Reply #45: Job approval rating is not the only measure. [View All]

[optimal-tomato]

Job approval tends to be a generic loyalty test, not an actual measure of approval. Look at polls that measure "Obama's performance on..." and they are all lower than 50. But I'm not talking about approval, I'm talking more about enthusiasm. Obama voters don't seem to want to go out to elect one of Obama's allies (Corzine), even when he explicitly campaigns for them. I've never thought there was much reality behind the concept of coattails, but I was hoping that 2008 was going to be something of a watershed in a realignment. We may still see a realignment, but 2009 feels a lot like 2004 electorally.

I'm not calling anyone "true" liberals. I'm saying that since Obama got elected, his White House has spent more time fighting against the liberals who helped get him elected than the conservatives who are trying to stop his agenda. Look at where the White House is on the public option, on regulating Wall Street, on corporate tax evasion, lobbyists' role in policy making, on negotiating drug prices. They are not compromising these issues, they're surrendering them.

If you and your friends plan to support him no matter what he does, then that's fine. He'll probably get reelected (most Presidents are). But, if he continues to toss aside good policy because it conflicts with powerful corporate interests, I won't be supporting him or donating to his campaign again.