In the Line of Fire
February 24, 2014 - by
Politics 101 used to say that getting in the news was good for politicians. Not today.
The new rule is: If you’re in the spotlight, you’re losing. The more you’re in the news, the lower your poll ratings.
When the government shutdown dominated Page 1, Republicans plummeted in the polls. When Obamacare took over the headlines, Obama took a hit. Now Obamacare coverage has cooled, and Obama’s national numbers have ticked up.
Same for Kay Hagan. She was up when the news focused on the shutdown, then down during the Obamacare frenzy.
Same thing in Raleigh. When the legislature was in town, its approval ratings fell. Now that Governor McCrory is the lead story, his numbers are down.
Why? Because voters hate politicians. The more they see of them, the more they hate them. And they’re cynical about government. They don’t believe government can do anything right.
At the same time, the news media has laid off staff and cut back routine coverage of government. Scandals and foul-ups get far more attention than the new initiatives politicians love to tout.
Governor McCrory thought he would get applause for “fixing” Medicaid and DHHS. Instead, he and Secretary Vos got roasted. Same for his Department of Commerce reorganization; coverage will focus on the flaws and faults.
Come next November’s election, the loser will be whoever is in the spotlight.
In the Line of Fire
February 24, 2014/
Politics 101 used to say that getting in the news was good for politicians. Not today.
The new rule is: If you’re in the spotlight, you’re losing. The more you’re in the news, the lower your poll ratings.
When the government shutdown dominated Page 1, Republicans plummeted in the polls. When Obamacare took over the headlines, Obama took a hit. Now Obamacare coverage has cooled, and Obama’s national numbers have ticked up.
Same for Kay Hagan. She was up when the news focused on the shutdown, then down during the Obamacare frenzy.
Same thing in Raleigh. When the legislature was in town, its approval ratings fell. Now that Governor McCrory is the lead story, his numbers are down.
Why? Because voters hate politicians. The more they see of them, the more they hate them. And they’re cynical about government. They don’t believe government can do anything right.
At the same time, the news media has laid off staff and cut back routine coverage of government. Scandals and foul-ups get far more attention than the new initiatives politicians love to tout.
Governor McCrory thought he would get applause for “fixing” Medicaid and DHHS. Instead, he and Secretary Vos got roasted. Same for his Department of Commerce reorganization; coverage will focus on the flaws and faults.
Come next November’s election, the loser will be whoever is in the spotlight.