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The latest ABC News/Washington Post poll (PDF) is really, really bad news for Democrats less than two months out from the election. While Democrats trail Republicans by only two percentage points among registered voters, 45-47, they are losing by 13 points among likely voters. That is a massive lead for Republicans. For a comparison, right before taking the House in 2006, the same poll found Democrats with a six-point edge among likely voters. If this holds, the extreme enthusiasm gap will be devastating for the Democratic party.
Support for President Obama and his policies is also at new lows. Right now, only 46 percent approve of his job performance while 52 percent disapprove. Currently, a small plurality, 33 percent, actually think his economic programs have made the economy worse while only 30 percent think they have made the economy better.
If things don’t change, and that seems unlikely because there is little sign the economy will improve in the short term, Democrats are on track to lose control of the House, and possibly even the Senate.
One interesting thing about the poll, which Kevin Drum picks up on, is that registered voters don’t actually like or trust Republicans more than Democrats. By a small margin, they trust Democrats slightly more to be able to better cope with the main problems the country faces.
The problem, of course, is that we have a two-party system. While they have been in control for the past two years, Democrats have failed to improve the lot of most Americans, and, as a result, voters want to punish them. Because of our two-party system, voting for the Republican Party is most often the only way Americans have to punish the Democrats.
66 Comments
That’s it in a nutshell.
we’re on a highspeed rail heading for hades.
A second ruinous Republican administration and the resulting Hades is the only way that an ignorant and illiterate public with no viable memory and no viable analytic skills will get the message. It looks like the US is headed for a lost decade. Then, of course, they will blame the Rethugs for 12 months and forget the past again. I wish I could say that the Rethugs were the cause of it all, and I do give them MOST of the blame, but Clinton Dems removed Glass Stegall and passed the Commodities Future and Modernization Act. This is “modern” folks. Enjoy the slide into the 3rd world. Obama wasn’t about to rescue us anyway. He will not get my vote again.
I refuse to vote for either corporatist Republicans or corporatist Democrats. As I have said many times, a vote for either is a vote for kleptocracy. How can any progressive support any Democrat after their performance on healthcare, their failure to create jobs or help homeowners, or their sharpening their knives on Social Security? Sure the Republicans are crazy, but policy-wise both parties are unmitigated disasters.
Speaker Boehner, measuring the drapes right now…
I’m not saying this to be cute….I fully believe that Obama wants a GOP Congress. And I don’t think it’s because he can run more effectively for reelection against them. It’s because he and his buddies want right wing policy. Period.
I always go back to Obama choosing Leiberman as his mentor when he arrived at the Senate. I think we have seen that they are ideological brothers. Obama, the grifter, just knows how to run a con better than Joe. But even when Joe was a Democrat, he loved the GOP and right wing ideas. If you substitute Joe for Obama, Democrats wouldn’t be at all surprised by the policy decisions we’ve seen. When Leiberman ran for VP on Gore’s ticket, we don’t understand him as we do now. We’re at a similar stage with Obama.
The rest of the Democratic party better start figuring out that Obama is not on their side, and is not one of them. I don’t anticipate that realization coming to many of them until 2013 when Obama has started to amass his well deserved fortune from his corporate pals.
I’m not sure I would even count on the upcoming Hades to be able to deliver such a message to an illiterate public.
The Democrat party deserves to be “devastated” after they sold us out with the health care scam and taking care of their campaign donors ahead of the American people.
After they are deservedly wiped out, we might be able to build a truly progressive representative party.
These corrupt whores need to leave.
Agreed. Some are already biting on Obamarahma’s disingenuous last-minute concern for the working-class (the article I linked to spends 18 paragraphs accurately condemning Obamarahma and then ends with two paragraphs giving the democravens another chance at “convincing voters that despite some missteps, only Democrats can right the employment ship,” that they really mean it this time, that they won’t pull the football away again when we go to kick it).
Kiss my ass, I only trust actions, I no longer hear their words.
I’ll get all 11-dimensional – are Republicans peaking too soon?
2 months does give a bit of time to change dynamics in close races.
And to be a total polly-anna losing 25 blue dogs would be a good thing.
Given the endless spew from the 24 hour FOX Christian GOP Goober sewer pipe on basic cable everywhere combined with the pathetic, endless capitulation to Christian GOP Goober Thugs by Democrats, its no wonder that the Democrats are expected to get creamed in November.
Remember Rahm’s “To hell with the UAW”? or how about Gibbs little ditty – “liberals ought to be drug tested”?
Yeah. Let’s see how well that works out for them in November.
As Johnathan Alter said a couple of weeks ago when referring to the GOP: “This is not your father’s Republican party anymore”.
Nope. Its worse. Far more radical, hateful and Theocratic. And with enablers like Rupert Murdoch, the stink from this fear driven though highly motivated cesspool of GOP cowards has only just begun.
