For all of the “hope” for “change” that reigned supreme in voters minds in 2008 and early 2009, voters on the national scene seem more disaffected than ever.
Scott Rasumussen over the weekend released his latest tracking polls for presidential approval as well as a detailed look at House races around the country.
Here are some fascinating stats as to what the electorate is thinking right now.
Those strongly approving of Obama’s job performance – 22%
Those strongly disapproving of Obama’s job perforance – 41%
Opposed to Obamacare – 58%
Those that think we should wait till the new Congress in 2011 to deal with healthcare – 54%
People who think it would be better if most incumbents were defeated – 63%
People who believe the stimulus has helped the economy – 35%
People who believe the stimulus has hurt the economy – 33%
Leaders shouldn’t govern themselves to the whims of national polls, but taken as a whole, these numbers certainly point to an inevitable conclusion . . . voters are mad at the folks in Washington. The Democrats had absolute control over Washington with a filibuster proof Senate and a huge majority in the House and a President in the White House. For all the talk of a “post-partisan” tone in Washington, it is as partisan and nasty as it’s ever been. Very little was accomplished with that power . . . healthcare remains unfixed, the economy remains poor, Iran continues to build nuclear weapons and Guantanamo remains open. Those were the yardsticks that Obama, Pelosi and Reid asked voters to measure them by. Even down to the local level, there is significant angst in Democrat circles that appointed slots like the two US Attorneys seats in Mississippi remain unfilled.
What does all of this mean here in Mississippi in 2010? All eyes will certainly be on MS-01 in freshman Rep. Travis Childers bid to stay in office. He voted for stimulus but against healthcare (both last minute decisions) and has been less than available to his constituents to face voters in all but the most controlled of environments. Rasumssuen has scored this race as a leans Republican pickup.
Rep. Gene Taylor will also be facing some opposition in the MS-4 district. Time will tell whether republicans Steve Palazzo and Joe Tegerdine can win a Republican primary on the Gulf Coast and raise enough money to mount a real charge to Taylor.
One things is for sure . . . if Obama stays at or below 50% and Pelosi and Reid continue their unpopular antics, their could be a massive wave of “throw the bums out” like there was in 1994 where no incumbent was safe. Plus Democrat candidates for statewide office may well be called to account for their national party performance in 2011 as those races start to gel from a candidate standpoint.
Yeah, it’s bad. Let’s just hope it gets better.
Magnolia Tribune
