December 16, 2011

Most Americans Want Prez Campaign to Be Over Already

December 16, 2011 Buck Banks

7 in 10

Americans say they can’t wait for the presidential campaign to be over, while a minority of 26% can’t wait for it to begin. At 75%, residents of key 2012 swing states are even more likely to want to see the campaign end.

They Are Everywhere

December 16, 2011 Buck Banks

Every year they mount a a tireless quest for
Some hero who’s not all buff and bluster.
Throw a rock in any direction
And you’ll hit one at a rally or occupation —
TIME’s Person of the Year — The Protester!

Perry Gets All Creepy About Iowa Voters

December 16, 2011 Buck Banks

They want to touch you, feel you and sniff on ya.

— Rick Perry, quoted by ABC News, on Iowa voters.

Majority Now Say Obama Should Not Be Re-Elected

December 16, 2011 Buck Banks

52%

Of adults — for the first time, a majority — think President Obama should be voted out of office while 43% said he deserves another term, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll. Obama’s overall job approval also stands at a new low, with 44% approving and 54% disapproving. The president’s standing among independents is worse: 38% approve while 59% disapprove.

It’s Been a Tough Year for Pundits

December 16, 2011 Buck Banks

Has there ever been a worse year for the conventional wisdom in handicapping a presidential primary race? Sure, the pundit pack has been grotesquely wrong before, from over-hyping Hillary Clinton’s chances in 2008 to smugly dismissing Howard Dean’s potential to galvanize anti-war Democrats in 2004. But never have the political railbirds so frequently compounded their errors as they reeled from one smug, but erroneous, prediction to another. The list of miscues by the columnists and TV talking heads is only rivaled by Dick Cheney’s record of intelligence estimates.

Day: December 16, 2011

Most Americans Want Prez Campaign to Be Over Already

7 in 10

Americans say they can’t wait for the presidential campaign to be over, while a minority of 26% can’t wait for it to begin. At 75%, residents of key 2012 swing states are even more likely to want to see the campaign end.

They Are Everywhere

Perry Gets All Creepy About Iowa Voters

They want to touch you, feel you and sniff on ya.

— Rick Perry, quoted by ABC News, on Iowa voters.

Majority Now Say Obama Should Not Be Re-Elected

52%

It’s Been a Tough Year for Pundits

— Walter Shapiro, writing in the New Republic.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.