2nd District (Ne) rivals split sharply on health care

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20091114/NEWS01/711149833

Published Saturday November 14, 2009

By Robynn Tysver
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

The candidates for the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District seat have carved out sharply different views on health care.

Tom White, a Democratic state senator from Omaha, said he would have voted for President Barack Obama’s health care bill passed by the House a week ago, despite reservations about some aspects of the measure.

Republican incumbent Lee Terry voted against the bill, saying it was a government takeover of health care that would do more harm than good.

Terry and White are the two primary candidates in the 2nd District. The election is nearly a year away, but the two have been busy in recent months revving up their campaigns for what is expected to be a competitive battle.

The race takes place in the state’s most politically diverse district. About 21 percent of registered voters in the 2nd District identify themselves as independents, while the rest are nearly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. (Republicans outnumber Democrats by about 4,400.)

The sweeping health care bill, which narrowly passed the House, would require most Americans to obtain health insurance or face penalties, an approach Republicans have opposed.

FULL story at link.