Obama's appeal to working-class whites faltering, polls show

[DemGa]

White working-class trending away from Barack Obama - Polling and exit polling showing decline in support.

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama's problem winning votes from working-class whites is showing no sign of going away, and their impression of him is getting worse.

In an Associated Press-Yahoo News poll in April, 53 percent of whites who have not completed college viewed Obama unfavorably, up a dozen percentage points from November.

The April poll — conducted before the Pennsylvania contest — also showed an overwhelming preference for Clinton over Obama among working-class whites. They favored her over him by 39 percentage points, compared to a 10-point Obama lead among white college graduates.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080503/ap_on_el_pr/obama_working_class_whites

[BeyondGeography]

1. Obviously, increasing numbers are finding him guilty of being black

[DemGa]

5. Seems easy to make that broad-brushed claim

But it could also be other factors in play: Maybe "hope and change" sounds like a silly platitude among some people.

"Terry Madonna, a political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., said Obama lost among working-class whites in the state because his message of how this generation's time has come did not address their economic needs.

"While it's incredibly motivating and passionate and compelling, it lacks content," Madonna said. "Hillary would come in and relate to them, talk about the specifics of her policy."

[GoldieAZ49]

28. He is guilty of being blank

that blank screen he was so intent on being was filled in and it is unacceptable and unelectable.

His followers are the ones obsessed with race baiting, as his campaign has been all along, thinking that would get him to the white house...wrong.


He could be albino white, black, purple or polkadotted and he is still unacceptable and unelectable.


Make your excuses and accusations, America doesn't give a rats ass, we are choosing (hiring) a president, qualified candidates only need apply.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Articles by Alan Fram- notice anything?

