Collins Report

By Fritz Wenzel

It’s like trying to lose weight by eating Snickers bars or trying to save gas by driving out of your way.

It just doesn’t work.

When President Barack Obama said the recent “Massachusetts Massacre,” where Republican Scott Brown won election in a heavily Democratic state, was the result of a White House failure to “get our message out,” he spoke in contradiction to what national polling suggests.

A recent Wenzel Strategies survey showed that, if given the chance for an election “do–over,” just 44% would vote for Obama for President today. Another 45% said they would vote for an unnamed opponent. However, what is more telling about this data point is that among two key demographic groups – independents and men – Obama performs much worse.

Among independent voters, who are critical to Obama’s success, just 37% said they would vote for him today. Just 40% of men said the same.

This isn’t because no one knows what Obama’s doing. Rather, it’s because they know too well what he’s doing. The statistics tell the story: Obama has conducted more interviews and appearances in his first year than any other President in modern history.

When the Food Network broadcasts from the White House, it’s a sure sign of over–exposure. But, as last night’s State of the Union message demonstrates, the sick patient doesn’t agree with the diagnosis or the remedy. The best way to lose weight is to eat less. You save gas by driving less. You cure media over–exposure by staying away from your teleprompter and the cameras. Tumbling poll numbers are whispering to Obama that less is more. If nothing changes, later this year, they will be shouting a harsher message.

By now you probably know of the plunge in Obama’s job approval rating from 69% the day after his inauguration to 46% now, a steeper and faster slide than any President in modern history. What these poll numbers say, in large part, is that the public has lost confidence in the President. Confidence, or trust, is only rebuilt when there are tangible results that correspond to the words being spoken.

Just not trustworthy

We have plenty of words from the White House, but nothing tangible to prove the words are trustworthy. In fact, some of what comes out of the Obama administration is downright counter–intuitive. The White House says we will save money with health care reform, but the bill will cost almost $1 trillion dollars. The White House says the economy is improving, but unemployment and economic growth continues to be unexpectedly weak.

The proof is in the polling

There was great criticism that the mainline American press corps did little to challenge the Obama administration during its first year. In fact, the news coverage was almost fawning all the way through his entire presidential campaign. Like an undisciplined child who doesn’t want to grow up, the Obama administration has soaked up all this favorable coverage, never preparing for the day when the coverage might turn against it, and it might have to fight to keep its place in a changing world. Now that coverage is turning sour, it is understandable that their child–like reaction would be to offer more of the cuddly Obama that proved so adorable just one short year ago. But, like a kindergartner who behaves like a baby, it’s not so attractive anymore. The proof is in the polling.

What did you do to defend American freedoms yesterday? What will you do today and what do you plan to do tomorrow?

Sources: www.wenzelstrategies.com

About Fritz Wenzel:
Fritz Wenzel is President of Wenzel Strategies, a polling and communications consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, with clients nationwide. He is an award–winning political journalist who has worked mostly in newspapers but also in radio and television. He is an accomplished pollster, having worked for Zogby International before launching his own firm. His website is: www.wenzelstrategies.com

Yesterday’s Rasmussen Presidential Index had Obama at -15

This day in history January 28
1986: America lost seven astronauts when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after launch.
Have you read this week’s “Betcha didn’t know this..” page? It’s loaded with interesting little “bite size” items you’re bound to enjoy.

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