Many Obama 2008 supporters defecting to GOP

mlurp · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2010, 01:17 PM

I was closing out of yahoo and saw this... How some Obama backers are seeing what others have come to see.

Quote:

Poll: Many Obama 2008 supporters defecting to GOP

By LIZ SIDOTI, AP National Political Writer Liz Sidoti, Ap National Political Writer – Sun Oct 17, 8:38 am ET

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's winning coalition from 2008 has crumbled and his core backers are dispirited. It's now Republicans who stand to benefit from an electorate that's again craving change.

Nearly two years after putting Obama in the White House, one-quarter of those who voted for the Democrat are defecting to the GOP or considering voting against the party in power this fall. Just half of them say they definitely will show up Nov. 2, according to an Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll released two weeks before Obama's first midterm elections.

Yet in a reflection of broad dissatisfaction with politics, just as many people who backed Republican presidential nominee John McCain are either supporting Democrats now or still considering how to vote.

Still, McCain voters — to borrow Obama's campaign rallying cry — are far more "fired up, ready to go." Two-thirds say they are certain to vote next month.

It's a wide enthusiasm gap that's buoying Republicans, who are poised for big electoral gains, and worrying Democrats, who are seeking to hang onto majorities in Congress as well among governors. Obama's party hopes its superior get-out-the-vote operation, updated from his groundbreaking campaign, can overcome Republicans' energized supporters to mitigate expected losses across the board.

While no president can be expected to fully rally his supporters when he's not on the ballot, the survey illustrates the wide scope of Obama voters' disappointment with the president and his policies almost halfway through his first term — and two years before he's likely to seek their backing again.

"He's not listening to the majority of the people who elected him. It's like he's ignoring his base," said SaraSue Crawford of Jacksonville, Fla., who points to Obama's health care overhaul law. She's deciding whether to support Republicans in the hopes of "shaking up the status quo" and restoring a balance of power in Washington. She says she may back Obama in 2012 — if he changes course by listening more.

To find out how the electorate's political views have changed since the 2008 election, the AP and Knowledge Networks re-interviewed the same 1,254 people who were part of a random sample of Americans surveyed up to 11 times throughout the 2008 campaign by the two organizations and Yahoo News. The recent interviews occurred Sept. 17 to Oct. 7.

Disillusionment with Obama was evident.
.................................................. ......Continued................................... ....

Poll: Many Obama 2008 supporters defecting to GOP - Yahoo! News

6,544 Comments.

foundit66 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

"He's not listening to the majority of the people who elected him. It's like he's ignoring his base," said SaraSue Crawford of Jacksonville, Fla., who points to Obama's health care overhaul law. She's deciding whether to support Republicans in the hopes of "shaking up the status quo" and restoring a balance of power in Washington. She says she may back Obama in 2012 — if he changes course by listening more.

The TRUE meaning of this statement should not be ignored.
It's not saying "We think the GOP is better than the Democrats."

It's not saying "We think the GOP is better than Obama."

It's saying that there are a significant number of people out there who are annoyed Obama wasn't listening to his base (i.e. not liberal enough) and they want to threaten Obama by talk (and action) of leaving Democrats.

Quite frankly, the logic behind such a position escapes me.
We saw the same junk with the Republicans and McCain for the previous election.

If you're looking for a 9 and your options are a 7 and a 2 (with 5 being the center), it makes no sense to try to coerce the 7 to become a 9 by jumping on the band-wagon of the 2.

Oftencold · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

"He's not listening to the majority of the people who elected him. It's like he's ignoring his base," said SaraSue Crawford of Jacksonville, FL. . .."

Sara, dear, dipsy, deluded, dopey, Sara, it was never about him "listening." It was about you hearing sweet nothings and gorging on them like a pig offered stale doughnuts -- just without the pig's charm and discerning taste.

That way, you'd dreamily waltz into your local polling place on election day, head held high, your heart and mind filled with magical Obama sprinkles™, and cast your prostituted vote for the totalitarian thugs who so rightfully hold your mentality in the contempt it so richly deserves.

