Another Big Election Already?
22 Construction Equipment Distribution www.cedmag.com January 2010 Government You're probably wondering why you are reading an article on the 2010 midterm elections when it feels like Barack Obama was just elected president a short time ago. There is no doubt that 2009 flew by. It seems like it was just yesterday that we met Joe the Plumber and the country was reacquainted with Bill Ayers. However, preparation for the 2010 campaign began the day the 2008 election results were final-ized. Immediately, recently elected representatives and senators up for re-election in 2010 started to hold fundraisers, scout out their opponents, and lay the groundwork for the next campaign. Unsuccessful candidates (mostly Republicans) began preparing rematches. And of course, all those who follow politics look to the midterm election of a new president's first-term as a test of his popularity. The Lay of the Land There is no doubt the 2010 election is shaping up to be a tough one for incumbents. Despite winning overwhelmingly in November 2008, according to Gallup, President Obama's job approval has gone from 67 percent approving of his job performance and 19 percent disproving in February 2009 to 49 percent approving of his job perfor-mance and 44 percent disproving at the beginning of December 2009. With the Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress by substantial majorities and holding the White House, the sputtering economy and high unemployment rates are going to pose a huge problem for Democrats unless the situation improves dramatically during the next year. Additionally, as in 2008, the American people seem to be fed up with the inability of Democrats and Republicans to come together to solve key problems, despite President Obama running on a platform of unity and getting things done. In 2008, Democrats won many congressional seats long held by Another Big Election Already? The midterm election will test Obama's strength and the ability of the Republicans to get their act together. By Daniel b. fisher