Reminds me, Blanche Lincoln is down by 38 points today. Teehee
OT: Check out Michael Moore’s open letter to the fucking retard who said “Fuck the UAW.”
Yes, I enjoy that. But in the great scheme of things, Democrats and Republicans, they are just two sides of the same corporate coin. These campaign contests are pseudo-fights, something to mollify us rubes. It is the same corporatist agenda either way.
Just saw on TPM that Feingold is down 49-47.
It won’t change anything but lordy, it so satisfying to have that arrogant woman lose.
the perception out here in God’s Country, is they haven’t done shit –
same electoral genius who gave us NAFTA, decided it best to run against the mean ol obstructionist Republicans. considering he blamed HCR for flat ’94 turnout, wonder what he’s gonna blame this flaming catastrophe on ??
Some of the state Democratic parties are realizing that they have to get behind instant runoff voting; the Minnesota DFL in particular has in the past few months realized that this is absolutely necessary. With the Citizens United ruling killing nationwide hopes of a level playing field, and with the ability to shame corporations from donating to the GOP limited at best, this may be our last best hope.
Of course, if IRV were ever adopted nationwide, this would be a financial death blow to the Greens as the Republican Party keeps them on life support with just enough cash for them to siphon off potential Democratic voters in urban areas near colleges to be a spoiler.
Oh, the same corporatist media that hates campaign finance reform (because it would drastically cut the amount of ads being bought) and which refuses to talk about how NAFTA threw tens of millions of Mexican farmers into grinding poverty will gladly push the lie that the Democrats lost “because they were too liberal”. Just as happened in 1994.
hmmmm, seems some really smart guy agrees with you :D
I understand your feelings. See my post and I think you’ll agree I share your feelings about capitulating Dems who refuse to stand up to GOP thuggery.
That said, I respectfully suggest that you take a big picture look at the INTENT of governance policies between the two parties.
Yes, Dems are into money. But Dems aren’t calling for work houses for the poor like a upstate NY GOP St. Senate candidate. Or Calling for the abolishment of Medicare/Medicaid. Or for eliminating funding for public education, police and firefighter programs. Dems aren’t calling for the end of separation of Church and State. Dems don’t believe the world is 6 thousand years old and they don’t build monuments to abject stupidity like the Christian GOP “man walked with dinosaurs” exhibit or the GOP classic – “climate change is a myth”. Dems are not calling for the massive privatization of prisons, or the repeal of water, air and workplace safety regulations.
Just sayin.
Get out much Jake???
Or we could organize a strategic boycott of the midterms by Dems and Lefty Independents…
Phoenix Woman I agree!
The Con Man, I mean Obama is back to his old tricks, it is amazing how quickly Obama starts talking like a progressive on the campaign trail.
The Con Man, I mean Obama went with his FDR act yesterday, he preached about building roads, bridges, air ports, etc as a way to get americans back to work. There is only 1 HUGE PROBLEM, Obama should been doing this for the last 20 months.
The Con Man, I mean Obama the last 20 months has been working hard to pass the Bob Dole Health Care Bill.
The Con Man, I mean Obama is probably going to tell us all how he fought for the Public Option, Drug Importation, etc. and that Rahm just loves the UAW at his next campaign speech.
The corporate media is FULL OF IT!!! as usual, the Con artist that call themselves news people these days know Obama is to the right of Reagan.
Welcome to the 2010 Hope A Dope campaign by OBAMA
thanks for that link, wigwam. that was fucking awesome! MM is so cool.
maybe he should primary challenge obama in ’12. i’d support that.
Dems don’t have to actively call for any of those things, Wolfingser, but they DO have to actively oppose them – not just at election time, but IN PARTICULAR when they control both houses of the Congress AND the White House!
It’s long been said the Democratic Party could fuck up a wet dream. I can think of no analogy more apt to describe their actions during the past two years.
BEN NELSON. BLANCHE LINCOLN. MARY LANDREAU. MAX BAUCUS. LIEBERMAN STILL CAUCUSING WITH THE DEMS. CONGRESSIONAL BLUE DOGS. RAHM EMANUEL, LARRY SUMMERS AND TIMOTHY GEITHNER. AND US, THE F*****G RETARDS. THE CURSE OF THE HOPEFUL OBVIOUSLY INCLUDES GULLIBILITY. AND GULLIBILITY OBVIOUSLY INCLUDES RETARDATION. THERE IT IS. WE’RE THE ONES. BUT AT LEAST I’M NOT A REPUBLICAN.
Great recent interview of Michael Moore by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzales on Democracy Now – http://www.democracynow.org/2010/9/6/michael_moore_on_his_life_his
OT– “Chairman to leave HSBC for British ministry post,” Sept. 7, 2010
Too bad it wouldn’t stop them from giving money to the dlc. Did you know the Kochs sit on their board?
