I just came across this post on the front page, touting different polls and how Obama would fare in a contest in the Sunshine State - my state.
A little background: I am a solid Dem, sometimes showing conservative values for things like Capital Punishment, but when it comes to moving forward as a society, I am 100% Dem through and through. I am willing and able to change to my views in the face of logic and powerful arguments. I consider myself independent minded, but I almost always seem to vote Dem. In fact, the only time I've ever voted for someone other than a Democrat was during the recent Senate contest between Meek, Crist and douchebag... I mean, Rubio. I suppose you can guess who I voted for, even though it didn't pan out.
After reading this post, I felt discouraged for several reasons. First, no one ever calls me to ask if I approve or disapprove of our politicians. And yes, I would happily sit on the phone with a pollster to answer all their questions! Second, and more important to my rant/discussion/point, is that it doesn't seem like there's a pertinent followup question being asked: if you disapprove, who would you vote for if you could do 2008 over again? Or, perhaps, given a choice between Obama and any GOP candidate, who would you vote for today?
So, here's where I stand: do I "approve" or "disapprove" of Obama's job so far? Well, it's squishy. I like some of the things he's done, but overall, yeah, I'm disappointed. And therefore, I disapprove.
We got health care, but it was weakened because he didn't seem to lead the Dems in the fight for what we should have gotten.
We have a ridiculous backlog of judiciary nominees (and others) that he hasn't pushed for nearly hard enough.
We watched him cave on the budget talks - actually, he barely got involved, which is my biggest complaint - and then said it was necessary. He agreed with the idiots on the other side of the aisle? Weak.
Basically, over and over I've watched this guy capitulate to the GOP's demands. I've seen him not lead, not take a strong position, not take advantage of the public's support of him on various subjects, and overall, that's just disappointing as hell. I was definitely one of those who voted hoping this guy would change things. And he has. Just not enough.
But, would I vote for an opponent? Any opponent? Not on your life!
I don't want to see a reversal of all the positive things he's done since in office. In my opinion, anyone likely to get voted into office would be a wingnut like Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann or Mike Huckabee. I get scared thinking about it. I've already got the most ridiculous of tea-bagging asshole Governors (Scott), no need to completely screw me with a tea-bagging asshole President, thank you very much!
So, I think a lot of people on this site are similar to me. And I think a lot of people being polled (in my state) are similar to me. They don't approve of Obama's performance, they hurt his numbers in polls like this. But, would they vote for the other guy? I doubt it.
We're unhappy, not stupid.