Jumping ahead one election cycle, Rasmussen has a new survey out (500 LVs, 12/28, MoE +/- 4.5%) looking at Sen. Ben Nelson's (D) potential vulnerability should he seek a third term in 2012. Few have had a higher-profile role in the health care debate, with Nelson proving to be the last holdout for Democrats in getting 60 votes to bring bills to the floor and for passage.

Rasmussen matches Nelson up with Gov. Dave Heineman (R), who would be seeking a second full term next fall.

2012 General Election Matchup
Heineman 61
Nelson 30
Und 4

In that hypothetical contest, Nelson may be in trouble regardless of how he votes on health care when the final bill comes back from conference. But when asked who they would favor if Nelson voted against the final health care bill, the gap does narrow to 10 -- 47 to 37 in favor of Heineman.

The poll also found that by a margin of 62-17 percent, Nebraskans opposed a deal Nelson secured that would see the federal government pick up new Medicaid expenses brought about by the legislation.

Nelson has a 40 percent favorable rating, while 55 percent view him unfavorably, including 34 percent who say very unfavorably. Forty-seven percent say he's handled the health care issue poorly, compared to 6 percent who say excellent and 20 percent who say good. Forty-two percent say Nelson has been too supportive of President Obama's agenda. Obama has a 38 percent job approval rating in the survey.

--------------------------------------------
Follow the RCP Blog on Twitter.
Become a fan of RCP on Facebook.
--------------------------------------------