red states rule
07-05-2010, 04:38 AM
Another poll shows America is losing confidence in Obama and the Dems.
Friday's tepid employment report imperils Democrats who insist their recovery initiatives are on the right track, but also could pose a challenge for Republicans, who risk looking like they favor legislative inaction in the face of continued suffering.
The stubbornly high joblessness ignited another round of debate over the Democrats' current push to extend unemployment benefits and continue stimulus spending, an argument whose outcome could determine the results of the November elections.
"People have lost confidence in what the Democrats are doing," said Republican strategist David Winston. "But that is not enough of a reason to vote for Republicans. Republicans still have to answer the question, 'Why us?' "
Democrats have dubbed this "Recovery Summer," with President Barack Obama traveling the country to highlight economic-stimulus spending. On Friday, Mr. Obama announced a push to bring broadband service to 66 communities, which he said would create 5,000 jobs.
"We're moving forward," Mr. Obama said. "To every American who is looking for work, I promise you we are going to keep on doing everything that we can."
But such claims may resonate less amid fears that the recovery is slowing. In a recent Wall Street Journal/ NBC News poll, 50% of voters disapproved of Mr. Obama's handling of the economy, while 46% approved.
"The Democrats' so-called 'Recovery Summer' is just an empty marketing slogan," said Rep. Tom Price (R., Ga.).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that nonfarm payrolls fell by 125,000 in June, partly due to the winding down of 225,000 temporary Census jobs. Private businesses created 83,000 jobs, less than many economists expected.
Since Mr. Obama took office, Democrats and Republicans have engaged in a broad debate over the best way to reignite the economy. Democrats have pushed to spend money on job creation and aid to the unemployed, while Republicans have argued for cutting the deficit and reducing regulations.
Republicans seem to be winning the argument for the moment, at least as far as the public is concerned. In the Journal/NBC poll, 63% of voters said lawmakers should worry more about keeping the deficit down, while 34% said they should worry more about boosting the economy.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704699604575343320597880474.html
Friday's tepid employment report imperils Democrats who insist their recovery initiatives are on the right track, but also could pose a challenge for Republicans, who risk looking like they favor legislative inaction in the face of continued suffering.
The stubbornly high joblessness ignited another round of debate over the Democrats' current push to extend unemployment benefits and continue stimulus spending, an argument whose outcome could determine the results of the November elections.
"People have lost confidence in what the Democrats are doing," said Republican strategist David Winston. "But that is not enough of a reason to vote for Republicans. Republicans still have to answer the question, 'Why us?' "
Democrats have dubbed this "Recovery Summer," with President Barack Obama traveling the country to highlight economic-stimulus spending. On Friday, Mr. Obama announced a push to bring broadband service to 66 communities, which he said would create 5,000 jobs.
"We're moving forward," Mr. Obama said. "To every American who is looking for work, I promise you we are going to keep on doing everything that we can."
But such claims may resonate less amid fears that the recovery is slowing. In a recent Wall Street Journal/ NBC News poll, 50% of voters disapproved of Mr. Obama's handling of the economy, while 46% approved.
"The Democrats' so-called 'Recovery Summer' is just an empty marketing slogan," said Rep. Tom Price (R., Ga.).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that nonfarm payrolls fell by 125,000 in June, partly due to the winding down of 225,000 temporary Census jobs. Private businesses created 83,000 jobs, less than many economists expected.
Since Mr. Obama took office, Democrats and Republicans have engaged in a broad debate over the best way to reignite the economy. Democrats have pushed to spend money on job creation and aid to the unemployed, while Republicans have argued for cutting the deficit and reducing regulations.
Republicans seem to be winning the argument for the moment, at least as far as the public is concerned. In the Journal/NBC poll, 63% of voters said lawmakers should worry more about keeping the deficit down, while 34% said they should worry more about boosting the economy.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704699604575343320597880474.html