Just one year after independent voters played a huge role in sweeping Barack Obama into office, many of them seem to be experiencing buyer’s remorse. According to a new poll from Investor’s Business Daily, Obama’s approval rating is hovering just above 50 percent. Far worse for the president is how voters – and especially independents – disapprove of Obama’s health care agenda and feel less secure than they did when George W. Bush left office. We get the numbers from IBD associate editor Terry Jones.
Archives for January 2010
Can GOP Win in Massachusetts?
No one thought Republicans had a chance of winning Ted Kennedy’s old seat in the U.S. Senate. How did the most liberal state in the nation suddenly get competitive? What issues are driving voter unrest with the Democratic majority? What impact are the actual candidates having on the election? Would Republicans be encouraged even if they lose a close race? We ask Brian Walsh, communications director at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Marriage Fight in Federal Court
Liberty Counsel Chairman Mathew Staver discusses the push by gay marriages forces and their high-profile lawyers to have the federal courts declare bans on gay marriage unconstitutional. What is likely to happen in this case? Is it a lock to end up at the Supreme Court? What argument is being made to force the legalization of gay marriage? Why does Staver believe the law and court precedent suggest traditional marriage forces will win this fight too?
The News
Obama accepts Reid’s apology on race comments, GOP senators call for Reid to step down as leader, Schwarzenegger slams sweetheart deals to pass health plan, Mark McGwire finally admits steroid use.
Midterms, Expectations and More
Dr. Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia discusses whether voters are mad at incumbent Democrats or whether the party will suffer across the board this year. He also addresses how Democrats are lowering their expectations this year and how the most important races this year may not be for the House and Senate.
Double Standards and Victimhood
Bob Parks of Project 21 and blackandright.com rips Harry Reid for suggesting President Obama was electable because he is light-skinned and has no Negro dialect. Parks says this will probably go away because Democrats never hold their own accountable. He also says this won’t impact black support for Democrats because they enjoy being victims and having the government take care of them.
Dems Rally Around Sinking Reid
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is under fire from Republicans after being quoted in a new book as saying Barack Obama was a presidential candidate mainstream America would like because he was light-skinned and didn’t have a Negro dialect – unless he wanted to have one. How will this impact Reid in his job as leader and how will it affect his already endangered re-election bid? We ask Rich Galen, former press secretary for Dan Quayle and Newt Gingrich. He is now the author of the blog mullings.com.
The News
December jobs report worse than expected, Obama says we’re on the right track, deeper analysis shows much more disturbing employment climate, GOP Rep. slams Pelosi claim that health debate has been very open and transparent.
Jobs Report Worse Than Advertised
The latest jobs report shows the unemployment rate holding steady at 10 percent and 85,000 jobs lost in December. But former Depart of Labor Chief Economist Diana Furchtgott-Roth says the numbers are even worse. She says 661,000 people stopped trying to find a job – making for the smallest labor participation rate since before most women were working. She explains why the job creation hasn’t picked up yet and what would help.
Not One Republican in the Room
Arizona Rep. John Shadegg rips House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s contention that the current health care debate has been among the most open debates in recent memory. Shadegg calls that “laughable”. He explains what the process has really been like, why this is not a done deal and what he thinks of the latest job numbers.