Posted on 05/31/2009 8:52:48 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
President Obama is suddenly seizing on the role of Democratic kingmaker, stepping in to protect or promote colleagues in Congress.
Early after his election victory, Obama did not expend political capital on congressional races, but in recent weeks he has sought to lengthen his coattails by protecting vulnerable Democratic lawmakers facing tough election races in 2010.
From sharing credit on key legislation to fundraising pitches, the new president has bolstered his party members not just in coming general election campaigns but also helping them avoid rough primary battles as well.
And with Obama’s popularity still high throughout the country, many are eager to accept that support from the White House.
“Politics is a team game. These days, the captain is in very good shape so the rest of the team benefits,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
For example, Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), who has seen his polling drop precipitously before his 2010 reelection bid, is already running an early television ad that he released Friday. The subject? His work on the credit card bill, complete with a soundbite from Obama praising Dodd at the legislation’s signing ceremony.
The president has also reiterated his support of Dodd in interviews with reporters and the Connecticut senator joined Obama at a Democratic National Committee (DNC) fundraiser in Los Angeles this past week.
All that help from Obama may stem the early bleeding for Dodd in his reelection bid, helping him avoid a competitive primary opponent and toughening him up for a big challenge from former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.) in the general election.
Dodd has seen his numbers rise and now is only six points down from Simmons with 39 percent saying they would vote for the Democratic incumbent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this week. That is up from 34 percent in an early April poll.
“Usually, it is hard to transfer popularity but given how popular Obama is, he may shore up that wavering support from Democrats for Dodd who have been unenthusiastic about him,” said Doug Schwartz, director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
That same poll shows that Obama is certainly popular in Connecticut. He enjoys 71 percent approval ratings there across all voters and Connecticut Democrats approve of the president by 93 percent.
Another Democratic senator seeking Obama’s help is Arlen Specter, a freshly minted member of the party. The former Republican is looking to establish his bonafides with his party and the popular president’s backing will help.
Like Connecticut, Obama’s approval ratings rank extremely high with the state Democrats in Pennsylvania. The president has a 91 percent approval rating among members of his own party in the state, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this past week.
“There is a residue of reluctance among Democratic activists in the state about buying into Specter,” said Terry Madonna, a professor of political science at Franklin & Marshall College. “He knows in order to win the primary and the general election, he needs all the help he can get.”
Obama has not been shy about supporting Specter either. He hosted a photo opportunity at the White House with the Pennsylvania senator the day after his party switch, praised him at his last primetime press conference, and he joined Obama at the same DNC fundraiser alongside Dodd.
Other lawmakers facing uncertain reelection campaigns have benefited from Obama’s help. He praised Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) at events in Nevada this past week, including a fundraiser for him. And the president has helped clear the way for freshman Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), calling Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) to ask him not to challenge her in a primary.
Supporting incumbent lawmakers so strongly can help Obama too. Fostering good relationships with Dodd, Reid and especially Specter can help smooth through the president’s ambitious legislative agenda this year that includes drafting tough new regulations for the financial sector, passing climate change legislation and reforming the nation’s health care system.
“Specter is likely to be very, very helpful because of his longevity and they need a vote. It is much about the next year and a half as well as the long term,” Madonna said.
One obstacle that Obama has yet to clear for Specter, however, is Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), a potential primary opponent for the senator.
The congressman, a former three-star admiral, seems intent on running. It would be nothing new for the lawmaker since Sestak was not the first pick of his party leaders for his successful 2006 House election.
“I don’t think Sestak will be bullied, cajoled or fazed out of the race. It didn’t work for the congressional race and it won’t now,” Madonna said.
...over 800 billion goes a long way
No O’glow without O’blow.
When discussing present American politics, it really is “The Twilight Zone”! What really happened to the majority of the GOP who really are conservatives and who would definitely fight for the conservative principles that they really believed in? Why decide, instead, to turn the GOP into “Democratic Party-Lite”? Bizarre!
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