The Real Reason Specter Betrayed— Gallup Puts Public Approval of Obama’s Handling of Spendulus 36 Points Higher Than Congressional Republicans’
—Ace
Awful numbers I wish I could spin but I can’t.
Even assuming some liberal sampling here — this is a huge edge, and will spook the squishes.
The American public gives President Barack Obama a strong 67% approval rating for the way in which he is handling the government’s efforts to pass an economic stimulus bill, while the Democrats and, in particular, the Republicans in Congress receive much lower approval ratings of 48% and 31%, respectively.
These findings, based on Gallup Poll interviews conducted Feb. 6-7, underscore the degree to which Obama appears to be maintaining the upper hand over his opponents from a public opinion perspective as he and congressional leaders wrangle over the precise form and substance of a new economic stimulus plan. (Recent Gallup polling also shows that a slight majority of Americans in general favor the idea of passing a stimulus plan of around $800 billion, a sentiment that has stayed constant over the last several weeks.)
If I were to spin it, I’d say the public is just expressing its typical crankiness at seeing political disputes of any kind, and Obama is “winning” simply because he’s refusing to show leadership and really engage the issue. Preferring to let Congress fight it out.
Even so, his spineless strategy is still working for him, and Congressional Democrats, who are fighting too, still enjoy a better approval rating than Congressional Republicans.
This is not to suggest that Republicans shouldn’t continue to fight this monstrosity — just an alert that we will, as is often the case, get no political benefit from doing the right thing. Quite the opposite.
Yes, the Republicans have to continue to fight. JimRob, Kristinn and a whole bunch of others are in D.C. now fighting for what is right. I’ve done what I could from here...letters, e-mails, etc. Our country’s future is in the Republican’s hands. May God be with them.