Dying Ideology Resuscitation team to the ER STAT !

[Boffo]

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WASHINGTON -- Less than a year after Inauguration Day, support for the Democratic Party continues to slump, amid a difficult economy and a wave of public discontent, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

The findings underscored how dramatically the political landscape has changed during the Obama administration's first year. In January, despite the recession and financial crisis, voters expressed optimism about the future, the new president enjoyed soaring approval ratings, and congressional leaders promised to swiftly pass his ambitious agenda.

In December's survey, for the first time, less than half of Americans approved of the job President Barack Obama was doing, marking a steeper first-year fall for this president than his recent predecessors.

Also for the first time this year, the electorate was split when asked which party it wanted to see in charge after the 2010 elections. For months, a clear plurality favored Democratic control.

The survey suggests that public discontent with Mr. Obama and his party is being driven by an unusually grim view of the country's status and future prospects.

A majority of Americans believe the U.S. is in decline. And a plurality now say the U.S. will be surpassed by China in 20 years as the top power.

Democrats' problems seem in part linked to their ambitious health-care plan, billed as the signature achievement of Mr. Obama's first year. Now, for the first time, more people said they would prefer Congress did nothing on health care than who wanted to see the overhaul enacted.

"For Democrats, the red flags are flying at full mast," said Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who conducted the survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff. "What we don't know for certain is: Have we reached a bottoming-out point?"

The biggest worry for Democrats is that the findings could set the stage for gains by Republican candidates in next year's elections. Support from independents for the president and his party continues to dwindle. In addition, voters intending to back Republicans expressed far more interest in the 2010 races than those planning to vote for Democrats, illustrating how disappointment on the left over attempts by party leaders to compromise on health care and other issues is damping enthusiasm among core party voters.

But public displeasure with Democrats wasn't translating directly into warmth for Republicans. Twenty-eight percent of voters expressed positive feelings about the GOP -- a number that has remained constant through the Democrats' decline over the summer and fall. Only 5% said their feelings toward the Republicans were "very positive."

And in one arena, Afghanistan, Mr. Obama appeared to have some success in winning support for his planned troop surge. Liberals remain largely opposed to the strategy, but in fewer numbers compared with before Mr. Obama made his case in a speech at West Point. Overall, by 44% to 41%, a plurality believe his strategy is the right approach.

Still, the survey paints a decidedly gloomy picture for Democrats, who appear to be bearing the brunt of public unease as unemployment has risen from 7.6% to 10% since Mr. Obama took office. Just 35% of voters said they felt positively about the Democratic Party, a 14-point slide since February. Ten percent felt "very positive."

An exclusive NBC/WSJ poll has Barack Obama's popularity below 50 percent for the first time in his presidency. But, as WSJ's Peter Wallsten points out, the news for the GOP isn't all good.

"Overall, it's just a depressing time right now," said Mike Ashmore, 23 years old, of Lansdale, Pa., an independent who supported Mr. Obama last year but now complained about the president's lack of action on jobs.

Julie Edwards, 52, an aircraft technician for Boeing Co. in Mesa, Ariz., said she voted Democratic in the past two elections but wasn't sure how she would vote next time. She wondered why Wall Street firms were bailed out when average Americans needed help. "We can bail out Wall Street, but everybody else has to suffer in spades for it," she said.

Democratic leaders, while bracing for losses next year, have argued that unlike the 1994 elections, in which Republicans gained 54 seats and took the House majority, Democrats would survive 2010 in part because they are taking steps to avoid that possibility. Republicans must gain 41 seats to take control.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that Democrats "fully intend to be in the majority" after November 2010, and she was now shifting to "campaign mode" to help candidates. Party officials are leaning on a number of longtime colleagues to fight for their seats rather than retire.

The Journal/NBC survey found Ms. Pelosi's presence on the campaign trail could do more harm than good. Fifty-two percent said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who agreed with the speaker almost all the time, compared with 42% who felt that way about candidates siding with Republican leaders.

For Mr. Obama, who has relied on his personal popularity to retain the clout he needs to enact his legislative agenda, the survey pointed to troubling signs.

A majority for the first time disapproved of his handling of the economy. And the public's personal affection for the president, a consistent strong suit, has begun to fray. Fifty percent now feel positive about him, six points lower than in October and an 18-point drop since his early weeks in office.

Democrats' troubles can be attributed in part to changing feelings among some core supporters. A third of voters 34 and under, a group that turned out heavily for Democrats last year, feel negative toward the Democratic Party. And just 38% of Hispanics feel positive, down sharply from 60% in February.

The survey, which was conducted Dec. 11-14, has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
—Nomaan Merchant contributed to this article.

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maybe a million cc's of "it's Bush's fault" will help

http://tinyurl.com/ydtzotx

[Velleity]

All of this discontent is attributable to what, exactly? It is one thing to have discontent. It is another to be a beneficiary of that discontent and so far the discontent doesn't seem to be helping Republicans.

Polls are nice but the only poll that's going really measure whether Republicans are viable is the one on election day.

Also you have to understand that these are politicians. They kind of sort of have a history of being able to mess things up, so if my ego was enmeshed with an ideology I don't think I'd be too eager to hitch it to politicians, in any event.

I vote Democratic and I'm committed to vote democratic not because of ideology. I vote Democratic because it's just so much better than the only viable alternative and no matter what you're reading into the polls I will believe that I am no longer with the vast majority on that conclusion if Republicans convince me at the polls.

As for your ideology though, winning an election and trying to steer in that direction again might actually be even more detrimental. I don't think people are going to take to the idea of more tax cuts for the rich or more war.

[johnhp]

Vell

One reason Democrats are losing popularity is not fighting for a public option.

