Obama's Re-election The Truth is in the Numbers

[tarsi]

Despite sweeping pessimism about the nation's fortunes and his own sliding approval ratings, President Obama leads potential Republican rivals Mitt Romney and Rick Perry in hypothetical general-election match-ups, according to a new TIME poll.

Obama leads Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who sits atop the GOP presidential field, 46% to 43% among likely voters. The President has opened a double-digit lead over Perry, 50% to 38%, highlighting concerns percolating through the GOP that the Texas governor would face a steep uphill climb should he capture the nomination. Obama also boasts a 49% to 37% edge over businessman Herman Cain, whose strong Tea Party support has propelled him toward the top of Republican ranks in recent weeks. In each case, the President was buoyed by his performance among female voters. Women prefer Obama over Romney by eight percentage points (49% to 41%), by 17 points over Perry (53% to 36%) and by 21 points over Cain (53% to 32%). (See photos of Republicans taking over New Hampshire.)

Obama's strength in head-to-head match-ups with potential Republican rivals belies his own shaky footing with a weary electorate. Just 44% of voters approve of the President's performance, a slip of four points since a similar poll was conducted in June. Four out of five respondents say the U.S. has veered off track, and 71% think the country's clout in the world is waning. A scant 5% report feeling positive or unconcerned about the state of the nation.

The President's positive personal qualities have cushioned voters' frustration with the sagging U.S. economy, the exodus of capital to overseas markets and the declining value of the dollar. Most voters see Obama as tough enough to shepherd the U.S. through this rough patch (50% to 44%), and empathetic (59% to 37%) to the concerns of Americans like themselves. By a 48% to 37% margin, respondents consider him a better President than his predecessor, George W. Bush, who won a hard-fought battle for a second term amid falling approval ratings and an opposition galvanized by the war in Iraq.

For Democrats, the silver lining in a gloomy series of electoral rebukes and legislative setbacks is that voters remain partial to their chief economic principles, at least compared to the alternatives. Forty-two percent of respondents say they place greater trust in the Democratic Party to deal with the nation's problems, compared to the 31% who side with Republicans. In particular, some two-thirds of those surveyed say they prefer the Democrats' blueprint for trimming the federal deficit — a mix of spending cuts and tax hikes — to the GOP prescription, which would solely slash spending. At the same time, more voters think reducing spending is a better way to juice the moribund economy than an additional round of stimulus, the approach advocated by liberal economists. (See "Obama's Tax Plan: 'Fair Share' vs. 'Class Warfare.'")

The survey also revealed that respondents have a better impression of the left-leaning protest movement known as Occupy Wall Street than they do of the Tea Party movement. Fifty-four percent of respondents harbor a positive view of the burgeoning protest movement, well above the 23% with a negative opinion. By contrast, just 27% of those surveyed have favorable views of the Tea Party, while 65% say its impact on U.S. politics since its inception in 2009 has been negative or negligible.

Those results reflect a strain of economic populism common to the new movement's backers. Among those respondents familiar with Occupy Wall Street, nearly 80% argue the wealth disparity in the U.S. has grown too large and 68% say the rich should pay more taxes. Even so, this cohort is aware of the challenges facing the movement. Fifty-six percent predict Occupy Wall Street will have little impact on American politics, and another 9% say its effect will be negative.

[mojack]

Despite sweeping pessimism about the nation's fortunes and his own sliding approval ratings, President Obama leads potential Republican rivals Mitt Romney and Rick Perry in hypothetical general-election match-ups, according to a new TIME poll.

Interesting ... but the opposition may continue to demonize and crash the country even more to remove Dems from office. Can the country afford a re-election?

Edited October 14, 2011 by mojack

[wpsmit]

Interesting ... but the opposition may continue to demonize and crash the country even more to remove Dems from office. Can the country afford a re-election?

Gave you a +, but almost gave you a -. I don't believe the opposition is all republican. The Senate shot down his jobs plan and last time i checked it is dem controlled. Got too much work to finish today, so not gonna get into a huge discussion with you, but based on your previous posts, we obviously have a 180 degree difference of opinion. Ahhh, but that's what this country is all about, isn't it?

[stonewall67]

Interesting ... but the opposition may continue to demonize and crash the country even more to remove Dems from office. Can the country afford a re-election?

So, in your opinion, the crash of this country is based on the Republicans demonizing the President and the Dems? Rhetoric and bashing are not causing this country to crash.... President Obama and the Democratic controlled House and Senate created more of a defecit between 2008 and 2010 than all the other presidents from George Washington to George Bush did combined!!!! Out of control spending, regulations and DEBT are what is causing this country to crash NOT RHETORIC!!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!! We need physical conservatism in Congress and in the White House. We need to curb back the entilement programs that are doing nothing more than enslaving people to their government. We need to BRING OUR TROOPS HOME and STOP being the worlds police force. We need to cut taxes across the board and simplify the tax code. We need to PASS A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT and STOP SPENDING MORE THAN TAXES BRING IN!!!! We need to roll back excessive regulations that are stiffling growth in our economy and we need to stop being a CONSUMER NATION AND START PRODUCING AGAIN!!!!!!

