Poll: Is Obama now a fiscal conservative? Update: Even the AP scoffs
posted at 4:45 pm on April 20, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Today’s AOL Hot Seat poll measures the credibility Barack Obama gains with his massive budget cuts of $100 million, or 0.0029% of the total budget. Is he now the next Ronald Reagan, or the next Ronald McDonald? You decide!
Update: The AP channels Greg Mankiw in scoffing at Obama’s effort (via Instapundit):
Cut a latte or two out of your annual budget and you’ve just done as much belt-tightening as President Barack Obama asked of his Cabinet on Monday.
The thrifty measures Obama ordered for federal agencies are the equivalent of asking a family that spends $60,000 in a year to save $6.
Obama made his push for frugality the subject of his first Cabinet meeting, ensuring it would command the capital’s attention. It also set off outbursts of mental math and scribbled calculations as political friend and foe tried to figure out its impact.
The bottom line: Not much.
Third Base Politics says that Obama must have watched the movie Dave recently. At least Dave tried saving $650 million, and without spending more than four trillion dollars first.
Update II: The poll question is mine — I participate in the AOL Hot Seat program. I wanted to see how many HopeyChangeyUnicorny types were still left. Apparently, at 4:51 CT, about 24%. Hilarious!
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Redundant poll much…?
angelwing34215 on April 20, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Really? AOL would foolishly even poll this? Really?
myrenovations on April 20, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Great… now I need to clean the Mountain Dew off my monitor I’ve spewed onto…
Skywise on April 20, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I made 20 bucks a month ago betting on whether the stock market would end under a certain amount by the end of the week.
If this budget cut makes Obama the next Ronald Reagan, then my wager makes me the next George Soros.
MadisonConservative on April 20, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Obama is Anti-American.
Firebird on April 20, 2009 at 4:48 PM
I’m just really amazed that he can speak about the importance of fiscal restraint in his radio addresses without a hint of sarcasm or irony. What does that say about his belief of the gullibility of the American public?
kc8ukw on April 20, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Yes.
Next.
- getaclue
lorien1973 on April 20, 2009 at 4:49 PM
h/t ace
An analogy to drive home how weak this silly stuff is:
gatorboy on April 20, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Obama is a fiscal populist.
eforhan on April 20, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Funny that AP didn’t post this – no hiding how stupid his The One and The One’s Propagandists claiming fiscal conservatism.
klickink.wordpress.com on April 20, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Ed, you’re funny.
Joe Caps on April 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I put not sure just to mess around with people.
Cardiganfox on April 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM
He is a smart man.
Why can’t cons just accept this?
Adults are in charge.
carbon_footprint on April 20, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Barack Obama is to fiscal conservatism what Meghan McCain is to Astrophysics.
kingsjester on April 20, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Just saw this on Ace–GO TAPPER!
tapper is making a fool of gibbs right now re the “100 million” in spending cuts – tapper quoted gibbs during omnibus debate re 8 billion in earmarks being “tiny” part of budget
deidre on April 20, 2009 at 4:52 PM
If the Teleprompter of the US tells Hussein al-Chicago he is a fiscal conservative, then he is. If the TOTUS says he is a semi-closeted Maoist in Billy Ayers mold, then that is what Hussein will be.
It’s all in what the TOTUS says Hussein will be.
SeniorD on April 20, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Dear Leader’s a fiscal conservative.
Also,
Hugo Chavez believes in small government.
Donald Trump believes in one, lifelong marriage.
Paris Hilton believes in modesty.
rbj on April 20, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Numbers people.
He’s cutting 100,000,000 from the budget.
We have a budget that is 1,800,000,000,000 in the red.
We’re still 1,799,900,000,000 in the red.
Doesn’t include the 1,000,000,000,000 the Feds printed, largely devaluing the currency.
Only Partially includes the 4,000,000,000,000 we’ve spent ALREADY on this ‘Crisis’.
And doesn’t even begin to talk about the next 8,000,000,000,000 we’ve already committed to spending.
If this is Fiscal responsibility I’m King Kong.
