"Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
Over at Commentary, Peter Wehner looks at the numbers from Democratic Pollster Stanley Greenberg, and quips:
It may be that Barack Obama will do to the Democratic Party what no one, not even Ronald Reagan, could achieve–which is to bring it to its knees.
Wehner says that 2012 may be even worse for the Democrats than 2010.
[I]nstead of an overall anti-incumbent sentiment impacting members of both parties, voters are taking more of their anger out on Democrats. When voters were asked whether they’re supporting the Republican incumbent or a Democratic candidate, 50 percent preferred the Republican and just 41 percent backed the Democrat. And here’s the really ominous news for Democrats: Voters in these districts said they were more supportive of Republicans than they were during the 2010 midterms, when 48 percent said they backed the Republican candidate and 42 percent said they backed the Democrat. (Republicans won 55 percent of the overall vote in these 60 battleground districts, while Democrats took 43 percent.) In 2010, Republicans netted 63 House seats – their best showing since 1948.
There’s also this: President Obama’s job approval rating in the battleground districts is just 41 percent — and only 43 percent in the 30 more competitive seats that are a little more Democratic.
What this means is right now, based on the data of a respected Democratic pollster, Democrats would — if the election were held today — suffer a wipeout that makes what happened to them in 2010 look like a walk in the park. And things are likely to get worse, not better, as the months roll on.
For his part, Greenberg sees hope in the President's jobs plan, so I guess there's one person who's actually taking it seriously. And of course, when it comes to polls, it's all about the (leading) questions:
Respondents seemed intrigued by Obama's plan, with a 45 percent plurality saying they favored the plan, while 41 percent opposed it. When told the plan would extending [sic] the payroll tax cut and extend unemployment benefits, the number supporting it jumped to 54 percent.
It's hard for me to believe that with the press doing everything it can to help Democrats, it would be this bad. Wishcasting by Wehner?
To hear the President talk lately, one might think he's trying to lose. He's touting another stimulus (under the guise of a "jobs" plan) when everyone recognizes how badly the first one failed. He's insulting his base. And the Europeans say his economic lectures are arrogant and absurd.
With an apparent disaster for Dems looming, it's tempting to think that it just doesn't matter which candidate the GOP puts forth. I tend to think that we should never let the other party's crisis go to waste, and if a win for the GOP is all but certain, we must ensure we have the most conservative candidate we can get. Or, in Ricochetian terms, the least "squishy."
But . . . is it really that bad for Dems? Even with that "extra 15 points" that, according to Evan Thomas, the media bias will provide?
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Jun '11
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
First, let it be noted here and very emphatic and clear, "The Great One" Mark Levin dubbed President Obama the "Human Wrecking Ball" immediately after the inauguration. Levin clearly pointed out the negative effects of the administration attacking each industry as they systematically destroyed our jobs. Levin said that any attack against any sector was an attack against us all, of course, because the government attacks could kill any sector and any of our jobs.
It is bad for the Democrats because Obama blew the cover. He campaigned as a conservative in that he was going "line by line" to eliminate waste. Never has any president lied so much so often.
We all know the Leftist agenda now. And we all know now that it is a cover and when implemented, it doesn't work.
Aug '11
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
But has the electorate really wised up to the leftist agenda? Or are they just disgruntled masses for whom Barack Obama and the Democrats are the handy scapegoat -- this time? Will they run back into the arms of the Democrats the next time they're unhappy?
I feel like we have a golden opportunity here to make a strong case for conservatism, and I want to make sure we don't blow it and send the pendulum back leftward in four more years.
I also can't help but think of the ominous discussion in last week's podcast about how it's conceivable that Barack Obama could still get re-elected (along with Democrats taking back the House).
Is it November 2012 yet? My nerves are already shot.
Edited on Sep 28, 2011 at 7:41pmApr '11
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
Never has it been more clear. The vile tone of the public debate has exposed the division between leftism and Americanism as never before. Leftism is in control of the media and popular culture, but the control is slipping, because of the wide universe of communication channels. The failings of the Obama approach cannot be papered over, as they have been for years of Democratic decline. The numbers will not reverse themselves. This election will be decisive, and the left, in its desperate attacks, senses a turning point is at hand.
Sep '10
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
The media is actually aggravating the problems for Obama and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
The media is losing it's grip on the narrative, and while there are still tens of millions of drones out there who believe them, there are enough who are experiencing "the news" first-hand who aren't seeing results. Since people are paying attention as things affect them more directly than ever, it's not as easy to pull the wool over their eyes with spin.
However the Administration also "believes" the media and is over-reliant on them to get the message out. It's as if the Obama Administration and the media are dancing with each other, becoming more overtly sexual, unaware they are making a spectacle of themselves.
Rejecting criticism and dissent as cynical partisanship (projection, anyone?) there is nothing to control their excess, and believing their own spin reverberating from CNN ABC NBC etc., they remain oblivious.