Perhaps a nice wallow in the mud would make you feel better.

mlurp · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foundit66

The TRUE meaning of this statement should not be ignored.
It's not saying "We think the GOP is better than the Democrats."

It's not saying "We think the GOP is better than Obama."

It's saying that there are a significant number of people out there who are annoyed Obama wasn't listening to his base (i.e. not liberal enough) and they want to threaten Obama by talk (and action) of leaving Democrats.

Quite frankly, the logic behind such a position escapes me.
We saw the same junk with the Republicans and McCain for the previous election.

If you're looking for a 9 and your options are a 7 and a 2 (with 5 being the center), it makes no sense to try to coerce the 7 to become a 9 by jumping on the band-wagon of the 2.

Your logic works for you and other die hards... To me it is simple people want the govt., to listen to them, if not act on what a large part of the people are saying.

And to me thats part of the problem with a 2 party system. They have two choices and pick the lessor of two evils. As they see it.

Isn't that how the Dems got into the place they are today? Many people just wanted change from what was.

And now many want change from what is..

foundit66 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oftencold

Sara, dear, dipsy, deluded, dopey, Sara, it was never about him "listening." It was about you hearing sweet nothings and gorging on them like a pig offered stale doughnuts -- just without the pig's charm and discerning taste.

Yet again, I am amused at how Obama bashers also proceed to bash people who haven't been as consistent as they have been in bashing Obama...

When you guys figure out that NOBODY was of that mentality, and you actually LISTEN to what we are saying, maybe then we could TRY to have an intelligent conversation.

Until then?
As long as you and others insist on telling us that we acted in a way that we know we didn't act...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlurp

And to me thats part of the problem with a 2 party system. They have two choices and pick the lessor of two evils. As they see it.
Isn't that how the Dems got into the place they are today? Many people just wanted change from what was.
And now many want change from what is..

I agree whole-heartedly with you on that.

If you could figure out how to make a 3rd party in this country as a viable alternative in our U.S. political system, I would campaign for a Nobel prize for you.

Oftencold · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foundit66

When you guys figure out that NOBODY was of that mentality, and you actually LISTEN to what we are saying, maybe then we could TRY to have an intelligent conversation.

Until then?
As long as you and others insist on telling us that we acted in a way that we know we didn't act...

Are you familiar with the old adage, "the tight shoe squeaks?

mlurp · #7 (**permalink**) 10-17-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foundit66

I agree whole-heartedly with you on that.

If you could figure out how to make a 3rd party in this country as a viable alternative in our U.S. political system, I would campaign for a Nobel prize for you.

There were in our long ago past 3 parties. But politics and power with money we have 2 parties.

And neither are perfect nor represent the majority of our population... And there in lies the problems.

My only thought on a 3rd party would be to take the money out of play which would remove a lot of the power these two parties hold.

IMHO America can stand with 3 parties. Even just one party.

If we just would all not want to play the game and look at it from America first and foremost.

Take out the money and allow for free debates. But then you would need to shoot all the lawyers, lobbyists...

In reality I have no real answer so no Noble Prize for me in the future.

Dave1 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-17-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foundit66

The TRUE meaning of this statement should not be ignored.
It's not saying "We think the GOP is better than the Democrats."

It's not saying "We think the GOP is better than Obama."

It's saying that there are a significant number of people out there who are annoyed Obama wasn't listening to his base (i.e. not liberal enough) and they want to threaten Obama by talk (and action) of leaving Democrats.

Quite frankly, the logic behind such a position escapes me.
We saw the same junk with the Republicans and McCain for the previous election.

It escapes me also......

In fact, I don't buy it at all.......

The folks who don't think Obama is liberal enough would never vote for any GOP ticket......

Our country is split right down the middle and just a few percentage points either way usually decide elections. I can understand the anger some have aimed at Obama. I'm in that boat but, am I going to automatically vote for an unknown GOP ticket.....?

Hell no.......

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following User Says Thank You to Oftencold For This Useful Post:
lizzie

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to mlurp For This Useful Post:
foundit66, lizzie

The Following User Says Thank You to foundit66 For This Useful Post:
mlurp

The Following User Says Thank You to Dave1 For This Useful Post:
Spencer Collins