| How Dramatically the Political Landscape Can “Change”
In the 2008 presidential election, 53% of the popular vote went to Obama, while 46% voted for McCain. The numeric margin between these two candidates translates into a little less than one million votes - out of the 130 million or so total cast for the two of them. In other words, if 500 thousand had voted for McCain instead, the outcome would have been different [although, in the view of many, not all that much different...].
Numerous U.S. Congressional and State House and Senate races were far tighter, with many incumbents and challengers barely squeaking by with much less than this 3.5 point margin – and with as little as a few hundred or fewer votes.
Now, only 13 months later, something extraordinary has happened [if you believe poll numbers, that is...].
As of December 8, according to a Gallup poll, Obama’s job approval rating has slipped to 47% from its high of 61% in April - the lowest of any president at this time in office, since Gallup started this in 1938 [in full disclosure, this is only a few to several points below where Clinton, Reagan, Ford & Truman were at this point - and GW was at 86%...].
Perhaps even more importantly, the WSJ/NBC poll released in the last few days shows that 55% of those likely voters polled believe the Obama administration has America on the wrong track, while only 33% of those polled believed otherwise (see full results). Not surprisingly, 45% had a decidedly negative view of Democrats, while 43% viewed Republicans in the same light (the positive numbers were 35% and 28%, respectfully [or not...]).
An interesting addendum to these numbers are the results of the Rassmusen Poll from December 7th. This poll shows that an astounding 41% of the nation-wide voters polled believe that a third party is required in order for their views to be represented. Additionally, only 55% of “conservatives” considered themselves Republicans. A whopping 73% of the Republican respondents said that the GOP was out of touch with their base, although a full 70% of the Republican voters polled had a favorable view of that pesky, radical ”Astroturf” TEA Party movement.
In this Rasmussen poll, respondents were given their third option: a candidate from the TEA “Party”. Regarding this unnamed race with an unknown candidate, a full 23% of the all respondents made this nonexistent party their first choice, while 22% were [wisely] undecided, 36% were attracted to the Democrat and only 18% went with the unnamed Republican. Among those affiliated with neither of the two major parties, 33% preferred the TEA Party candidate, 30% were undecided, 25% chose the DNC, and an embarrassing 12% preferred the unknown GOP candidate.
If these numbers hold, many races could be conceivably swept by TEA Party candidates in November 2010 regardless of their party affiliation – if the right ones choose to step up.
I wonder how things will look in around, say, six or seven more months [scary, huh...] from now?
Later…Dave
To expand on Daves point, let me say this: First, we will never stop the nonsense that goes on in Washington or our State Legislative bodies until we have firmly established third parties in all branches of elected office.
Second. Lets take the current fiasco we have in going on in Washington currently regarding this administrations attempt to take control of every aspect of our lives , using the “health care” issue. If in thirty percent of the Senate or the House , we seated by third parties, Libertarians,Constitution,Independants party members,. Harry Reid would not even be able to consider the Reconciliation or Nuclear option we have heard so much about .
The 2010 election, will be the most important election of our life times,.. We must make certain that we install , at a minimum 30 Conservative Third party Candidates as Governors in 2010.
Bruce Olsen Conservative Libertarin Candidated for Arizona Governor
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