He had the opportunity to pull a Joe Lieberman and force the inclusion of the public option but he decided to pass. I was hoping to some day see him as president. Now I’m happy to say goodbye to another spineless Democrat.
The sky is falling! The sky is falling!!!
I share your feelings about capitulating Dems who
refusepretend to stand up to GOP thuggery.This whole dem/gop seesaw thing is just an illusion…
I say it again and again and will keep saying it as long as Jane lets me. Boycott the Legacy Parties.
No, I think that is what they are saying over at DailyKos. Here the mantra has become “Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out!”
There wouldn’t be any problem at all if there were any real Democrats to vote for. :-(
Got a bunch of yard work done this weekend, went canoeing. Why? (Is this the time when you tell me to clap louder and STFU?)
Great reply! I thought jamesbrown’s comment was uncalled for. It is not much of a stretch to reach the conclusions that you have reached. I’m not there yet, but kudos to you for expressing your thoughts freely.
“A second ruinous Republican administration and the resulting Hades is the only way that an ignorant and illiterate public with no viable memory and no viable analytic skills will get the message.”
Will they suddenly regain their memories and develop sharp analytical skills? I think you may want to work on your own analytic skills if you think a second ruinous (second? You wouldn’t consider Reagan’s admin as ruinous?) Republican admin would do anything other than be ruinous. And every Liberal and moderate — from the anarchist to the blue dog — with a memory that reaches back as far as 2008, should be doing everything they can to keep the tea-party the hell out of Congress. And, because we are in a crappy two-party system, the only way to do that is to fight to re-elect every Democrat running against a bagger.
You wanna hear something else that’s funny? Moore’s former Hollywood agent is Ari Emanuel, Rahm’s brother.
There is a God! Let this gutless posing phony go down to flaming defeat. Now, if only Carly of the Evil Sheep can pull off the same feat against Babs the Sellout Bitch here in CA!
@jakegittes
@Tracerfan
Between the two of you, you’ve just about said it all. Well done.
Mind elaborating? I am a green but Feingold is one of the dems that seem ok.
I just now saw that in the transcript of Moore interview on Democracy Now:
He was telling about the negative reception he got when he criticized Bush and the invasion of Iraq on stage.
What. a. suprise…. not.
Do any of them honestly care? I’m inclined to think not. D, R, Tea Bagger, Indie, whatever… they’re all corporatist shills. If they’re voted out, so?? They have a pension & excellent health care for life. Plus most/all have been paid off handsomely by the corporations.
Like Alfred E. Newman: What? Me worry??
Albeit, yes, it gives me a little merriment to think about Betty Crocker Walmart being so low in the polls. Boxer & Feingold still have a chance, but they need a spanking, too. Bunch of lousy sell-outs.
Most of the comments by the right wing politicians, puppets and the right wing Beck/Palin media are “hot air bluster” well financed by the Ed Koch ringmaster. As long as we stick to the real issues and not the false issues we will win in November. The polls will tighten up and the problem with those Rebublicans hot air breathers is that they have to hope that “things dont suddenly change”. A set of good numbers and/or this president “refocusing” on what is important, like the economy and things could turn like a fresh wind. No doom and gloom for me, I am proud of what has been accomplished and when the truth gets out, the repubs big wind will turn into a still day….Get Aggressive ! We can beat them !
DSCC, DCCC, and DNC worried about “enthusiasm,” grass-roots participation, and (mostly) donations? Then do this:
1. Fire Rahm, for the symbolism and general good feelings it will engender.
2. Put Dr. Dean back at DNC with carte blanche, both for the good will and (mostly) for the effective party leadership which is absent now.
3. Stop acting like the Junior Party of the Rich and Corporations!!! BE the People’s Party we are supposed to be!!!
4. Take Social Security and Medicare off the table – apparently too obvious for the West Wing Idiot Crew…
There was a point at the end of the Health Care fiasco where any single progressive senator could have stood up and pulled a Joe Lieberman by refusing to support any health care bill that did not include a public option. Obama needed every single vote.
Joe Lieberman had no problem standing up and saying his support was contingent on there NOT being a public option so the PO was dropped to get his support. If Boxer or Feingold or anyone on our side would have stood up and made the same strong stand, HCR would not have passed.
Feingold wasn’t willing to do that. Boxer wasn’t willing to do that. Spineless Democrats who don’t stand up when it really counts don’t deserve our support at the ballot box. We don’t need any more capitulators, we need fighters.
yea that is off. Boxer sucks for sure but undoubtedly a better bet than icarly
He’s certainly not on our side, the side of what his Catfood Commission co-chair calls “the lesser people.” But I think that he and Ried and Pelosi are all three on the same side, and that side includes the Clintons, the DLC, the Blue Dogs, the conservadems, etc.
