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The latest national CNN poll included a tidbit that’s worth keeping in mind.
“Do you think the policies of Barack Obama and the Democrats or George W. Bush and the Republicans are more responsible for the country’s current economic problems?”
Obama and Democrats: 32%
Bush and Republicans: 52%
Looking through the internals, blame for Republicans was surprisingly widespread. Both genders, every age group, every income level, and every region held the GOP more responsible for the current economic conditions. Self-identified moderates and independents also blamed Republicans.
It’s obviously just one poll, but it’s largely in line with other recent surveys that have shown similar results.
This is not to say that Democrats can count on these attitudes carrying the day, electorally, next year. Americans were inclined to blame Republicans for the economy last year, too, and if memory serves, GOP candidates did pretty well anyway.
For that matter, even if the American mainstream believes Republicans are responsible for our weak economy, it doesn’t mean they won’t take their frustrations out on the president in 2012 — voters may very well conclude Obama wasn’t responsible for the problem, but they’re not satisfied with the way in which he tried to clean up the GOP’s mess.
But I note these polls in part because some media establishment figures seem to get quite annoyed whenever the discussion turns to the economic problems Democrats “inherited,” as if the “i” word is a cop-out to be avoided at all costs.
It’s not. The fact remains that most Americans still believe Bush and his party got us in this mess — and the majority happens to be right.
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Chris on September 30, 2011 12:42 PM:
Specifically on the deficit issue, whenever somebody mentions "Obama deficits" it's worth reminding voters that trillion-plus dollar deficits were forecast for years into the future the day Obama was inaugurated.
Repeat after me: "Bush deficits...Bush deficits...Bush deficits..."
DAY on September 30, 2011 12:44 PM:
The numbers are MUCH higher among those of us who considered the alternative in 2008. . .
TonyGreco on September 30, 2011 12:46 PM:
Obama needs to make the case that the main obstacle to economic recovery is obstructionism by Republicans clinging to failed polices. He couldn't credibly make that case in 2010 because he hadn't really pushed back against the Republicans. His recent speeches indicate that he is finally starting to push back.
stormskies on September 30, 2011 12:50 PM:
Wolf Blizter, Brian Williams, David Gregory, and the entire Fox propaganda team, lead by Roger Ailes. were just spotted running as fast as they could to the local 7/11 for a new supply of DEPENDS at hearing these results yet again ...
Mark-NC on September 30, 2011 12:54 PM:
Actually, this says that 100% of the country understands that this garbage is a result of G W Bush.
The 32% that say otherwise are Republicans who would also respond that Obama is a Kenyan, a Socialist, murdered his own mother - or anything else that is anti-Obama.
c u n d gulag on September 30, 2011 12:55 PM:
And do you know the last place where they'll openly and honestly talk about the CNN poll results?
Ok, after FOX.
CNN, THAT'S WHERE!!!
Insipid Wolf and his "Worst F*cking Political Team on Television" will bend over backwards inviting people like Erick Erickson opn to prove to them why the result of THEIR OWN poll means that Republicans need to get elected in 2012!
manapp99 on September 30, 2011 1:06 PM:
While you keep that tidbit in mind you might want to mind this tidbit:
The numbers in the poll about who Americans blame for the mess are trending in the wrong direction for Obama and the Dems. They number that believe O and D responsible are up and the number that believes the B and the Rs responsible are down. Couple that with this tid bit from the Greg Sargent article Steve steals his ideas from:
"That said, I continue to think that conservatives are right when they assert that the public’s blame towards Bush may not be particularly relevant in 2012. Indeed, despite the public’s belief that GOP policies are far more responsible than Democratic ones for our economic problems, a new Gallup survey out today finds that Americans give Republicans the edge on which party is most likely to keep America prosperous, 48-39."
Further that with this tidbit from Rasmussen:
"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains the least popular congressional leader, with 57% who view her unfavorably. Twenty-nine percent (29%) share a favorable opinion of the San Francisco Democrat. These findings include nine percent (9%) who view Pelosi Very Favorably and 44% who view her Very Unfavorably. (To see survey question wording, click here.)"
snip...
"Twenty-four percent (24%) of voters share a favorable impression of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, including just seven percent (7%) who view him Very Favorably. Forty-nine percent (49%) view the Nevada Democrat unfavorably, with 31% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of him. In late May, Reid’s favorable rating hit an all-time low of 21%."
Boehner and McConnell score 10-20 percentage points higher than Reid or Pelosi.
walt on September 30, 2011 1:07 PM:
What people need to hear is the other side of the Blame Game that Republicans play so well. They need to hear that the rich offshore jobs, demand tax cuts for themselves, disinvest in America, and then fund the propaganda apparatus that deludes the country into thinking liberals are their enemy.
We're at war. The right fully gets it. We can win but first we have to get it.
Danp on September 30, 2011 1:08 PM:
I hate these polls, but here's one possible explanation. Tea partiers blame Bush and the Republicans for the economic collapse, but they think cutting spending and the deficit show Republicans are finally "getting it," and that is who they will vote for again and again.
jjm on September 30, 2011 1:22 PM:
National polls regarding individual congressmen and women are irrelevant: their home states is where they count, and both Reid and Pelosi seem quite able to keep winning.
I just think "the people" are smarter and have longer memories than the GOP credits them with.
Maybe some day the corporate news media will get over their man crushes on Bush, but it seems painfully slow. Perhaps they need therapy?
T2 on September 30, 2011 2:04 PM:
maybe someone should share these results with Vice President Biden.