Swing-State Voters Say They Are Not Better Off Than in 2008

Remember that famous debate when future President Ronald Reagan looked in the camera and asked voters if they were better off today than they were four years ago? That question was asked of swing state voters and the answer was a resounding NO!  Gallup polled registered voters in key 2012 election swing states (Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin)  and 56% said they were not better off today (verses 40 % who said they were) .

Obama's blame Bush tactic isn't work as well as it used to --as in these swing states twenty percent of voters say they are not better off and blame Obama alone. Another 15% are not better off and blame Obama but also blame George W. Bush and 7% blame Bush alone.

Voters were also asked if they would be better off in four years if Romney were elected vs if Obama was reelected. Not surprisingly the people who felt they were already better off than 2008 said the would be better off in 2016 if Obama were elected. Those who felt they were worse off than in 2008, said the Romney ticket would help them to become better off in four years.

This poll illustrates the crux of this election campaign.  Romney must make voters focus on Obama's horrible performance as president. Obama task is more difficult,  he must must transfer the attention away from his lousy record while at the same time demonize the GOP ticket (which is exactly what is happening). Although by aggressively beating CREEP to the punch, Romney seems to be slowly turning things around and getting the public to focus on the lack of economic results in the past four years.


You can find the full poll results here on the Gallup site.