'Disappointer-in-chief:' Marist Poll: The Swamp
The Swamp
Chicago Tribune

Independents voice disapproval of president and congressional incumbents.

Posted February 8, 2010 11:15 AM
The Swamp

by Mark Silva

By the numbers, neither President Barack Obama nor the incumbent members of Congress are looking very comfortable these days.

But then, it takes someone to beat someone - which is why the public discontent with incumbent members of Congress registered in yet another poll today leaves open the question of who will be challenging those incumbents in November, not to mention the question of a challenger for Obama in 2012.

The president's public job approval among registered voters nationwide has slipped to 44 percent in the Marist Poll out today - with disapproval running at 47 percent. It was running 46 approval, 44 disapproval in Marist's December survey.

"Disappointer-in-chief,'' Marist is calling the president today.

As in other surveys, the president's loss of support among independent voters is what stands out today: "For the first time since taking office,'' Marist reports today, a majority of independents surveyed - 57 percent - disapprove of the job that the president is performing, with just 29 percent approving.

The partisans remain polarized: 81 percent of Democrats voicing approval of the president's performance, 80 percent of Republicans disapproval.

""If attracting Independents and bipartisanship are the aim, then the president clearly has a lot of ground to cover in year two," says Lee Miringoff, director of The Marist Institute for Public Opinion.

For members of Congress, however, there is a lot less time to repair relations with frustrated voters. Among registered voters surveyed, if the election were held today, 44 percent say they would vote to elect someone new, while 42 percent say they'd stick with their representative. Among those swing-voting independents, half say they would vote against the incumbent.

"The winds of change are still blowing around the nation,'' Miringoff reports. " If your working address is the U.S. Capitol, you have to watch these figures closely.''

See the full run of the Marist Poll today.

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Comments

Polls are like schmoes, the Republican-Libertarian Party, is full of them. Their numbers are so low, they have hired maggots, to read them. The only real poll happened, November of 2008. Thanks, America, we need that !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.


SEE HE CAN'T EVEN WIN IN A MARXIST POLL!!!!
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OHHH . . . . THAT'S MARIST ; )


Conservatives will be elated by these poll results, but their enthusiasm should be tempered a little bit - they don't have a candidate in the wings who can mount a challenge to Obama in 2012. Most of the Republican leadership must be cringing every time they see Sarah Palin on TV.


President Obama has been a major disappointment. Although Obama is very likable he has been a weak President. He seems to be all talk and no action.This is now showing up in the public opinion polls.


HEY DONNIE SKITZO, WHAT ABOUT THE POLLS IN NJ, VA, AND MA, THOSE MATTER TO YOU AT ALL?
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OH AND JUST WAIT FOR NOV . . .


Wow!!! Mr. Silva posting something not sanitized and positive for our Beloved Savior in Chief. Snowblind in DC? Maybe walk the dog or something to clear your head!! : )


Palin's race to the presidency is written on the wall.....errrr her hand.


The main reason that independents like myself are disappointed in Obama is that we, to our chagrin, learned too late that he is simply inept as an executive. Somehow, we overlooked his total lack of experience in any type of management position, thinking that he could magically transform himself. Instead, we have someone who can read words on a Teleprompter that someone else has written, full of empty rhetoric, but with no instance of leadership qualities. The fault of his being in a position of power lies with us. The responsibility for correcting the situation, through the ballot box, also is ours.


He is more like Disaster in Chief.


The fault of his being in a position of power lies with us. The responsibility for correcting the situation, through the ballot box, also is ours.

Posted by: Aardmore | February 8, 2010 1:27 PM

Oh the wolves in sheep's clothing.


YOU SHOW ME A REPUBLICAN WHO SAYS THEY'RE GOING TO FIX THE ECONOMY AND I'LL SHOW YOU A LIAR.


The Historic Failure Of Republican Economic Policy


"Republicans are enamored by "supply-side" economics. Frankly, I have to admit it's a very easy sell. Think about it. "Cutting tax rates stimulates the economy to such a high level that tax revenues increase." However, there are several problems with this theory. The first is Republicans have not implemented the other side of "supply-side economics" -- a corresponding cut in government spending. This has ballooned the federal debt to dangerous levels under their economic stewardship. In addition, the projected increase in government revenues really haven't materialized as projected. In other words, supply-side economics is a great marketing concept, but in reality is a poor national policy."


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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hale-stewart/the-failure-of-republican_b_63520.html
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The GOP Wants to Take Away Your Social Security


It really is that simple. In the contest between tax breaks for Paris Hilton or corporate welfare for Exxon, and an ongoing multidecade contract with over 100 million Americans, judging by the latest Republican 'budget' priorities, they're working for Paris Hilton:


First, it calls for big cuts in Social Security benefits for everyone currently under 55 years of age. On top of the cuts it also calls for privatizing Social Security.
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http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/02/game_on_3.php#more?ref=fpblg
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Republicans want to cut your social security until it bleeds to death and toss the drained corpse into the jaws of Wall Street. Reason? To transfer your money to the wealthiest people on earth and stick you with the bill. So, democrats, do you have a simple five-second elevator pitch at the ready for why people should vote for you this Fall? If not, how about "Republicans are going to steal your social security and give it to rich people"?



