45-44 percent statistical tie in February 2014. Over that same span, opposition to the Affordable Care Act grew from 54-41 percent against to 57-35 percent opposed.
In the governor's race, the poll shows Mitch Landrieu, who hasn't said he's running, leading Sen. David Vitter, who has. The results were: Landrieu, 33 percent; Vitter, 25; Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, 11; Treasurer John Kennedy, 9; and state Rep. John Bel Edwards, the lone declared Democrat, 8. Kennedy also has not said he is running.
In his re-election bid, the poll has Attorney General Buddy Caldwell leading fellow Republican and former Congressman Jeff Landry, 23-15 percent. But "a Democratic candidate," yet to materialize, would lead them both at 33 percent.
The survey asked a series of health care questions important to the sponsors. Respondents disapproved, 56-34 percent, of a provision in the ACA that allows insurance companies not to pay doctors for treatment to patients who are more than 30 days behind on their premiums. Respondents strongly disapproved, 78-15 percent, of any state or insurance policy that would deny treatment to patients based on life expectancy.
Such a policy exists in Oregon, but closer to home PhRMA supports HB 336 by Rep. Scott Simon, R-Abita Springs, which would ensure the right to treatment if the patient and doctor agree it is in the patient's best interest.