SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall/Scott Rasmussen "Lugar Loss Highlights Sour Relationship Between Voters and Politicians"

Scott Rasmussen:
"When relationships go bad, an early warning sign is that one side doesn't really hear what the other is saying. That's certainly the case today in the relationship between voters and America's political class.

Many in Washington, D.C., took comfort over the past year in polling data showing that fewer voters consider themselves part of the tea party movement. Only 13 percent claim such a tie today, roughly half its peak in 2010. This was reassuring to those in power, suggesting voters were willing to let the politicians return to politics as usual.

But the panic returned to Washington this week, following the defeat of 36-year incumbent Sen. Richard Lugar in a Republican primary election.

The reality that the politicians missed is that declining membership in the tea party did not mean a decline in anger at the political class. That's because the tea party has always been strongest when it tapped into concerns that most Americans shared. In particular, the tea party highlighted the twin problems of continuous government spending growth and a self-serving political class that's out of touch with voters.

Today, only 33 percent are even somewhat confident that their representative in Congress is looking out for the best interests of their constituents. Only 8 percent are very confident.

Sixty-five percent are angry at the policies of the federal government, but few see anybody in Washington willing to take on the status quo. There is a strong belief that Democrats are the party of big government and the Republicans the party of big business. Seven out of 10 believe big government and big business work together against the rest of us..."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Rasmussen Reports "What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls "

"Despite media fixation on the scream of the week, most Americans remain focused on the essentials, and their views on them are consistent over time, even if the Political Class continues to ignore them.

Take the auto bailouts. They’ve been unpopular since day one, and they’re still unpopular. Admittedly, thanks to the political spin out of Washington, the bailouts are a bit less unpopular because many Americans incorrectly believe the government made money or broke even on them. But when informed of the real price tag, opposition is just as high as ever.

The majority of Americans nationwide still believes General Motors should have gone through the regular bankruptcy process instead of the federal government taking over in exchange for bailout money.

But then President Obama recently suggested that government investment is what has made America great. Voters express a lot more confidence in the free enterprise system. In fact, just 27% agree that government investments made America great. By comparison, 69% think the free enterprise system deserves the credit...."  (See more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "And They Wonder Why Voters Are Angry"

We couldn't agree more that the 2012 Presidential election is shaping up to be a choice between the lesser of two evils.

Which is the last thing America needs right now.  What we needed was true leadership.

Vote anyone  but Barack Obama.  At least get us that far.

Scott Rasmussen:
"As Mitt Romney assumes the role of presumptive Republican nominee, polls suggest a competitive general election matchup between the former Massachusetts governor and President Obama. Typically, both candidates poll in the mid-40s, while 10 to 12 percent remain uncommitted to either side.

Among these uncommitted voters, Rasmussen Reports polling shows that just 22 percent approve of the way the president is handling his job. Seventy-two percent (72 percent) disapprove. As for intensity, just 2 percent strongly approve, and 40 percent strongly disapprove.

At first glance, this seems like good news for Romney. These uncommitted voters will be difficult for the president to win over. But it raises another question: If these uncommitted voters are so unhappy with the president, why aren't they already Romney supporters?

The data suggest that voters are less than thrilled with the choices they'll have in November. The lack of enthusiasm for Romney among GOP voters has been well documented. Among Democrats, enthusiasm for their candidate is noticeably down, as well. Among young voters, for example, just 20 percent strongly approve of the job the president is doing.

Most young voters, of course, will still end up voting for the president just as most disgruntled Republicans will end up voting for Romney. But neither candidate connects well with white working-class voters. Romney has struggled to win over these voters in his primary contests, and Obama lost them to Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic primaries. For many, Election 2012 is shaping up to be another choice between the lesser of two evils...." (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."