Obama Engages Republican Field, Admits Americans Aren't Better Off

Strategic Insights -

President Obama launched a vigorous attack on the Republican field of presidential candidates on Monday, criticizing them for opposing his policies and refusing to compromise. In an interview with ABC News, Mr. Obama acknowledged that Americans aren't better off than they were four years ago, a concession that has become a challenge to his re-election campaign. The president's re-election team emphasized that the Republican candidates are out of step with most Americans, who support tax increases for the wealthy and passage of his $447 billion jobs bill.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Obama's re-election campaign has intensified its attacks on the Republican field of presidential candidates, accusing them of pursuing failed policies.
  • The president acknowledged that Americans aren't better off than they were four years ago, citing the high unemployment rate as a major issue.
  • The Obama campaign criticized Republican candidates for their stand on tax breaks for oil and gas companies, immigration, and economic plans that maintain tax breaks for large corporations.
  • A new ABC News poll shows 55 percent of Americans think Mr. Obama will be a one-term president, and Mr. Romney replied that he agrees, promising to get the economy back on track.
  • Mr. Obama's re-election team emphasized that the Obama campaign's slogan in 2012 is still being developed, but the president suggested "Our vision for the future" as a possible theme.

Statistics:

  • 55% of Americans think Mr. Obama will be a one-term president (ABC News poll).
  • 73% of Americans support repealing tax breaks for oil and gas companies (poll cited by Obama campaign).
  • The unemployment rate is still "way too high" (Mr. Obama's assessment).
  • The Obama campaign has proposed a $447 billion jobs bill.
  • The Romney campaign has proposed cutting tax breaks for large corporations.

Sources:

  • [Associated Press] Photographs] of President Obama and Mitt Romney.
  • [A memo from the Obama campaign] criticizing Republican candidates.
  • [ABC News poll] showing 55% of Americans think Mr. Obama will be a one-term president.
  • [Obama campaign press release] citing a poll on tax breaks for oil and gas companies.