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Public Opinion: Americans seem to know what their leaders in Washington either don't know, don't want to know or refuse to acknowledge — that the economic stimulus they foisted on us has been one big letdown.
Fully two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed in the latest IBD/TIPP Poll said the stimulus has fallen short of their expectations in creating jobs. A little more than one in five (22%) said it has met their expectations, and only one in 15 (6%) said it has exceeded their expectations.
This is not exactly news, given how the results so far compare with the promises made in January. That was when the president's economic advisers assured that unemployment, now at 10.2%, would level off around 8%. But it is worth noting for those in the administration and Congress who still think all the people can be fooled all the time.
Even Democrats are underwhelmed. As the table shows, 48% of them said the package has fallen short vs. 45% who said it met or exceeded their expectations. The same is true for self-described liberals.
Republicans, of course, think the least of the legislation — with fully 80% regarding it as a failure. But then, not a single GOP member voted for the package when it cleared the House in January, and only three voted for it when it passed the Senate in February. (One of the three senators, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, had yet to switch parties.)
Independents, however, are almost as disapproving — giving the stimulus a 73% thumbs-down. Sixty percent of self-described moderates (who can be Democrats, Republicans or Independents) also feel it has fallen short.
The poll also doesn't offer much comfort for those who think the stimulus should be given more time to work. A majority (56%) said they are not confident it will create jobs in the next six months.
Only Democrats (73%) expect the stimulus to create jobs in the next six months. Most Republicans (84%) and Independents (63%) are not hopeful.
All in all, not very favorable reviews for what has been the Democrats' biggest legislative achievement so far in 2009.
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Posted By: Brownknows(410) on 11/12/2009 | 4:46 AM ET
The stimulus is working exactly as BHO planned. Infrastructure money was backloaded to be released in 2010 to benefit Dem candidates in the election. Hopefully voters are not fooled and significant gains can be made in both chambers slowing the socialist agenda. In the beginning BHO over promised, predicting 8% unemployment. That's why Romer lied when saying the biggest impact would be in Q2 & Q3 '09, under promising. A designed bounce forthcoming, but it's a dead cat bounce.
Posted By: Winghunter(20) on 11/12/2009 | 1:09 AM ET
I expect the Comrade In Chief to push the Cap & Tax and CommieCare through to finish off our economy where the Communisty Reinvestment Act and Stimulus Bill didn't...Then, he will make his move to take complete control under the guise of in 'maintaining law and order' keeping him beyond our reach. I don't think it's going to work out exactly the way he has it planned.
Posted By: SmartDude(5) on 11/12/2009 | 12:15 AM ET
I respectfully disagree. Obama and Pelosi WANT 12-20% unemployment. It severely damages the hated middle class, and converts them into government hand out dependents who will vote democrat. Combine this with their government funded ACORN vote theft machine, a vast government democrat party controlled bureaucracy, and 90% of the media propagandizing. The democrats think they are now the Permanent Government.
Posted By: Peachy(35) on 11/11/2009 | 8:58 PM ET
I agree with Zenga. It met my expectations, which were quite low.
Posted By: zenga(280) on 11/11/2009 | 7:58 PM ET
polls can be misleading. had i been polled, i would have agreed the stimulus met my expectations for job creation. but then, i fully expected it to have a negative effect on job growth. which it has. basically, if that figure caption is the question that was asked, maybe the poll needs to be rerun with an unambiguous question. i'd guess obama will do even worse. vote all the Dems out at the very earliest opportunity. oh, and bring charges against thief charlie rangel. never forget the SCUM.
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