Republican Odds For Taking Over The Senate Drop 10 Points In Two Weeks

Posted by | September 18, 2014 08:00 | Filed under: Bob Cesca Contributors Opinion Politics Top Stories

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Watching the polls over the past six months, I can’t help but to wonder whether presidential terms should be limited to one six-year term. Frankly, in the internet age, I don’t think voters have the patience or an attention span long enough to carry through two four-year terms. We’ve re-elected all but three presidents in the last 40 years, which is a relatively new trend unique to the late-20th Century and the early 21st (FDR aside). So, we don’t really care for changing horses mid-stream any more. Yet with the rise of social media and the internet enabling us to self-flagellate with misinformation, confirmation bias, conspiracy theories and just plain nonsense from the world of politics, perhaps two terms is too much.

Take President Obama for example. The latest New York Times/CBS News poll shows Obama’s overall approval remains in the crapper, while,

generally, the Republican Party has a slight edge over the Democrats. Obama’s job approval overall and in key areas such as the economy, terrorism and foreign policy is hovering around 40 percent, and the GOP holds a six point edge over the Democrats. None of it makes sense if you look at the record. Regarding terrorism and foreign policy, the president is generally taking actions that are popular in the polls. On the economy, nearly all indicators are besting pre-Great Recession levels, especially the stock market and the budget deficit. Maybe there’s something else, and maybe that something else is TMI — too much information. The bombardment is relentless, creating anger and fatigue.

But it’s not all bad news for the president and his supporters. If we scan further down the poll results and take a look at specifics, the congressional Republicans are ridiculously unpopular with a 19 percent approval rating next to the congressional Democrats’ 30 percent. Voters are growing tired of the president, but they appear to viscerally despise the congressional GOP with the fire of a thousand suns. As the midterm season throttles into high gear, these numbers are the only ones that really count. No, the president isn’t the most beloved man in the universe right now, but the congressional Republicans — put it this way, Nixon’s approval rating during the height of Watergate was 24 percent, while banks during the recession had an approval rating of 18 percent.

Not too long ago… CONTINUE READING

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Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Bob Cesca

Bob Cesca is the managing editor at The Daily Banter (www.thedailybanter.com) and a Huffington Post contributor since 2005. He's worked in journalism since 1988 as a print writer/editor, a radio news anchor, a digital media columnist/editor, a book author and blogger. He's the co-host of the Bubble Genius Bob & Chez Show podcast and a Thursday regular on the syndicated Stephanie Miller Show. He's appeared on numerous other radio shows including the John Phillips Show and Geraldo Rivera Show in Los Angeles. Bob has been a commentator/analyst on the BBC (TV and radio), MSNBC, Current TV, CNN and Sky News. Following him on Twitter: @bobcesca_go

22 responses to Republican Odds For Taking Over The Senate Drop 10 Points In Two Weeks

  1. edmeyer_able September 18th, 2014 at 08:23

    Opinion polls are like leaves blowing in the wind, I don’t have much faith in them. But that’s just my opinion………oops.

    • Suzanne McFly September 18th, 2014 at 12:43

      I’m with you, but it feels good to see one that supports common sense. I won’t let myself become complacent though, I still believe we are the underdogs.

  2. edmeyer_able September 18th, 2014 at 08:23

    Opinion polls are like leaves blowing in the wind, I don’t have much faith in them. But that’s just my opinion………oops.

    • Suzanne McFly September 18th, 2014 at 12:43

      I’m with you, but it feels good to see one that supports common sense. I won’t let myself become complacent though, I still believe we are the underdogs.

  3. granpa.usthai September 18th, 2014 at 08:32

    Shame on releasing the Poles.

    It’s just so much fun watching the shock, disbelief and awesome anger when the GOPs crash and burn like the Romney 2012 mudslide. Fasted call for a re-elected POTUS that I can remember? (maybe due to the instant info on Al Gore’s internet?). I remember Sara’s goofy looks and Limpbag’s vocal displeasure!

    made me feel –
    GOOD
    – like an American!

    • rational_thinking_one September 18th, 2014 at 11:06

      Watching Fox News on 2012 election night was epic. From Karl Rove’s on set tantrum to Megyn Kelly tromping through the Fox studio halls… will forever be a classic moment. I want more!

  4. granpa.usthai September 18th, 2014 at 08:32

    Shame on releasing the Poles.

