Is This Really the Jobs and Economy Record Democrats Are “Proud” Of?

August 15, 2011

As Americans Reject Democrats’ Failed Economic Policies, DNC Chair and Washington Dems Double Down

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz just doesn’t know when to quit. In her latest gaffe, Wasserman Schultz claimed that Washington Democrats are “proud” of President Obama’s miserable record on the economy and jobs.

Even members of Obama’s own administration are struggling to defend his policies, as the White House’s exodus of top economic advisors has heightened in recent months. Washington Democrats are the only people in America still defending Obama’s failed policies that have made a bad economy worse.

BACKGROUND

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz just doesn’t know when to quit. In her latest gaffe, Wasserman Schultz claimed that her party is “proud” of President Obama’s miserable record on the economy and jobs, as are Democrats around the country:

MSNBC’S ANDREA MITCHELL: “…[W]hat he’s running against is an unemployment rate hovering around nine percent, and widespread concerns about a second recession. So the President’s record is the one that is going to have to be defended.”

DNC CHAIR REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: “Well, I’m proud of the President’s record as are Democrats and middle-class Americans across the country.” (MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” 8/13/2011)

Wasserman Schultz’s tone-deaf comment comes after one of the most depressing weeks for the economy since the recession began, and understandably, public opinion polls show record disapproval of Obama and his policies. Obama’s support is sinking even among the very Democrats Wasserman Schultz claims are still in his camp:

OBAMA HITS NEW LOW IN GALLUP TRACKING, SINKS BELOW 40% APPROVAL, HITS RECORD HIGH 54% DISAPPROVAL. (Michael A. Memoli, “Gallup: Obama Job Rating Sinks Below 40% for First Time,” Los Angeles Times, 8/14/2011)

CNN: SUPPORT FOR OBAMA’S RE-NOMINATION PLUMMETS 11 POINTS, MARKED DROP AMONG MODERATE DEMOCRATS. “That figure may seem promising, but support for Obama’s re-nomination has fallen 11 percentage points since June. …But of those losing faith, the poll reveals that moderate Democrats are more likely than liberals to say the party should nominate someone else and younger Democrats are more likely to favor a new nominee than those who are older.” (“CNN/ORC Poll: Dem Support for Obama’s Re-Election Fades,” CNN, 8/14/2011)

ONLY 9% BELIEVE ECONOMY IS RECOVERING. (CNN/ORC Poll, 8/8/2011)

“ECONOMIC PESSIMISM SKYROCKETS”: 60% THINK ECONOMY IS IN DOWNTURN. (Paul Steinhauser, “CNN Poll: Economic Pessimism Skyrockets,” CNN, 8/8/2011)

73% SAY ECONOMY ON WRONG TRACK. (Xavier Briand, “Most Americans say U.S. on wrong track: poll,” Reuters, 8/10/2011)

47% BELIEVE “WORST IS YET TO COME” FOR ECONOMY. (Xavier Briand, “Most Americans say U.S. on wrong track: poll,” Reuters, 8/10/2011)

And even members of Obama’s own administration are struggling to defend his policies, as the White House’s exodus of top economic advisors has heightened in recent months. Washington Democrats are the only people in America still defending Obama’s failed policies that have made a bad economy worse:

FEW ECONOMISTS LEFT ON OBAMA TEAM; REMAINING ADVISORS “SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE MERITS OF STIMULUS SPENDING.” “A series of departures has left few economists among Mr. Obama’s senior advisers. Several of his political advisers are skeptical about the merits of stimulus spending, and they are certain about the politics: voters do not like it.” (Binyamin Applebaum and Helene Cooper, “White House Debates Fight on Economy,” The New York Times, 8/14/2011)

WHILE WHITE HOUSE HOPES “MAYBE IT’S NOT THE ECONOMY, STUPID”: “Maybe it’s not the economy, stupid. White House officials have begun to entertain the idea that they can run for re-election without being able to point to a strengthening economy. For one thing, they may not have a choice.” (David Leonhardt, “Negotiating Election Headwinds,” The New York Times, 7/19/2011)

WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY JAY CARNEY: “UNCONTESTABLY TRUE” THAT “ECONOMY IS VASTLY IMPROVED” SINCE OBAMA TOOK OFFICE: “Well, two things remain uncontestably true. The economy is vastly improved from what it was when Barack Obama was sworn into office as president.” (“Carney: Economy Has ‘Vastly Improved’ Since Obama Was Sworn In,” Real Clear Politics, 7/21/2011)