Union-Tribune Editorial

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A White House in denial / Poor poll numbers driven by policy, not ‘anti-incumbent’ mood

By Union-Tribune Editorial Board,

Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 12:04 a.m.

For much of the past year, we have expressed concern – and at times disapproval – over President Barack Obama’s approach to some of the major domestic issues facing the country. A new poll tells us that we’re not alone.

According to a Washington Post-ABC News survey, a majority of Americans disapprove of the job that Obama is doing on four of five major issues – the economy, health care reform, jobs, and the budget deficit. It’s only with regard to the fifth issue – fighting terrorism – that a majority of Americans are satisfied with Obama’s performance.

When asked which party they’d be more likely to vote for in a hypothetical matchup in their congressional district, 48 percent of registered voters in the said they’d vote for a Republican while only 45 percent said they’d support a Democrat.

The White House wants us to present all this as part of a larger “anti-incumbency” mood surging throughout the country. But it’s much more than that. President Obama and the rest of his administration would be wise not to dismiss these findings, as they tend to do with any sort of negative criticism. Rather, they should take heed and reach out to Republicans in Congress to forge a series of bipartisan solutions to some of our most vexing problems – the kind of solutions that bridge rather than widen the ideological divide.

Apparently, there are many Americans out there who – while initially inclined to give the new president the benefit of the doubt – have, with regard to many of his domestic policies, seen little benefit and are left only with doubt.

It’s up to the administration to act responsibility and alleviate those concerns. It’s part of leadership.

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