How To Respond To Economic Pain
Pollster G. Terry Madonna said the poll found Obama with a large advantage - 48 percent to 30 percent - among voters who are struggling compared to last year and also winning among the staggeringly high 78 percent who think the country's on the wrong track.
"Between 10 to 20 percent of the voters are starting to feel real pain, and that is starting to transform the presidential campaign," said Madonna, who said that other issues like the war in Iraq and illegal immigration are fading.
Pocketbook issues are particularly salient in the economically depressed presidential swing states of the Midwest. Frankly, I'm surprised that our margin among people who are struggling compared to last year is just 48-30 -- that's a population with which we should really be cleaning up. This is, of course, a reason why Obama should pick a VP candidate who communicates very effectively on economic issues and polls very well nationally and is a mill worker's son whose 'Two Americas' speech was widely admired.
a VP candidate who communicates very effectively on economic issues and polls very well nationally and is a mill worker's son whose 'Two Americas' speech was widely admired.
And who, pray tell, might that be? I have a hard time narrowing the options to a short list... (tongue firmly in cheek)
Posted by: Scott K | June 26, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Neil, every time you recommend Edwards for VP, an angel gets his wings. Keep it up.
Posted by: Trevor J | June 26, 2008 at 09:25 AM
J'approuve!
Sing it, Neil.
Posted by: litbrit | June 26, 2008 at 09:46 AM
You are tireless in your devotions.
Does Edwards want it?
Posted by: Sir Charles | June 26, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Shameless, but awesome.
And, given recent events, probably more necessary than ever. (Hey, shame about that scandal leaving Dodd disqualified, huh?)
Posted by: Corvus9 | June 26, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I thank you all for your support! It will encourage me to do more of this in the future.
Early in June, Edwards said he didn't want to be VP. (That was the night when I did the big Obama/Edwards post on Washington Monthly.) Since then he's slipped back to the soft denial of interest offered by all the people who actually want the position.
Posted by: Neil the Ethical Werewolf | June 26, 2008 at 05:24 PM
That WM post of yours was an excellent summation of why Obama should choose Edwards, Neil.
Posted by: low-tech cyclist | June 26, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Thanks, cyclist. Being able to put that up on the WM was awesome. I'm still kind of amazed that I got to do that.
Posted by: Neil the Ethical Werewolf | June 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM