By Dave Andrusko
Twenty-four hours out from the Michigan and Arizona GOP primaries, we have this National Right to Life News Today article to help put the presidential contest in perspective.
Remember when Democrats insisted that there might be a lapse between passing ObamaCare and when the public’s opposition would turn to support but not to worry? If you are President Obama—and your “signature” accomplishment is still an anchor around your ankles—it’s time to worry.
Writing in USA Today for Monday, Susan Page summarizes the drag ObamaCare is exerting:
“WASHINGTON – The health care overhaul that President Obama intended to be the signature achievement of his first term instead has become a significant problem in his bid for a second one, uniting Republicans in opposition and eroding his standing among independents.”
In that same USA Today/Gallup poll, President Obama is trailing both former Gov. Mitt Romney and former Senator Rick Santorum in the twelve “swing states” that may well settle the outcome next November if the contest is close.
According to Page,
“Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum tops Obama 50%-45% in the swing states. Nationwide, Santorum’s lead narrows to 49%-46%.
“Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney edges Obama 48%-46% in the swing states. Nationwide, they are tied at 47% each.”
It’s easy to see why there is a connection between Obama’s standing in the twelve states and how people feel about ObamaCare.
By a margin of more than 2-1, when asked how ObamaCare would affect their family’s “healthcare situation” in “the long run,” voters in the twelve swing states said ObamaCare would make it “worse” (42%) rather than “better” (20%).
In addition Rasmussen Reports this morning shows
“For the first time since late December 2011, Mitt Romney leads the president in a hypothetical 2012 matchup. Romney earns 45% of the vote, while the president attracts support from 43%. Romney holds a nine-point advantage among unaffiliated voters. …If former Senator Rick Santorum is the Republican nominee, the president leads by two, 45% to 43%.“
Finally, Rasmussen’s “Presidential Approval Index” (the difference between those who strongly approve of the President versus those who strongly disapprove) is at a minus 16– 26% “Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president” while 42% Strongly Disapprove.
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