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Blame Bush? Exit Poll Shows Many Voters Still Blame Dubya for Economic Woes

Nov. 6, 2012 9:34pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rising prices and chronic unemployment were heavy on the minds of voters Tuesday even as a glimmer of optimism peeked through. Four in 10 said the nation’s battered economy is getting better.

Most everyone agreed there’s still far to go. They were less likely to blame President Barack Obama for the economic troubles, however, than to point the finger at his predecessor, George W. Bush, according to preliminary results of a national exit poll.

Many Voters Still Blame George W. Bush for Economic Woes

Former President George W. Bush, right, and former first lady Laura Bush talks with officials on the field before an NCAA college football game between Memphis and SMU Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Dallas. Credit: AP

Only a fourth thought they were better off financially than four years ago when Obama was elected in the midst of the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression. Voters were most likely to say their families were doing about the same, and Obama led among that group.

A third felt worse off, and they were voting heavily for Romney.

The survey of voters as they left polling places showed 6 in 10 ranked the economy the top issue, way ahead of health care, the federal budget deficit or foreign policy. The majority who don’t yet see economic improvement were roughly divided over whether things were getting even worse or just stuck in place.

About 4 in 10 blamed Obama for the nation’s economic woes, and almost all of them voted for Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Voters pointed to years of high unemployment and rising prices as the biggest troubles for people like them; those two worries far outstripped concerns about the housing market or taxes in the exit polls conducted for The Associated Press and television networks.

Joseph Neat, a stay-at-home father in Hagerstown, Md., said Obama hasn’t solved the problems that are hurting families like his, especially gasoline prices that Neat called “insane.”

“We don’t have time for him to make changes. We need the changes now,” he said of Obama. “And four years is plenty of time.”

Three-fourths said the economy is poor or not so good, and they mostly backed Romney. Still, many voters like William Mullins of Lansing, Mich., felt Obama needed more time to fix things.

“Obama had a lot to deal with when he came to office,” Mullins said. “You can’t change everything overnight.”

Only a quarter of voters were feeling enthusiastic about Obama’s administration; at least as many were angry about it.

Romney’s voters were a bit more likely to say they had reservations about their man. About a fourth felt that way.

Overall, most voters felt strongly about their choice, however, with Obama’s supporters somewhat more enthusiastic.

The presidential campaign grew bitterly negative at times, but on Election Day the voters didn’t dwell on that: Just 1 in 10 said they were primarily voting against the other guy.

About half said government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals, a point hammered by Romney throughout the campaign. Only 4 in 10 wanted government to do more.

Many Voters Still Blame George W. Bush for Economic Woes

The Obama campaign headquarters is already beginning to be cleared out as campaign staffers make their Election Day push on November 6, 2012 in Reno, Nevada. As Americans go to vote, President Barack Obama and Republican nominee former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney remain in a virtual tie in the national polls.Β Credit: Getty Images

“I haven’t had a raise in two years because of Obama’s anti-business policies,” said Ken Keller, a Schaumburg, Ill., engineer who voted for Romney.

The Obama campaign’s insistence that the multimillionaire Romney would do more for well-heeled Americans seems to have taken hold in many voters’ minds. Half said they think the former Massachusetts governor’s policies generally favor the rich and barely any thought he favors the poor.

“I don’t think Romney understands people who are down and out,” said Cari Herling, an insurance analyst from Sun Prairie, Wis.

In contrast, only about 1 in 10 said Obama, who has pushed higher taxes for the wealthy, favors rich Americans. The biggest group – 4 in 10 – said Obama’s policies help the middle class, with the poor coming in second.

Voters tended to think the U.S. economic system as a whole favors the wealthy.

About half said taxes should be raised on income over $250,000 per year, as Obama wants. Yet voters gave a resounding “no” when asked whether they wanted taxes raised to help cut the spiraling budget deficit.

Nearly two-thirds of voters said they thought illegal immigrants working in the United States should be offered a chance to apply for legal status, instead of being deported.

In a race that’s been neck-and-neck for months, about 1 in 10 voters said they’d only settled on their presidential choice within the last few days or even on Election Day. They were closely divided between Obama and Romney.

The survey of 19,728 voters was conducted for the AP and the television networks by Edison Research. This includes preliminary results from interviews conducted as voters left a random sample of 350 precincts nationally Tuesday, as well as 4,389 who voted early or absentee and were interviewed by landline or cellular telephone from Oct. 29 through Nov. 4. Results for the full sample were subject to sampling error of plus or minus 2 percentage points; it is higher for subgroups.

