Kinder, Gentler Indicators in Presidential Race
Set aside favorability and job approval for a moment. The latest ABC News/Washington Post poll has some different ways to gauge the presidential candidates.
While many polls show the president slightly ahead of Mitt Romney amid signs of a post-convention bounce—or have the two tied, with Obama showing signs of strength—the ABC News/Washington Post poll included some kinder, gentler indicators along with the traditional questions.
For example, it asks which candidate would make a more loyal friend. Half chose President Obama, compared to 36 percent for Romney. The results were similar when respondents were asked which candidate they would prefer to take care of them if they were sick (11 percent said neither).
How about which candidate they would rather have over for dinner? Fifty-two percent chose Obama, versus 33 percent for Romney.
And perhaps the most telling: on a ship in a storm, who would they rather have as captain? Forty-six percent chose Obama versus 43 percent for Romney. The margin of error was 4 percentage points.
—Glen Justice
NATIONAL JOURNAL’S PRESIDENTIAL RACE REPORT
Stimulus: The Law That Dare Not Speak its Name NEW!
[National Journal, 9/11/12] Obama’s $800 billion stimulus, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is considered unmentionable by most Democrats. But whenever Obama talks about how he “cut taxes for folks who needed it,” he is referring to the 2009 package.
Poll: Obama Emerges from Conventions Stronger, But Still Tied with Romney
[National Journal, 9/11/12] Obama leads Romney among likely voters 49 percent to 48 percent, well within the margin of error, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll released early Tuesday, suggesting that there is a limit to Obama’s post-convention bounce. But among registered voters, Obama leads Romney by the widest margin since the spring.
Campaigns Eschew Politics on 9/11 Anniversary
[Associated Press, 9/11/12] Both Obama and Romney plan to take down their negative ads in honor of the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Tuesday. Obama has scheduled a moment of silence at the White House and a trip to the Pentagon, while Romney is set to address the National Guard.
Note to GOP: When Your Pollster Says Don’t Worry, You Should
[National Journal, 9/10/12] Romney’s top pollster Neil Newhouse issued an unusual early morning memo on Monday assuring Republicans that the campaign remains on track to win the White House. National Journal’s Alex Roarty writes that supporters should be wary: Newhouse was trying to dispel the creeping conviction that Obama has opened a post-convention lead.
Chicago Teachers Strike Becomes Issue in Presidential Race
[The Hill, 9/10/12] As Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was forced to suspend his work fundraising for super-PACs aligned with the president, the first strike in 25 years by Chicago teachers could pose a political problem for Obama.
Romney Raises Money, Rips Obama on Teachers Strike
[Chicago Tribune, 9/11/12] Romney seized on the teachers strike in Obama’s hometown to attack the president for backing unions. It is not the first time Romney has criticized teachers unions, saying previously that they have an “outsized influence” on campaigns and often stifle reform efforts.
On 9/11 Anniversary, GOP Attacks Obama on Foreign Policy
[National Journal, 9/11/12] On the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Republicans aligned with Romney attacked Obama over his foreign policy actions, from the decision to withdraw troops from Iraq to the conflict that still plagues Syria.
Southern White Troubled by Romney’s Wealth, Religion
[Reuters, 9/11/12] White lower- and middle-income voters across the Bible Belt are wild cards in this campaign. With only a sliver of the electorate in play nationwide, they could be a deciding factor in two southern swing states especially: Virginia and North Carolina.
Ryan Pushed for Green-Car Loans
[Politico, 9/10/12] Years before becoming famous as an advocate of fiscal restraint, Ryan supported a now-controversial Energy Department loan program aimed at developing greener cars – and even called for DOE to hand out lump-sum payments to companies. But Ryan called for a different strategy in 2008.
60 Years of Presidential Attack Ads, in 1 Video
[The Atlantic, 9/11/12] Thanks to a retrospective from Museum of the Moving Image, which compiled dozens of presidential campaign spots from 1952 through 2008, viewers can dive deep into the fascinating history of a unique stripe of advertising.
Romney Vague on Popular Health Provisions
[National Journal, 9/10/12] Romney has repeatedly vowed to repeal Obamacare and work with Congress to replace it with his own policies. But when it comes to exactly how he would achieve popular goals like making sure people with preexisting conditions and young adults are covered, Romney has no clear plan.
Editorial: Romney’s Pre-Existing Politics
[Wall Street Journal, 9/10/12] The Journal’s editorial board hit Romney in today’s paper on his fumbles over health care reform over the weekend. As the flap shows, the board writes, Romney’s vagueness on his own plans carries political risk.
Both Parties Roll the Dice on Medicare Issue
[Roll Call, 9/11]/12] A month after the announcement of Paul Ryan as Romney’s VP, it’s hard to know the exact impact of the Medicare issue – particularly in House races.
Planned Parenthood Launches $3.2 Million Ad Campaign
[Washington Examiner, 9/10/12] Planned Parenthood launched their largest single ad buy ever on Monday: a $3.2 million campaign against Romney in Ohio and Virginia. The first ad, called “Romney Would Turn Back the Clock on Women’s Health” is airing in Virginia.
Nominees Leave Congressional Candidates to Stump Alone
[New York Times, 9/10/12] Neither Obama nor Romney are campaigning to get more of his party members elected to the House or the Senate, despite the stakes in this year’s Congressional elections.
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