Obama's appeal to working-class whites faltering, polls show May 3, 2008 992
Heated campaign souring Democrats on rival candidates Apr 29, 2008 1299
PA exit polls: Whites, blue-collar voters stick with Clinton Apr 23, 2008 748
AP poll: Mortgage payments worry many Apr 14, 2008 952
AP poll: Mortgage payments worry many Apr 14, 2008 952
AP poll: Bush public approval at new low Apr 10, 2008 344
Poll: More using tax refunds for bills Apr 10, 2008 822
Polls: Race helps Clinton with whites Apr 7, 2008 1001
Polls: Obama gains on Clinton in Pa. Apr 2, 2008 386
Obama gets scant white support in MS Mar 12, 2008 574
Ohio vote shows importance of economy Mar 6, 2008 937
AP Poll: More say they're Democrats Mar 6, 2008 354
Poll: Whites back Clinton in TX, OH Mar 5, 2008 882
Candidates' backers not as predictable Feb 29, 2008 902
Poll: Clemens lied about steroids Feb 27, 2008 385
What Clinton's Wisconsin loss means Feb 21, 2008 814
Wis. exit poll: Obama won broad backing Feb 20, 2008 765
Wisconsin will test Clinton's support Feb 19, 2008 782
Obama's support broad in VA, MD Feb 13, 2008 835
Bush, Congress hit bottom in AP poll Feb 8, 2008 706
Bush, Congress hit new low in AP poll Feb 8, 2008 734
Exit poll results nationwide Feb 6, 2008 1098
Race, gender divide Democratic voters Feb 6, 2008 874
Elderly, moderates power McCain in Fla Jan 30, 2008 943
Strong black vote gives Obama win Jan 27, 2008 863
Bill Clinton affected SC race marginally Jan 27, 2008 595
Polls: Iraq angst may be helping McCain Jan 26, 2008 653
Clinton, McCain next face tough tests Jan 20, 2008 761
Candidates struggle to widen appeal Jan 18, 2008 1098
Candidates struggle to widen appeal Jan 17, 2008 1075
Romney wins loyal GOP voters in Michigan Jan 16, 2008 745
AP poll: Economy ties war as top issue Jan 12, 2008 702
Late NH polls missed Clinton upswing Jan 10, 2008 852
Women aid Clinton, moderates help McCain Jan 9, 2008 740
Independent voters could tilt NH primary Jan 7, 2008 516
Young embrace Obama's message of change Jan 4, 2008 720
Poll: Saudis oppose Qaida, split on US Dec 18, 2007 692
Bah, humbug: Holiday polling woes Dec 14, 2007 589
Most Hispanics: Immigration debate hurt Dec 13, 2007 599
Poll: More in US see progress in Iraq Dec 11, 2007 890
Young, poor prefer cells to landlines Dec 10, 2007 433
Poll: Campaign robocalls run rampant Dec 8, 2007 376
Huckabee rises to second in GOP race Dec 8, 2007 856
Poll: Hispanic shift toward Democrats Dec 7, 2007 555
Poll: Most OK birth control for schools Nov 3, 2007 868
Poll: Most OK birth control for schools Nov 1, 2007 868
Minorities less likely to trick or treat Oct 28, 2007 517
Fewer think US adequately thwarting terror Oct 24, 2007 570
1 in 5 avoid jinxing favorite team Oct 23, 2007 498
Giuliani's conservative support tenuous Oct 19, 2007 832
Giuliani's conservative support tenuous Oct 18, 2007 832
Advisers: Gore not a candidate, yet Oct 10, 2007 470
AP Poll: Unease grows over US economy Oct 9, 2007 362
Blacks split between Clinton, Obama Oct 4, 2007 921
Global opinion favors immigration limits Oct 4, 2007 516
Bush, Congress hit new lows in AP poll Oct 4, 2007 656
Poll: Many pessimistic about environment Sep 27, 2007 879
Poll: Simpson divides whites, blacks Sep 27, 2007 837
Poll: Many pessimistic about environment Sep 26, 2007 879
Independent voters tilt toward Democrats Sep 23, 2007 859
AP Poll: GOP presidential race a toss-up Sep 15, 2007 828
AP Poll: GOP presidential race a toss-up Sep 14, 2007 828
Pakistanis oppose US terror hunts Sep 12, 2007 500
AP Poll: Most see Iraq war as failure Sep 11, 2007 845
Poll: Iraqis say US troops not helping Sep 10, 2007 446
Poll: Clinton, Giuliani least religious Sep 7, 2007 487
Poll: US shares blame for China products Aug 30, 2007 801
One in four read no books last year Aug 22, 2007 900
Book chief: Conservatives want slogans Aug 22, 2007 450
AP Poll: Most see US safety problem Aug 9, 2007 842
Candidates seek opposite gender's votes Aug 7, 2007 909
Syrians support helping end Iraq war Aug 1, 2007 595
Poll: Iranians support nuclear weapons Jul 10, 2007 631
Poll: Few confident of border security Jul 6, 2007 649
Ratings for Bush, Congress sink lower Jul 4, 2007 907
Poll says distrust of U.S. is growing Jun 27, 2007 817
Achievers' support not enough for Obama Jun 23, 2007 852
Achievers' support not enough for Obama Jun 22, 2007 852
Report: Parents wary of media violence Jun 19, 2007 736
AP Poll: Bush approval matches low point Jun 7, 2007 363
Presidential long shots seek lightning Jun 5, 2007 891
Poll: A fifth vacation with laptops Jun 3, 2007 811
Poll: A fifth vacation with laptops Jun 2, 2007 811
AP Poll: A fifth vacation with laptops Jun 1, 2007 839
Poll: Gas costs hurt, but many adjust May 26, 2007 922
Some US Muslims say suicide attacks OK May 23, 2007 773
Some US Muslims say suicide attacks OK May 22, 2007 773
Poll: Most say ready for next disaster May 15, 2007 326
Trend sees cell phone only use growing May 14, 2007 319
Poll: Congress, Bush share low approval May 11, 2007 891
Coulter: Obama poll lead helps al-Qaida May 8, 2007 969
Democrats' 2008 electoral edge in doubt May 7, 2007 863
Poll: Would Americans execute Bin Laden? Apr 26, 2007 960
Poll: Nation split on gun control Apr 20, 2007 848

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ALAN+FRAM-a1449

[Zynx]

13. They report on public opinion?

Other than that, what?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

15. Who's "they?"

[Zynx]

25. The reporter in question.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

29. Oh, "he."

Got it.

