Poll: Majority unlikely to back Klobuchar if she votes to cut Medicare, Social Security

Don’t mess with Medicare and Social Security: That’s the message that progressive groups are gleaning from a new poll of swing state voters. Commissioned by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), Democracy for America, MoveOn.org and Credo Action, the survey’s results show overwhelming opposition to cuts in both areas. In fact, in Minnesota, 72 percent of respondents were opposed to Social Security cuts, while a majority of Minnesotans polled said they were less likely to back Sen. Amy Klobuchar next election if she votes to reduce Social Security benefits.

The Minnesota poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling, questioned 1,000 likely Minnesota voters on May 2 and 3. Results sent to the Minnesota Independent by the groups show that 55 percent of those surveyed said they’d be less likely to vote for Klobuchar if she voted to cut benefits or raise the retirement age. Sixteen percent were more likely, while 29 percent said it made no difference.

When asked about what a vote by Klobuchar to cut Medicare or Medicaid benefits would mean come November, the percent of voters less likely to support her jumped to 57 percent. Seventeen percent said they’d be more likely to back her, while 26 percent said it didn’t matter. The poll’s margin of error is 4.4 percent.

Yesterday, the same coalition of groups released results that showed overwhelming opposition to balancing the budget through Social Security cuts. Conducted in states where incumbent Democratic senators are up for re-election next year, the survey asked:

In order to reduce the national debt, would you support or oppose cutting spending on Social Security, which is the retirement program for the elderly?

Ohio: 16% support, 80% oppose
Missouri: 17% support, 76% oppose
Montana: 20% support, 76% oppose
Minnesota: 23% support, 72% oppose

The findings show that supporting Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan’s plan to change Medicare may come with considerable electoral risk, the poll’s commissioners say.

“Any Democratic incumbent who votes to reduce Social Security benefits or cut Medicare will be walking the plank,” says PCCC co-founder Adam Green. “Democrats need to take programs like Social Security and Medicare firmly off the table and fight hard to pass popular investments in jobs and popular tax increases on oil companies, Wall Street, and the rich.”

Update: Republicans have used the poll to pounce on Klobuchar. In a statement emailed to the Minnesota Independent Tuesday afternoon, National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Jahan Wilcox called the poll “an ominous sign” for Klobuchar.

“[W]hen Klobuchar supported ‘ObamaCare’ it not only raised taxes on medical device companies like Medtronic and 3M, but it also cut Medicare by over $500 billion,” Wilcox said. “Since Klobuchar is the only candidate who has voted to cut Medicare for Minnesota seniors we expect this will be a key issue in next year’s Senate election.”

The GOP has its work cut out in defeating Klobuchar next November. A survey by Public Policy Polling released in December found her to be the most popular senator facing reelection, with what Politico’s David Catanese called a “sparkling 59 percent approval rating.” Klobuchar’s disapproval rate was 29 percent, a 30-point spread.

Further, she has a campaign war chest of over $2.5 million, and her only challenger so far is the GOP’s Dan Severson. Severson shared his views — including his belief that the separation of church and state “does not exist” — when he ran unsuccessfully for secretary of state last fall. Some of his views were discussed when he was a guest on the radio show of Bradlee Dean, the anti-gay pastor who sparked outrage when he gave the opening prayer in the Minnesota House on Friday.