Negative Politics... Producing No Results... Equals a Nation Adrift

Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

By MAGGIE HABERMAN 11/9/14 11:39 PM EST

Time was, a politician with approval numbers well below 50 percent was in deep trouble come Election Day.

But in politics, 40 has become the new 50.

Last’s week election saw a slew of unpopular politicians get elected or reelected despite approval ratings in the mid- or even low-40s. It’s in part a product of voter disgust with both parties and a race-to-the-bottom political climate, in which both sides nuke their rival early and often and public opinion of Congress and institutions is extremely low.

SKIP

While there have been politicians in the past who have been reelected with weak approval ratings, the spate of tight races with people with a net negative favorable ratings was unusual this cycle. Instead of punishing the candidate who goes negative first, voters have become inured to the idea that both of them will. And approval ratings are no longer a reliable indicator of electability.

In “today’s politics, the hyper-partisanship and the huge campaign spending, has permanently warped our old understanding of political norms,” said Republican pollster Bill McInturff, of Public Opinion Strategies.

Pretty much sums things up. Don't look to see changes anytime soon,if ever.