The top lines of the new CNN poll are a little unexpected. Though the results obviously don't reflect today's jobs report, if Americans are seeing the economic troubles in their own lives and communities, they're not taking it out on President Obama -- his approval rating is up to 52% and he leads Mitt Romney among voters by three points.
What's more, there's an enthusiasm gap, with Obama voters more strongly behind him than Romney's supporters.
But I made a chart to help highlight the responses that were arguably the most important.
Maddow Blog chart based on CNN data
CNN asked respondents, "Who do you think better understands how the economy works -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?" On this, the two were exactly tied at 45% each.
But then the poll asked, "Who do you think better understands the problems faced by ordinary Americans -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?" On this, the president enjoys a 19-point edge, 55% to 34%.
At least for now, results like these suggest the public believes Romney is competent (he understands how the economy works), but also callous (he's looking out for the rich). It would also suggest all the talk about Romney's controversial private-sector background and his vast personal wealth has had at least some effect, since so many don't see him as someone championing the needs of average folks.
If the economy deteriorates much further, it may not matter, but this is a dynamic worth watching. If voters see Romney has a proficient, trustworthy voice on the economy, he's already cleared a critically important hurdle. But if the American mainstream also perceives him as someone who only cares about the country club crowd with elevators for their cars -- his competence would only serve to benefit the out-of-touch elite who own multiple mansions and like being able to fire people -- it's likely to undermine Romney's support.
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"all the talk about Romney's controversial private-sector background and his vast personal wealth has had at least some effect, since so many don't see him as someone championing the needs of average folks."
We dont have to talk about it in the abstract. When the auto industry was in crisis as a result of the bush depression romney said -LET DETROIT GO BANKRUPT.
It would have resulted in 700k-900 K job losses and probably the end of the US auto industry.
When faced with the same circumstance, OBama took the opposite approach.
Thanks Mr. Benen, but, where does all this go from here?
The MSM is not discussing these things in any shape or form and none of the great work you do goes beyond this blog, it seems.
There are points to be made, and information that desperately needs to get out there, but, I just don't have any reasonable confidence any of this will. We can't rely on the media to do it, they just won't do it.
I'm sorry to be a pessimist, but until the media starts asking the right questions, and stops spinning the news into a circus, we're going to get nowhere.
Someone mentioned somewhere that at every Congressional Press Briefing, the media should ask, what Jobs bills are on the docket, today?
I'm, oh, so very curious how'd they respond.
But no one is going to do it, are they?
I see Mitt Romney for what he is, political parties for what they are turning into, but NO ONE is going to really point that out.
It just sucks.
Thanks.
America is not interested in the complicates political issues of today. They want to focus onTeeVee shows and on movie stars and tornados and murders.
And that is just the media. The 99% is even less interested in politics.
I share your concerns, but I really believe that the MSM really wants to keep it close. So, I think Romney will coast for a while.
When we get closer to the conventions, Romney will be getting a ton to scrutiny. He won't be able to stay on the Right Wing media circuit. He'll have to do tough interviews. Romney's strategy of only talking to friendly media will assure that he has a Palin/Couric moment. He will be stunned when he gets challenged on one of his lies with a follow up question. He doesn't perform well in unscripted moments.
Also, if the last couple of years are any indication, the job numbers will be picking up by early fall. That will take us to the debates, and Obama should close the book on Romney with the debates.
I agree with Bill Clinton, 5-6 point victory for Obama, which is considerable.
Rollo - that's your prediction. I see the Europe debt crisis worsening, Greece leaving the Euro, Merkel and German voters finally saying enough is enough with bailing out their spendthrift southern neighbors, a major bank in Europe failing which will cause another Lehman crash. Not to mention China and India slowing down. Q1 GDP revised down to 1.9%. With yesterday's job report, 200 year low of our 10 year T-note, the bond market is telling us that we are back in a recession.
No I do not see American companies picking up hiring thru the rest of the year. The negative poll numbers for BO will rise as our current negative economic data comes out. Contrary to Clinton's hope, this election will come down to low single digits in a couple of swing states. Get your popcorn ready!
"a proficient, trustworthy voice on the economy"
Proficient... meh, maybe. Trustworthy? SERIOUSLY? Steve, if even half the public believes that for a split nanosecond, you have a LOT more work to do in getting the word out about Mitt's Mendacity. You might think that 20 installments, so far, would be enough to serve as a "hint", but a result like this would "suggest" that someone needs to make that case somewhere beyond the confines of the TRMS show and blog (where you're mostly "preaching to the converted").
