You've heard the saying, "A Picture's worth a thousand words" so I'll save you the extra long read today by inserting these two polls representing a snapshot of "public opinion."
The Survey USA Polling data for Chet Culver (below) shows his unfavorable rating at an all time high in concert with the crossover negatives recently polled for President Obama.
(Double click image for larger view)
Remember how Democrats were gloating just months ago that Governor Culver would be invincible? They claimed his formidable fund raising along with his "influence" to call in the "worlds most popular man" to campaign for him in the closing days of the race?
This morning I wouldn't be surprised if Chet isn't pulling a Hillary somewhere in his office, throwing things with his now famous red face and driving temper. Staffers and consultants alike will have a hard time spinning this data, it clearly shows us that action drives reaction and the Governor is guilty of INACTION on the flood recovery front and ACTION (borrowing against the will of Iowans) on fiscal policy front.
Craig Robinson at TheIowaRepublican.com reports today on a poll he commissioned that shows even more damage to the Culver brand here in Iowa. An excerpt:
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Question: Do you believe Chet Culver has performed his job as Governor well enough to deserve re-election or is it time to give someone else the chance to do better?
Deserves Re-Election: 36%
Give Someone Else the Chance: 53%
Don’t Know: 10%
Other: 1%
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This isn't a PR problem for the Governor - it's a "real time" re-election disaster in the making!
Just like the analogies to General Custer in Part 1 of this series, Culver has committed the error of failing to listen to the advise of his constituents.
The anger is palpable
Here's where I must exercise restraint. Instead of spilling out the most damaging information right now, giving team Culver the opportunity to attempt political redemption, I'll simply go on record as saying the anger in the Cedar Rapids area with regards to flood recovery is palpable. Just this week, the major story broke about flood victims having to face the reality of returning part of their state income tax refunds back to the Department of Revenue and believe it or not...include with this check a penalty payment for underestimating their taxes! Now do you believe me when I wonder if things are being thrown around in his office chambers today?
Nobody knows if this photo was staged, but it shows a chief of state who provided rhetorical leadership and when the flood recovery "relief package" was finally opened after great delay, it revealed itself to be an empty shoebox of political posturing and broken promises.
Maybe Governor Culver just forgot to remove the yellow ear plugs when he went back to Terrace Hill?
Governor, 71% of Iowans strongly OPPOSED the bonding plan that you had ramrodded through the 83rd General Assembly in the middle of the night this past spring! You proudly boasted in your condition of the state speech this last January: "This is the first time in our state's history that we have earned an AAA credit rating and I intend to use it!"
What I sense right now reading polls and "political tea leaves" is a pending ambush on Chet Culver when the voters of this state return in November of 2010. Playing "politics" with people's lives has never been an Iowa value Governor and your administration has now demonstrated a clear and compelling track record of ignoring the will of everyday Iowa values.
In other words Governor, we have votes and we intend to use them!!
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