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Comments (56)

  • Eamon
    Posted on November 7, 2012 at 5:39pm

    Here’s a novel idea: what if both sides are to blame? Here are some policies that helped to create this mess in the past 30+ years. Feel free to add more.

    -NAFTA: Bush I pet project during Reagan. During Bush I term tried to fast track. He wasn’t able to ratify the negotiations before his term ended, hence Clinton’s signing of the bill in 1993. Both House and Senate Democratic control.

    -Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act: sponsored by three Republicans. Passed the House and the Senate in 1999. Clinton signs the bill. Both House and Senate Republican controlled.

    -Iraq War: Begins March 2003. Republican held House and Senate. Direct cost of the war according to Marketwatch in 2011, $800 billion, but it cites a total cost of $4 trillion when you include indirect costs. Let’s not forget to mention a funding of the war off the books.

    -Let’s not forget, the Reagan Doctrine, which funneled billions of dollars supporting and training the Mujahideen, later the Taliban, and would provide support for building al-Qaida.

    Report this comment

    Eamon  
  • Bikkiboo
    Posted on November 7, 2012 at 3:55pm

    Why is he still blaming Bush? Doesn’t he know that the Democrats were in charge in Congress the last 2 years of Bush’s term when things tanked? I also remember hearing the MSM constantly telling us about the “coming recession”. If we look at history, see who ran Congress, and held the purse strings, during the good and bad times to see who gets the blame or credit. The President only signs, vetoes, or suggests law (unless he “dictates” an executive order); the Congress has to pass it.

    Report this comment

    Bikkiboo  
  • vg0va3
    Posted on November 7, 2012 at 1:03pm

    Why are they still blaming Bush? WE ALL KNOW it was Herbert Hoover that started the Great Recession in with his crazy policies.

    (I know it is lame, but I had to try and find SOMETHING funny about today)

    Report this comment

    vg0va3  
  • blackbean
    Posted on November 7, 2012 at 1:02pm

    Question: Is Bush’s fault going to be the excuse in four years from now when things get even worse? Jobs will be leaving in droves as companies face the coming obummer care devastation. The takers have taken over and have no clue and don’t even care who picks up the bill. We are on our way to becoming Greece along with rioting in the streets by the takers when money can no longer be gotten from China.

    Report this comment

    blackbean  
  • overthecliff
    Posted on November 7, 2012 at 9:04am

    W did everything in his power to discredit the policies and principles that he publicly supported. He was a perfect employee of Americas one party system and performed to their benefit. His job was to destroy the real Republican Party and he was good at it. We are looking at the kind of political organization running Washington that has produced Detroit and East St. Louis. Even in good times they degraded into what they are. Can you imagine what is going to happen to USA with the prosperity machine turned off.

    Report this comment

    overthecliff  
  • mbck1491
    Posted on November 7, 2012 at 7:31am

    I find it mind boggling that a president can complete one full term and still get partly reelected by blaming the previous administration for the issues we are presently in. Wow are people stupid.

    Report this comment

    mbck1491  
    • magnum357
      Posted on November 7, 2012 at 8:11am

      This time, at least, Obama can say he has inherited the worst economy ever and not be a liar. The president of the past four years screwed everything up. I guess there are more retards in America than Americans.

      Report this comment

      magnum357  
    • PatriotSunDevil
      Posted on November 7, 2012 at 9:17am

      I wish to reiterate…STUPID PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BREED…..they create little ******** like the ones that voted yesterday!

      Report this comment

      PatriotSunDevil  
  • HickoryStonewall
    Posted on November 7, 2012 at 7:11am

    stolen liberty

    Report this comment

    HickoryStonewall  
  • oneoldpatriot
    Posted on November 7, 2012 at 4:33am

    I wonder if this administration will blame the administration that occupied the white house from Jan. 20, 2009 to the present.

    Report this comment

    oneoldpatriot  
  • mash4077
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 11:49pm

    Bush didn’t spend SEVEN TRILLION!!!! Bush never cosied up to the muslim brotherhood! idiots!

    Report this comment

    mash4077  
  • Bluenoser
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 11:30pm

    Look, Romney lost in his home state Michigan. He lost in Mass where he was Gov. Ryan lost his home state. The candidates lost the GOP ticket. 47% was dumb…. it included Military vets and people who worked their whole life to get Social Security. Not paying taxes for years had to come back to haunt Romney. Sending jobs to China hurt him. The Bail-out stance hurt. The Jeep ad hurt. The change on every issue flip flopping. Akin, Mourdock, Walsh…hurt. The tea Party hurt. Donald Trump and Birthers hurt. It’s not all about Obama. he is seen as the lesser of two evils.

    Report this comment

    Bluenoser  
  • 2ndOpinion
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:48pm

    They’re still blaming Bush after 4 years of obama. If Romney should win, they’ll be blaming him for the bad economy come December. They’ll constantly hang Bain Capitol around his neck like they did Haliburton around Cheney’s neck.

    Report this comment

    2ndOpinion  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 11:12pm

      Blame Bush followed up by a repub house refusing to allow America to heal, just in case it made Obama look good.

      Report this comment

      Exrepublisheep  
  • jujulyly
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:47pm

    This is what happens in a pop culture. People take their lead from the Daily show and stupid celebrities, along with a media that deserves to lose it’s first amendment rights. Propaganda out maneuvered the truth. That is if O wins.

    Report this comment

    jujulyly  
  • football lady
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:31pm

    If it goes how it looks at this point, it is a very sad day for our country.

    Report this comment

    football lady  
  • oxycontinxx
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:26pm

    if obama didnt want to tackle the economic problems that allegedly were caused by bush or by some cosmic event………….then the MF should NOT have run for the presidency AND he should NOT have shot his mouth off about fixing it all and he ought to QUIT his GD complaining and whining !!!!!

    Report this comment

    oxycontinxx  
  • Chet Hempstead
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:05pm

    “You didn’t solve the problem we caused,” was never a really strong argument for voting Republican. It may have worked in 2010, but the American people are usually only dumb enough to make the same stupid mistake once in a row,

    Report this comment

    Chet Hempstead  
    • Iswingright
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:16pm

      It’s over gang. We’ve lost. Our country lost. Even if Romney wins (and it looks impossible) we won’t get the Senate which means Obamacare is here to stay.

      God has left the United States of America. It was great while it lasted.

      Report this comment

      Iswingright  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:20pm

      You mean you Marxists don’t make dumb mistakes over and over. Let’s face it, it’s you Marxists who caused all of these economic problems we have with all of these welfare programs we have. Us taxpayers are sick of carrying your weight.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • WarMunger_Al
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:30pm

      exit polls prove A majority of Americans are retarded. Obama is going to win with the mentally challenged vote, like chet here.

      Report this comment

      WarMunger_Al  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:34pm

      SHET CHIMPHEAD
      Which problrm was that? If you are talking about the Fannie Mae/Freddy Mac collapse that caused all the problem, then that was started by Carter, continued by Clitnon, and made worse by Dodd and Frank, along with Raines, Then-Senator Obama, and boyfriend of Frank. Stimulus may have held the day and calmed fear, but Obama COULD have done SOMETHING in the four years he was there. He is just clueless about how to be a President, a leader, and business.

      Report this comment

      Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • 1_Smoot_Tall
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:59pm

    Now we know. The polls didn’t show Obama leading because they wanted to INFLUENCE the votes. The polls showed Obama leading because his team needs to use the polls AFTER the election to justify the results of the fraud they intended to commit.

    Why is Glenn and his team on the Blaze TV speaking as if the election is lost before it has been? This is only going to help the Obama team to further justify those same fraudulent results.

    Report this comment

    1_Smoot_Tall  
    • nelson2885
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:08pm

      Could it be possible that some (maybe a majority) Americans actually approve of the President and that is why he will win. Also why many dems will win senate seats. Believe it or not people have different opinions and their votes reflect those opinions. So if the candidate you support loses, please take a minute to consider that you may be wrong. I know I will.

      Report this comment

      nelson2885  
    • realindependent
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:08pm

      The truth will set you free. Bush crashed the economy and started 2 useless wars and medicare part D.

      Just shows you 4 years later the American people haven’t forgotten who got us in this mess. Even after 4 years of fox news and right wing radio trying to blame Obama for it.

      Makes my faith in the American people solid…..

      As i predicted 4 more years……….Waiting for right wingers heads to explode….

      **smug**

      Report this comment

      realindependent  
    • Stoneez
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:18pm

      @real DUMBASS….you don’t have a clue.

      Report this comment

      Stoneez  
    • John_Free
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:18pm

      My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge….