Only if you are looking at things in the short term. If Boxer wins this election, in six years we will have the same dynamic–a scary Republican vs. a do nothing Democrat.
I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to vote for a progressive Democrat to represent me at some point in my lifetime. With Boxer in that seat, she will have to die or retire before I get that chance.
The only chance for us to get a progressive in that seat is to oust Boxer now and deal with six years of Carly.
The only chance we have to remake the Democratic party is to get rid of the dead wood and demand better candidates. If we keep voting for the least objectionable candidate, we will never see a progressive Democratic party.
Even Bernie Sanders sold out.
And figaro — you forgot the other key element of that situation: the artificial 60 vote barrier was now out the window and only 51 votes were needed, and there were 54 Dem Senators already on the record in favor of a public option. If any Dem Senator had proposed such an amendment, those other Dems would have been forced into a real, meaningful vote in front of the whole world to see.
If anybody thinks things look bleak for the Dems come November, just imagine what they would look like if a majority of Dem senators had voted “no” on the public option amendment. It would be electoral Armageddon.
Absolutely dead-on.
There is not one Democratic senator who deserves to be re-elected. When the going got tough, they all ran and hid under their beds. They had the biggest majorities in our history and yet their excuse time and again was “We don’t have the votes.”
Leadership had no problems leaning on the liberals to change their vote but not one person in leadership, not the president or vice-president, not Rahm Emmanual leaned on Lieberman to change his stance for the good of the party. They are all in this together.
Time for some tough love.
You’re right! I forgot about that. In fact, my memory of that period has huge holes in it when the stress got to be too much and my brain shut down. How anyone can support the Democrats after seeing them in action on the HCR issue is beyond me.
I’m not willing to forget and move on. I’m still furious over the telecom immunity vote, the FISA vote, and the lack of accountability for torture. If we truly want a progressive future, the Democrats are not our answer … at least THESE Democrats are not our answer.
Source? ‘Cause otherwise you’re just stating an ill-informed opinion rather than asserting a fact.
PW likely made the assumption that this isn’t the only board we all visit.
Can the WH even be surprised by this?
Did they expect Republicans to vote for them?
Let’s just look at the upside – we get Biden as President after the Republicans impeach Obama.
Hey! 13%! Isn’t that the percentage of people who opposed the health care bill from the left, unchanged from March to August, as reported on FDL?
Not that I think those people are going to vote Republican, but you have to wonder how enthusiastic those people are to vote at all. Not very, is the answer, because if you are opinionated enough about the health care bill to state your opposition to a pollster and say it’s because the bill isn’t as left-wing as it should be, you are guaranteed to be actively pissed off at the Democrats about at least one huge thing (burying universal health care).
“If we keep voting for the least objectionable candidate, we will never see a progressive Democratic party.”
Exactly. If we want to return the democratic party to its progressive roots, it will take more than one election cycle and we have to get rid of the blue dogs and wafflers first.
“….those other Dems would have been forced into a real, meaningful vote in front of the whole world to see.”
This is a big part of the problem. Pelosi and Reid never allow a vote they don’t think they are going to win. This allows every piece of legislation to get watered down to meaninglessness and voters never get to see what their representatives actually believe in.
I thought the Senate, at least, was safe.
Now, I don’t know…
God, what a clusterfuck Obama’s created.
Second that motion…except, I think that Obama, Reid, and Pelosi will heave a quiet sigh of relief if the repubs take even the house, for the simple reason that losing the high expectations that came with those big congressional majorities will be a burden lifted for them.
Of course, it will also practically guarantee that he will be a one-term president, but maybe that’s not so bad for him, either.
So, did you read the article? You must have missed the part where the author mentions that the actual Green Party of Arizona “has urged its supporters to steer clear of the rogue candidates.” Or that the candidates in question are write-ins, not actual Green Party members or operatives?
I mean, I read the article and didn’t come across any information about how the Republican Party “keeps them on life support with just enough cash for them to siphon off potential Democratic voters,” as PW writes, suggesting in the process that voters “in urban areas near colleges” somehow owe the Democratic Party their votes.
Help me out, where’s the source for the whole Green-Party-USA-is-a-front-for-the-Republicans claim?
“No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.” H.L. Mencken
Thanks for reminding Fig about that – saved me the typing.
Or what if one or a group of Senators had summoned the backbone to challenge the BS deal that Rahm and O made with AHIP to never include the PO? Remember that when the 60 vote requirement was removed due to reconciliation, the situation was like you picked up a fumble in the backfield and had nothing but open field ahead for the touchdown. Democrats just stood there naked in their duplicity. They just walked off the field. Oh those dirty bastards. I will never forget or forgive that.