Aug '11
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
This morning I was able to distill my thoughts down almost to the level of aphorism:
If the election is going to be easy for Republicans, I want the most conservative candidate. If it's going to be hard, I want the most electable.
Sep '10
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
I think that Bush’s approval rating got down to 28% in late 2008. So if one wished to maintain approval rating and job performance are correlated, that does not say much for moderate Republicans. Which begs the question, why would anyone want to elect another one? I think Obama is incompetent, but the polls in large degree are reflective of the angst people feel, which is being laid off on the Democrats who happen to be in charge. In 2008 Obama was able to capitalize on this angst, in 2010 the GOP was and at the present time it looks like they will again in 2012. But this is not a good way to run a country, at some point someone has to start addressing the fundamental problems. I don’t think a moderate Republican would do this in any meaningful way.
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
Peter Wehner seems to be in same optimist camp as our Professor Rahe. I hope they're right, but my default is to expect the worst...especially since we can't seem to find a standard-bearer worth his salt.
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
I think Peter Wehner is right, and I have thought as much since August, 2009. This is the chance of a lifetime. At no point has the country been more open to a principled argument against the administrative entitlements state. Our task is to find someone who will make that argument in terms easily understood and then follow through resolutely. Awful times call for and allow for genuine statesmanship. If someone steps forward or if someone who has already stepped forward demonstrates this capacity -- for persuasion and for putting rational plans into operation -- this could be a transformative moment in American history.
May '10
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
Listen to the good doctor, people.
Aug '11
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
Fredösphere
Listen to the good doctor, people. · Sep 29 at 9:31am
All well and good. Which candidate will be most effective in making the argument against the entitlement state? (Paul Ryan would be my choice, but he's out.)
Edited on Sep 29, 2011 at 9:40amRe: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
DrewInWisconsin
Fredösphere
Listen to the good doctor, people. · Sep 29 at 9:31am
All well and good. Which candidate will be most effective in making the argument against the entitlement state? (Paul Ryan would be my choice, but he's out.) · Sep 29 at 9:39am
Edited on Sep 29 at 09:40 am
Probably not Romney. He has the instincts of a social engineer. Possibly, Perry -- if he can learn how to articulate an argument in a debate.
And quite possibly, Herman Cain. I say this with hesitation. He is ignorant in some crucial areas. But . . . but he really does understand what is wrong with the administrative entitlements state, and he is eloquent and generous of spirit. In the end, what matters is character and understanding. We ought to look at him closely and critically. He has said some things with regard to Muslims and those of our fellow citizens who are homoerotically inclined that are worrisome. But this may matter less than the virtues he certainly seems to possess. We will have to see whether he can rise to the occasion.
Sep '10
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
I've just finished reading Mark Steyn's latest Harmageddonathon and I think we need a "Mark Steyn Designated Hitter Rule":
"When the end of the Republic is nigh, forget how he/she looks, its who can land the firstest with the mostest that is bestest."
Romney? No.
Perry? If WD40 can unjam his cogs, perhaps.
Cain? Yes.
Huntsman et al? They're time in the sun is over.
Christie? Yes.
Dismantle Leviathan and Scare Our Enemies. That's what this election is about.
Apr '11
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
Picking up on Dr. Rahe's analysis of the various candidates, those interested to learn more about Herman Cain may find the attached video piece illuminating. It's an interview with Dick Morris in which Morris asks him about various thorny issues of foreign policy: Iran's nuclear ambitions, Afghanistan, China and US energy policy. Overall, he handles them with a level of grasp, poise and common sense that I found surprising, and which I suspect only a couple of other candidates in the current GOP field could match. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--2IymYwFUE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Edited on Sep 29, 2011 at 12:07pmSep '10
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
Paul A. Rahe
DrewInWisconsin
Fredösphere
Probably not Romney. He has the instincts of a social engineer. Possibly, Perry -- if he can learn how to articulate an argument in a debate.
And quite possibly, Herman Cain. I say this with hesitation. He is ignorant in some crucial areas. But . . . but he really does understand what is wrong with the administrative entitlements state, and he is eloquent and generous of spirit. In the end, what matters is character and understanding. We ought to look at him closely and critically. He has said some things with regard to Muslims and those of our fellow citizens who are homoerotically inclined that are worrisome. But this may matter less than the virtues he certainly seems to possess. We will have to see whether he can rise to the occasion. · Sep 29 at 9:52am
Does this mean you are beginning to think that having this "clown" in the debates might have served a useful purpose?
Apr '11
Re: "Barack Obama, Democratic Wrecking Ball"
No one on Ricochet today pointed to the Karl Rove column in WSJ in which he unreeled some stunning numbers concerning Obama's plummeting popularity. This discussion is as good a spot as any. Read and take heart. http://www.rove.com/articles/342