Last updated on September 25th, 2023 at 01:57 pm
President Obama’s rising popularity is creating a nightmare for Republicans, as the number of self-identified Democrats is surging as the 2016 presidential election heats up.
According to Gallup, self-identified Democrats outnumber Republicans 46%-40%, and Obama may be a key reason:
In August, September and October, the parties were tied in party affiliation, at 42%.
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Since then, particularly in the past two months as Trump and his GOP challengers have frequently resorted to personal attacks in debates, at campaign rallies and on social media, Americans’ party loyalties have shifted, giving the Democratic Party a clear advantage. Republicans are also facing the real possibility that no candidate will emerge from the contentious nomination campaign with the majority of delegates needed to ensure his nomination, thus leaving the ultimate choice of the nominee to convention delegates.
Amid the presidential campaign, a time when latent party loyalties are activated given the intense focus on political matters, Obama’s job approval rating has improved. Last week, an average of 53% of Americans approved of the job Obama was doing, his highest weekly average since late January/early February 2013. Obama’s rising popularity could also be a factor in Americans’ greater likelihood of aligning with the Democratic Party.
The combination of the intense dislike of Republican frontrunner Donald Trump combined with the increasing popularity of President Obama might be creating a nightmare scenario for the Republican Party.
Republicans are running a presidential campaign that is completely detached from what is happening in the country. Instead of nominating a moderate candidate who might be able to appeal to voters who are satisfied with the current conditions in the country, Republicans have limited their current choices to two extremists who are selling the Fox News fantasy of an America in decline.
Obama’s popularity is surging at the perfect time for Democrats. The President’s increase in popularity is also great news for former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton. More so than Bernie Sanders, Clinton has promised to maintain Obama’s achievements and build on his legacy.
As Republicans face the prospect of a total meltdown at their convention in Cleveland, Democrats are gaining momentum by the day. President Obama has been the engine that drove the Democratic Party for seven plus years, so it is no surprise that his popularity could be a powerful component in tilting the 2016 electorate towards Democrats in November.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