[Zynx]

30. "They" is a proper pronoun for a person.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

31. When is my paper due?

'cause my dog...

[Zynx]

32. Tuesday at noon, 7-8 pages single spaced.

[tularetom]

3. Well when they lose their jobs they won't be "working class" any longer

maybe he will look a little bit less black to them then.

[FARAFIELD]

4. Classic Misinformation

First of all, the poll was done BEFORE PA, so it only validated what happened there and two. (ALTHOUGH you convieniently left if out of your post) MCCAIN and CLINTON had EQUAL negative ratings. So not an endorsement of them either. Just showed he had a problem in PA, which (HAVING lived there) is an older state and he actually has more of a problem with OLDER VOTERS, not white males. But of course you couldnt be bothered to read the METHODOLOGY or the poll itself. Next time do your howework. But ill do some for you. If someone gets that many votes in a state (HIllary and OBAMA), neither has a problem with a particular group overall. (in a general) But why bother with that either. I think the final tally in PA was a little over 2.3 million DEMS voting. I remember something like 2.9 Voting for Kerry that was an outstanding turnout and already a good base. Read a little about Poll and DEMOS and get back to us instead of just quoting old CRAPOLA. Here are some good sites for you to start.

http://www.pollster.com/blogs/

http://www.pollingreport.com/

both are very good on determining methodology and such.

[rodeodance]

6. Oh Nooz! The Obama’s are pandering to the uneducated Bubba’s & BHO gets stuck on REPEAT

oh Nooz-the pandering did not work????


Oh Nooz! The Obama’s are pandering to the uneducated Bubba’s & BHO gets stuck on REPEAT


Guess BHO did not quite have his new pander story memorized! I am sure it went better today.


…… Sitting on a picnic bench in a park on Pagoda Street, Indianapolis, in discussion with a group of 30 supporters, he told a story about the "modest" background of himself and his wife, Michelle.

And 10 minutes later, seemingly having forgotten, he told them it all again.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/01/barackobama.hillaryclinton


…….


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080501/pl_nm/usa_politics_obama_michelle_dc;_ylt=AlxkjSLtTnvb5QybY0ywS3fzj9AF


Obama's wife joins push to court working class

By Caren Bohan 1 hour, 54 minutes ago

INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - If Michelle Obama had her way, her husband Barack would be a teacher, a writer, a singer, a dancer -- anything but a politician with the chance to make history as the first black president of the United States.


She described to an audience in Indianapolis how they struggled, like any other young couple in Middle America, to raise two children and pay off debts.

"We are still so close to the lives that most Americans are living," she said. "And I don't know about you but for most of my lifetime, I've felt disconnected from Washington."

The Obamas hope the "regular guy" narrative will resonate with the white working class voters that the Illinois senator has had trouble winning over and who may be the key to his White House bid.

…………………….
"We're a young couple with small kids with all the challenges and the emotions and the stresses that come with raising kids, like being a working mom," said Michelle Obama, 44, who is on leave from her job as hospital administrator and now divides her time between campaigning and raising the couple's two daughters -- Sasha, 6, and Malia, 9.

Though she is a Harvard-trained lawyer like her 46-year-old husband, she said the couple was not far from the years of paying off student loans and working to "keep up with bills."

The Obamas brought in $4.2 million last year, according to their tax returns. Most of the money came from royalties on Barack Obama's two bestselling books. The couple moved into the millionaire category a few years ago, moving up from their previous six-figure income.

'THE CYNIC IN THE FAMILY'
………….


"I've spent my life trying to convince him not to be a politician. Teach, write, sing, dance -- I don't care what you do. Don't do this. These people are mean."

…….

