Poll Shows Economic Fears Undercutting Obama Support

[alp227]

Source: NYT

Declining confidence in the nation’s economic prospects appears to be the most powerful force influencing voters as the presidential election gears up, undercutting key measures of support for President Obama and helping give his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, an advantage on the question of who would better handle the nation’s economic challenges, according to the latest New York Times/CBS Poll.

Despite the months-long onslaught of negative advertisements from Mr. Obama and his Democratic allies seeking to define Mr. Romney as out of touch with the middle class and representative of wealthy interests, there is little evidence in the poll of any substantial nationwide shift in attitudes about Mr. Romney.

But with job growth tailing off since spring and the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, wondering aloud whether the labor market is “stuck in the mud,” the poll showed a significant shift in opinion since the last Times/CBS poll in April about Mr. Obama’s handling of the economy, with 39 percent now saying they approved and 55 percent saying they disapproved.

In April, when the economy seemed to be gaining momentum, 44 percent approved and 48 percent disapproved.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/19/us/politics/poll-shows-economic-fears-undercutting-obama-support.html

[warrior1]

1. republicans are to blame

[cstanleytech]

23. You are 100% correct, they are to blame especially the ones in congress who care more about

unseating Obama than they do about how many americans are out of work or living on the edge of poverty.

[progressivebydesign]

2. Some brave channel should show that film "When Mitt Romney Came to Town." That would fix it.

People are just too stupid to actually look at the REALITY of what Mittens brings to the table, and how he's absolutely devastated middle America with Bain and the corporate marauders of Wall Street.

Polls don't mean jack shit right now...

[jpbollma]

3. The Fact Remains

The GOP plan is working. If the economy continues to tank, it will not matter what we say about Mitt. He will end up winning. Their sabotage is unfortunately working.

[RKP5637]

5. Many Americans are stupid, ignorant, low-information, whatever one

wants to call it, but the bottom line is many Americans are clueless about Romney and the devastating results for most if he were president.

Of course, many Americans think they are temporarily embarrassed millionaires that are having some hard luck. Never underestimate sometimes the ignorance of voters when they go to vote ... and vote in their own worst interest.

[treestar]

25. Yes. Anyone who thinks Mittens can "handle" the economy better

has to see that!

[Wilms]

4. I'd like Obama to put on his comfortable shoes and Occupy the Whitehouse.

A second term is all but in the bag.

What will he do with it?

[RKP5637]

6. I wouldn't call it in the bag, it's a long time between now and the results. n/t

[mother earth]

7. Declining confidence is putting it mildly. Victory is easy, prosecute & bring back accountability,

get Holder off his ass & light a fire under it.

[PSPS]

8. HAHAHAHA! "key measures of support"

Every paragraph in the quoted portion is twisted to help the NYT's board's candidate Romney:

Declining confidence in the nation’s economic prospects appears to be the most powerful force influencing voters as the presidential election gears up, undercutting key measures of support for President Obama and helping give his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, an advantage on the question of who would better handle the nation’s economic challenges, according to the latest New York Times/CBS Poll.

This is a crock. Voters may have "declining confidence," but that doesn't magically translate into support for Romney. They know republicans have been obstructing any attempt to improve things, and they certainly know Romney isn't "the solution."

Despite the months-long onslaught of negative advertisements from Mr. Obama and his Democratic allies seeking to define Mr. Romney as out of touch with the middle class and representative of wealthy interests, there is little evidence in the poll of any substantial nationwide shift in attitudes about Mr. Romney.

Another crock. They are saying the ads have "no effect" merely because attitudes about Romney aren't going down any further than they already have. Outside of billionaires and racists, Romney has no support.

But with job growth tailing off since spring and the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, wondering aloud whether the labor market is “stuck in the mud,” the poll showed a significant shift in opinion since the last Times/CBS poll in April about Mr. Obama’s handling of the economy, with 39 percent now saying they approved and 55 percent saying they disapproved.

Another crock. While opinion may have shifted about the economy, that doesn't magically equal support for Romney. People will still be faced with a choice between Obama and Romney and few people outside the steadfast group of billionaires and racists will peg their economic future on the Etch-a-Sketch.

Like all media, the NYT stands to reap many millions of dollars in ads, especially political advertising. So this is just more copy written to please their advertising department. Next up: Some streamer headlines proclaiming how this is "a horse race." Please buy our paper to follow this as it heads to a nose-to-nose finish!!1!! (And patronize our advertisers.)

