Want to know the power of opposing Obamacare? Look at the Nebraska Senate race, where Ben Sasse, a political newcomer, has come from out of nowhere to land in a virtual tie in the polls with former state Treasurer Shane Osborne.
Mr. Osborne has 30 percent of the potential vote to Mr. Sasse’s 29 percent, with the next closest candidate at 13 percent, in a new Harper Polling survey of potential GOP primary voters, sponsored by Conservative Intel. More than 23 percent of voters didn’t have a pick in the race.
Polls last year showed Mr. Osborne with a commanding lead. Both he and Mr. Sasse vow to be vociferous opponents of the new health care law, but Mr. Sasse’s campaign said his surge is a result of relentless fighting back against the law.
“Here’s why we have momentum: Nebraskans know Ben is the anti-ObamaCare candidate. Ben will fight ObamaCare, and the worldview that goes along with it,” Sasse campaign manager Tyler Grassmeyer said in a statement touting the poll.
But what’s most stunning is that Mr. Sasse appears to have won the support of just about everyone with a favorable view of him. His support nearly matches his favorability rating of 31 percent — and a full 54 percent don’t have an opinion on him yet.
Mr. Osborne has a strong favorability rating at 54 percent, but just 29 percent don’t have an opinion of him, which could mean he has less room to expand his support.
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• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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