Economic angst threatens Obama in 2012, but in poll he edges GOP rivals

[Snoutport]

Source: Cap Times

Deepening economic pessimism has pushed down President Obama’s approval rating to a near record low, but he holds an early advantage over prospective 2012 rivals in part because of widespread dissatisfaction with Republican candidates, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/article_c12bebb4-6aa3-11e0-88e1-001cc4c002e0.html

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Some good news for the day after taxes....

[Imajika]

1. Sorry, but there is no good news in this poll..

Trying to sugar coat the bad news by saying Obama is running ahead of a field of characters most people don't know yet and buffoonish vanity candidates is not enough to put lipstick on this pig of a poll. Eventually the GOP will have a real candidate and only then will match up polls matter.

The President's approval rating has dropped to 47% (down 7 points) and his approval on the economy is downright dismal (57% disapprove).

This is almost certainly all about gas prices. As soon as the price of gas drops, and it will, Obama's approval numbers will go up. The economy is slowly recovering, but the President is getting hurt largely by these rising gas prices.

[Iliyah]

2. Washihngton Post and ABC

Yea right.

[MilesColtrane]

3. Re: gas prices

Don't bet on them falling.

While historically gas prices have fallen before elections, they actually rose before the 2010 midterms, and Republicans gained 69 Congressional seats and 6 governerships.

I'm sure the oil companies took notice of that correlation.

[Snoutport]

4. no doubt.

but it does show that the R's are having a hard time finding a candidate.

do the polls count only "likely to vote" as well....

[AndyTiedye]

5. They Will Keep Raising Gas Prices Until the Election, At Least

Figure on $7.00 by Nov 2012.

Raising gas prices is easy, and Obama gets the blame.

[Imajika]

6. Who is "they"?

Gas prices are driven mostly by oil speculators (investors) who pretty much couldn't care less if Obama is re-elected or not.

I mean, your talking as if big industry hates Obama and the truth is they really don't.

While our US Democrats are VASTLY preferable to Republicans, Democrats aren't exactly unfriendly to business interests.

You are correct though, gas prices are a sensitive subject and something President Obama and the Democrats can't do much about in the short run. If gas prices end up high around election time in 2012 it will make it the environment more difficult for us.

[w4rma]

7. Someone should research who the key speculators are. (nt)

[Imajika]

8. It can often be you and me...

We invest (at least many people do) in funds that are a full blend of investments, often times those investments include commodities such as oil, corn, etc. If your fund managers think oil will keep going up, they will often buy it on your behalf as part of a diverse portfolio.

[AndyTiedye]

9. We Don't Buy Gasoline and Heating Oil From Speculators

We buy them from the oil companies.

They may not be able to lower prices at will for very long because they would lose money.

The can raise them as high as they want.
They'll lose some business, but they may regard that as a worthwhile investment if they can put a Republican in the White House and take over the Senate.
There are no "blue" oil companies, so it is likely that they would all be willing to cooperate on this.

[Ter]

10. Gas going down didn't help McCain

In November 2008, gas prices steadily dropped for four months or so. Then again, he wasn't an incumbent.