Howard Dean has revealed key polling data which shows that the defeat in Massachusetts was due to dissatisfaction with Obama caused by his moderate healthcare bill.
Former Democratic president hopeful, Howard Dean, has revealed key polling data which shows that the Democrats’ defeat in Massachusetts was due to dissatisfaction with Obama caused by his healthcare bill being too moderate.
Speaking on BBC Newsnight last night, the architect of President Obama’s 50-state strategy said:
“We did some polling on that overnight, it was very interesting. Eighteen per cent of the people who voted for Scott Brown were Obama voters; of those, by 3:2 they wanted a public option in the healthcare bill which meant they thought the bill didn’t go far enough.
“We then polled Obama voters who didn’t bother to vote – of them, 6:1 decided they wanted a public option and they didn’t think the bill went far enough.
“So this is not, contrary to what a lot of American pundits are talking about, this is not a revolt of the right, this is Barack Obama’s core base not thinking that we’ve done what he was asked to do.”
Watch it:
Mr Dean added:
“I think in general the President’s done a very, very good job and he doesn’t get much credit for it. He’s done a teriffic job on the environment, he’s restored America’s good name around the world. I am disappointed in healthcare, I think we’ve missed a golden opportunity, I don’t the opportunity is over yet and frankly I think it maybe healthy to have lost a seat…
“He’s a very smart president, I think there’s a lesson for everybody – I hope they draw the right one. The lesson is not to move further to the right and compromise more, that’s clearly that’s a losing proposition. The message is to speak to your base, to stand up for what you believe in …
“I think strong leadership matters a lot, I think the President’s capable of strong leadership and I think you’ll see that from now on.“
12 Responses to “Howard Dean: Obama faced “populist revolt””
Elaine Decoulos
I am on the ground here in Massachusetts and will give you my view of what happened in this extraordinary election. For the record, I was in the minority and voted for Martha Coakley on Tuesday. I think Howard Dean’s polling is probably right, as illogical as it seems. Scott Brown charmed the electorate and they fell for it. Martha Coakley has limited charm, but I believe most Mass residents agreed with her policies. That is the madness of it all.
It also appears Mitt Romney may have masterminded Brown’s campaign, judging by the huge smile on his face when he introduced Scott Brown after winning.
Scott thanked two politicians: Mitt Romney and John McCain. Very interesting indeed and no one is picking up on this. Note that Mitt Romney once ran against Ted Kennedy in the fight of his career.
Although I was not in Mass for the Democratic primary in early December, I was in London trying to resolve my long standing libel claim(!!), this appears to be what happened. Martha won the primary and assumed she had the election in the bag and went on cruise control, apparently with the state Democratic Party in tow. She and they did not believe they had a fight on their hands to secure a seat held by Ted Kennedy for 47 years. If Rep. Mike Capuano had won the Democratic primary, I believe he would have beat Scott Brown and as I seasoned politician, would have noticed what was happening.
Scott Brown then started with a TV ad in late December/early January using of all people, President Kennedy, talking about lowering taxes. It caused an uproar. Martha then started with her very negative ads, overlearning the negative and previously effective ads used by the Republicans, normally abhored by the Democrats. She is an effective prosecutor and knows how to attack, but the Republicans changed strategy. Scott Brown did not have any negative ads. Rather, his other ads showed him going around city neighborhoods, meeting, greeting and shaking people’s hands, something Martha did not do.
Scott Brown also had lots of internet ads, asking people to donate or volunteer, the week before the election. Martha’s internet ads started the day before the election. So, he modeled Barack Obama’s use of the internet in his campaign with Teddy Kennedy’s meet and greet in the neighborhoods! He used Democratic tactics, charm and personality to get elected. I do not believe it had anything to do with issues. People in Mass are also fed up with their local state Democratic politicians, some of whom have recently been charged with corruption.
It was all about charm and personality and Howard Dean’s polls suggest this. That Mass voters fell for it is unbelievable. They are usually not so easily duped and I believe will be greatly disappointed. He said he was an independent, but who did he meet with in Washington today? John McCain!
As I stood in the voting booth to cast my vote, I was tempted to write in a candidate: Ted Kennedy Jr.!
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