The article in question addresses the results of a poll taken by The Washington Post and ABC News. It found that 52% of Americans believe Obama’s presidency is on balance “a failure.” Only 42% think his presidency has been “a success.” That’s horrible!
And it gets worse when you dig down into the numbers.
● 54% disapprove of his handling of the economyYeah, that reeks of failure. And truthfully, I don’t think there is anything Obama can do to change any of this. He was counting on Obamacare becoming popular once people were forced into it, but it’s only gotten less popular over time. Beyond that, his legacy is bare.
● 56% disapprove of his handling of foreign affairs
● 65% say the country is on the wrong track
● 59% disapprove of his handling of immigration
● 56% disapprove of Obamacare
● 55% think Obama has done more to divide the country than to unite it
Even one time sycophant Michael Moore said this of Obama's legacy: "When the history is written of this era, this is how you’ll be remembered: 'He was the first black president.' Okay, not a bad accomplishment, but that's it. That's it, Mr. Obama." Ouch.
As an interesting aside, the Democrats are mentally relying on polling showing that the GOP is way more unpopular than the Democrats as a way to tell themselves this isn't a problem. In that regard, this poll showed that Obama’s disapproval was at 54% and the Democratic Party’s disapproval is 61%, but the GOP’s disapproval is 72%. So they are somewhat correct. Nevertheless, their reliance on this is misleading. For one thing, when asked if people will change their vote to prevent a GOP senate, only 25% said that they were scared of a GOP senate. More people, 32%, actually say a GOP senate would be a good thing. Thus, people are more likely to vote for their local candidates than they are to worry about their approval of the GOP. Said differently, the 72% disapproval number is meaningless.
Even more to the point, however, the GOP’s low approval rating comes from Republicans, who won’t vote for the Democrats. Indeed, whereas 63% of Democrats approve of their party, only 34% of Republicans do. So this 72% number is entirely unreliable. Most importantly, though, Obama can’t really base his legacy on the opposition being less popular... life doesn't work that way.
Thoughts?
18 comments:
That poll in the last paragraph is a bit disconcerting to me since it could mean the GOP will have turnout problems which will be a boon to the Democrats.
This is just part of the cycle. In the past two decades the Democrats and the Republicans have alternated power a couple times, each time believing that they were on the cusp of final victory.
Right now the Democrats hold the lion's share of power so the Republicans' star is on the rise (though how quickly it will rise is a matter of some debate, I think its safe to say the Republicans will have a good 2014).
Kit, That is always the problem for either party, and the GOP's fringe remains very angry. The key to fixing that, however, is to expand the party so you don't end up relying on the unreliable. Add two million Hispanics, two million women, two million young people and two million apathetic and you don't have to worry about losing two million fringers.
The problem has been that both parties delude themselves into thinking they need their fringes, so they cater to them, which drives away the very people they need to end their dependence on the fringe. Interestingly though, this time the fringe-right has proven to be so hostile to the GOP that they may have broken this spell and the GOP has been at least talking about reaching out to get new voters.
Anthony, These numbers are more than that. At this point in any successful presidency, the president basically has more than 50% approval for their accomplishments and strong good will among the non-ideological public. Obama's ratings fall into the category of Nixon, Carter, W. Bush. Essentially, the public has voted him a failure and that will likely be history's final determination.
BTW, the number that really shocks me is that 55% think Obama has divided the country rather than united it. Not only was uniting the country supposed to be the purpose of his presidency, but up to now at least, the public has liked him personally. I doubt they can honestly say they like someone they see as a divider. So his negative legacy may end up more visceral than people expect.
Come to think of it, I haven't seen a likability poll in some time. It must be bad.
It is funny how we saw likability and approval polls every single day near the end of Bush's term, but as you note, not with Obama. Ditto on casualty reports... reports of homelessness... stories about the unemployed suffering... etc. You'd almost think the MSM is biased!
T-Max, there's a reason you haven't seen these polls in a while. There's a new study out that says network news presented 124 stories on Bush’s falling job approval by this point in his presidency - there are only 9 stories thus far on Obama's fall.
I love the smell of bias in the morning!
Ugh! I hate the smell of bias. Isn't that the mix of B.O. and @$$ ? LOL
Boy, I'd hate to have the initials B.O. Feel bad for anybody who does.
Andrew,
Obama is a millstone around the necks of Democrats and will go down in history as one of the weakest presidents, but all this falls into a familiar pattern of power acting as a poisoned chalice for political parties.
KRS, That's not bias! It's just that the American people don't want to hear bad news right now. I'm sure they'll magically be in the mood again once the Republicans gain more power.
tryanmax, That is indeed the smell of bias! LOL!
No one is pathetic enough to have B.O. as their initials, especially with a middle name like "Worstpresidentevah!"
Anthony, Very true, but try telling that to the ideologues: "The cowards do us in! If only we push harder, the public would fall in love with us!"
By the way, Obama has deployed 3,000 US military personnel to West Africa to help the countries deal w/ Ebola.
Kit, Fortunately, ebola can be stopped with bullets.
In related news, Obama made a fool of his Joint Chiefs today by directly contradicting what they said he said yesterday about ISIL. Nice.
Talk about irony! John Kerry attacked anti-war protestors as helping ISIL with their rhetoric. Then he pushed the idea of going to war to stop the sale and mutilation of woman by these Islamic cretins... even as Obama said he won't send ground troops. It's a circus.
So, Andrew, I guess the basis of your article is, "Mikey doesn't like him"?
Also, how low has Obama sunk if he can actually make poor Emmett Kelly look even sadder? Oh, uh, wait a minute...
I'm still reeling from the 42% who thinks it is a success. Talk about delusional.
Chesty Puller said, "We're surrounded, that makes things easier.."....I'm afraid we're surrounded by idiots, morons and delusional liberals and it's kind of overwhelming...
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