Who, Me Spend?
EmailPresident Obama's announcement today of $17 billion in budget cuts, and his pledge to shrink the record federal deficit, aim at one of his greatest potential vulnerabilities – getting tagged as a free-spender.
In our latest ABC/Post poll just 51 percent of Americans said they approve of Obama’s handling of the federal budget deficit, with 43 percent disapproving. Nearly nine in 10 expressed concern about the deficit overall, with nearly six in 10 “very” concerned about it. And 53 percent said they're not confident the government has put in place adequate controls to avoid waste and fraud in the use of stimulus funds, with 32 percent “not at all” confident vs. just 7 percent “very” confident.
While Obama is very broadly popular, these do cut to his hold on the political center. Just under half of independents, 48 percent, approve of his handling of the deficit. Sixty-one percent of independents are “very” concerned about the deficit. And 57 percent of independents are not confident in controls on the stimulus spending.
Obama’s worst rating involves another aspect of federal spending – the automaker loans. Just 41 percent overall approve of his handling of that situation, with 53 percent disapproving.
“Waste, fraud and abuse” was perfected as a Republican rallying cry back in the Reagan days. In announcements like today's, Obama looks to be trying to inoculate himself from that particular virus.
CPAC: Romney Struggles to Convince Voters 
Obama Backs Off Birth Control Battle?
Tax and spend is a more intelligent course of action than borrow and spend, a hallmark of the Bush/Cheney era. Bush more than doubled the federal debt from 4 Trillion Dollars to 10.5 Trillion Dollars in his term in office. And, the Republicans would have us believe they are the party of fiscal responsibility. I believe not. The G.O.P. deserves utter destruction in 2010 for what they’ve done to our country. And, don’t waste your breath trying to convince me that our problems today stem from the actions of a President in office for a little over 100 days.
Posted by: caliguy55 | May 10, 2009, 9:21 am 9:21 am
With all due respect: a) The Obama budget will double the $11 trillion national debt in 5 1/2 years and triple it after 10 years. That means that the government would need to borrow an additional $2+ trillion per year, every year than it is currently borrowing. It may not be possible to get anyone (e.g. the Chinese) to lend us that much; b) President Obama, the 44th President, will run a greater deficit than the previous 43 presidents combined. (I know that President Bush was undisciplined, but this is ridiculous!); and c) the federal government next year will consume $1 of every $4 produced in the entire country. The last time the government spent this percentage of total output was when we were fighting World War II.
Posted by: Cygnet | May 10, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
caliguy55: “Tax and spend is a more intelligent course of action than borrow and spend…”
Excuse me, but:
1) Obama is taxing *and* borrowing *and* spending – the worst of all worlds!
2) Democrats have held the federal purse strings since they retook Congress in 2006 and bear responsibility.
3) the spectacular failures in the sub-prime housing market that triggered the financial crisis are squarely the result of failed Democratic policies including: creation of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac as well incentives to make sub-prime mortgage loans in the first place.
Posted by: gab | May 12, 2009, 5:11 am 5:11 am
With Obama spending money like there is no tomorrow,and a whole gaggle of Democrats in deep trouble ,2010 elections can’t come soon enough.
Posted by: Johnny L | May 16, 2009, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm
At least,Obama live in today not tomorrow.If sucess,he can printed more green paper and give it out generous.
Anyway,Obama just a puppy or a figure.
Posted by: david wei | May 24, 2009, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
Viagra and cialis.
Order cialis add to cart. Cheapest cialis. Cialis best price buy online. Cialis.
Posted by: Cialis. | August 11, 2009, 8:24 am 8:24 am