◼ Dems in Distress - Maureen Dowd/NY Times
◼ Obama Factor Adds to Midterm Fears - NY Times
Democrats are becoming increasingly alarmed about their midterm election fortunes amid President Obama’s sinking approval ratings, a loss in a special House election in Florida last week, and millions of dollars spent by Republican-aligned groups attacking the new health law.
The combination has led to uncharacteristic criticism of Mr. Obama and bitter complaints that his vaunted political organization has done little to help the party’s vulnerable congressional candidates....
“The state of Democrats is very much tied to the state of the president, and in that regard, these are far from the best of times,” said Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster.
In addition to problems with the health law, the White House is losing the support of Democrats on key appointments such as Mr. Obama’s nominee to head the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and his choice to be surgeon general. Also last week, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, broke with the administration with a scalding criticism of the Central Intelligence Agency.
◼ What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Rasmussen Reports™
What do Americans think about the relationship between parents and their children under 18?
For one thing, 74% believe that it’s important for people to be married before having children, with 44% who think it’s Very Important.
Eighty-nine percent (89%) feel it’s important for children to grow up in a home with both parents, including 62% who say it’s Very Important.
An overwhelming majority believes parents should be allowed to impose reasonable standards of behavior on children living at home. But few believe parents should be required by law to provide financial support for their children after they turn 18.
Given the record level of student debt and the continuing so-so jobs picture, it’s no surprise that many are wondering if they are getting their money's worth from college these days.
Fifty percent (50%) believe the Obama administration already has increased government spending too much.
Seventy-seven percent (77%) predict that the new national health care law will cost the government more than has been projected.
READ MORE AT THE LINKS.
