Midterms: Opportunities for Both Parties

16 September 2010 |permalink | email article

A New York Times/CBS News poll released late Wednesday as the general election phase of the midterm campaign begins suggests Republicans are backed by two powerful currents: the highest number of voters in two decades want their own member of Congress replaced, and Americans are expressing widespread dissatisfaction with President Obama’s leadership. While the performance of Democrats is viewed negatively, voters rate Republicans as even worse. 

The Republican case: Voters are open to change, if unsure where Republicans will lead them. Most Americans, including one-third of those in the coalition who voted for Obama, say he lacks a clear plan to solve the nation’s problems or create jobs.

The Democratic case: They have better ideas for solving problems. The public supports Obama’s proposal to let tax cuts expire for the wealthiest Americans. More people still blame Wall Street and the Bush administration for the nation’s economic problems.

Voters have a darker view of Congressional Republicans (73%) than of Democrats 63%), who have yet to make their case to keep control of Congress. With the Democratic majority on the line, and the outcome of the election seen as a referendum on the president, 45% of voters said Obama would not be a factor Nov. 2, with 23% for Obama, and 25% against him.

The Tea Party movement has yet to be fully defined by many Americans. Nearly half say they are undecided or have not heard enough to form an opinion. Nearly half of Republicans have a favorable opinion. But among independent voters 30% have an unfavorable view, with 18% favorable and half with no opinion.

The public has an increasingly negative opinion of Sarah Palin, with nearly half now holding an unfavorable view of her. Her favorable rating is down 9% since April. Two-thirds think her primary motive is staying in the public eye, rather than helping elect conservatives.

California Politics

Meg Whitman, the billionaire Republican candidate for governor just put another $15 million of her own money into the race against Democrat Jerry Brown – making her the largest self-funded political candidate in American history. That brings her total personal donation to her campaign to a record-breaking $119 million. With 47 days to go before the election Brown, the former two-term governor, has spent just over $1 million. How much more will Whitman spend to break the virtual tie?

Whitman continues to waffle on Proposition 23, which would put the state’s landmark global warming law on hold until unemployment drops significantly for one year.  In August she said was leaning against the proposition. She’s under intense pressure from Republicans to endorse the business friendly proposition.

 

 

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