There is a lot of talk among conservatives concerning Obama’s less than stellar start. Many are beginning to wonder when we will see a drop in the pie in the sky approval numbers that the President currently enjoys.
With the signing of the Stimulus Shit Sandwich Act of 2009, this is now Obama’s economy. What happens from here on out is his, and his alone. It’s his ‘Mission Accomplished’ moment. Things better start looking up or in a few months the President may get his first bad report card from school. And it comes in the guise of two state elections.
In November, New Jersey and Virginia elect their Governor. RealClearPolitics has an interesting analysis on how these important races are shaping out:
New polling suggests that New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine faces a difficult challenge for re-election this year. A Monmouth University poll released last week shows that just 34% of Garden State voters approve of the job Corzine is doing, compared to 51% who disapprove. Another recent survey shows that Republican Chris Christie, who as the state’s hard-charging U.S. attorney has pursued a number of high-profile corruption cases, is leading the Democrat 44% to 38%.
In Virginia, the only other state holding a gubernatorial election this year, Democrats face an uphill battle against former state Attorney General Bob McDonnell. A Rasmussen survey conducted on Feb. 4 had McDonnell leading each of his three potential rivals, state Sen. Creigh Deeds, former state Delegate Brian Moran and former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe. None is as well known statewide as McDonnell, who will watch from the sidelines until the Democratic primary on June 9.
While approval ratings are intriguing to watch, elections actually carry with it a real message. If these two states, which both went solidly blue in ’08, switch to red — well, then Obama will know the real consequences of poor policy and bad governing.
But two new Republican Governors in blue states (albeit only one historically so) will send an even more powerful message to the GOP.
That message? You have a shot in 2010. People aren’t happy. And it’s time to do something about it.
This message will inspire the RNC and State Parties nationwide to push harder and faster for quality congressional candidates and the money necessary to win those states.
Keep an eye out. November matters.
