http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/democratic-national-committee/dnc-blasts-politicos-claim-that-indys-are-fleeing/DNC Goes On Offensive Against Politico For Claiming Indys Are Fleeing
In its new, hard-edged incarnation, the Democratic National Committee has at times seemed to relish calling out specific reporters by name, and now the DNC is going on the offensive against a new Politico story that blares: “Dems alarmed as independents bolt.”
The story argues that Dems face deep problems among independent voters and that Dems are hotly debating what to do about it. But
DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan is pushing back, and in a blog post he calls out reporter Alex Isenstadt by name for, he says, refusing to publish contrary evidence the DNC provided: There are a number of recent polls that support the contention that the President maintains support across the ideological spectrum, including with Independent voters. For example, according to the latest ABC/Washington Post poll, President Obama’s job approval among Independent voters is 55% positive. Even a recent Fox News poll has the President with a +15 point spread with Independents and with his numbers trending upwards.
The President retains high approval ratings across the board including with Independents — comparable to those he had on Election Day. But the most telling trend for 2010 and beyond is the purge of moderates from the Republican Party by right-wing ideological extremists. As we saw in the NY-23 election, by driving out moderates, the Republican Party is turning off Independents, even in areas where they should have a demographic advantage.
While Mr. Isenstadt chose not to include any of this data which would undermine the premise of the story he chose to write — and which was provided to him once it was learned he was writing it — it does tell a much more accurate story of not only the feelings of the Democratic Party, but also of the state of play of Independent voters.
In fairness to Isenstadt, the DNC’s pushback is focused largely on Obama’s standing with indys, while the Politico piece seemed more focused on the overall party’s problems. But the DNC is arguing that a broader focus — one including a look at Obama’s standing with indys, and at the current abysmal state of the GOP brand — offers a more accurate picture of internal Dem thinking on the indy question.
Which may be true: The national Democratic Party does in fact seem heavily invested in the idea that Obama’s personal popularity — and the GOP’s enduring image as hostage to extremists — can go to great lengths to offset whatever problems Dems have heading into 2010. Whether that will prove correct, of course, remains to be seen.
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