Unemployed Have Slight Preference for Obama

Has Romney's effort to woo the unemployed failed?

The one silver lining to being unemployed may be that you've got much if not all of the day to make your way to a polling station to help elect the next president.

And who do the unemployed prefer in this contest, anyway? Business Insider informs us that Obama has a slight lead among those currently out of work, with 50% of folks in this category polled in a CNBC survey choosing the incumbent over rival Mitt Romney. The Republican was preferred by 45% of those polled.

Steve Liesman of CNBC provides the takeaway: "The split support among the unemployed suggests Romney was not overwhelmingly successful in winning the support of those who have personally experienced joblessness."

Via Business Insider.

Are you unemployed, or do you know anyone who is - and if so, is Obama preferred to Romney?

[Waynestew]

After the 47 % comment I don't know how anyone who is on unemployment could support Romney

[Zubo_I]

He heehe I hear ya on that one.

[LetsAllBeHappy]

I am unemployed and I am voting for Romney-because I want a job

[ACTSmom]

@LetsAllBeHappy ...I wish you the best in finding a great job and I agree that Romney is the best hope for that. If those unemployed don't feel like you, I guess that means they really don't want a job but prefer the current state of affairs. Sad.

[JoJo35]

Voting for Romney is going to make us loose everything. Only you can get yourself a job. Put applications in and do what you have to do. Its not like he is going to hand you a job if he gets in as the president. Romney did say he is not concerned about the poor and he is going to take things from us woman. What makes you think he is going to do anything to make our life easier.

[idlbeokay_bob]

@LetsAllBeHappy Don't count on getting a job if Romney wins. He would help out koch bros. etc... If you don't have a job you'll need several jobs to get the interest of Romney. Your best bet is Obama.

[RAS]

People need to take personal responsibility for themselves

[MRMacrum]

No I am not unemployed. I own my own business - a small bike shop in southern Maine. Unemployment in my area is lower than 3 years ago. The general mood is more upbeat. But on the commercial side - Main street businesses, there is entirely too much empty square footage. The storefront I share a building with has been empty now for 6 months at the least. Ther are empty store fronts up and down Main St.

Do I blame Obama? No. I blame the economy that was allowed to be sucked dry by irresponsible big business and the government that enabled them. Both sides of the aisle own the blame for this. I blame gridlock and an obstinate Republican majority in the House for their cutting off the stimulus before it could be used for us here on Main St. Their big buddies got bailed out, but no way were they going to let any of it trickle down to the small businesses that comprise the majority of businesses in Maine.

[Hireman]

How did Republicans stop stimulus spending?

[MRMacrum]

@Hireman The American Jobs Act. Had it passed I could have hired more help, which would have likely translated into a more solid bottom line sooner. And it would have saved me some taxes in the short term which would have helped put me ahead of where I am at the moment. But I am no longer worried. I know I am on my own and in spite of or maybe because of the scale being tipped away from me, I am determined to turn this business around. Back in 2008 I was desperate. I had never asked for a handout ever. Never on the dole, even though a few of my younger years as a newly wed were tough sledding, I still did not ask for help. And when I did the one time, I was disappointed. Let's just say there is some bitterness there when I see the Brooks Bros suits getting fat bonuses again after they took handouts that I felt ought to be split up a little more equitably.

[Hireman]

@MRMacrum When you said stimulus, I thought you meant THE stimulus. I do think GOP opposition to the AJA was partially politically motivated, but also the bill was flawed. It either should have been more robust, or dismantled for some of the reasonable provisions. I don't think you can point to party as a problem, but more our current government and the fact you have to get breaks in taxes in the form of "handouts" instead of reducing taxes and operating more efficiently. The problem is, most in government don't understand all the unpaid time you put into your bike shop -- doing the books, inventory, marketing, etc. It's best to strip them out of the equation as much as possible, no matter what party it is.

[DominicSarno]

Isn't it Obama's plan to make as many people dependant on government as possible? Those who expect handouts from government always vote for the party of more handouts. It's no different than paying people to vote for you. Obama doesn't want people employed! His policies are proof of that. This article proves what conservatives have always known.

[DARSB]

"Obama doesn't want people employed! His policies are proof of that"

Yeah, and that creating 5 million jobs in 4 years is a diabolical piece of misdirection.

[DominicSarno]

@DARSB yes creating fewer jobs than all the jobs lost as a result of the democrat recession and at a cost of over $5Trillion dollars over 4 years, proves Obama wants more people dependant on government.

You are correct. Thank you!

[DominicSarno]

@DARSB your sarcasm was not lost on me. I just consider it a Freudian slip.

[MRMacrum]

@DominicSarno "I just consider it a Freudian slip."

Sounds like it was more of a "liberal quip" that you didn't get until you thought about it. But what do I know? ;)

[LetsAllBeHappy]

@DARSB and how many are unemployed, on food stamps, working two part time jobs,

[DominicSarno]

What is the point of that sign other than to point out that Democrat presidents exacerbated both.

[MRMacrum]

"What is the point of that sign other than to point out that Democrat presidents exacerbated both. "

You have made laughably obvious that there was no point having you see it.

[Penn1699]

What do you expect? Most, not all like not having to work and get paid by the rest of us struggling to keep work.
I know someone who couldn't get "the right job" so stayed on unemployment for two years and decided to let her license lapse... Why bother if you can get something for nothing.
Wake up people! There is no such thing as a free lunch! Eventually you will have to pay and then there will be nothing left to help anyone left!

