Pollster John Zogby grades the president’s week and how its events affect him and his agenda.
Grade: A
“Let’s be blunt.
“The president won a majority of the popular vote and 332 electoral votes. The GOP lost seats in the both the House and the Senate. Voters supported a tax increase on Americans with household incomes over $250,000. The GOP has lost a few congressional members and leading pundits who have publicly said that revenues must be on the table. The GOP is not only split, but also checkmated.
“If Congress holds out on negotiations, they risk alienating moderates (who gave Mr. Obama overwhelming support) and caving in to their base, who are not enough to win a national election (and who are a declining breed demographically). If they compromise with the president, they placate moderates and risk a massive revolt among conservatives.
“The GOP would be forced to rebuild and rebrand itself either way. If the budget goes over the fiscal cliff, the Republicans will lose — just as they lost when they allowed the government to shut down in the past. While this drama is playing out, the president gets to look like a president, present offers that are similar to what he won on, and watch those who oppose him fight among themselves.
“Make no mistake, there will be a deal, and the president will be viewed favorably.”
Last week’s grade: B
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