Edited October 14, 2011 by stonewall67

[fnbplanet]

The Times? Oh yeah, we can count on them for fair surveys........

When the republicans finally select an opponent, conservatives and independents alike will unite against a President, who in no way possible, can run on his own record. He and his henchmen will have to resort to nasty attacks on their opponent, and the American public is already sickened by the "politics" of two party rule, and will summarily reject his campaign tactics. People will laugh in his face if he even hints that it's Bush's fault after FOUR years. The Republicans have plenty of ammo for any gun that they choose. If the candidate is Cain, let 'em TRY to pull the race card again.

[rtrusty]

Interesting ... but the opposition may continue to demonize and crash the country even more to remove Dems from office. Can the country afford a re-election?

You bet we can...

Edited October 14, 2011 by rtrusty

[DinarMillionaire]

Interesting ... but the opposition may continue to demonize and crash the country even more to remove Dems from office. Can the country afford a re-election?

Good question. And the answer is... NO! we cannot afford a "re-election". That is why we will "ELECT" a new President.

[mojack]

So, in your opinion, the crash of this country is based on the Republicans demonizing the President and the Dems? Rhetoric and bashing are not causing this country to crash.... >> Demonizing is a huge part of the nations problems by creating division. President Obama and the Democratic controlled House and Senate created more of a defecit between 2008 and 2010 than all the other presidents from George Washington to George Bush did combined!!!! >> I'll give you the answer << You obviously don't remember what the country was like in 2007. If so, you should remember what all the critics were saying - Who ever wins the Election when the dust settles will be the single heir to an inheritance of one huge mess!Out of control spending, regulations and DEBT are what is causing this country to crash NOT RHETORIC!!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!! We need physical conservatism in Congress and in the White House. We need to curb back the entilement programs that are doing nothing more than enslaving people to their government. We need to BRING OUR TROOPS HOME and STOP being the worlds police force. We need to cut taxes across the board and simplify the tax code. We need to PASS A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT and STOP SPENDING MORE THAN TAXES BRING IN!!!! We need to roll back excessive regulations that are stiffling growth in our economy and we need to stop being a CONSUMER NATION AND START PRODUCING AGAIN!!!!!!

"BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT" is a pretty political phrase but who knows what it actually holds.

http://rambleandblather.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/just-what-is-in-store-for-whomever-wins-the-election/

Who ever wins the Election when the dust settles tomorrownight will be the single heir to an inheritance of one huge mess. They will face challenges on a monolithic scale. They will be faced with restoring growth to a faltering economy the likes of which our country has not seen since the dark days before World War II. They will inherit a military fighting wars on two battle fields. One in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan. They will be faced with a budget deficit running close to $500 billion and growing daily. They will be forced by the American people to bring our country back to the figure head status we once held and to move forward as the world’s lone true superpower.

Determining a successor to the highly unpopular President George W. Bush was a high priority with many of the citizens of the United States. Millions of Americans have already voted in the early voting rounds. Election officials are looking forward to Tuesdays long lines at polling stations. The nation is expecting a record turnout which should easily eclipse the 2004 vote total of more than 121 million.

Gave you a +, but almost gave you a -. I don't believe the opposition is all republican. The Senate shot down his jobs plan and last time i checked it is dem controlled. Got too much work to finish today, so not gonna get into a huge discussion with you, but based on your previous posts, we obviously have a 180 degree difference of opinion. Ahhh, but that's what this country is all about, isn't it?

Yep, and I'll give you a + in return... have a good day!

[tarsi]

You know MOJACK I really like your style!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! truth and facts not mudslinging rehtoric or he said she said demonstrative, insults.... THANK YOU sir

[caz1104]

So, in your opinion, the crash of this country is based on the Republicans demonizing the President and the Dems? Rhetoric and bashing are not causing this country to crash.... President Obama and the Democratic controlled House and Senate created more of a defecit between 2008 and 2010 than all the other presidents from George Washington to George Bush did combined!!!! Out of control spending, regulations and DEBT are what is causing this country to crash NOT RHETORIC!!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!! We need physical conservatism in Congress and in the White House. We need to curb back the entilement programs that are doing nothing more than enslaving people to their government. We need to BRING OUR TROOPS HOME and STOP being the worlds police force. We need to cut taxes across the board and simplify the tax code. We need to PASS A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT and STOP SPENDING MORE THAN TAXES BRING IN!!!! We need to roll back excessive regulations that are stiffling growth in our economy and we need to stop being a CONSUMER NATION AND START PRODUCING AGAIN!!!!!!

Excellent Post

[tcat1]

Interesting ... but the opposition may continue to demonize and crash the country even more to remove Dems from office. Can the country afford a re-election?

