Zogby: Obama's Slip in Polls Shows True Mood of Electorate

Forbes ^ | 3/14/2012 | John Zogby

[presidio9]

Just when Barack Obama might have been feeling comfortable about his re-election, two major polls found his approval rating taking a dip and both Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum gaining on him. So what’s going on?

The real aberration may have been the recent rise in Obama’s approval rating and the margins he held over the top GOP candidates. Looking at the Real Clear Politics (RCP) average of polls, Obama’s approval rating went into negative range (more disapprove than approve) in July 2010 and briefly went positive in May 2011 after Navy Seals killed Osama bin Laden. The spread then quickly went to as much as 10 points negative in August. Upward movement began near the end of 2011 and peaked at a positive one or two points last month.

Now, with the CBS/New York Times poll showing Obama’s approval at negative six and the ABC/Washington Post poll at negative four, the RCP average is less than one point to the negative. (Note that Gallup’s daily tracking reported through this past weekend has Obama’s approval at a positive six points and a Reuters/Ipsos poll released yesterday had his approval at 50%.)

In match-ups with Romney, Obama’s lead in the RCP average has dropped from statistically significant margins to less than three points. (ABC/Washington Post has Romney ahead by two.) The President’s lead over Santorum has also slipped, but is still a healthy six points.

Looking at the big picture, realize how closely the nation is divided politically. The 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections were both very close. Each of the last three national elections (2006, 2008 and 2010) turned the party in power out of control of either Congress or the Presidency. Given the state of the nation and the size of the 2010 Republican victory,

[tcrlaf]

Today’s RECORD HIGH Gas Prices remind the Sheeple just how stupid and gullible they were in 2008, to have fallen for all the Obama hype and bullsh*t.

They are angry at getting played.

[presidio9]

Today’s RECORD HIGH Gas Prices remind the Sheeple just how stupid and gullible they were in 2008, to have fallen for all the Obama hype and bullsh*t.

Just wait and see what happens if Netanyahu decides that he can't wait until the second week of November to strike Iran (and last week he sounded very much like he had no intention of waiting). Even if the attack is successful (a big "if" without our participation), gas prices in this country will certainly double until we are able to take control of Hormuz.

Reports of added jobs and stock market gains are nice, but Israel is the elephant in the room when it comes to forcasting our long term economic fortune.

[Coastie]

Ok, one more time;

SEALS not Seals. It matters.

[righttackle44]

Apology accepted, but not so fast. Please tell us you didn’t vote for Ross, too. (I’m kidding. But I can’t find anyone who voted for Perot who will admit she or he did.)

[john mirse]

On election day Nov. 2012, many voters will visit their nearby gas stations and buy some gas before they head on to their voting sites.

If gas prices are $5 or more a gallon at the gas pump on that Nov. 2012 election day, many voters will leave the gas station very angry as they head on to their voting sites and enter their voting booths.

These voters who just spent a lot of money buying a few gallons of gas at their nearby gas stations may take out their anger and frustration in the voting booth by voting against Obama.

[FreedBird]

Who hates which candidate the most will determine the election. So lets start thinking about who to hate.

[john mirse]

Fast forward a buttload of years - I (we,and my family) do okay - very well - I just bought my minimum wage bride a new Explorer that cost more than I ever thought to make in the military, and then some. She takes our grand daughters everywhere in it.

We’ve got another bastard in charge - it is time to do something about him.

*********

How much does it cost you to fill up that Explorer?

I would like to have one, but I think that these high gas prices will kill me at the pump if I had to fill up one of those fine Explorers.

[crazydad]

I just read on Yahoo that Obama Mohamed beats all of our candidates. Hmm Projection any one?

[dead]

It's the vetting! People are finally starting to understand who they elected.

[webstersII]

“One can’t help but wonder somewhat persistently just how many people in these polls say they’re for Obama because it’s politically correct, then hang up the phone thinking, “Another term for that Bozo? Never!””

Methinks you are dreaming.

In 2008 a bunch of people on FR claimed that people were lying to pollsters and BO would lose big.

[GOPJ]

What are you talking about? What do we look bad? Why put a negative comment like that on one of the few ‘feel good’ threads going? Help - I really don’t understand.

[GOPJ]

What are you talking about? Why do we look bad? Why put a negative comment like that on one of the few ‘feel good’ threads going? Help - I really don’t understand.

[The Sons of Liberty]

just how many people in these polls say they’re for Obama because it’s politically correct, then hang up the phone thinking, “Another term for that Bozo? Never!”

Amazingly, a number of people that SHOULD be intelligent enough to see through this marxist clown, STILL support him!

[Gaffer]

You know? I took my wife over to the Ford place here in town because I had a hankering to replace an old BMW that I got tired of spending a buttload on for life-supporting oxygen and such.

I thought the top of the line Taurus was nice - she drove it and said “nice”...she was eyeing this behemoth Explorer that cost a full $10K more and asked the salesman to drive it.

That was it - I was sunk. The Explorer. The most expensive bells and whistles car I ever bought - even the $40K BMW I bought her in 1997.

Gas tank is smaller (24 Gallons vs. my F150 26 gallons)...figure $75/tank for it, I guess. If you have children, or grandchildren like we do, safety and confidence are worth more than cost.

[dforest]

We can’t stand the anti American, country ruining, marxist bunghole.

Sooner this grifter is turned out the back door past the garbage cans, the better.

[sportutegrl]

I was at a party talking to an elderly woman who kept ranting to me about Obama, what an idiot, worst president ever, etc. Her daughter came up to me and said, “Don’t listen to her, she voted for Obama.” The woman gave me a sheepish look, she actually looked ashamed.

[BfloGuy]

An article like this from the Democrat Zogby is telling.

[Paradox]

Perhaps I came across too negative. MSM coverage of the Republicans as about the infighting, which is to be expected, so the Republicans are going to look as bad as they are ever going to, RIGHT NOW. After we get our nominee, things should actually get BETTER for the GOP. I predict the nominee will eventually poll even better against Obama, at least until the MSM does there thing and tries to drag him down.

What I am saying is this, if Obama looks this bad now, with the Republicans at a low point in the public eye, its going to get WORSE for him in the future. So that is a GOOD thing!

[Vigilanteman]

Everybody who lived through the Carter years has a story to tell. I got up before 7 a.m. and parked my car six blocks from my downtown place of employment so I could save on parking and get to my first place of employment by 8 a.m. Worked until 1 or 2 p.m. when I drove to campus for classes which ran until 5:30 p.m. The business owner was an alumni of the campus I attended so was flexible to accommodate my afternoon classes-- lucky me! When classes ended, I drove like crazy so I could report to my 2nd job's evening shift by 6 p.m. which ran until half past midnight. I ate out of a paper bag and changed clothes on the way. The only thing which kept me sane was Ronald Reagan's radio show on the drive over. I'd get home at 1 a.m., hit the sack (or eat if I was hungry) and repeat next day.

When these ObaMao morons start whining about how they need more help from the government, I feel like smacking them on their ass.