Chaz706 on April 20, 2009 at 4:53 PM
The last one made me laugh – I think most of us would prefer McCain did not endorse any candidate we seriously would consider.
Some of those polls were pretty funny – though I know they were not intended to be.
kybowexar on April 20, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Hey, with 6 votes counted, it’s a 50/50 split vote… in DC.
Karl on April 20, 2009 at 4:54 PM
More like he’s physically constipated
oldernwiser on April 20, 2009 at 4:55 PM
In other news, with 4478 people voting, 24% apparently still believe they’re getting their rainbow-spewing unicorns.
Snowed In on April 20, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Yeah, the only state to even get 50 in support of Obama on this.
Esthier on April 20, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Of course, I’m doubly saddened that the Republicans “reply” by putting up someone to drone on in the most boring voice possible and in the vaguest possible terms about how tax cuts are good and healthcare is important. It’s so frustrating, you know. I read so many good, intelligent discussions of the real issues on sites like these. Is there some way we can fire every Republican Congressman and replace them with bloggers? It would be an improvement, you know. I really believe the intellectual arguments are on our side, but rarely does anyone on the national scene put them forth.
kc8ukw on April 20, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Ed,
Any one ever mention to you that you look a bit like Tony Soprano in the picture on the poll?
Shtetl G on April 20, 2009 at 4:57 PM
When I heard this morning about Obama declaring to trim the budget with his cabinet, I thought the figure $100 million was a mis-speak or mis-read by the newsreader.
$100 million (at this point in time) is such a drop in the bucket – it’s offensive that he’s getting ink on just making that statement!!!
tru2tx on April 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM
A majority in every state in the Union thinks Obama is fiscally irresponsible.
Combine this with the fact that Obama’s hitting an all-time low in his approval number and approval index today.
What is this? I thought the country “had moved left”?
Norwegian on April 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I betcha Ronald McDonald was more fiscally conservative than Barack, unless he was a closet Marxist.
Buy Danish on April 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM
No “present” choice ?
the_nile on April 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM
with 4,500 votes 24% say “yes”. Worst part is – they don’t care. Just keep the checks comin’ from us taxpayers.
marklmail on April 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Nobody likes seeing their tax dollars go to waste. No one of any political color. As I understand it, most of his savings come from stuff like purchasing office supplies bulk at large discounts.
That’s a very safe, popular, move.
eforhan on April 20, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Is this poll a joke?
lavell12 on April 20, 2009 at 5:00 PM
*blink*
*blink*
*refresh page*
*blink*
*checks calendar to make sure it’s not April 1st*
Is someone seriously asking this question?
Seriously?
Vic on April 20, 2009 at 5:00 PM
24%! say Yes!? Man, this is either Troll Central all of a sudden, or there are just plenty of /sarc freaks.
kirkill on April 20, 2009 at 5:00 PM
OMFG…There’s 24% who say Obama is fiscally responsible?
Falz on April 20, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Obama just forgot that $100 million is a small number. He’s like Dr. Evil. Except that in Obama’s case he doesn’t have years in suspended animation to blame for his cluelessness.
hawksruleva on April 20, 2009 at 5:02 PM
That’s in line with South Park’s view of the world.
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/155282
Esthier on April 20, 2009 at 5:02 PM
So, are 24% admitting that they have the fiscal knowledge of a goldfish?
shibumi on April 20, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Obama a Fiscal Con?
Was Hannibal the Cannibal a Vegitarian?
Did Hitler like Jewish American Princeses?
Does Hillary like Blue Dresses?
Is the OctoMom a good Mother?
Some questions are just too silly to take seriously…
Romeo13 on April 20, 2009 at 5:02 PM
I’d vote for Ronald McDonald over any of the Democrats in DC. At least the Hamburglar wears clothes that identify him as a thief.
kirkill on April 20, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Oh, and for all you who do Scientific Notation:
Budget Deficit: 1.8 * 10^12
Fed Printing: 1 * 10^12
Spent on Crisis: 4 * 10^12
Committed Spending: 8 * 10^12
Budget Cut: 1 * 10^8
1 Million Dollars: 1 * 10^6
Percent of Deficit Cut: 5.55 * 10^(-5)
(Or about .00005 percent.)
