President Obama: Withering on the Vine?

President Obama: Withering on the Vine?

President Shows Questionable Leadership as He Vacations While His Agenda, Economy Struggle

Washington– With the economy and his approval ratings in the gutter and America in turmoil over the Democrats’ proposed healthcare takeover, is this really the best time for the man leading it all to be sipping wine spritzers and lounging poolside? For President Obama, apparently it is. With American taxpayers losing sleep over the thought of their children and grandchildren paying for the Democrats’ debt-laden ways, it’s no surprise that the President’s vacation to Martha’s Vineyard would cause some controversy.

“While President Obama and Democrats in Congress vacation, their agenda is withering on the vine,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “The President’s decision to vacation in such a perilous time is a huge slap in the face to American taxpayers. Americans are worried about how they are going to finance the Democrats’ laundry list of government takeovers and economic mistakes, and yet, the President’s idea of leadership is jet-setting to Martha’s Vineyard. No wonder the President’s approval and policy ratings are rapidly declining as he continues to violate Americans’ trust.”

In the eyes of the American people, the once-invincible President’s approval ratings have sunk rapidly:

“Gallup reports that disapproval of the president’s economic policies has grown to 49% in July from 30% in February. Even among the president’s core supporters, young people in the 18-29 age group, his overall approval has dropped 11 points since January.” (Brooks, “Why Obama’s Ratings Are Sinking,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/18/2009)

And his policies have shared a similar fate:

“A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll found 57% of adults say the stimulus package is having no impact on the economy or making it worse. Even more —60% — doubt that the stimulus plan will help the economy in the years ahead, and only 18% say it has done anything to help improve their personal situation.” (Brad Heath, “Poll: 57% Don’t See Stimulus Working,” USA Today, 8/17/09)

Unsurprisingly, the Democrats’ takeover of healthcare is headed down the same path:

 “American voters, by a 55 – 35 percent margin, are more worried that Congress will spend too much money and add to the deficit than it will not act to overhaul the health care system, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

“By a similar 57 – 37 percent margin, voters say health care reform should be dropped if it adds ‘significantly’ to the deficit.

“By a 72 – 21 percent margin, voters do not believe that President Barack Obama will keep his promise to overhaul the health care system without adding to the deficit, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University national poll finds.” (Scrap Health Care Reform If It Adds To Deficit, U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll, Quinnipiac University Poll, 08/05/09)  

With Americans’ dissatisfaction with Democrats and the current administration mounting, one would think the President would use this August recess to regain Americans’ trust. Instead, President Obama left Americans and lawmakers in the dust as he jet sets to Martha’s Vineyard, leaving them to pick up the pieces of a crumbling economy.

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