August 17, 2010

By Dave Andrusko

Whether you are friend or foe, pro-abortion President Barack Obama's approval numbers show no sign of bottoming out. The obvious question is why.

Let's think about that one, and I would appreciate it if you'd take the time to share your thoughts at daveandrusko@gmail.com.

But, first, am I exaggerating how badly the President is faring, less than 19 months into his term? Well, as we discussed yesterday, Gallup reported that "President Obama is facing his lowest job approval ratings yet. His 44% average for the week of Aug. 9-15 and latest three-day approval average of 42% are both the lowest of his presidency to date."

Obama can take the long view--he is not up for re-election until 2010--but not nervous Democrats who face an unhappy electorate in two and half months. Gallup's Frank Newport connected the dots for them when he wrote, "A president's job approval ratings are related to his party's success in midterm elections. Presidents with ratings below 50% have seen their party lose 36 seats on average in midterm House elections -- with a range of 11 to 55 seats lost." In a towering understatement, Newport concludes," A continuation of Obama's current pattern of approval ratings well below 50% would not bode well for the Democrats this fall."

But, again, why? If you're in the tank for him, as is Politico's Roger Simon, it's because Obama is just too good for us. Being on the wrong side of just about every major controversy we face proves that Obama is Lincoln-esque. If Obama is criticized for being "off-message," Simon asks, what does it matter "if you are right about the issue?"

For single-issue pro-lifers, the response is Obama is consistent on-message and was/is dramatically wrong on ObamaCare. As we've demonstrated over and over again, ObamaCare represents the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade, compounded by the less well-known truth that this "reform" is honeycombed with provisions that will guarantee rationing.

Whatever their particular grievance against ObamaCare, the American public agrees it's terrible public policy. Rasmussen Reports informed us yesterday that a whopping 60% either someone or strongly (50%) favor repeal to only 36% who oppose repeal (26% strongly).

On top of that--and surely fueling the growing numbers in favor of repeal--is that "Fifty percent (50%) of voters now say repeal of the bill will be good for the economy. That's up six points from the end of July and is the highest result found since the question was first posed in April. Twenty-six percent (26%) say repeal of the bill would be bad for the economy, while another 15% say it will have no impact."

To come full circle, from our pro-life perspective, the reason Obama's approval ratings are racing toward the 30s is that he holds positions on issues that are squarely at odds with the sentiments of the American people. (See Part One for a related story.)

Not just on ObamaCare, but on so many other proposals. It includes everything from reversing the pro-life Mexico City Policy at the beginning of his Presidency, to trying to squelch free speech through the DISCLOSE Act, most recently--and so many other anti-life behavior in between.

The irony is that Obama is criticized (with considerable justification) for approaching incoherence when trying to explain what he believes on major issues.

You never know from day to day where he stands.

But the exception that proves the rule is Obama's unyielding, 100% support for abortion. In this case a little "incoherence" would be most welcomed.

Please send your comments on Today's News & Views and National Right to Life News Today to daveandrusko@gmail.com. If you like, join those who are now following me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/daveha.

Part One
Part Two