Gloom Spreads on Economy, but GOP Doesn't Gain

[question everything]

Gloom Spreads on Economy, but GOP Doesn't Gain
by Jonathan Weisman
Wednesday, October 28, 2009


Americans are growing increasingly pessimistic about the economy after a mild upswing of attitudes in September. But Republicans haven't been able to profit politically from the economic gloom, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. The survey found a country in a decidedly negative mood, nearly a year after the election of President Barack Obama. For the first time during the Obama presidency, a majority of Americans sees the country as being on the wrong track.

Fifty-eight percent of those polled say the economic slide still has a ways to go, up from 52% in September and back to the level of pessimism expressed in July. Only 29% said the economy had "pretty much hit bottom," down from 35% last month. But a dark national view of how everybody in Washington is conducting the public's business appears to be preventing Republicans from benefiting from concerns about the direction of the country or the Democrat-led government's handling of the economy, as the minority party often does.

In fact, disapproval of the Republican Party actually has ticked upward, along with the public's general pessimism. Asked which political party should control Congress after next year's midterm elections, Democrats now hold a clear edge over the GOP, 46% to 38%, a month after the Republicans were nearly as popular. In September, the Democratic edge was 43% to 40%.

More..

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/108035/gloom-spreads-on-economy-but-gop-doesnt-gain?sec=topStories&pos=5&asset=&ccode=

[Craftsman]

1. So far many still blame the reps for the bad economy but in time that will change

unless decent paying jobs come soon. By 2010 the argument we inherited this mess will be wearing thin.

[Dawgs]

11. Like it did for Reagan after unemployment went to 10.3% during his third year in office?

:shrug:

[Silent3]

2. Look at how FDR got re-elected four times...

...all during the Great Depression. I certainly hope things turn around soon (and not just for the sake of politics), but it's far from an absolutely certainty that lingering economic woe will hurt Democratic re-elections chances.

[Craftsman]

3. FDR did not have 24 hour news channels talking to fill time and

He had a strong help the working man agenda up front.

[Silent3]

4. The parallels are never exact...

...so I'm only saying that there's a positive example that gives reason for hope, not that there isn't anything to worry about.

[Better Believe It]

7. FDR also didn't have access to the masses via news media and the internet that Obama has today

[Craftsman]

10. FDR had numerous job programs at the front of his administration not just banker bail outs

And by 1936 the jobs were there, TVA, NRA, CCC. We are still bleeding jobs.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. How did FDR do that?

He served the people, not the banks. He spoke strongly in terms that made his own position clear. He did not hesitate to use his Bully Pulpit, he acted without delay, and he took no guff from those who had pillaged the nation.
The current situation is not the same at all.

[Clio the Leo]

6. The President personal ratings remain high, while the GOP continues to sink...

... the GOP still has a LOT of work to do ..... but it may be an impossible task.

[Jennicut]

8. The Rethugs have nothing new to offer and that is the bottom line.

Dems may not be great to some people but Rethugs are seen as even worse.

[Garam_Masala]

9. I know one thing for sure on economy....

Whether it is personal economy,
or national economy....

No one ever prospers by borrowing money to spend.
Not only the borrowed money has to be paid back, but also
the interest accruing on it.

I heard a figure that the federal gov't will be paying out
$800 Billion each year in INTEREST EVERY YEAR!
A lot of that money is taken out of the economy and sent to our
foreign lenders. We owe China alone Trillions of dollars.

Just imagine what could be done with $800 Billion every year!
Education, Food stamps, healthcare etc all could be paid fully
with what we pay out in interest each year!