Here's the conclusion from a new poll which studies the mind of the average Republican simpleton in America.


Between 20% and 50% of the Republican party is either insane or mind-numbingly stupid, and Washington Post blogger Ezra Klein hints that the results show "a substantial portion of the Republican base is completely divorced from reality.


I'm Shocked!.....not.
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http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/02/what_republicans_believe_about.html
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It's refreshing to see the WH take notice of growing frustration and outright anger over the dawdling pace of badly needed reforms. Going forward, voters are angry, they're looking for those at fault. There's no need to erect scapegoats when the actual perps can serve. Here's just a few examples.


On important issues, force Republicans to filibuster, not on paper, on the floor. It's doable and the lack of healthcare or a decent job is a hell of a lot bigger pain in the butt for us lowly non Senators. Let people tune into CSPAN and see some Republican stooge shut down the government and thwart popular sentiment by droning on about evil Nazi democrats, and people will get sick of it. Pretty soon that obstructionist's support will run for cover like roaches in a laser beam.


Fire someone who has failed spectacularly. Pick a cabinet official or committee chairman or whatnot that's wrapped up in Wall Street or healthcare, and demote them or kick them to the curb. This sends a powerful message throughout the Beltway and beyond that in the WH or Congress, just like in any other job the rest of us have, failure is not lavishly rewarded.


When something works, don't stop doing it. Be they bankstas or healthcare insurance executives, they are at fault and No One Likes Them. Keep them on the public hotseat, drag their sorry butts before committee and grill them mercilessly. Alternate with words from ordinary Americans whose lives have been utterly destroyed by these robber barons. Time it right and they can be stammering on about their bonuses and summer homes on one news channel even as a whack-a-doodle Republican blabber-mouth defends them with a filibuster on another (C-Span).


Wash, rinse, repeat.


Speeches are great, but this is the time for action. And these are just three examples out of a number of actions that can be taken right now, no cooperation from Republicans or right wing sell out blue dogs required. Take action, and not only do prospects improve in November, We the People could benefit forever.



Don Fitz, just like the WHO said last night, "We won't get fooled again". (like in 2008).
Hopefully Obama will fly out to IL to help Quinn campaign also. That seems to work well for the opposition. For those of you that consider Palin as a legitimate challange to Obama, you are just fools.


60 votes was never, is never, a guarantee for success in legislating, particularly when we have the " royal " opposition, that is now taking up space in our Congress!! The Republican-Teabagger gang, from the beginning, would not and did not, work with, nor support President Obama and Vice-President Biden and the Democratic majority. Instead, they spoke of Waterloos and death panels, communists and re-distributors of wealth, while our country slowly sank into the quagmire of the Bush & Cheney fringe. 7 Million jobs disappeared during Bush & Cheney's two terms and the best we get from these, less then stellar "real" Americans, is blatant lies that it is all President Obama's fault. One year in the office of our President and the ridiculous Republican-Teabaggers want America to accept their lies, again. Well, we didn't accept your lies and distortions, when you made the misstep of selecting an incompetent ticket of McCain and Palin and we will not, now. Why don't you just find reasonable solutions to our problems, other than tax cuts for the rich? I think, if you did find reasonable solutions, your favorable ratings would begin to climb higher than Bush & Cheney's numbers !! I hope you give my suggestions, some serious consideration. What have you got to lose? You have already lost both Houses of our Congress and our White House. Maybe you should re-think your agenda, it seems to have totally failed you.



END THE REPUBLICAN'S ABUSE OF THE FILIBUSTER!


Republicans play games with the filibuster, deliberately gumming up the legislative process in their effort to gain political advantage, and it needs to stop.


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http://alternativetulsa.blogspot.com/2009/12/obstruction-gang-gop-abuses-filibuster.html
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WAHHH FILIBUSTER WAHHH . . . GEE DEMS HAVE NEVER USED THAT TACTIC, RIGHT?


Big deal, the Repugs don't have anyone to run against Obama in '12 that's worth a damn anyway.


The only Repugnut that has any sort of following is Palin, and if the Repugs think they're going to get rid of her before '12 rolls around then they don't know Sister Sarah as well as the rest of us do.



While there are certainly plenty of valid reasons to fear Big Government, it is often the beneficial aspects of what a powerful federal government can provide that sends the mainstream media’s cast of Fox super villains into a frenzy. Universal access to health care, social programs for distressed communities, rights to an education, environmental protection and even basic food and water standards have been discussed in somber tones by Glenn Beck as the stepping stones to a Socialist government hell bent on destroying the American Dream.


