by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright April 23, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

        After taking a beating at the polls Nov. 4, the GOP faces more frustration watching President Barack Obama’s approval ratings head skyward, despite a well-orchestrated media campaign to bring him down.  More vitriol on right wing radio has backfired, where conservative pundits no longer seem to expand audience share.  Despite preaching to the choir, a shrinking audience of conservatives no longer have the same clout as during George W. Bush’s presidency, where the right had a friend in the White House.  As Obama approaches his first 100 days, an AP-GfK poll indicates that 48% of respondents believe the U.S. is heading in the right direction, an eight-point rise since February.  When you consider the bad economy, any increase means voters are pleased with their decision on Nov. 4.  Republicans face a growing dilemma heading into next year’s elections.

            Attacking Barack as a “socialist” hasn’t faired well with everyday voters, supporting his bailout plan that has pumped trillions into the U.S. economy. Obama’s recent foreign trips also haven’t made it easy for conservatives.  Attacking Barack for bowing to Saudi leaders or shaking hands with Latin American dictators hasn’t gained much traction, especially because he ran on a platform of improving rapport with America’s critics.  While he faces worries about the economy, he’s perceived as aggressively taking steps to improve things.  “He presents a very positive outlook,” said Cheryl Weltherington, a 35-year-old small business owner in Gardner, Kansas.  “He’s a very well-spoken and very vocal about what direction should be taken,” echoing the views of growing numbers of respondents.  GOP pundits have tried their best to paint the opposite picture.

            Obama’s main strength centers on his attraction to mainstream or middle-of-the-road voters.  Much has been said about the degree of polarization during the Bush presidency, where a core group of religious conservative showed undying support.  That same group either avoided the polls last November or voted for change together with their more liberal friends.  Recent decisions to legalize the “morning-after-pill” for 17-year-olds or ostensible support for gay marriage could galvanize interest around more conservative candidates in the next election.  Economic concerns in the last election drew more votes than social issues, despite Barack’s liberal views.  Bush opposition to Roe v. Wade, gay marriage and stem cell research  kept religious conservative interested in the political process.  Former GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) offered very little to conservative voters.

            Hiring the 51-year-old former Maryland Lieutenant Gov. of Maryland Michael Steele to chair the Republican National Committee attempted to broaden the GOP appeal.  He promptly got into a feud with conservative radio icon Rush Limbaugh, battling for control of Republican Party.  Steele caused quite a stir in the GOP anointing himself and calling Rush Feb. 28 only an entertainer on CNN.   Steele’s had trouble finding a coherent way to attack Obama.  His “entertainer” colleagues on Fox News or nationally syndicated radio shows seem to be helping Barack’s approval ratings.  Those same right wing radio hosts and TV pundits said little when Bush bailed out Bear Stearns and AIG Insurance, nationalized Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and handed out billions to a long list of struggling banks.  When Barack finished his oath on Jan. 20, they were already calling him a “socialist.”

            State governments around the country haven’t complained about collecting billions in bailout from Obama’s Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Financially strapped individuals and businesses have rewarded Barack with strong approval ratings.  “Some steps have been taken, and I can’t say that they’re the right ones, but steps have been taken,” said 65-year-old retired welder Dwight Hageman from Newberg, Ore, admitting he didn’t vote for Obama.  Despite today’s hardships, most voters see the president as caring about ordinary people and trying to improve things.  GOP talk show hosts can’t rant about socialism and continue to cash Social Security checks and accept health services from Medicare.  It’s one thing to score political points but still another to bash Obama for everything but the kitchen sink.  Voters weren’t duped on Nov. 4 and won’t be fooled again by radio and TV sages.

            GOP tactics have boomeranged, driving more moderate voters into Obama’s hands.  Unlike the GOP, he speaks for the vast majority of ordinary citizens struggling to make ends meet at a time of economic upheaval.  Most voters see Obama trying to deliver on key campaign promises, especially building better relationships overseas.  Whether his critics like it or not, the AP-GfK poll indicates that, for the first time since 2004, most Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction.  “We will rebuild.  We will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before,” Obama told a joint session of Congress Feb. 25, 2009, sounding an optimistic note amidst the economic doom-and-gloom.  Hitting Obama with the GOP “socialist” mantra hasn’t damaged his rising approval ratings.  If the economy starts to turn around, the GOP may be out of luck.

 About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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