Poll: Republicans lack a leader

One month after Mitt Romney lost his bid for president, the Republican Party lacks a clear leader, according to a new poll. The Politico/George Washington University Battleground Poll found that Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc, continue to be the most visible leaders, but their favorability ratings are far below counterparts in the Democratic Party.

Romney, who is not expected to seek national office again, received a 47 percent favorability rating among poll respondents, higher than any other Republican except for Ryan, who is also viewed favorably by 47 percent. The survey polled 1,000 registered likely voters and has a 3.1 percent margin of error.

Other Republican leaders, however, are much less well-known, including House Speaker John Boehner who is leading negotiations for the Republicans on the so-called "fiscal cliff." While one-quarter of those polled have never heard of him, 34 percent of respondents have a negative view of him and only 29 percent view him favorably.

Potential Republicans running for president in 2016 have some work to do to gain significant name recognition. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is relatively unknown with 36 percent having never heard of him and 17 percent don't know enough to form an opinion. Only 33 percent have a positive view of the Florida Republican.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush does enjoy higher favorability ratings than unfavorable - 39 percent to 34 percent - but the ratings are far lower than current leaders in the Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, President Obama enjoys the support of 52 percent of respondents and a 50 percent job approval rating. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continues to be among the most popular Democrats, with 60 percent of respondents viewing the potential 2016 candidate favorably.

[omnibus66]

Republicans hate Obama, primarily because he's black, but also because he is a Democrat. Republicans watch Fake News religiously, and only talk to other Republicans who also hate Obama. This feedback echo chamber is an impenetrable bubble that they live in, and truth and fact bounce off of that bubble like a tennis ball against a battleship. And at the center of this bubble resides the leader, the true torch bearer of the Republican Party, the Oxycontin Kid, Rush Limbaugh.

[JV1970]

I hope they wait awhile until Obamacare is fully implemented and Obama's mandate that forces everyone to buy insurance is in force and then run another favorability survey on him. The results may be much different than the ones in the recent survey. People tend to change their minds very quickly about presidents when they are being hit in their wallets!

He'll be blamed when his policies cause everyone's taxes to go up too!

[Mathion]

So, what you're saying is that entitlements and not paying one's way are good things?
I mean, from a rational point of view, you folks complain about the "takers" and those who don't pay their way in life leaching off of the taxpayers. And now you're moaning and whining about people being made to pay their way?


You do realize that you can't have it both ways, right?

Either people pay their way or they don't. So which is it you want? Because, frankly, I'm getting damn tired of idiots whining about one thing then getting that thing then whining about what they get.

[TimeToEvolve]

The problem is that Republicons have shown they only care about rich white men. And they are so out of touch they don't even seem to realize how everyone thinks of them. So it should get way, way worse for them. Is spite of being owned and run by Wall Street billionaires.

[usunus]

Barack Obama himself was unknown in 2008.It is too early to write off the GOP.Four years is four lifetimes in politics.And the continued decline of America nationally and internationally has its own implications on politics in the country.

[TimeToEvolve]

No, they are owned and operated by Wall Street and those people REALLY don't get it. They are too greedy and out of touch with life on Earth.

[zorroaca44]

steady4ever ... you are spewing the same tired old crap we heard during the entire election ... go away already!!!!!!!!!!!

[zorroaca44]

It's just that it's soooo sickening to hear these fools like 4even talk the same mindless negative crap over and over

[thechooch1]

4ever "The popular vote was close". Yeah, Romney got 47%, real close. Gee where did I hear that number before?

[ronjula-2012]

what's this about Washington's spending? all those republicans and democrats via for jobs making well over $100,000.00 salaries. and don't give a cramp about who they hurt by cutting Social Security and Medicare. none of them will need it, because they all have over a couple millions in saving accounts and checking.

[TimeToEvolve]

The Cons have a leader, it is a few billionaire businessmen. The Party of the employer, the party of rich, greedy white men. No wonder they are headed to the trash heap of history. And not a moment too soon.

[Legallysane]

No leader gee ya think?

They rolled out Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck as leaders in the last election. No one in their right mind wants to be associated the stench these clowns left behind

[TimeToEvolve]

The difference with this Republicon lost election is that I don't think they are capable of coming back. Even with Wall Street billions. We had an Awakening because Wall Street was not happy just being incredibly greedy and rich. And since they own and run the Republicon party you know they will never give up their dream of an American fascist state.

[cntrygirl3]

This is not unusual after a lost election. And really the republicans don't have to worry as long as they let the fringe radical portion of their party decide who is nominated and dominate their conventions with their venomous hatred of everything non-white and non far right radical religious it really isn't going to matter.