Barack Obama's task of courting working class voters was made more difficult by comments he made last month at a San Francisco fundraiser about "bitter" small-town voters. His rivals said the comments suggested he was "out of touch."

…………

The sometimes blunt-spoken Michelle Obama grew up on the South Side of Chicago, raised by her father, a city worker, and her mother, a secretary and then a stay-at-home mom.

………..

But she has stirred controversy, such as when she said in February: "For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country." Critics said the comment sounded unpatriotic and suggested she had not been proud of her country before her husband's candidacy.

……….
The Obamas on Wednesday visited the Beech Grove, Indiana home of Cheryl and Mike Fischer for a lunch of sandwiches and potato chips.

………………..





http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080501/ap_on_el_pr/a_voter_s_decision;_ylt=AtxNv1kAPB_07ZzeQZd1ARwb.3QA


A NC voter sizes up Obama, Clinton, and finally decides

By ANN SANNER, Associated Press Writer 34 minutes ago

As a clinical research consultant working in North Carolina's Research Triangle, Meribeth Howlett knows how to get to the bottom of things.

Her latest project was deciding whether to vote for Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary Tuesday. Now she's made her choice and voted by absentee ballot.

………

In the last few days, Howlett decided "I've heard enough from the pundits" and began reviewing campaign literature with the practiced eye of one who reads medical charts and oversees clinical trials.
………….

Howlett's account:

"OK — I made a decision, but I should say up front that I'd be happy to vote for either Hillary or Barack. However, I voted for Hillary Clinton. Yes, I've been on Web sites and found the two to have plans that are remarkably similar and so it came down to a more philosophical decision, who do I BELIEVE will do a better job. Because Barack Obama identifies himself as the best candidate to be an agent of 'real change in Washington,' I was expecting to see some details outlining innovative plans to achieve change, but I did not see anything that stood out as greatly different from what Hillary proposes.

"Hillary has deep roots in D.C. and that has pros-cons. I am viewing it as a positive in that I believe she understands how to navigate the system to make changes (as well as knowing what won't work). Another plus for me is that she has spent more time than any of the candidates researching the health care issue and can build on what she learned back when her husband was president.

…………..
"I will confess that I'm saddened that I'll be lumped in the polls as just another middle-aged white female voting for Hillary since it has absolutely nothing to do with gender or ethnicity."
…………

[DemGa]

21. So what the poll was done before PA

It was a national poll - the data is relevant to what occurred in PA and beyond.

And the exit-polling which includes PA and OH confirms trending AWAY from Obama.

"In Democratic primaries held on or before Super Tuesday, Feb. 5, whites who have not finished college favored the New York senator by a cumulative 59 percent to 32 percent, according to exit polls of voters conducted for The Associated Press and the television networks.

In primaries since Feb. 5, that group has favored Clinton by 64 percent to 34 percent. That includes Ohio and Pennsylvania, in which working-class whites have favored Clinton by 44 and 41 percentage points respectively."

As far as Clinton and McCain, their negative numbers have remained stable, as the story points out. Check the more in-depth results for yourself.

"During that period, the numbers viewing Clinton and Republican candidate John McCain negatively have stayed about even."

[TheDudeAbides]

7. The slide in popularity has nothing to do with race (as suggested by another poster here)...

It has everything to do with his (and your) unwilliness to address concerns honestly.

Voters have real concerns as they are just now getting to know Senator Obama.
Yes, they know Obama "the brand" as presented in his books and by his campaign.
But they are just now getting to know Obama "the man".

We have questions and concerns. Instead of really talking with us about these questions,
Obama has a little temper tantrum and refuses to sit down and discuss these concners.

You all know what I'm talking about, but all you can do is your usual knee-jerk
reaction calling these questions "dirty politics", freeper propaganda, etc.

Well, it's really up to the campaign. You guys can blame it on racism which is just
a sour grapes pile of crap. Or, you can talk with us...think about our concerns and
maybe even share them for a moment. Only then can we figure out how to deal with
these contradictions between Obama "the man" and Obama "the brand".

