President speaks, Polls move

[dccrossman]

Many of us probably remember that when Bush had some of his bad ideas, the best thing for us was for him to go out and talk about it. He wanted to privatize Social Security. He hit the airwaves. Support dropped like a rock.

Now, it's Obama's turn.

Support was beginning to wane slightly for the stimulus package, and he goes on a media blitz. The result? Support goes up!

http://www.gallup.com/poll/114577/Stimulus-Support-Edges-Higher.aspx

Regardless of your opinion of the stimulus package, you have to appreciate that our new POTUS can connect with the populace.

Gotta love it.

B-)

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. that is how it is supposed to work

see, presidentin is hard work

[bdamomma]

2. something the repigs hate when Obama speaks to the people

his poll numbers go up. Too bad for them President Obama keep on doing it.

[galaxy21]

3. Even if support goes down, he can't govern in constant election mode

That's what Bush did, and look how that turned out.

[Clio the Leo]

5. But he's not George Bush.

And have no doubt he will continue to campaign in election mode. He will not be DONE campaigning for himself until November 1, 2012.

[galaxy21]

6. Bill Clinton did it as well (although not to the extent Bush did)

And while he still had a successful presidency, it's just not the best way to govern. You can't get anything done.

Also, considering he's likely going to be against Palin, I think Obama is assured of a second term anyway.

[Clio the Leo]

7. lol, and he's not the Big Dawg either......

..... so then how do you explain the rising poll numbers after a week of campaigning?

Two completely unrelated events? Those polled simply decided they liked him more than they did last week independant of any outside stimuli?

They liked the way he responded to the A-Rod question? :)

[galaxy21]

8. I think it's working right now

But Barack can't spend the next 4 years preparing for an election fight with Sarah Palin. Especially since, like I said, she's not going to get elected anyway.

[Clio the Leo]

13. ok, I misunderstood you....

.... no, I dont think he's concerned about Sarah Palin right now .... or any of the other potential GOP nominees.

I DO however think he will start running his presidency like he ran his campaign .... if there's something that the people need to be convinced of, get out there and stump for it .... being ever-mindful of the fact that the next election is ahead of him and how whatever he does now, impacts him later.

[Egnever]

15. If you truly believe Palin will be the nominee

Every other prediction you make goes right out the window. Even the GOP is not that stupid.

[galaxy21]

16. There is a very good chance Palin will be the nominee

Yes, she's not electable, but nontheless, 65% of republicans still want her to run. She is insanely popular with them.

As for the GOP not being that stupid, these guys have now decided Joe tyhe plumber is their hero.

[Egnever]

17. Sorry no chance at all.

They will not make the same mistake twice. It is fantasy that she will get the nod. Her ineptness is crystal clear and becomes more so every time she speaks. My money is on the guy in Louisiana? Jindal.

Sarah may be popular but so is rush neither will be the Repukes nominee. The serious people in the party wont allow it no matter how many winguts think she is cute.

[galaxy21]

18. If they think Barack is going to win in 2012, they'll need a sacrificial lamb

You don't see how she can get the nomination? I don't see how she can not get the nomination. She'll have money and the majority of the party supporting her. Is she a dumbass who can't get elected? Sure. But they don't care.

[Egnever]

22. As i said before if you really believe that everything else you say is suspect.

they may be dicks but they arent stupid nor do they just give up and hand us elections.

[corkhead]

21. I'll vote for her!!!

...in the primary
:evilgrin:

[northernlights]

19. not to jinx it, but he's within hours of getting the biggest bill passed

probably in history, and in record time.

How is that not able to get anything done?

Who says there is only one best way to govern?

And who says he's governing 24x7 in campaign mode? He spent 3 weeks holed up in the white house in straight governing mode, reversing * policies, working on the stimulus plan, working on the bank bailout, and reaching out to rethugs.

The rethugs chose to be the obstructionist jerks that they are. So he did exactly what he needed to do...he went over their heads and straight to his bosses -- us -- and got the support he needs for the stimulus plan. And got himself out of the house for a couple days and back in touch with we the people.

That's *exactly* how to govern in this situation.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

9. Why is talking to the people considered "election mode"?

I think that's sad that we expect our leaders to only come out and talk to us when they're vying for our votes. Maybe Obama genuinely wants to know what people think, and wants to continue to connect with main street. Just like how he didn't want to lose his Blackberry because he was afraid of losing touch with the world outside the White House, maybe he wants to continue to interact with his fellow citizens so he doesn't lose touch with what they're experiencing?

[Arkana]

10. Yeah this is something I really don't get.

Sometimes the best way to drum up public support for an initiative is for the President to get off his ass and go talk to the goddamn people.

[Kalyke]

11. I don't think talking to the people in a REAL town hall

(as opposed to the rightwingers/Bush-supporters only town halls) is campaigning.

I think that's just being the president.

[NYC Liberal]

14. Well, the Repukes ARE in 'constant election mode'

And if he doesn't get out there to counter the BS then he will lose in 2012. Like it or not, that's the way of politics nowadays.

[damonm]

20. Ah, but you miss a critical element....

Reagan WAS able to do this because he had SUPERB communication skills. In this respect, Obama is the Democrats' long-awaited answer to Reagan. Obama also posesses the ability to connect with the public - to go over the head of the media and Congress.
This ability was what made Reagan transformative, despite his horrid policies, and it is an ability Obama shares.
Bush's communication skills were piss-poor unless he had a script. Obama can go off the cuff and seem like FDR by comparison. This is why campaign mode works beautifully for him.

[Barack_America]

4. Support has even risen 4 points with Republicans.

Ha ha ,Rush, you FAIL!

[underpants]

12. Ain't it a bitch when one of our guys has the biggest megaphone?

All these years of "liberals say..." and "liberals have done..." are being wiped away when everyone finds out what we (the left) actually think and how we have always proposed conducting governmental functions.

Okay Obama isn't a LIBERAL but he ain't a Republican now is he?