I am not so sure the CW about a weakening economy is correct given America's perception of Mitt Romney. If Mitt Romney were proposing anything that sounded like it might actually help, Obama might be in real trouble, but as of now nothing Romney is proposing sounds like it has the remotest chance of restarting the economy or doing anything except help his friends. People know that. Remember FDR was re-elected in similar circumstances.
This premise put out there by the Republican Party that preaches that if job numbers are down our President will lose the election…is stupid.
The fact is, that I, as an American citizen may be out of a job, and that may make me feel really, really bad.
.…and although I may feel pretty damned bad about not having a job, at the same time, I am more than a little pissed at the freakin' @!$%#s that put me here in the first place!
Beyond that; now that I know that it is the Republican Party who not only destroyed my job, but is also responsible for FILIBUSTERING EVERY JOBS BILL IN CONGRESS that would actually give me the opportunity to work…
I am more than ready for that damn fight.
To all the people who think that Obama is not doing a good job with the economic recovery I would like to ask, at what point in our past do you compare this economy to for a reference point. I think Obama is doing well considering all the opposition. I also think people are being negative just to be negative and the main stream media is a disgrace.
Let's face it the U.S. economy is an entity unto itself virtually growing or decreasing irregardless of what any U.S. president says or does with a temporary quick-fix.
The two groups having a major affect on the jobs\economy situation is the banking industry and the U.S. Congress. The banks are more interested in using U.S. funds in some perpetual global gambling syndication waiting to see whether regulations will finally rein them in and the U.S. Congress is held hostage by the nemesis of modern day democracy...the filibuster.
The political game at this stage of the race attempts to lay blame for any current problem at Obama's feet which is just what conservatives have openly claimed they would do...even at the expense of "Joe Public's livelihood".
The only issue financial markets have with this economy is the leadership in Washington, including the White House and BOTH houses of Congress. These men/women are not leaders and are only interested in re-election. Kick 'em all out and start over, it won't be any worse and will be much less expensive.
What are you people smoking? This guy Obama is a clown, arrogant, ignorant POS as a leader. Tell me what he has occomplished as a leader. We are in serious trouble and all you idiots want to do is bash republicans.
People have at it. Just Saying!
If you don't want to be bashed, stop making yourself so deliciously bashable. You invite abuse by coming into our space and insulting us, so just lie down and accept the abuse like a good little ditto head.
If you have to ask what Obama has accomplished (is there a "conservative" alive who can spell, or at least use a spell-checker?), then you've obviously been in a coma the past few years. I won't waste my time trying to teach someone showing only minimal brain activity. You not here to learn. You're just here to be a @!$%#.
Finally, as to what we're smoking, forget it. We know a bogart when we see one. Get lost.
Ellwood, I wish you could have explained what you had in mind with your serious trouble comment. For me there is serious trouble when our representatives will not work together for the American people. If they would just sit down together and talk about what programs are necessaryand how much we are willing to pay for them. Too often these reps seem like they are at a sporting match with one sides purpose is to defeat the other.
Got a great idea for a bumper sticker:
OMIT ROMNEY
Let's get this out there. You all have my permission to pass this on. Hope I see it on cars, bill boards, WHATEVER!!
Excellent. I'm going to steal it, but I promise I'll give credit....
It will not be long until MSNBC cancels Maddow's show because her ratings keep dropping. No one wants to listen to a shrill, bitter, commentator.
Got some issues with smart, articulate women, do you?
I occasionally think she's a little patronizing and over-explains stuff, but then I run across posts like yours and I realize it's not me who needs her explanations.
Speaking of genuinely SBW's I see S.E. Cupp was on Bashir again... Lordy, that woman's degree is in religious studies; I hope somebody asks her about evolution sometime...
Yeah, we need another businessman in the White House. The last two did such a great job, President Bush and President Hoover. The two worst for the economy, ever!
The junior senator from Illinois hasn't done any better. His policies haven't worked. Let's try something else.
Hank, Why, why and why.
BO had his turn. Remember when he said he would rather be a good one term president than a mediocre 2 term president. I would like to grant him his wish.
How The Citizens' United decision will help Obama win the election.
I'm looking forward to the $2 Billion Stimulus this summer. With both parties dumping a Billion + each directly into the economy, not going through the normal government red tape that diluted the previous Stimulus, will give the economy a boost and create tens of thousands temporary jobs. Thus making Obama's economic numbers look great just at the right time to have him reelected.