John Zogby (Huffington Post): Hell-Bent on Losing: Both Parties Fumbling

[Jack Rabbit]

From The Huffington Post
Dated Friday March 31

Hell-Bent on Losing: Both Parties Fumbling Their Way Toward November 2006
By John Zogby

American voters will again go to the polls in November. While this is not a presidential election year, one third of the Senate, all of the House of Representatives, and several key governorships will be on the line. The results of the election will help shape policy for the remainder of the Bush presidency and the tone of the 2008 presidential elections.

Where things stand today, Republicans enter this election with Mr. Bush as a wounded president. His polling numbers continue at their lowest point (38%). While he has almost no support among Democrats (10%) and very poor numbers among Independents (27%), he has also lost ground among his own base. He is currently polling under 45% among veterans, married voters, NASCAR fans, gun owners, and Catholics. These were all groups that put him over 50% in 2004. His polling numbers among Republicans hit just 69% (he had 91% support in 2004) and he is getting only 51% support among self-identified evangelical Christians (he won in 2004 with over 70%). Perhaps even more ominous for him and his fellow Republicans is that only 43% of the self-identified "investor class" -- a group he has wooed with his concept of an "ownership society" -- give him a positive rating, while 57% give him a negative rating, including 41% who say "poor."

The top issues do not play well in either the Republicans or the President's favor. The war in Iraq is now supported by only a majority of Republicans, and by very few Democrats or Independents. While the major U.S. economic indicators are good, American voters still are in a state of anxiety over losing health benefits, pensions, and the values of their 401k retirement plans. Even though stock market prices are high and rising, voters tell us that they are still nursing bad memories from when the financial rug was last pulled out from under their 401ks and they are worried it can happen again, perhaps soon.

Voters are also deeply concerned about the lack of universal health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid (on the local level). One of Mr. Bush's signature achievements during his first term, an education bill which was labeled "No Child Left Behind," is hugely unpopular because it is a mix of unfunded mandates for local school districts and has little success in making any difference in actual student achievement.

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In this crucial period of US history, when tyrants govern and destroy any facet of constitutional democracy on which they can lay their hands, the Democrats have succeeded to snatch defeat from the jaws of vicotry in at least three consecutive elections. Don't think for a minute that they can't do it again. Their sorry performance in the censure hearings (if not showing up can be considered a performance) is indicative that they can.

[standup]

1. Illegal immigration will be deciding factor and will keep GOP in power

just like gay marriage in 2004. There is a plan beyond all the noise.

[brooklynite]

3. The question is, what plays in the swing districts?

Playing to the base helps in statewide contests, but who are the soccer moms going to get for baby-sitting and gardening?

[roguevalley]

2. nah. the business folks who depend on slave labor are going to

be against it, the hispanics that voted for the pukes will never do THAT again and the rest of us, we will not be voting for him. that leaves a buncha dimwits and the cretins.

[MasonJar]

4. I am sure that KKKarl is promoting immigration dissent to get Pugs'

minds off of the other hideous atrocities like eavesdropping on American citizens, ruining the environment, bankrupting the country, torturing people, and all the etcs. However, the kicker is that the Pugs are very split on this topic of immigration. It may not work as well as gay-bashing and abortion. I would say that Zogby is wrong. The Dems biggest problem in the last 3 elections has not been their message, but rather not being able to get their message into the news and the stealing of elections by the unscrupulous manufacturers of voting machines and the crooks running for election and the crooks running the elections for the crooks running for election. I really think that most Dems are focussed on helping the people and the environment of the world. They are just not into deception as a way to gain or retain power. I do not despise them for being the good guys; I just hate that they lose because we end up with the really bad guys. I do not know what has happened to the Pugs. They have folded totally on integrity.