As President Barack Obama’s approval ratings continue to stay mired under 50% as unemployment hovers just above 9% nationally, it appears some Democratic elected officials are getting more than a little nervous about President Obama being a drag on Democrats nationally in 2012:
Elected officials and party leaders at all levels said their worries have intensified as the economy has displayed new signs of weakness. They said the likelihood of a highly competitive 2012 race is increasing as the Republican field, once dismissed by many Democrats as too inexperienced and conservative to pose a serious threat, has started narrowing to two leading candidates, Mitt Romney and Rick Perry, who have executive experience and messages built around job creation.
Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon isn’t bullish on President Obama, saying, “In my district, the enthusiasm for him has mostly evaporated.” Rep. DeFazio continued, “There is tremendous discontent with his direction.”
And Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, who served as the state chairman of Obama’s campaign in 2008, isn’t terribly optimistic, saying, “The frustrations are real,” adding, “I think we know that there is a Barack Obama that’s deep in there, but he’s got to synchronize it with passion and principles.”
Count me among those frustrated by President Obama, resulting in the evaporation of my enthusiasm for his reelection campaign.
I am right there with you. I have been for months. I am tired of the President’s apparent refusal to stand on principle and fight for any of his campaign promises or for his base. I am tired of tax cuts, which we know historically are a inefficient method of stimulating the economy, being his answer to the unemployment and economic woes of our country. Especially tax cuts that undermine the promise of social security. I am tired of “bipartisanship” that looks more like cowardice. I would rather back a man who fought and lost than a man who never took a stand and compromised away everything we ever achieved as a country to a bunch of idiot zealots. Luckily for the Democrats in Wisconsin their stand in February makes sure that even if I don’t vote Obama (which at this point seems likely) I will be out to vote for them in 2012 so he wont be a drag on my turn out for them.
NO COAT TAILS
Yesterday we received several requests for financial support, among them from Obama, Baldwin, and Kind.
Today my husband sent back the request from Obama. The message he wrote included our disappointment dating back to Obama’s lack of support for Wisconsin workers last winter. He indicated that Obama could no longer expect financial or GOTV support from us.
I believe that carrying Wisconsin is an iffy proposition for Obama. Perhaps he can benefit from reverse coat tails, and/or the extremism of his opposition.
Linda, I’m right there with you….President Obama has a lot of work to do to win back my votes, not to mention the votes of my wife, my mother-in-law, and most of the rest of my family.