I watch in awe as Sean Hannity follows at least thirty mentions of the need for small government with the statement that we should not fetter our CIA and military with respect to battling terrorists. As the history of all Big Governments has illustrated in the starkest of terms, nothing feeds the power of the State more than perpetual war. Sean Hannity has absolute trust in the growing Big Government he fears when said government is blowing up towns via remote control airplanes, killing scores of innocents on nothing more than a hunch that a terrorist might have prayed in the local mosque. Sean Hannity sees no reason to mess about with such Pollyanna crap as trials or adherence to the Geneva Convention when fighting this amorphous war that was never formally declared.


The same government that is completely untrustworthy on Health Care is miraculously trustworthy on imprisoning those who mean to do us harm. Simply requesting a modicum of transparency on issues relating to the incarceration and murder of potential enemies of the State is tantamount to being weak on defense or even a traitor. Lucky for us, our government never arrests the wrong man or woman. If the government somehow kills a few thousand innocents along the way, that’s just the cost of freedom, the cost of making Big Government even bigger.


Bill O’Reilly gets flustered when the idea that we should not torture people comes up. He sighs heavily when there is a suggestion that there should be proof before we execute someone. He trusts our government unequivocally in such matters. It is only the big governance of Reid and Pelosi that he questions. There is more of a possibility that our government, which has listened in on our cell phone calls and will soon be looking at most of us naked before we board an airplane, would incarcerate and murder us for our opinions rather than carrying out the supposed Death Panels of the monstrous Health Care plans. While I am not a proponent of the crap insurance company giveaways of Harry Reid at least the Dems are devoting some energy into the concept that Big Government can accomplish more than murder.


Sarah Palin laughs at the suggestion of any sort of deliberation before we escalate our various wars. She trusts our lightning-fast precision government to make the decisions of life and death, your way, right away.


The right-wingers, who supported the repeal of McCain-Feingold, believe that corporations must be guaranteed the rights of the individual, as long as they are not Gay Corporations. Nothing threatens the sanctity of marriage more than a dreaded Gay Corporate Merger or George Soros with his hand on John McCain’s leg.


Republicans and Tea Baggers alike can sleep well knowing that Scott Brown also has absolute trust in our Big Government when it comes to imprisonment, torture and murder. Scott Brown’s drunken rambling victory speech last week drew big applause when he spoke of the fact that there is simply no need to protect the rights of terrorists. Again, the problem here is, as patently obvious as it should be, is that without giving suspects any rights, there is no mechanism to assess if they are guilty or innocent. This undermines all of our rights.


To my friends in the corporate media, I am all for reducing the size of government, right after they arrest the lot of you on suspicion of being terrorists. Isn’t "Hannity" the Arabic word for clown?



Its racist to say Barry O has done anything that could even be construed as disappointing Go Team BO EEEEEEEERRRRRGGH!!!!!!


By the time this is all over he will need a 6 ft. ladder to kiss a snake on its belly.


If the Dems really wanna end the Republican party and their electoral future they should roll back the Reagan Tax cuts. Why should labor pay a tax rate double that of capital? Capital doesn't create demand, wages do! And with 70% of GDP dependent on Consumer Spending, how can ANYONE argue otherwise with a straight face??? The mentality that the key to economic growth is giving the rich even more has proved to be an EPIC FAIL. Republicans took 200 years of American economic history, turned it on its head, and flushed America down the toilet. Please DRIVE A STAKE through the heart of the Supply Side Republican Vampires...


It must be paid for, it must drive down health care costs, and it must cover more uninsureds, especially those who can’t get insurance in the private market due to pre-existing conditions. These were the only demands he made of Congress on the HC bill.


Wow another poll showing the disappointment in Obama. It's just one more poll in a long line of polls dating back five months now. Let's see what legislation has Obama with his 60 vote majority passed. Stimulus package (still waiting to see if it works), auto bailout (his payoff to the unions) and a projected $1.65 trillion deficit (not legislation but I could not leave it out). And let's not forget the new CBO's figures showing how he added $650 billion to last year's deficit and has been blaming Bush. Or how he is trying to take credit for the Iraq pull out when the timetable for that was set before he was even elected. It's all a matter of public record and if you loony liberals do not thank it will not come off during the midterm elections you have really bought your own propaganda. And you wonder why Democrats running for office now are trying to distance themselves from Obama. Like his pastor said "the hens are coming home to roost".


Come on, ladies and gentlemen of the Republican-Libertarian Party. President Obama is our President and is entitled to some respect. After all, he is trying to right a beaten and battered ship-of-state, that was handed over to him, on the sneak, by a pair Incompetents: the Bush&Cheney. If you were to rightly vent your despise, I think those sneaks are the ones that deserve your undivided hate !! But, you being, who you are, those sneaks'- supporters, I can understand why you want to tear down President Obama, he may prove you completely wrong, once again !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.


I can understand why you want to tear down President Obama, he may prove you completely wrong, once again !!

Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | February 9, 2010 9:08 AM

Doesn't he have to prove us wrong once first before you can do it again?


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