The Obama administration lacks support from American voters on three key issues dealing with the environment, the economy and the broadcast industry, according to results from a breaking survey conducted by Zogby International and The O’Leary Report. Not only do American voters as a whole disagree with the Administration on ethanol production, the stimulus bill, and a bailout for minority-owned radio stations, but so do majorities of those who voted for Obama in November of last year.
The Zogby/O’Leary Report poll was conducted May 21-24, surveyed 4,037 voters, and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 1.6 percentage points.
Ethanol Production
Recently, the Obama administration stepped up its support for corn ethanol production by announcing an effort to steer the automobile industry toward manufacturing vehicles that operate on a gasoline blend that is 85 percent ethanol. In addition, President Obama is planning to offer special breaks to corn ethanol producers to shield them from the current credit crisis.
This extreme emphasis on producing corn for ethanol, as opposed to food, has caused corn prices to rise as much as 70 percent in just the past three years. This is turn has sent the price of many foods – including beef, eggs, and dairy products – skyrocketing.
The Zogby/O’Leary Report survey asked voters:
Q. Opponents of producing ethanol claim the use of ethanol takes crops out of production that would otherwise be used for food, thereby raising food prices. Supporters of ethanol production claim ethanol can help reduce automobile emissions and provide cleaner air. Which side are you more likely to support?
All voters Obama voters
Ethanol raises food prices 53.2% 37.5%
Ethanol helps reduce emissions 21.1% 31.5%
Neither 16.7% 18.8%
Not sure 9.0% 12.2%
A majority of those who voted for President Obama think that corn ethanol production has a large (and detrimental) effect on rising food prices, whereas a minority of Obama voters think corn ethanol helps reduce automobile emissions.
The Stimulus Bill
Many states that took federal economic stimulus money are now just reading the fine print and discovering federal mandates that are unfunded. To fund these mandates, many states will have to either raises taxes, cut spending elsewhere, or add to their already ballooning budget deficits.
The Zogby/O’Leary Report survey asked voters:
The recent stimulus bill that was signed into law contained federal mandates that are not fully funded and that states may ultimately have to cover on their own through increased taxes or state spending cuts. Do you agree or disagree with the bill’s unfunded federal mandates?
All voters Obama voters
Agree 21.8% 38.6%
Disagree 60.7% 35.8%
Not Sure 17.5% 25.6%
Obama voters are essentially split on the unfunded mandates contained in the President’s stimulus bill, with 36 percent showing disapproval.
Bailout for Minority-owned Radio Stations
Democrats in Congress, led by House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) and Barney Frank (D-MA), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, are pressuring Obama’s Treasure Secretary to bailout minority-owned radio stations in the interest of “promoting diversity” on the airwaves.
The Zogby/O’Leary Report survey asked voters:
Several Democratic members of Congress have asked Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to open up access to credit for minority-owned radio stations like the Treasury Department has done for GM and Chrysler. Do you support a bailout of minority-owned broadcasters?
All voters Obama voters
Support 18.0% 32.5%
Oppose 65.4% 42.1%
Not Sure 16.6% 25.5%
A clear majority of Obama voters oppose a bailout of minority owned broadcasters, as does a majority of America’s voting public.