      America, which was dumb enough to elect O in the first place, has lost its moral compass….and so enters the blame game. Its so sad that America has destroyed itself due to gross stupidity.

      God Help Us.

      Report this comment

      John_Free  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:21pm

      RealMarxist – You Marxists haven’t done anything to make this economy or country better. And us real Americans don’t settle for mediocrity like you do.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • WarMunger_Al
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:33pm

      It is lost. Once kommie Kalifornia, Oregon, and Washington state votes, Obama will have a clear majority of electoral votes. The only saving grace will be if he doesn’t have the 270.

      Report this comment

      WarMunger_Al  
    • barber2
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:35pm

      NELSON just joined the Blaze today. Guess why . NOBAMA 2012

      Report this comment

      barber2  
  • perry1980
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:55pm

    Dumbarses brainwashed by themachine

    Report this comment

    perry1980  
  • bhops
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:54pm

    Not looking good, not feeling good. I hate to admit it.

    Report this comment

    bhops  
    • Ilikepeople
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:59pm

      Of course not, it all comes down to security in that Romney supporters would never riot, because rioting would make them feel insecure, and if Obama doesn’t win the power structure will feel insecure. It’s a no brainer, after-all you crucified your unborn children with massive debt for security.

      Report this comment

      Ilikepeople  
  • Ilikepeople
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:49pm

    Gee, a 50/50 split, who would have saw that coming? And Remember, Romney supporters would never riot.

    Report this comment

    Ilikepeople  
  • denkat56
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:48pm

    It’s always bush’s fault, bengazi, the border agents, dead people, it’s always bush’s fault.

    Report this comment

    denkat56  
  • barber2
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:47pm

    Republicans needed to decidedly defeat the Marxists International Left. They did not. I hold my next comment. NOBAMA 2012

    Report this comment

    barber2  
  • lel2007
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:46pm

    Well, that’s a bad sign. Idiots most likely voted blue.

    Report this comment

    lel2007  
  • Git-R-Done
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:45pm

    The only ones who are better off now than they were four years ago are non-military government workers and unions.

    Report this comment

    Git-R-Done  
  • barber2
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:44pm

    If the average American voter really believes this garbage , America is too dumb to survive.

    Report this comment

    barber2  
    • Stoneez
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:21pm

      agreed…the end of America as we knew it is a forgone conclusion –and THAT is the truth!! You can’t put your faith in the American people. There is only ONE that deserves our faith.

      Report this comment

      Stoneez  
  • ModerationIsBest
    Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:38pm

    Democrats have got their model for the next couple of elections, “It’s still Bush’s fault.”

    It’s partly true, but I wonder how long that strategy will work.

    Report this comment

    ModerationIsBest  
    • Bluenoser
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:46pm

      It’s entirely reasonable to blame Bush. He left things in a mess. The two wars were so costly. The months before he left office we were bleeding 800,000 jobs per month. That’s tough to stop. What ****** me off is the fact that Romney is the best candidate available. His tax issues, his 47% . His etch a sketch change of opinion on everything.

      Report this comment

      Bluenoser  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 9:57pm

      Bluenoser – Don’t get upset that your ideology is never going to work no matter how much you try to apply it. Us regular Americans are sick and tired of supporting losers like you.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:00pm

      I agree.

      If everything was so bad, why is Romney still struggling to compete?

      He should be running away with it.

      Report this comment

      ModerationIsBest  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:22pm

      Moderationisbest – If everything isn’t as bad, then why isn’t the economy and the country doing better? Excuse me if I expect excellence and not mediocrity.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • Stoneez
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:23pm

      You guys are stupid

      Report this comment

      Stoneez  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 10:42pm

      @GIT-R-DONE

      I was unemployed coming out of college in 2010.

      Btw, my hard work helped me save for college and I came out debt free.

      I was unemployed from 2010 to may of 2012. Thankfully I had a great father who helped me out.

      In may I got a job, a part time job with no benefits. In August I got a full time job, a pay increase, day 1 benefits and work for a great company.

      My dad, who has worked at the same job for years and they never gave him a raise. In the last year he has gotten two raises(that he’s earned, the company basically relies on him to function).

      Would you rather have a slow steady recovery of decent jobs, or an increase in jobs, but horribly crappy jobs?

      Report this comment

      ModerationIsBest  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on November 6, 2012 at 11:13pm

      Any job is better than no job at all. Unless you have this entitlement mentality.

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  

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