A political analyst says President Obama's support is eroding among a group of voters that was pivotal to his election in 2008 -- independents.
From mid-April through the first week of June, President Obama's weekly Gallup Poll approval rating among independents was between 60 and 70 percent. However, in the past few weeks, it has been in the mid to high 40s. Clemson University pollster and political scientist Dave Woodard says the longer President Obama talks about his healthcare reform plan, the more unpopular he becomes. "I think a lot of it is healthcare, but I think a lot of it is realization that the stimulus is not stimulating. Today's unemployment figures show that the unemployment figure went up -- and while it usually goes up in the summer, I think this was unexpected given the size of the stimulus package," he contends. "It just shows that it's probably not working. I think that the policies Obama has supported have not delivered like his promises were." The pollster says the declining support among independents for the president's domestic agenda does not bode well for Democrats, especially House Democrats, in 2010. "One of the old proverbs of American politics is that the party in power in the White House always loses power in the mid-term elections," he points out. "However, I think I see here the beginnings of a real groundswell of opposition against Obama that's a lot more deep-seated than just historical differences." According to Woodard, Obama's approval rating has slipped over the past several weeks because many Americans blame him for the downward spiral of the economy and increased unemployment. Rasmussen Reports confirms that comment, noting that since January the president's approval index among all voters has dropped from a +23 to -9. Rasmussen says that drop reflects a "broader level of frustration" than just general opposition to Obama's proposed healthcare reform.
If you believe OneNewsNow.com is an important source for Christian news, please consider a small tax-deductible gift for this service.
