Even tho they agree with it when its named something else which pretty much plays into my opinion, the as a population we are pretty dumb...
No way! This happened?
I think for the longest time a lot of people never knew the ACA was Obamacare and it is true some would say they support one and oppose the other. One of the problems when it comes to discussing the ACA/Obamacare is that either side will never listen to what the other side has to say. It seems to be just talking points with no real substance.
As for the senators, yes it really happened. One tends to forget how hot an issue it was and how most Americans especially in the states I listed, the people of those states were very vocal opponents. Opposition ranged from 55-68% against when the ACA in those states when it passed by the senate back in 2009. Here is a recap:
AK Begich – Republican Sullivan was officially declared the winner this morning.
AR Lincoln & Pryor – Democrat Lincoln lost in 2010 and Pryor lost in 2014
CO Bennett & Udall – Bennett survived in 2010 by 0.8 of a percent, Udall lost in 2014
IN Bayh – Democrat Evan Bayh retired in 2010 instead of facing re-election
LA Landrieu – In runoff in December at which time she will be gone
MO McCaskill – she survived in 2012 only because the Republicans ran a nut in the form of Aiken. She had a 62% disapproval rating, Aiken had a 71% disapproval rating. With anyone but Aiken running against her, she would have been long gone, but such is life in politics.
MT Tester survived won re-election in 2012, presidential year. Baucus retired instead of facing re-election 2014
NE Nelson – retired in 2012 instead of facing re-election
NC Hagan – Defeated by Republican Tillis in 2014
SD Johnson – retired in 2014 instead of facing re-election
VA Warner – won re-election in 2014 by the skin of his teeth.
WV Goodwin and Rockefeller – Goodwin retired in 2010 and Rockefeller retired in 2014 instead of facing re-election
When on a very hot issue the elected officials who who totally ignore the wishes of the people who elected them in order to vote their political parties agenda instead of the wishes of the people will usually pay the price. This is true regardless of the issue or the political party pushing its agenda on the people. Every once in a long while the people bite back.
One other thing from the bins of history, the national polls on the ACA when the senate passed it back in 2009 thanks to RCP:
CNN/Opinion Research 12/2-12/3 36% for 61% Against/Oppose +25
Rasmussen Reports 11/29 - 11/29 41% for 53% Against/Oppose +12
Gallup 11/20-11/22 44% for 49% Against/Oppose +5
Ipsos/McClatchy 11/19 - 11/22 34% for 46% Against/Oppose +12
Rasmussen Reports 11/21 - 11/22 38% for 56% Against/Oppose +18
FOX News 11/17 - 11/18 35% for 51% Against/Oppose +16
PPP (D) 11/13 - 11/15 40% for 52% Against/Oppose +12