I can’t stand it, I know you planned it.
There has been a lot of whispering among politicians and pundits that Republicans are purposefully thwarting President Obama’s efforts to put Americans back to work and tanking the economy, but no polling had been conducted to provide support for such a notion — until now.
Voters in Florida recently responded to the following question: “Do you think the Republicans are intentionally stalling efforts to jumpstart the economy to insure that Barack Obama is not reelected?”
The results are interesting:
With 51 percent of voters saying that jobs and the economy are the most pressing issues in the nation today, 49 percent said they believe that the Republicans are intentionally hindering efforts to boost the economy so that President Barack Obama will not be reelected. Thirty-nine percent disagreed. As expected, most registered Democrats (70 percent) agreed that Republicans are intentionally hindering the economy and hurting Obama, but independents (52 percent) and even some Republicans (24 percent) also agreed. [emphasis added]
Got that? Nearly half the respondents, including 52 percent of independents and nearly a quarter of Republicans believe that Republicans are sabotaging the economy. If Republicans “stay the course,” those numbers will only rise.
The question remains, however, will voters punish Republicans for this behavior in the voting booth?
Even more succinctly, are voters going to fuck up this election?
With no small amount of help from our failed media, probably.
[via Political Animal]
[cross-posted at Angry Black Lady Chronicles]
Cuppa Cabana
Among the quarter of Republicans who believe this is true, shirley some (large?) percentage of them think it’s a good strategy? I.e., it would be better to sabotage the economy for a year and a few months in order to save it.
Maybe their crystal balls ain’t so crystal clear.
Poopyman
How ever would they get that impression, I wonder?
Maybe the elected Repugs should stop going on camera to announce what they’re going to block.
Hunter Gathers
Don’t worry, the minority vote will save white people from ourselves. We could fuck up a cup of coffee at this point. And blame Commie Gay Muslims while we’re at it.
Thoughtful Black Co-Citizen
@Hunter Gathers: Ya’ll might need to do something to make sure we’re ALLOWED to vote.
Linda Featheringill
And some people wonder why folks are out in the streets.
boss bitch
There will always be that 40% who think they are the 1% or that they might be the 1% one day. Someone needs to break the news to them so they can stop dragging the rest of us down.
Steve
It is interesting that so many people are open to this view despite the conspicuous lack of political messaging. Republicans spew conspiracy theories all day, but mainstream Democrats have by and large stayed well away from lodging this particular accusation against the GOP. In fact, it’s to the point where any time a Democrat actually makes the charge of sabotage, the liberal blogosphere has an all-day orgasm over the fact that someone finally went there.
rikryah
this was an encouraging poll
Short Bus Bully
IS THE CHILDREN LEARNING?
A few weeks ago I would have said no, but now I’m not so sure. Getting voters to change their collective minds is like trying to turn an oil-tanker but we may yet have time.
Chris
The question is, how many people are just going to go “well, we should just give the hostage-takers what they want and they’ll stop holding the economy hostage?”
Yes, I know, you can always count on me to see things in as dark a light as possible.
Rome Again
@boss bitch:
They’ll never believe it. Without that fantasy, their lives are worthless.
maya
@Steve: Wasn’t there something about a “right-wing conspiracy” from Hillary Clinton a few years ago? Can’t recall specifics. I’m still enjoying that post-O cigarette.
OzoneR
and yet Mitt Romney beats Obama with independents in the same poll.
They won’t, next question
Chris T.
@boss bitch: It’s not even the 1%, really … it’s the 0.1%.
Occasionally I think perhaps we should steal Cain’s “nine nine nine” and talk about the 99.9%!
ed drone
@Chris:
Once you pay the Danegeld, you’ll never get rid of the Dane.
Rudyard Kipling said that, and I believe it.
Ed
Catsy
@Cuppa Cabana:
I’m sure some of them genuinely believe something like this, but that doesn’t make what they’re doing anything less than deliberate economic sabotage.
And don’t call me Shirley. :)
MaximusNYC
One thing is certain: Before long, Republicans will be accusing Democrats of the exact same thing.
jefft452
@Thoughtful Black Co-Citizen:
Yep,
Republicans believe in the sacred principle of :
One Man, One Vote …… One Time
Once your Governor’s mansion and State House is infested with Teabaggers, the first thing they do is change all the election laws so you cant throw the bums out
WereBear (itouch)
One in four Reoublicans have a clue? That’s encouraging!
OzoneR
@WereBear (itouch):
No it isn’t, how many of them are like my Republican friends who say “Yeah, we’re sabotaging the economy, so what? We need to get rid of Obama”
BruinKid
Over at GOS, Seneca Doane isn’t as concerned that you don’t see it reflected in polling just yet.
But part of our job should then be to make sure the media DOES discuss this meme.