The Obama Poll Bump
2011-05-12 - by
Dick Morris was quick to dismiss the AP poll showing President Obama’s approval rating at 60 percent. The sample was “too Democratic,” he said. Indeed.
Well, if Dick’s squawking, Republicans must be squirming. Especially given the pitiful weakness of their presidential field so far.
Now, I’ve cautioned Democrats about a post-bin Laden “bump” in the polls for Obama. Bumps brought on by dramatic foreign-policy developments can be short-lived, especially if the economy stays in the dumps.
But there is another possibility here. The successful bin Laden mission could cause Americans to look at the President through new eyes – and fundamentally alter their assessment of his character and, most important, his strength as a leader.
For years now, the rap on Obama has been: too soft, too passive, not enough of a fighter.
Now, maybe, not so much. That old image is superseded by the image of a steely-eyed commander-in-chief ordering a risky mission, willing to alienate a supposed ally and insistent that the American troops be ready and able to fight their way out if the ally objected.
John Kennedy looked weak after the Bay of Pigs in 1961. After the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, he looked a lot stronger. So did Ronald Reagan after he stood up the air-traffic controllers at home and the Soviets overseas. Jimmy Carter, by contrast, looked weak in the hostage crisis. So did George W. Bush after he couldn’t catch Osama.
Never underestimate how far a bold stroke – and a win – can take a President in politics.
The Obama Poll Bump
2011-05-12/
Dick Morris was quick to dismiss the AP poll showing President Obama’s approval rating at 60 percent. The sample was “too Democratic,” he said. Indeed.
Well, if Dick’s squawking, Republicans must be squirming. Especially given the pitiful weakness of their presidential field so far.
Now, I’ve cautioned Democrats about a post-bin Laden “bump” in the polls for Obama. Bumps brought on by dramatic foreign-policy developments can be short-lived, especially if the economy stays in the dumps.
But there is another possibility here. The successful bin Laden mission could cause Americans to look at the President through new eyes – and fundamentally alter their assessment of his character and, most important, his strength as a leader.
For years now, the rap on Obama has been: too soft, too passive, not enough of a fighter.
Now, maybe, not so much. That old image is superseded by the image of a steely-eyed commander-in-chief ordering a risky mission, willing to alienate a supposed ally and insistent that the American troops be ready and able to fight their way out if the ally objected.
John Kennedy looked weak after the Bay of Pigs in 1961. After the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, he looked a lot stronger. So did Ronald Reagan after he stood up the air-traffic controllers at home and the Soviets overseas. Jimmy Carter, by contrast, looked weak in the hostage crisis. So did George W. Bush after he couldn’t catch Osama.
Never underestimate how far a bold stroke – and a win – can take a President in politics.