    It’s just so much fun watching the shock, disbelief and awesome anger when the GOPs crash and burn like the Romney 2012 mudslide. Fasted call for a re-elected POTUS that I can remember? (maybe due to the instant info on Al Gore’s internet?). I remember Sara’s goofy looks and Limpbag’s vocal displeasure!

    made me feel –
    GOOD
    – like an American!

    • rational_thinking_one September 18th, 2014 at 11:06

      Watching Fox News on 2012 election night was epic. From Karl Rove’s on set tantrum to Megyn Kelly tromping through the Fox studio halls… will forever be a classic moment. I want more!

  5. Shades September 18th, 2014 at 08:42

    …as the GOP ramps up voter suppression efforts.

  6. Shades September 18th, 2014 at 08:42

    …as the GOP ramps up voter suppression efforts.

  7. mea_mark September 18th, 2014 at 09:39

    All the negativity and blunders of the republicans caught on video over the past year and a half are going to be coming out between now and election day. I can’t see their position improving. Downward would appear to be the only direction they can go. What looks tight now is going to look very different on election day.

  8. mea_mark September 18th, 2014 at 09:39

    All the negativity and blunders of the republicans caught on video over the past year and a half are going to be coming out between now and election day. I can’t see their position improving. Downward would appear to be the only direction they can go. What looks tight now is going to look very different on election day.

  9. Denise September 18th, 2014 at 10:13

    I never thought Republicans would win the Senate. You cannot use past data as an indicator with this President. He keeps defying the odds: a biracial man elected to be president, winning re-election when unemployment was high, thanks to GOP obstructionism, and now the midterms.

    We are in a new era. The GOP have shown they can’t/won’t lead when given the chance. Three states are in financial turmoil because of Republican governors feeling more beholden to the Koch Brothers than the electorate: Kansas, Michigan, and New Jersey.

    Voters in red states are finally waking up to what’s going on and they don’t like what they see. Besides, the GOP have managed to anger every voting block there is but heterosexual, male WASP. Women and African-Americans, especially after Ferguson, and Hispanics will lead the way.

  10. Denise September 18th, 2014 at 10:13

    I never thought Republicans would win the Senate. You cannot use past data as an indicator with this President. He keeps defying the odds: a biracial man elected to be president, winning re-election when unemployment was high, thanks to GOP obstructionism, and now the midterms.

    We are in a new era. The GOP have shown they can’t/won’t lead when given the chance. Three states are in financial turmoil because of Republican governors feeling more beholden to the Koch Brothers than the electorate: Kansas, Michigan, and New Jersey.

    Voters in red states are finally waking up to what’s going on and they don’t like what they see. Besides, the GOP have managed to anger every voting block there is but heterosexual, male WASP. Women and African-Americans, especially after Ferguson, and Hispanics will lead the way.

  11. R.J. Carter September 18th, 2014 at 10:18

    I’m all for a six year term and the repeal of the 22nd amendment. My only stipulation would be that multiple terms couldn’t be consecutive, so we’d get six years worth of work, not the 2 years of work and 2 years of campaigning we get with the current system.

    • Billy Jackson September 18th, 2014 at 11:54

      Agreed. In addition, I’m all for mandatory term limits for Supreme Court Justices.

      • raincheck September 18th, 2014 at 18:53

        BINGO!! Yes term limit SCOTUS!!

  12. R.J. Carter September 18th, 2014 at 10:18

    I’m all for a six year term and the repeal of the 22nd amendment. My only stipulation would be that multiple terms couldn’t be consecutive, so we’d get six years worth of work, not the 2 years of work and 2 years of campaigning we get with the current system.

    • Billy Jackson September 18th, 2014 at 11:54

      Agreed. In addition, I’m all for mandatory term limits for Supreme Court Justices.

      • raincheck September 18th, 2014 at 18:53

        BINGO!! Yes term limit SCOTUS!!

  13. Herb Sarge Phelps September 18th, 2014 at 14:15

    I don’t think it matters much how long they serve when the sources of information for the public is polluted with propaganda, lies, and trying to scare people from being socially affected as a result of it. It is not going to change until we start having a fourth estate that really gives news and not propaganda. I don’t see it happening, but until people are able to have news sources that just tells facts and not partisan spin, we can count on the voters being confused and angry.

  14. Herb Sarge Phelps September 18th, 2014 at 14:15

    I don’t think it matters much how long they serve when the sources of information for the public is polluted with propaganda, lies, and trying to scare people from being socially affected as a result of it. It is not going to change until we start having a fourth estate that really gives news and not propaganda. I don’t see it happening, but until people are able to have news sources that just tells facts and not partisan spin, we can count on the voters being confused and angry.

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