The long-awaited overhaul of the health care bill may yet again face another delay. If Democrats lose the special Massachusetts election that would fill the seat of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy on Tuesday, it may just give Republicans enough votes to prevent health care reform from coming into fruition and block the agenda of US President Barack Obama.
In the latest poll, Republican Sen. Scott Brown has the current lead over Democratic state Attorney General Martha Coakley, with a seven-point advantage. All polls during the past few days showed the same results: Brown is leading Coakley in the race.
Obama spoke to a crowd on Sunday on behalf of Coakley, saying: “If you were fired up in the last election, I need you more fired up in this election”.
Kennedy’s widow, Vicki Kennedy, also called on other Democrats for support.
“We need your help. We need your support. We need you to get out there and vote on Tuesday”, she said. “We need you to bring your neighbours. We need you to bring your friends”.
Even though Obama and former President Bill Clinton have stepped up to campaign for Coakley, Brown was still able to emerge on top. Diehard Democrats said Coakley’s lacklustre campaign became a factor for the Democrat’s slip.
“I wish she was more likable as a candidate. There are some things that are turning me off about her as a candidate”, Scott Olson, an undecided Democrat, said.
Conservatives and independents are also having second thoughts, giving Brown an advantage in the campaign.
