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Re: Poll finds anger over country's leaders
By Susan Page, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON '” Americans are increasingly optimistic about the economy, but that brightening outlook hasn't softened their outrage over the country's direction and its political leadership, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds.
Two-thirds of those surveyed this week describe themselves as "angry" about the way things are going in the USA, the highest percentage in the decade the question has been asked. By nearly 2-1, they would rather vote for a candidate who has never served in Congress over one with experience.
"We're just going to have to clean house and get people in who really care about the country," says Stephen Besz, 63, of Hokendauqua, Penn., who was among those called in the poll. He worries about the future for his son, an electrical engineer who has been looking for a job for 18 months.
On Memorial Day weekend, incumbents in general and Democrats in particular face a hot summer.
The nation's mood hasn't eased even though attitudes on the economy have begun to turn around. About half of Americans rated the economy as "poor" in April and May, not a glowing appraisal but the lowest percentage since the economic meltdown in September 2008. Half say it's getting better, the highest level of optimism in six years.
"I wouldn't say bad, but you can't say good," says John Harbachuck, 51, of Millville, Mass. "It's reached a level point. You hope it's going up."
Still, three of four remain dissatisfied with the nation's course.
White House adviser David Axelrod says that's not surprising. "There's been a lot of frustrations and grievance building up for years," he says. "For many Americans, it (the recovery) still hasn't touched their lives."
The findings are sobering for incumbents who hope an improving economy will ameliorate the throw-the-bums-out sentiment before November. Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, says "confidence is picking up" among voters, but he acknowledges, "Democrats have an uphill battle."
Texas Sen. John Cornyn, head of the GOP Senate campaign committee, says the party has "the wind at our back" and might regain control of Congress.
The poll finds a huge intensity gap between the parties: 50% of Republicans are "extremely motivated" to vote this year; 30% of Democrats are.
"Normally I vote Democrat, but right now I'm not real sure," says Sherry Havard, 60, of Newton, Texas. "I just don't like what they're doing right now."
Among registered voters, 42% say their view of Obama is "very important" in their vote for Congress. That's likely to cut both ways: The group includes 43% of Democrats and 49% of Republicans.
Re: Poll finds anger over country's leaders
I'm taking a leap right now and saying Democrats get re-elected in a LANDSLIDE come November.
Despite these "polls", which are almost never right, throughout history time and again, the country has always favored a pro-government, pro-intervention Democratic White House & Congress during times of economic hardship.
The reason I think Obama will fall in this category, is like FDR before him, he inherited the problem. Alot of people like to make that Carter correlation, but Carter created his own mess. Obama was asked to grab a mop. Big difference.
I say Democratic government will be in power up through 2014, then it'll start going back to Republicans taking everything back by 2016.
- tejastech08
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Re: Poll finds anger over country's leaders
I'm taking a leap right now and saying Democrats get re-elected in a LANDSLIDE come November.
Despite these "polls", which are almost never right, throughout history time and again, the country has always favored a pro-government, pro-intervention Democratic White House & Congress during times of economic hardship.
The reason I think Obama will fall in this category, is like FDR before him, he inherited the problem. Alot of people like to make that Carter correlation, but Carter created his own mess. Obama was asked to grab a mop. Big difference.
I say Democratic government will be in power up through 2014, then it'll start going back to Republicans taking everything back by 2016.
The Republicans will gain seats in both the House and Senate. The only two times the majority party has avoided losing seats during mid-term elections was right after Pearl Harbor and right after 9/11.
Re: Poll finds anger over country's leaders
I think it'll just be anti-incumbents will win. Current GOP Senate & House members will be ousted, as well as current Democratic members. In most "swing" states at least.
I liked the one poll (Rueters?) did asking "Would you more trust a name picked out of the phone book to be your house or senate representative than your current politician?" It was something like 37% answered Yes.
Re: Poll finds anger over country's leaders
I'm taking a leap right now and saying Democrats get re-elected in a LANDSLIDE come November.
Despite these "polls", which are almost never right, throughout history time and again, the country has always favored a pro-government, pro-intervention Democratic White House & Congress during times of economic hardship.
The reason I think Obama will fall in this category, is like FDR before him, he inherited the problem. Alot of people like to make that Carter correlation, but Carter created his own mess. Obama was asked to grab a mop. Big difference.
I say Democratic government will be in power up through 2014, then it'll start going back to Republicans taking everything back by 2016.
The thing you always have to remember is how unsuccessful the GOP have been so far. Before the election they threw everything they had at him and lost. During the health care debate they same thing happened. This country is so divided by right wing ideologues/hysteria merchants that no matter who was President the polls would say 51/49 etc. So I highly doubt their hi-jinks amount to much.
I think they may influence a small segment of America, but for the most part they just rally the base and get one another whipped up into a frenzy.
They will pick up seats without a doubt in November, but I'd be shocked if they took the House. The most recent elections showed they weren't nearly as strong as they claim to be. They surely aren't in ANY position to beat Obama in '12 yet.
Re: Poll finds anger over country's leaders
Someone said it well, in one of the BP threads, about how people bitch & cry about Socialism & Marxism, until something like the BP oil spill happens. That's the "free market" and "Corporate America" You gotta realize, unfortunately we do need Governmental oversight & regulation. Not just them but other companies like pharma.
Anyway, 2012 will be Obama vs Newt. That' about all the GOP will offer/risk.
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