Pres. Polls Drop Further

These poll numbers don't give Democrats much to work with in the way of issues. Gallup polled presidential approval on 13 issues and found more Americans disapprove than approve of the Obama administration's performance on 9 of the 13 issues. A majority disapprove of the Obama administration's handling of:

• taxes,
• health care policy,
• the economy,
• Iraq,
• Afghanistan,
• the federal budget deficit,
• immigration,
• and even the environment -- usually an issue on which voters prefer Democrats.

A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll confirms these results and amplifies them on the Obama administration's plan to raise taxes by letting the Bush tax cuts expire. According to that poll, 71 percent support extending current tax law for one year so Americans are not faced with massive tax hikes in the midst of the recession. Two-thirds support maintaining tax relief for families making less than $250,000 a year, and a majority opposes eliminating relief for those making above that level -- those so-called "wealthy individuals," which includes small businesses that file tax returns as individuals.

The WSJ/NBC poll in particular explains why Jack Conway now favors extending the Bush tax cuts. He's held his finger up to the wind; his only chance of winning in Kentucky is to run as a Republican.