President Barack Obama used a White House press conference to continue his assault on congressional Republicans claiming that if his jobs program does not pass they, not him, will face the ire of the American public in the 2012 elections.
However, with his personal approval ratings at record lows, Obama’s tactic puts him on shaky ground.
While a new
Washington Post-ABC News poll show that 75 percent agree with the idea that millionaires should have their taxes raised, support of his jobs plan is at 52 percent.
Additionally, Republicans lead Obama 46 to 39 percent when respondents were asked who they trust more to deal with taxes, a reversal from April when the numbers were 47 to 42 percent in Obama’s favor.
In other words, any program proposed by the president loses ground no matter how popular.
“The failure of his economic policies means he no longer has credibility on issues of taxes and spending,” said GOP pollster Glen Bolger told The Washington Post.
Regardless, Obama spent the better part of an hour defending his program that calls for new taxes and his tactics of calling out GOP leaders such as House Speaker John Boehner for their failure to support his bill.
"I think the American people will run them out of town because they are frustrated and they know we need to do something big," Obama asserted.
In his press conference, Obama maintained that he has continued to try to work with the GOP on a host of issues including on debt and deficit issues but has gotten little in return.
"Each time, we have seen game playing," Obama said. "I am always open to negotiations. What is also true is they need to do something."
Congressional Republicans view the bill as another stimulus measure that would send billions to states and municipalities for road and bridge repairs and to help pay the salaries of teachers and safety workers such as fire and police workers, using new taxes to pay for it.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., asked, “If the goal is to create jobs, then why are we even talking about tax hikes?"
House Speaker Boehner said that “nothing has disappointed me more than what’s happened over the last five weeks to watch the president of the United States give up on governing, give up on leading and spend full time campaigning.”
Obama’s jobs measure faces its first real test when it comes before the Senate next week.
“If it turns out that Republicans are opposed to the bill, they need to explain to me, and mostly importantly their constituents, what they would do," Obama said. "What I've done over the last several weeks is take the case to the American people so they know what is going on."
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.