[Boffo]

sheesh, I offer up a simple reading comprehension test and the student failure rate zooms to 100% with the first 2.

"I don't think people are going to take to the idea of more tax cuts for the rich or more war. " Vel

and the article actually said:

"Mr. Obama appeared to have some success in winning support for his planned troop surge. Liberals remain largely opposed to the strategy, but in fewer numbers compared with before Mr. Obama made his case in a speech at West Point."

btw how's that "I want out of this war NOW!!" (Iraq)  workin out?

and then we move on to our resident G.E.D. dropout, johnny

"One reason Democrats are losing popularity is not fighting for a public option."  -hp

when the article said
"Democrats' problems seem in part linked to their ambitious health-care plan, billed as the signature achievement of Mr. Obama's first year. Now, for the first time, more people said they would prefer Congress did nothing on health care than who wanted to see the overhaul enacted."

class dismissed

"I vote Democratic" -Vel

you should save yourself the anguish of knowing that I neutralize you every single time by staying home then.

tweet tweet, whistin past the graveyard walkers

[johnhp]

Boffhole

Apparently you haven't actually read the pole.  Question 30 demonstrates that 45% of the responders say it is unacceptable to not have a government option (as opposed to 43% who say it is acceptable).  In addition 58% approve of a national plan created by legislation and offered by private insurers to be offered to people who lack insurance combined with allowing persons 55 and over to buy in to Medicare.

Neither of these seem to be in Obama's plan.  That would explain the difficulty he is having on the issue (questions 27 & 28).

Your misunderstanding is based on the belief that all opposition is based on change as such.  Clearly, some of the opposition is coming from those who support overhaul and some type of public option or extension of Medicare.  Opposition to the bill is boosted by it not having these options.  The public option is still favored by more people than not.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/A_Politics/___Politics_Today_Stories_Teases/091215_NBC_WSJ_Poll.pdf

[Velleity]

Vell

One reason Democrats are losing popularity is not fighting for a public option.

I'm not sure "losing popularity" is accurate. Of course our "conservatives" will jump all over the numbers and try to paint the worst possible picture.

How difficult is the health care issue? We've only been at this question for 100 years with absolutely nothing to show for the efforts. The health insurance industry has trillions of dollars at stake here. Is there any way anyone takes this on without taking a "popularity" hit?

I'm not sure what these numbers really mean, especially with certain lefties going apeshit and losing all of their composure over this and Afghanistan. They're looking more and more like Freepers, except without the racism.

I don't know John. I think we have to wait until the smoke clears to see what this really means. In the meantime Republicans aren't making any gains so claims to "resuscitation" appear to be premature.

[Velleity]

Neither of these seem to be in Obama's plan. 

That is the problem with the polls. 90% of those who oppose the plan have no idea what's actually in it. I know I don't. Of course if Howard Dean and Bernie Sanders don't like it I'm feeling like I need to disapprove, but I'd rather see and understand it before I jump aboard that particular ship.

Gotta love Bernie Sanders though.

[johnhp]

Vell

i agree to a great extent.  i think we need to wait and see what is up for a vote and then how negotiations go with the House.

[makesenseplease]

I'm 100% in agreement that all Americans should be given access to healthcare. 

Mr. Obama is just a little vague when it comes to financing his plan.

Why would anyone in his rightt mind even vote on the healthcare bill when they know full well there is no way in hell that America can afford it? 

Provide jobs for Americans and Americans will provide for themselves.

Why are there no jobs to be found

[Velleity]

Why would anyone in his rightt mind even vote on the healthcare bill when they know full well there is no way in hell that America can afford it? 

Here is a case in point. You've made a broad generalization here. What do you have to back this up?

[makesenseplease]

Here is a case in point. You've made a broad generalization here. What do you have to back this up?

The very people who would have to pay taxes to pay for healthcare are losing their jobs by the thousands.

How do you think we will pay for this, Vel.

Unless they discovered a large gold mine under the White House, there is no money to pay for this.

The bankers and CEOs that you champion will not contribute one dime.

People like you are paid to make sure they don't pay their taxes.

[Velleity]

The very people who would have to pay taxes to pay for healthcare are losing their jobs by the thousands.

How do you think we will pay for this, Vel.

Unless they discovered a large gold mine under the White House, there is no money to pay for this.

The bankers and CEOs that you champion will not contribute one dime.

People like you are paid to make sure they don't pay their taxes.

Pay for what MSP? For the $2 trillion that the CBO says the plan is going to save?

I champion bankers and CEOs? What are you talking about?

[Observer]

I'm 100% in agreement that all Americans should be given access to healthcare. 

All Americans HAVE access to health care.

You just have to be willing to pay for it. It is a business, just like any other. Would someone go to their auto mechanic and expect him to tune up or repair his car and not pay for it?

[IM2]

Health care is not a product that is produced by anyones labor or idea. A persons life and health should not be dependent upon wheter or not they can pay for what they need to live. Health is a thing that no one has made or created. So it should not be up for the highest or lowest bidder. Peoples lives are at stake and those who can pay live. That is immoral period.

Name me one company that created health. Name one person who made health. Name me one insurance company that created health. Name me one doctor who made health, or invented it.

I'm fine with people paying for products or services that have been created by humans. Health is not one of them, so the government should be in the business of making certain all of its citzens has access to it.

Period.

[Velleity]

All Americans HAVE access to health care.

You just have to be willing to pay for it. It is a business, just like any other. Would someone go to their auto mechanic and expect him to tune up or repair his car and not pay for it?

Why should we pay twice as much as any other industrialized nation and settle for having 200 people a day dying because they do not have access to health care? My premiums go up 20% a year. Why should I just sit back and allow that?