Published by admin on 12 Mar 2009 at 09:43 am
Howard Fineman on Obama: ‘Frankly They Think They Can Roll Him’ (video)
If Obama can’t stand up to Nancy Pelosi and his own party, will he be able to stand up to America’s enemies?
more about “Howard Fineman on Obama: ‘Frankly The…“, posted with vodpod
James McPherson on 12 Mar 2009 at 1:45 pm #
And yet the Rasmussen daily tracking poll differential has jumped to +9 for the day, suggesting that support for Obama has increased since yesterday.
In truth, I think today’s result is as meaningless as the ones that I criticized a few days ago–and today’s numbers help illustrate the problem with relying on polling.
Jack Everest on 12 Mar 2009 at 2:24 pm #
I am coming to agree with you about the Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll (though Rasmussen is usually more accurate than others).
On the other hand, I wish Obama would get his office organized and direct his attention (in laser-like fashion) on the economy and markets.
The securities markets are much more accurate than opinion polls and he would do well to listen to them. In the last few days, we have seen signs of stability…and if Obama were to demonstrate a willingness to listen and take action accordingly, he would be rewarded handsomely.
And lest any reader try to point out that he inherited the current markets, let me hasten to remind all that the securities markets are a discounting of expected future financial returns.
Jack Everest on 12 Mar 2009 at 2:36 pm #
One more point, Jim.
Obama’s talk of raising taxes on the wealthy and creating a less attractive corporate tax environment has already (as has been reported in the news) started an exodus of corporations and wealthy individuals to Switzerland and other tax havens.
James McPherson on 12 Mar 2009 at 3:12 pm #
About your last point, Jack: Though part of me instinctly says “let ‘em go,” considering how well-managed a number of them seem to be lately, in truth I think Obama should follow through on his campaign promise to reward corporations that stay here and punish those that leave.
I agree with you about Rasmussen and its accuracy. I think that it probably is accurate, especially if we average out any given week to take out the day-to-day inconsistencies. My bigger point is that regardless of their accuracy polls and approval ratings mean very little at this point, and may actually distract us from more important issues.
You make an excellent point about securities markets. They do matter more than polls (mostly because of their potential effect on other economic factors, in my view, though I’m certainly no economist), though they’re still driven by people who are inconsistent at best in their long-term evaluations (we might look to the rise and fall of oil prices, for example).