Democrats loved President Obama in 2010 when 53 percent went to the polls in that year’s midterm elections just to fly their flag of support and help the White House weather that year’s blow from the new Tea Party.
But now a Pew Research Center poll just released finds that the thrill is gone just when the embattled president needs his team on the field again to block the GOP from winning the Senate.
According to Pew, just 38 percent of Democratic voters “think of their vote as for Obama” this time.
It’s the latest example of “Obama’s negative impact,” said Pew in an analysis that gives the GOP high marks on the economy and fighting terrorism, and the Democrats the edge on “a number of qualities and traits — from honesty to empathy and a willingness to compromise.”
“Obama continues to be a factor — a negative factor, on balance — for many voters,” said Pew.
“Currently, 32 percent of registered voters say they think of their vote for Congress as a vote against Obama, while 20 percent see it as a vote for Obama; 45 percent of voters say Obama will not be a factor in their decision. Just 38 percent of Democratic voters think of their vote as for Obama, down from 53 percent four years ago,” added Pew.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
