Frivolous HCR Lawsuits Hurts Florida AG’s Poll Numbers

The race to replace Florida governor Charlie Crist had been seen as a likely Republican retention. Florida Attorney General Republican Bill McCollum (of Clinton impeachment manager fame) is running against Florida Chief Financial Officer Democrat Alex Sink. McCollum had a comfortable lead and much higher name recognition.

McCollum, along with Attorneys General from other states have filed a lawsuit against the new health care reform law. McCollum is the lead AG in the lawsuit. New poll data shows that the lawsuit is not very popular (and extremely unlikely to win) and is hurting McCollum’s standing with the public.

The poll showed McCollum with 40 percent of support and Sink with 36 percent.

McCollum has been the front runner in the race to replace Gov. Charlie Crist since August but, according to the poll of likely voters conducted April 8-13, he’s not getting much traction among independents with his plan to sue the federal government over its healthcare reform package.

Voters say, 54-40 percent, that it’s a “bad idea” for McCollum to file a lawsuit challenging the plan, and they say, 38-28 percent, that it makes them less likely to support his bid for governor. Among independents — the historically crucial voting group in Florida — the idea is particularly unpopular: 41 percent oppose the lawsuit challenge, while 27 percent support it.

This is the trap that the Democrats have set for the Republicans. Popular reforms will kick in this year and Republicans running on repeal will be running for the return of pre-existing conditions and recission.