Chaz706 on April 20, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Don’t even have to click it to know which clip it is. It applies all too often.
Snowed In on April 20, 2009 at 5:04 PM
More like a fiscal illiterate, about what you’d expect from someone who’s never really had to make and manage his own money.
ddrintn on April 20, 2009 at 5:05 PM
…you probably didn’t vote for the current administration.
Snowed In on April 20, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Wow. TOTUS had a chance to really cut the budget and this is all we get?
Unhealthy Mutating of the budget….
TN Mom on April 20, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Doesn’t it though? I agree with Stan, “at least a fourth…”
Esthier on April 20, 2009 at 5:05 PM
MrScribbler on April 20, 2009 at 5:07 PM
It’s not the bother that AOL made an irrelevant poll such as this…It really bothers me that some idiots actually voted
“yea”
ShenronEX on April 20, 2009 at 5:07 PM
who gives a flying rats behind what a bunch of anonymous lurkers select on a stupid poll?
This is all a side show. Wake up america… our country is getting sold down the river and we’re debating whether or not Obama is conservative?
Maybe we should ask which of the following has the most things in common with our dear leader instead
Judas Iscariot, Brutus, Cassius, Benedict Arnold, Henri Petain, Pierre Laval, Axis Sally, Lord Haw Haw, Tokyo Rose, Quisling, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, David Greenglass, Morton Sobell, Alger Hiss, Philip Hansen, Guy Fawkes, Klaus Fuchs, Jane Fonda, John Walker Lindh, William Keller
gatorboy on April 20, 2009 at 5:08 PM
You can read Tapper’s exchange with Gibbs over at ABC.
Shockingly, the original question came from Jennifer Lovern of the AP. Why she’d ask a serious question, instead of the usual softballs, who knows. I’m sure she’ll get a reprimand letter from the Associated Press’s Director of Political Coverage, David Axelrod, tomorrow.
hawksruleva on April 20, 2009 at 5:10 PM
It’s AOL, so we should assume that at least 24% in any poll are retarded. But if we give them the benefit of a doubt, you have the 24% left who are either race-based voters (of any race) who lack the ability to evaluate this hairball rationally, or liberals who…same as above.
Jaibones on April 20, 2009 at 5:10 PM
I’m pretty sure Ed made the poll.
lorien1973 on April 20, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Where is the “You’ve got to be kidding me” option?
progressoverpeace on April 20, 2009 at 5:13 PM
What was great about this “push-back” to the tea parties was just how revealing it was. Now, I’m one who sees often just how revealing Republicans are, too.
But the notion that the Homeland Security is just now discovering that they can buy mass office supplies in bulk was so validating it scared me.
A bigger bunch of idiots, I have rarely seen in govt.
AnninCA on April 20, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Right now 23% say “yes” with 5309 votes. And 4% say they aren’t sure (although at least one poster here chose that response just to mess with Ed).
Are 23% of the American people really that stupid? Somebody please lie to me and say it ain’t so.
UltimateBob on April 20, 2009 at 5:14 PM
53% are that stupid, as we saw in November.
progressoverpeace on April 20, 2009 at 5:15 PM
I hope none of the 23% voting “yes” work in any bank where I do business.
rplat on April 20, 2009 at 5:16 PM
I sincerely think that life has outraced our government. I suppose that’s the case for everyone on the globe, not just us.
I don’t think this is going to be solved by any single party or personality, people.
I’m emerging after a confusing 2 years to decide that the solutions are in focus. Govt. focus on what it really does well and steers clear of what it doesn’t. Address its own obvious problems.
It SHOULD do intelligence gathering better. There’s an obvious lack of talent here.
It SHOULD provide basic emergency services. We all know that Bush is considered a racist now because that was such a show of ineptitude.
It SHOULD have a tax system that is actually workable. We don’t. Our own cabinet doesn’t meet the tests.