[Dan_Tien]

My votes go into a secret ballot, so don't keep asking. They are just between me and the Department of Homeland Security.

[msoler29]

Romney supporters are hilarious, really! You think Romney is going to help? If the dirty lieing pig wins he will launch the jobs to China guaranteed

[LetsAllBeHappy]

now first I want to thank you for the compliment-I love to make people laugh. I have voted for Romney-but your dirty lieing pig name calling was amusing.

[msoler29]

@LetsAllBeHappy
Romney doesn't have an answer for anything Obama asked him. Romnesia is more of a better name for him :)

[msoler29]

@LetsAllBeHappy
Obama won! Yes!

[LetsAllBeHappy]

@msoler29 oh yipee--I'll survive-so will America-it is all good-still glad to be an American-I congrads you-and by the way-thanks for not rubbing my face in it--I am sure Obama will do better considering the mess he inherited this time is his own--sorry still in the acceptance phase-boo hoo hoo-no really I am trying to be happy-

[msoler29]

@LetsAllBeHappy
I'm just happy that now we aim for a better Healthcare system.. this system sucks right now .. we need something better

[Hireman]

People receiving checks -- no matter how noble the purpose -- are more likely to support the person responsible for perpetuating them.

[Gottmituns]

That's crap, I'm currently unemployed, and I would rather have job instead a welfare nation. Those that vote for Obama, have selfish intent, and would prefer to have handouts instead sweat equity. I refused my unemployment insurance and refuse the opportunity of pillaging those that labor, is it pride, no it's simply knowing how to fish and being fed by another fisherman. I rather learn to do something about it, instead whining about the lack in my life at the time.
I say, give welfare back to the church, it's something they should do anyway. I believe what the bible say's, and that the church would be a better for discernment of those that receive it's means of living goods.

[LetsAllBeHappy]

I like most everything you said-I was working two part time jobs before I lost them when my husband became gravely ill and I had to quit-now I am looking for a job-they are so hard to come by-the ones I had were temp-but a job is a job. I am there with you re.-let the church handle welfare-but I think it is OK for some of our tax payer money helps the poor. We all pay taxes, even if we do not have an income-taxes on our utilities, gasoline, food. I would wish that you would change your stance on believing that those who vote for obama have selfish intent. Unfortunately my brother and a few of my dearest friends vote for Obama-they are voting for him because they agree more with him on the issues. They are all employed and my brother works his hinney off. The friends and family I have that vote Obama are not looking for hand outs-they just buy into this--"I inherited Bush's mess-its George W. fault. and think that Obama is on the right track-I disagree-but I sure do hope you change your thought about anyone who votes for Obama wants a hand out-it is not true. I am like you in as much-I have no work and could get food stamps-but my husband is retired military-so fortunately for us we still have an income-can pay all of our bills, buy our own groceries-I have a friend-Romney supporter, she is a single mom-lost her job and needs food stamps. Looks as if Romney is going to win-I hope so-because I believe he is best qualified to create jobs.

[Gottmituns]

@LetsAllBeHappy The church is what failed in the hopes of sustainment when times like unemployment come at hand. The tax supported welfare system has a very high tendency to leave the recipient of stamps to become dependent upon them and subject to the state.

[Denizen_Kate]

Obama has disappointed, but Romney's proposed policies (what little he's told us) seem too similar to the top-heavy policies that led to massive unemployment in the first place. For the last few years the unemployment percentage has been going down rather than up, even if very slowly. If Obama gets a second term, he'll be less worried about keeping his job and may perhaps actually do his job.

[Thegrif]

Maybe unemployment slightly went down, probably by the same number of people who had used up their unemployment and could no longer qualify for it.
As for Obama's second term, you might be right. But, what if Obama knowing he can't be elected again, really run America in the ground. If the man couldn't do his job with a super majority he had in first 2 years, i doubt he will do it now.

[tomincali]

the folks i know who are unemployed would rather be back to work and know they will not be under o. he sure has done alot of talking the last few years yet that is about it .

[KRadNJ]

That's because they have given up hope that anyone can turn things around and they have become dependent on the entitlements of welfare and unemployment. That's what happens in a welfare state!

[tomtheterrible]

Starting with FDR the Democratic party has been greasing the wheels of all those who would rather collect money than work for it! so, as par for the course, they will vote for any free handouts that the Democratic party is offeing.

[Tralee]

Actually I'm surprised the preference isn't much higher. After all Obama is the architect of the almost 2 years of unemployment benefits. I have to wonder if the intelligent workers have realized that 2 years off a technical job, which most well paying jobs are, is a death knell. Too much changes by the month and to be absent from your profession for almost 2 years puts you more than 2 years behind the competition. You may never catch up.

[Jlope]

Lol he made an effort?

For those of you who will be making snyde remarks, it is easy to try and put yourselves above others, but there may come a day when you need the benefits for which you have been paying taxes into your whole life. You could be the next person getting laid off for economic reasons.

[RICKKY]

NO, prefer ROMNEY.

[Patrn44]

I think the unemployed are NUTZ to go for Obama. The economy will not go up under him. I'm tired of working for those who don't want to work while my friends who WANT to work can't find work because of the sh***y economy!

[markwho40]

why in the hell did we put obama back into office i guess all the stupid americans that voted obama back in dont care about america or value there family and life and where does it say obama did good getting people to work he didnt do a dam thing in his first time in office and we will deal with the same but its going to get a lot worse in obamas second term