The above chart shows the Presidential approval ratings of 1st term Presidents (in succession) LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama, in the last year and a quarter of their first terms. An approval rating of at least 50% on election day is obviously the sine qua non for re-election, and an an iron clad rule of modern Presidential re-election campaigns, never yet violated in recorded American history. So today, March 8, 2012, Obama sits at a 48% approval rating, on the hoary cusp of either winning... losing re-election. Only his hairdresser knows for sure.
In view of the abysmal state of the economy and the excruciatingly slow recovery, and the fact that unemployment among Blacks and Hispanics (who presumably are at the very core of Obama's base) has actually gotten worse, is an amazing and astonishing circumstance. According to the March 9, 2012 Bureau Of Labor Statistics Jobs report, the overall unemployment rate remained at 8.3%, while both Black unemployment and Hispanic unemployment rose in February as compared to January of 2012 .
Inexplicably, publications and blogs from left coast to left coast, including the August WSJ, are trumpeting that this is indeed excellent news. Why?? Is it the power of charm, charisma, and a mellifluous deep voice? Is it the crease of his pants? Or is it the Kool-Aid?
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