[KurtNYC]

15. This poll was 27 pages, lots of questions just free standing on the economy but

NOT asking which candidate is better on the economy, or more directly -- which candidate would be most likely to improve your standard of living? They just ask is the economy bad, how bad, worse than last month, etc. But then, as you point out, they just jump to this idea that if the economy is bad it helps Romney, the outsourcer.

This is a nation wide poll and the ads last week were concentrated in swing states and the places Romney took his dog and pony show. The Romney camp and the GOP governors certainly thought last week had some impact on Romney's numbers.

The poll itself is more interesting that the spin. Some tidbits:

40. Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do more to help middle class Americans? Obama 52 to 38.

41. How much is Bush to blame for economic downturn? (my paraphrase): Only 6% said "Not at all" -- That's 94% blaming Bush and the GOP brand for economic problems. 48% a lot, 33% some

59. If elected, Mitt Romney's policies will favor: 53% rich 11% middle class 2% poor 30% treat equally

[Politicalboi]

9. Obama's team needs to

Run an ad that shows how the GOP blocked EVERYTHING to get us where we are at now. The party of NO!. The party with NO! ideas.

[ejbr]

10. +1

Along with the statistics that back up how Democratic proposals would have generated a better economy.

[RBInMaine]

11. bla bla bla He will WIN

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. This is exactly what the Republicans want. You to blame Obama while they sit back and cheer.

DISGUSTING!!!

[SunSeeker]

13. Crap. It's got Romney 47-Obama 46!

WTF?? And it was taken July11-16, after the Bain storm. The Obama campaign needs more money to run ads EVERYWHERE. Looks like they are just running ads in the swing states, where the ad are working. But meanwhile, Obama's slipping overall. CRAP. This is where the Repuke money advantage just kicks our butts.

[bigdarryl]

14. I wish you guys stop posting these stupid polls this early in the race

most people who will be voting in November are not even thinking about the election right now there on vacation and going about there everyday business.

[DallasNE]

16. On One Level I Understand This

Because under normal circumstances this would be the appropriate response but we don't currently have normal circumstances.

Republicans have been determined from day one that the way to make Obama a one term President was to make America fail so they have obstructed all efforts by Obama to improve the economy. In 2010 the electorate determined that putting the Republicans back in charge in the House would get things done. Of course the opposite happened. Most Americans still don't understand what is happening and are again poised to cast am irrational vote. Should Romney be elected this country would be back in a steep recession within about 15 months and the reason is simple. Trickle down does not work. Period. Why that message cannot be driven home continues just boggles the mind.

[GreenMask]

17. Oversimplification...

The right has been passing stuff in the house. Harry Reid has brought very few items up for vote in the Senate. Nothing of anyone's agenda of substance is getting passed - 2006-2008 was the only point anything "got done."

Government money isn't being spent, but the right also really hasn't gotten their agenda passed much, either.

[DallasNE]

19. Completely Disagree

The right got their agenda passed during the Bush administration. Obama has not been able to unravel that agenda as he has been blocked by the Republicans. Sure, House Republicans have 33 times passed a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act and they passed the Ryan budget that ends Medicare and turns it into a voucher program. But they have not passed a single jobs bill the President has presented. And the American people don't understand the inside politics of Washington so they are making misguided choices, aided by a media that does not help sort out these issues and instead only focus on the horserace aspect rather than the pressing issues of the day.

[GreenMask]

20. No, corporatists...

It wasn't the right that got their agenda passed, it was corporatists (whom I tend to divorce from small-government conservatives). Obama has been doing all he can by fiat (see the recent welfare issue), and no dem supported a jobs bill from the Pres, either.

I see it more as no one has gotten anything they want done.

[DallasNE]

21. A Distinction Without A Difference

Plus, I don't have a clue as to what "welfare issue" you are talking about. Also, there is widespread Democratic support for Obama's jobs bills so you are again coming out of right field.

[GreenMask]

24. Under the wire...

He recently signed that states can waive certain aspects of welfare reform by exec order. Check the news.

I'm thinking his budgets, which got no votes in the house.

[Mayflower1]

26. Kind of sounds like

Politics as usual, doesn't it?

[Puzzler]

18. More Republicans are enthusiastic over Romney...

... than Dems over Obama?

I call BS on this.

[bemildred]

22. Horseshit. nt