We talked at some length yesterday about the sharp drop off in public support for the Republican Party. To its credit, CNN asked Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus for his reaction to his party reaching its lowest level of support in a generation. He had a creative explanation:
“I think people are frustrated with a lot of what goes on in Washington. I think, most of all, people are frustrated with a president who continues not to lead in the most important debate in our country.”
Pressed further about his party’s poor standing, the RNC chair added:
“[W]e have a president who is not a willing partner to have tough conversations like the conversation that Paul Ryan was willing to have.”
So, let me get this straight. President Obama has seen his support slip, but he’s still the most popular figure in Washington. Favorability ratings for the Democratic Party are surprisingly stable. And Republican popularity reaches a new low … and it’s Obama’s fault?
Here’s a chart I whipped together, using CNN poll results, showing the GOP’s favorability/unfavorability over the last year or so. It might make Priebus feel better to blame a Democratic president for his party’s declining support, but that really doesn’t make any sense.
