I don’t know how it will play at the ballot box, but my sense is that people are deeply pissed about the bailout. Over the past couple of days, I have overheard 3 or 4 random conversations about the bailout and, on each occasion, the people were discussing it in ominous tones. I think it has put the electorate in a nasty mood; though I don’t know precisely how this level of emotion will express itself.
In my campaigning, I’ve seen the same thing– with a lot more data points.
Will voters:
a.) take it out on those on who voted for the bailout;
b.) take it out on any incumbent; or
c.) just grind it into their usual dichotomy between disliking Congress but thinking their own rep is ok?
I don’t know whether to vote or not….I voted dem two years ago to get us out of Iraq and restore civil rights. The dems caved on that. I voted for a repub for mayor because of taxes. Ballard went back on his tax cuts when the state bailed out Indy on police pensions. And the money is not even being used for actual police. I just know that there will be some kind of an excuse for not capping property taxes. We yelled and screamed about the bailout and the congress ignored us once they figured out a way to make it “for the people”. Obama is already backing off health care reform which is sorely needed and talking about pouring our soldiers and money into Pakistan/ Afganistan. Discouraging.