What can't be afforded is four more with the sore. He is a divider not a nation uniter. Clinton may have blatantly wrestled Monica under his desk but at the close of his reign we know he united democrats and republicans with the people. Everyone claims Obama gets no support from congress. He had a majority his first two years in both houses. What happened? His Jobs bill just got defeated and he had the majority in the Senate. What happened? His Obamacare is the demise of America. What happened? Demonstrators are urinating in our major cities but peacefully on your rights. What happened? Oh yes...."O" is a team player but not even his normal members like his rules or track record. What happened?

[kiteman]

So, in your opinion, the crash of this country is based on the Republicans demonizing the President and the Dems? Rhetoric and bashing are not causing this country to crash.... President Obama and the Democratic controlled House and Senate created more of a defecit between 2008 and 2010 than all the other presidents from George Washington to George Bush did combined!!!! Out of control spending, regulations and DEBT are what is causing this country to crash NOT RHETORIC!!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!! We need physical conservatism in Congress and in the White House. We need to curb back the entilement programs that are doing nothing more than enslaving people to their government. We need to BRING OUR TROOPS HOME and STOP being the worlds police force. We need to cut taxes across the board and simplify the tax code. We need to PASS A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT and STOP SPENDING MORE THAN TAXES BRING IN!!!! We need to roll back excessive regulations that are stiffling growth in our economy and we need to stop being a CONSUMER NATION AND START PRODUCING AGAIN!!!!!!

Ummmmm.... 2008 - 2009 budgets were signed by George W. Bush. And analysis done by the CBO under the report THE BUDGET AND ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: FISCAL YEARS 2009 TO 2019 based on the 2009 budget signed by President Bush, showed deficits for 2009, 2010, and 2011 that total 2.3 Trillion. So if President Obama came into office, crawled under the big desk in the oval office and did absolutely nothing, 2.3 Trillion would have been added to the deficit.

Also in this budget, President Bush takes spending from $2.9 Trillion in 2008 actual to $3.5 Trilion in 2009 Projected. And that doesn't include TARP or any money spent to bail out the GSE's.

Here's the report for your review. http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/99xx/doc9957/01-07-Outlook.pdf I pulled my numbers from pages 15 and 16.

To say he spent all the money added to the deficit since he took office is at least wrong, at least somewhat disingenuous, and when you hear it from television news commentators who should know better is a flat out lie.

In other words, there is plenty of blame to go around. You can blame the Repbulicans incomplete control from 2001 - 2007, you can blame the Democrats in congress and the Republican President for 2008 - 2009, and you can blame the Democrats in complete control from 2009 - 2010.

Seems to me we have an ongoing problem with our government, regardless of party.

[mojack]

What can't be afforded is four more with the sore. He is a divider not a nation uniter. Clinton may have blatantly wrestled Monica under his desk but at the close of his reign we know he united democrats and republicans with the people. Everyone claims Obama gets no support from congress. He had a majority his first two years in both houses. What happened? His Jobs bill just got defeated and he had the majority in the Senate. What happened? His Obamacare is the demise of America. What happened? Demonstrators are urinating in our major cities but peacefully on your rights. What happened? Oh yes...."O" is a team player but not even his normal members like his rules or track record. What happened?

Tcat - You don't get it - but I got you. thx

[jaman]

why don't put Obummer against real contender ,with real numbers like RON PAUL, here is a man with no media coverage still kicking butt. they don't dare to.

[tarsi]

Kiteman thank you for the info very good nonbiased factual information I might add, as I always say BITS and PIECES!!!!!! some try to use to promote their own agenda's I agree with you whole heartedly there is more than enough blame to go ALL around for every party. It just irks me when people pretend to want whats best for all but its very apparent that they truly only care about their own(parties) agenda, and not the american people as a whole, becuase if that where the case they would'nt make there attacks so personal on Obama, because anyone with half a mind would know it is not possible for Obama, Bush, Clinton or anyone person or official to singularliy destroy our economy the way it has been and continuing to be destroyed, all that shows me is they are only intrested in the same things and attitudes that have gotten us into this mess, they are more concerned with destroying an individual(Obama) than fixin the real problems and we are just collateral damage as far as they are concerned as long as they accomplish their task. An then you have these people that like dancing monkeys jump right onto their bandwaggon, but really have NO idea what the truth is and can care less about finding the TRUTH as long as its satisfying that lust for hate and anger that they have burning inside them, the reasons behind that well only they know the real truth but one day you will have to deal with it and face it whatever it is.................. makes you wonder though is that whats happening now a day of reckoning is upon you and you are getting exactly what you have caused, God's wrath is harsh you just may be reaping exactly what you have sown... JMPO of course.

Edited October 14, 2011 by tarsi

[mojack]

You know MOJACK I really like your style!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! truth and facts not mudslinging rehtoric or he said she said demonstrative, insults.... THANK YOU sir

The technical aspect of me, I have to try to make sense when I can, Thanks!

[rapidrex]

Obama has not EARNED another chance. He is an empty suit with no leadership ability or integrity. He has lied to us and he has done nothing to better our nation. BUT, nothing can say what the stupid, emotional, American voter may do. Would they dare be double stupid and put this failure back in office?