Simple. Keep it simple and do what you do competently.
AnninCA on April 20, 2009 at 5:17 PM
All the anger against the tea parties was clearly a case of “she doth protest too much, me thinks”
lorien1973 on April 20, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Who in the hell voted yes?
darwin on April 20, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Obviously, lorien. I do not begrudge the administration in its dismissal.
I do think this token cut of expenses is really just flicking off of the shoulder.
What REALLY is bugging me?
This is announced the same day Kerry announces a bailout for newspapers.
I loathe conspiracy-think.
But come on.
This is just way, way too obvious of a power grab on media.
AnninCA on April 20, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Stop that!
Loxodonta on April 20, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Bwahahahahahaha! Obama, conservative? This is a trick question, right?
txstar on April 20, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Seems fitting…Obama’s a one-trick pony.
Snowed In on April 20, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I voted “Not Sure” because the question wasn’t specific enough. Are we talking about his own personal money, or Other Peoples Money?
Onus on April 20, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Hmmm…..
The Happy Warrior or the Happy Meal?
Reagan said, “Tear down this wall,” and helped free millions of Europeans.
And now, The One is going to have all of saying, “Do you want fies with that?”
This is so difficult.
Loxodonta on April 20, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Could not agree with you more, Snowed In!
txstar on April 20, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Fie upon thee, Barack Obama!
Snowed In on April 20, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Snowed In on April 20, 2009 at 5:35 PMLoxodonta on April 20, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Obama is not even fiscally responsible in his own life. The media reported how “normal” and “quaint” it was that the Obama’s were only able to pay off their student loans in 2006 after Barack had gotten a load of money from his book deals, but they were not exactly making pennies before that.
Barack worked three jobs before becoming Jr. Senator of Illinois in 2004. From 1992-2004 he taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago, where professors make an average of $148,000/year (which is the regular professor salary. I have no evidence of it, but I’m sure law professors make more). From 1993-2004 he also worked for a civil rights firm, where I’m not sure what salary he made. From 1997-2004 he was a member of the Illinois state senate, where in 2005, the annual salary was $57,600.
His household was pulling in at least $200,000 per year, not counting whatever his salary was from the firm, and not counting whatever Michelle Obama was making (starting in 2002, she was making $116,000/year, which ballooned to $317,000/year in 05). Add in the fact that he was also making money for public speaking appearances, and I don’t find it quaint that he took so long to pay off his loans. I wonder what the hell he was doing with all his money.
Sir Corky on April 20, 2009 at 5:50 PM
At the end of Dave, when he’s elected, he’s a socialist.
Remember what his promises were. Watch the last 5-10 minutes of that movie again.
lorien1973 on April 20, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Well, this was good for a laugh. I believe Obama is fiscally conservative. I also believe rabbits are celibate.
scalleywag on April 20, 2009 at 6:06 PM
This is a joke…right?
al_einstein on April 20, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Are 23% of the American people really that stupid? Somebody please lie to me and say it ain’t so.
UltimateBob on April 20, 2009 at 5:14 PM
53% are that stupid, as we saw in November.
progressoverpeace on April 20, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Amen!!!
capejasmine on April 20, 2009 at 6:09 PM
I would think that number is bit low, considering that there’s a sucker born every minute. So, it looks like Obama’s into losing his base, now, too.
Dusty on April 20, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Obama is not only not responsible, he is without a doubt the most irresponsible President in terms of fiscal responsibility, add to that a Democrat Congress run by the likes of Pelosi and you have disaster.
Ed, I would add that Reagan was not really all that conservative in terms of fiscal policies. On an average he ran deficits that were higher than Bush’s, in terms of percentage of GDP. But he never even came close to the kind of spending Obama is asking for. No one ever has.
Terrye on April 20, 2009 at 6:22 PM
betcha Ronald McDonald was more fiscally conservative than Barack, unless he was a closet Marxist.
Buy Danish on April 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM
McDee’s introduced their racist burger. Pure black angus meat. 3.99 is the price. Not on the value menu either.
seven on April 20, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Hilarious?
