Health care vote not likely an election death knell

(CNN) – While the Republican leadership paints the results of the 2010 midterm elections as a referendum on Obama's agenda, Democratic members of Congress running for re-election who voted AGAINST the President's top policy objective -the health care reform plan– also faced the voters' wrath Tuesday.

Of the 34 Democratic incumbents who voted no to health care reform, sixteen are projected to have lost their seats Tuesday while three are locked in races that are too close to call. Eleven Democratic congressman that voted against party lines when health care reform returned to the House floor on March 21, 2010 have retained their seats.

Of the remaining four, Artur Davis (AL-7) unsuccessfully ran for governor and Charlie Melancon (LA-3) lost his bid for U.S. Senate. But Marion Berry (AR-1), and John Tanner (TN-8) escaped election scrutiny and retired.

Those who lost Tuesday and voted against health care reform include: Congressmen John Adler (NJ-3), Michael Arcuri (NY-24), Rick Boucher (VA-9), Bobby Bright (AL-2), Travis Childers (MS-1), Lincoln Davis (TN-4), Chet Edwards (TX-17), Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (SD-at-large), Frank Kratovil (MD-1), Jim Marshall (GA-8), Michael McMahon (NY-13), Glenn Nye (VA-2), Ike Skelton (MO-4), Zachary Space (OH-18), Gene Taylor (MS-4), and Harry Teague (NM-2).

Of the 34 who voted against health care reform, the eleven who won re-election Tuesday are: House Representatives Jason Altmire (PA-4), John Barrow (GA-12), Dan Boren (OK-2), Tim Holden (PA-17), Larry Kissell (NC-8), Daniel Lipinski (IL-3), Stephen Lynch (MA-9), Mike McIntyre (NC-7), Collin Peterson (MN-7), Mike Ross (AR-4), and Heath Shuler (NC-11).

Regardless of the outcome in Kentucky's 6th district, Utah's 2nd, and Idaho's 1st where Congressmen Ben Chandler, Jim Matheson, and Walt Minnick, are still awaiting returns, a majority of the 34 Democrats who voted against health care reform could not transform their stand against what has become a lightning rod in Obama's agenda into an electoral win.

For up-to-the-minute election results, visit CNN's Election Center.