Obama a Complete Non-Factor in Governor's Race?

[Jennicut]

Is Barack Obama a complete non-factor in the Virginia governor's race? It sure looks that way.

The internals of the new Washington Post poll in Virginia suggest that Obama may not really be an important factor at all. It finds:

* Seventy percent of likely voters say Obama is “not a factor” in their choice. Only 15% say opposition to Obama is a factor, while 14%, say support for him is a factor.

* Seventy one percent say it makes “no difference” if the governor is from the same political party as the president. More people say it’s good to have a governor from the same party, 16%-13%.

* Obama’s approval rating in Virginia is 54%, in line with many national polls.


http://www.bluevirginia.us/2009/10/obama-complete-non-factor-in-governors.html

[Beetwasher]

1. It Doesn't Matter, Trad. Media Will Ignore This And Bleat Away About How It's A Referendum On O

I guarantee it. In addition, they will do this even if Corzine and Owens win. The media will ignore those wins and focus ONLY on VA. Just watch.

[Jennicut]

2. I have no doubt they will. But at least we get it.

[Cha]

3. Oh yeah, corporatemediawhores will not

suddenly turn into a real press.

[depakid]

4. +1

Bleat is precisely the word here.

In fact, you can bet that they're compiling their list of "witty" bleats and talking points as we speak.

[leveymg]

5. The Senate and House Blue Dogs ARE a major factor, however.

Kinda hard for the activist base to stagger out for another long campaign of door knocking and phone banking when the Democratic Party leadership won't even give us a decent public healthcare option. Thanks a million, Harry and Max. You really are more comfortable leading the minority party.

[Jennicut]

6. I doubt that is it. Most of these elections focus on local issues.

At least in NJ.

[leveymg]

8. There are no local issues in VA. I know. I live here. It's all about Dem turnout.

Turnout in the more liberal DC suburbs isn't expected to be great. What does that tell you?

[Jennicut]

10. Well, VA has put more conservative Dems in office for Gov twice.

Maybe they wanted someone more liberal? Deeds won the primary but I wish the more liberal candidate had won.

[leveymg]

11. It wasn't about ideology. It was about the general bummer of failure to pass a good Health Bill

and what that says about the Democratic Party leadership, in general. We can live with relative conservatives, but the Democratic Party can't survive intact with incompetent leadership, or worse, leaders who are so venal that they'll sacrifice The Base for triangulation and corporate money.

[Jennicut]

13. The only thing I can say is that you would have to look at any polling done

after the health care bill is passed (if passed). You would have to look at the Dem #'s and see how many disapprove of it and whether that would mean something to a race in VA or what it would mean for mid terms down the line.
Pesonally, if Reid lost I would not be unhappy. Of course, what loser would take his place?

[leveymg]

15. I'm looking at the snapshot of today, 03 NOV 09. It's too late for VA.

I suspect that many of us will see the eventual Bill for what it is - another capitulation to entrenched corporate interests that have poisoned the American political process for so long that we lost this last, best chance to turn things around.

As for successors, obviously, Russ Feingold would be a fine choice. I'd also prefer Schumer's 57 to Reid's 60.

[Hippo_Tron]

7. That's next year's problem

Midterm elections are, to a degree, a referendum on the President. The point is that the Virginia Governor's race isn't.

[leveymg]

9. This is a referendum on Harry Reid and Max Baucus.

Hope they get the message.

[emulatorloo]

12. Well I have no doubt the RNC is "framing" it that way, although they probably toss in Pelosi too.

They probably leave out Baucus.

[leveymg]

14. They're not framing it that way. They want to cripple Obama, but Reid is fine with them -

he's already an ineffectual leader. Baucus is a gift to the GOP. Pelosi not so much.