Public Opinion Strategies has some interesting poll results from the Virginia election. On health-care reform, “44% of likely voters support the Obama plan, while 50% oppose it. Intensity is strongly against — 29% strongly favor/42% strong oppose.” This is an even more telling poll question:
“Some/Other people say it is more important to elect a Governor who will help President Barack Obama implement his agenda. Other/Some people say that it is more important to elect a Governor who will serve as a check and balance to President Barack Obama.” Voters opted for the check and balance by a 55%-35% margin. Independents (who voted for Obama by one point in 2008 in Virginia) opted for a check and balance by an overwhelming 58%-25% margin.
And finally, on Obama’s endorsement of Creigh Deeds: “24% said they were more likely to vote for Deeds, while 32% were less likely.”
This suggests that Obama is a net negative for Democrats, at least if he continues to pursue policies that voters don’t like. It’s not simply that Obama couldn’t help Deeds — a tale spun by the White House to protect the president. No, he and his agenda apparently hobbled an already flawed candidate. This is, of course, how Democrats won big in 2006 — by nationalizing the congressional elections and making it a referendum on George W. Bush. If it worked before, it might work again.
