Issue #93

by Art Kelly

1. President Obama’s approval ratings have dropped to an all-time low, as measured by the latest tracking poll from Rasmussen Reports.

Only 23% of the nation’s voters strongly approve of the President’s performance, while 45% strongly disapprove, resulting in a minus 22 rating.

When those who do not have strong views are added, overall 43% approve, 56% disapprove, and 1% have no leanings either way.

Among Democrats, Obama has only a 48% approval rating.

Still, the people believe President Bush is more responsible for the nation’s economic problems than is President Obama. In a separate poll, Rasmussen found that 48% blame Bush, 43% blame Obama. However, independents blame Obama more than Bush, 48%-38%.

Significantly, by a margin of 60% to 26%, the people trust their own judgment more than Obama’s on economic issues. 14% are undecided.

2. As Congress moves towards probable passage of a financial regulation bill, which Dick Morris calls “socialism,” 72% of the American people are not confident the members of the House and Senate know what they are doing when it comes to the economy.

Only 27% have faith in Congress on economic matters, according to Rasmussen Reports.

In fact, a separate Rasmussen poll found that 41% of voters believe a random selection of persons from the phone book would do a better job than the current members of Congress. 38% disagree and 20% are undecided.

3. If Congressional elections were held today, Republicans would defeat the Democrats 44% to 36%, with 20% undecided.

If that 20% did not vote in the 2010 non-presidential election, which is likely, then the GOP would prevail 55% to 45%.

A new Rasmussen poll found that 41% of independents leaned towards Republican candidates, compared to only 20% that leaned to Democratic candidates.

This is the 48th straight week that the GOP has led in races for Congress.

4. The Hill reports that, in Florida’s U.S. Senate race, the AFL-CIO might give a co-endorsement to independent Charlie Crist and Democrat Kendrick Meek.

In a previous issue of this newsletter, it was reported that Crist could become the de facto Democratic nominee, with Meek given only minimal support from liberals.

Meanwhile, a new poll by the St. Petersburg Times, the Miami Herald, and Bay News 9 television station found Crist leading Republican Marco Rubio 30% to 27%. Meek had 15% and 23% were undecided.