Now remember. We really know Hillary Clinton. The Government spent $40 million digging up
crap on her years ago. So, I think voters have the right to ask Senator Obama a few
simple questions in order to learn about his mindset, his philosophies, his relationships,
his business partnerships, and maybe even perhaps his plans for things like African oil, etc.

Until that happens, I'm quite convinved he cannot win the general election.

Stop blaming this on the working man.

[MADem]

10. Succinctly put. Right on the money, too NT

[leftofcool]

12. Very well said!

[brentspeak]

18. Exactly. Thank you.

[NJSecularist]

24. Thank you.

This is another reason why I switched support to Hillary. It's one thing to talk about "Hope and Change" during your stump speech, but the working class wants to hear specific policy proposals, and Hillary is doing a better job of speaking in that language.

[Deja Q]

34. Well said, thank you.

I wish the two would make the 'dream team', for the sake of the party, if not the country.

[rodeodance]

8. OH NOOZ---The pandering to the Bubba's by Michelle and Obama did not work??

Oh Nooz! The Obama’s are pandering to the uneducated Bubba’s & BHO gets stuck on REPEAT


Guess BHO did not quite have his new pander story memorized! I am sure it went better today.


…… Sitting on a picnic bench in a park on Pagoda Street, Indianapolis, in discussion with a group of 30 supporters, he told a story about the "modest" background of himself and his wife, Michelle.

And 10 minutes later, seemingly having forgotten, he told them it all again.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/01/barackobama.hillaryclinton


…….


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080501/pl_nm/usa_politics_obama_michelle_dc;_ylt=AlxkjSLtTnvb5QybY0ywS3fzj9AF


Obama's wife joins push to court working class

By Caren Bohan 1 hour, 54 minutes ago

INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - If Michelle Obama had her way, her husband Barack would be a teacher, a writer, a singer, a dancer -- anything but a politician with the chance to make history as the first black president of the United States.


She described to an audience in Indianapolis how they struggled, like any other young couple in Middle America, to raise two children and pay off debts.

"We are still so close to the lives that most Americans are living," she said. "And I don't know about you but for most of my lifetime, I've felt disconnected from Washington."

The Obamas hope the "regular guy" narrative will resonate with the white working class voters that the Illinois senator has had trouble winning over and who may be the key to his White House bid.

…………………….
"We're a young couple with small kids with all the challenges and the emotions and the stresses that come with raising kids, like being a working mom," said Michelle Obama, 44, who is on leave from her job as hospital administrator and now divides her time between campaigning and raising the couple's two daughters -- Sasha, 6, and Malia, 9.

Though she is a Harvard-trained lawyer like her 46-year-old husband, she said the couple was not far from the years of paying off student loans and working to "keep up with bills."

The Obamas brought in $4.2 million last year, according to their tax returns. Most of the money came from royalties on Barack Obama's two bestselling books. The couple moved into the millionaire category a few years ago, moving up from their previous six-figure income.

'THE CYNIC IN THE FAMILY'
………….


"I've spent my life trying to convince him not to be a politician. Teach, write, sing, dance -- I don't care what you do. Don't do this. These people are mean."

…….

Barack Obama's task of courting working class voters was made more difficult by comments he made last month at a San Francisco fundraiser about "bitter" small-town voters. His rivals said the comments suggested he was "out of touch."

…………

The sometimes blunt-spoken Michelle Obama grew up on the South Side of Chicago, raised by her father, a city worker, and her mother, a secretary and then a stay-at-home mom.

………..

But she has stirred controversy, such as when she said in February: "For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country." Critics said the comment sounded unpatriotic and suggested she had not been proud of her country before her husband's candidacy.

……….
The Obamas on Wednesday visited the Beech Grove, Indiana home of Cheryl and Mike Fischer for a lunch of sandwiches and potato chips.

