Senate Democrat’s up for election in 2014 start asking for Obamacare delay

After trashing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) for months, Senate Democrats who happen to be up for election in November 2014 are starting to openly call for an extension for open enrollment due to the Obamacare registration problems.

It’s funny how it works huh?

On Wednesday, CNN’s Dana Bash tweeted that all Senate Democrats up for re-election in 2014 will reportedly support a delay of Obamacare’s enrollment deadline. …

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) wrote a letter to President Obama.

“Given the existing problems with the website, I urge you to consider extending open enrollment beyond the current end date of March 31, 2014. Allowing extra time for consumers is critically important so they have the opportunity to become familiar with the website, survey their options and enroll,” the Democrat wrote in a Tuesday letter to President Barack Obama.

To be clear, right now they are just asking for a short delay for the open enrollment period, but want to bet they will soon be calling for a one-year delay just like Cruz was asking for?

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is on record as supporting a one-year delay in the individual mandate as well, although Manchin is not up for re-election in 2014.

Here is a list of the 16 senators who will be on the re-election block one year from now, and four new guys who will be running for seats formerly held by Democrats. Shall we keep a tally on all 20 to see when they ask for a delay? Maybe an over-under for each?

  • Mark Begich (D-Alaska)
  • Mark Pryor (D-Ark.)
  • Mark Udall (D-Colo.)
  • Chris Coons (D-Del.)
  • Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) (Inouye passed)
  • Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
  • Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)
  • Mary Landrieu (D-La.)
  • Ed Markey (D-Mass.)
  • Gary Peters (D-Mich.) (Levin is retiring)
  • Al Franken (D- Minn.)
  • John Walsh (D-Mont.) (Bacus is retiring)
  • Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)
  • Tom Udall (D-N.M.)
  • Kay Hagan (D-N.C.)
  • Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)
  • Jack Reed (D-R.I.)
  • Rick Weiland (D-S.D.) (Johnson is retiring)
  • Mark Warner (D-Va.)
  • Natalie Tennant (D-W.Va.) (Rockefeller is retiring)

As a side note, there are only 14 Republican-held seats up in 2014 compared to the 20 held by Democrats. I have not looked at individual races, but that’s a good thing for Republicans as it will be difficult for Democrats – in my opinion – to hold 20 as compared to the GOP holding 14.

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

4 Comments

  1. cranky yankee on October 24, 2013 at 7:20 am

    If they would just vote what the majority of the constituents wanted they would never need to worry about getting re-elected. That’s both sides. Make DC Listen



  2. bien-pensant on October 24, 2013 at 8:03 am

    The democrats will do whatever the party tells them to do. If a delay works to their advantage, then that is what will happen.
    The voters are just who elected them, and hopefully for the pols, to another term, to carry out Barry’s and the dem’s policies.
    I’m not sure the will of the people carries much weight once politicians get to Washington. That is why the Washington insiders can’t comprehend the Tea Party.
    ?



  3. Lynn on October 24, 2013 at 8:15 am

    Don’t want to be picky, but isn’t Sen. Baucus stepping down? I found it interesting because he was a sponsor for the ACA and the one who called it a “Train wreck” first. But, maybe he changed his mind and I missed it.



    • Steve McGough on October 24, 2013 at 9:01 am

      Yup. Updated post, thx.



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