Disturbing, sad, scary, lemming, socialist…but hilarious, I don’t think so.
cozmo on April 20, 2009 at 6:30 PM
If every federal employee took a $50 monthly pay cut, they would meet this goal in one paycheck.
Stegall Tx on April 20, 2009 at 6:40 PM
As a kid, I liked Dave. I thought the scene where his friend comes in and fixes the budget was great.
It wasn’t until I was older that I caught on to the socialist crap and Democrat propaganda.
Count to 10 on April 20, 2009 at 6:54 PM
20% still think Obama is simply doing the best he can with the awful economy and ginormous deficit he inherited from the previous administration.
Wonder when that top will stop spinning. The left can’t use that pathetic excuse for four years, can it?
BardMan on April 20, 2009 at 7:02 PM
BArdMan:
I sure as hell hope not.
Terrye on April 20, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Tomorrow I’m going to drink tap water for lunch instead of buying a diet coke at the cafeteria. That will be my cutback on wasteful spending for the entire year.
Having done that, I will have made a far greater sacrifice than what the Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers asked of his cabinet today for the next 10 years.
Daggett on April 20, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Where’s the “Good Lord, NO!” option?
Kensington on April 20, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Speaking of HopeyChangyy and unicorns- Has anyone ever re-visited Peggy to see how she’s doing? Unless she works for Acorn I doubt she got her car and mortgage paid. would love to know how she’s feeling about this these days.
Oh, I just ate an apple instead of a protein bar. My savings for the year are in.
marge on April 20, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Nope Dipweed. Folks that have never run a Lemonade Stand in July at a profit are killing the economy. Adults?
Yes and He can be hanged for Treason. Don’t let your mouth buy what your neck does not want
old trooper2 on April 20, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Who are the nutjobs in the 20% who say YES??? Man, I’d love to see their personal finances. They must be in hock up to their eyeballs.
NoLeftTurn on April 20, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Respectfully, STFU.
Ignorant, inexperienced, overwhelmed adults…maybe, but that would only be the beginning of a long, long, long list of negative superlatives Team Obama has earned.
People agree with me in 50 of the 57 states, too.
jcrue on April 20, 2009 at 8:27 PM
A Admin. that is pushing for trilions of dollars to be spent to “save us” thinks saving a few hundred million is showing fiscal responsibility?
God help this country… because the Dems sure aren’t.
Yakko77 on April 20, 2009 at 8:34 PM
One of Hot Air’s liberal trolls writes in brief, robotic, Zen-like aphorisms that are repeated over and over and over again.
Some of us who disagree with this troll, like carbon_footprint, have read these posts so many times, we can repeat them in our sleep. They can be infuriating or hilarious, depending on your mood and the situation, but they are almost always predictable.
And so, there are moments when many non-liberal posters anticipate this troll’s response, go into mind-numbed robot mode, and spew forth one or more of these robotic sayings. It’s a form of sarcastic humor and release. I confess I’ve done it myself, although I have somehow developed more self control recently, but just barely.
I’m trying to take the pledge and never mention or respond to this troll, hoping to starve it of all attention, so that it will either disappear, or at least not be so persistent.
So don’t feed the trollbots!
Loxodonta on April 20, 2009 at 8:36 PM
But he is the smartest man ever didn’t you get the memo. Your script must be off.
petunia on April 20, 2009 at 8:38 PM
I’ll feed ‘em just a bit:
Lorien, who needs a getaclue or carbon pinkieprint when every one of us can type their lines for them? As the Hillster said: Change you can Xerox!
bikermailman on April 20, 2009 at 8:42 PM
We are being far too picky. I mean he is saving $100m out of the $40,000m he is spending. Or is that $400,000M? After awhile, it gets a bit mind-boggling, eh?
The Opinionator on April 20, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Obama is a fiscal
populistnightmare. FIFYCollege Prof on April 20, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Is this 100M in total or per cabinet department?
wakey74 on April 20, 2009 at 10:46 PM
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