………………..





http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080501/ap_on_el_pr/a_voter_s_decision;_ylt=AtxNv1kAPB_07ZzeQZd1ARwb.3QA


A NC voter sizes up Obama, Clinton, and finally decides

By ANN SANNER, Associated Press Writer 34 minutes ago

As a clinical research consultant working in North Carolina's Research Triangle, Meribeth Howlett knows how to get to the bottom of things.

Her latest project was deciding whether to vote for Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary Tuesday. Now she's made her choice and voted by absentee ballot.

………

In the last few days, Howlett decided "I've heard enough from the pundits" and began reviewing campaign literature with the practiced eye of one who reads medical charts and oversees clinical trials.
………….

Howlett's account:

"OK — I made a decision, but I should say up front that I'd be happy to vote for either Hillary or Barack. However, I voted for Hillary Clinton. Yes, I've been on Web sites and found the two to have plans that are remarkably similar and so it came down to a more philosophical decision, who do I BELIEVE will do a better job. Because Barack Obama identifies himself as the best candidate to be an agent of 'real change in Washington,' I was expecting to see some details outlining innovative plans to achieve change, but I did not see anything that stood out as greatly different from what Hillary proposes.

"Hillary has deep roots in D.C. and that has pros-cons. I am viewing it as a positive in that I believe she understands how to navigate the system to make changes (as well as knowing what won't work). Another plus for me is that she has spent more time than any of the candidates researching the health care issue and can build on what she learned back when her husband was president.

…………..
"I will confess that I'm saddened that I'll be lumped in the polls as just another middle-aged white female voting for Hillary since it has absolutely nothing to do with gender or ethnicity."
…………

[last_texas_dem]

16. Pandering to the Bubba's what?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Perhaps he should look into sheets and the 'Fedrut flag to win them over.

"White working class.."

Racism? Nawwwwww...

[gristy]

11. "working-class"?

Can't quite put my finger on it, but isn't that code-speak for something? Or do they just mean "not unemployed"?

[last_texas_dem]

22. Yeah, I know

What does "working class" even mean in America? How do they determine whether or not someone is "working class"? Income level, type of job, level of education...? All of these?

[Eric J in MN]

26. They seem to be defining people who didn't graduate from college...

...as "working class."

[Bensthename]

14. Hillary's appeal to working-class blacks fall flat, polls show

This is also a true statement that should cause some concern to Hillary, but why do we never see such articles?

Very odd..

[last_texas_dem]

23. Well, that's because somehow...

...working-class whites have managed to simultaneously become the heart and soul of the Democratic Party and our most faithful supporters, and a bunch of fickle "swing" voters it is important that we do everything in our power to pander to. How they manage to be both of these simultaneously I'm not sure, but many supporters of a certain candidate, at least on this site, seem to believe that not only is this possible, but it's also the undeniable truth.

[madrchsod]

36. what?

i thought just the whites were working class---that`s all i see here is the "blue collar white working class"...

so you are saying there is a "blue collar black working class"?

[Bensthename]

37. I'm pretty sure

Most you see are upper class but there are a few around that I would consider working class. There just aren't enough of them to really be considered part of the blue collar working class. But I like to think there are.

[still_one]

17. I don't know maybe, maybe not, but I do know this is the same fuc*n media who told us

there were WMDs in Iraq, a link between Saddam and AQ, that oil prices would never go above 100 bucks a barrel, that there is no inflation, that we aren't in a recession, that mccain would never be the repuke nominee, that Obama would even make it until Super Tuesday, and on, and on, and on

Why should I believe the polls, that used to have some uniform accuracy, have not had a very good record lately

I will wait until the actual election tells me what it is, instead of some loud mouth talking head with a corporate agenda

[Jamastiene]

19. Gee, wonder why?

Wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that he looks down his nose at the working class, would it?

[bunnies]

20. Polls taken before PA.

Lame. :eyes:

[Iceburg]

27. He was up 23 points a month ago -- if he does not win by at 12-15 points he loses!!/nt

[pointsoflight]

33. That's nothing but a myth. Here's reality, with graphs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/03/opinion/03blow.html

[madrchsod]

35. well i say that i am...wait i don`t work...never mind