By Dave Andrusko
Pro-abortion President Barack Obama
This is one of those instances that you have to be sure that while you don’t over-interpret, you also don’t minimize the significance, either.
Tomorrow, at long last, two-term pro-abortion President Barack Obama will deliver his final State of the Union address. While he will tout all of his “accomplishments,” even Democrats will have to work at ginning up enthusiasm.
According to Gallup, Obama’s average approval rate over his presidency is 47% versus an average disapproval of 49%. Last week his disapproval number was 52%.
As Mr. Obama prepares for his final 11 months in office, the percentage of people identifying with the President’s party is at an all-time low: 29%. Gallup’s research reveals that the Democrats’ lead over people identifying as Republicans–26%–is a statistically insignificant 3 points. 42% self-identify as Independents.
The public’s uneasiness with Mr. Obama is nothing new and has had a tremendous impact on his party’s electoral fortunes.
When President Obama took the oath of office in January 2009, the Democrats held 257 seats in the House , the Republicans 178. Following the 2014 congressional elections, the numbers had almost reversed: 247 Republicans (now 246 because of a vacancy) to 188 Democrats.
When the dust settled following the 2008 elections, Democrats controlled 60 votes in the Senate (which included two Independents who caucused with the Democrat), while there were 40 Republicans. Today in the Senate there are 54 Republicans and only 46 Democrats (including two Independents who caucus with the Democrats).
Remember these stark numbers tomorrow night when President Obama attempts to gloss over the failures of his two administrations.