Ray Bogan: PRESIDENT BIDEN’S POLL NUMBERS CONTINUE TO MOVE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
A NEW POLL FROM MARIST AND NPR SHOWS 41 PERCENT OF ADULTS APPROVE OF HIS JOB PERFORMANCE, WHILE 55 PERCENT DISAPPROVE. THAT’S A DROP FROM EARLIER THIS MONTH, AND THE WORST RATING HE’S RECEIVED SINCE TAKING OFFICE. (12/9/21 – 42% APPROVE – 51% DISAPPROVE)
AS WE MOVE INTO THE 2022 ELECTION YEAR, THE PROBLEMS ARE COMPOUNDING.
FIRST THE CORONAVIRUS IS SURGING AROUND THE COUNTRY AS THE OMICRON VARIANT EVADES VACCINE ANTIBODIES. CASES ARE UP MORE THAN 20 PERCENT COMPARED TO TWO WEEKS AGO. THE PRESIDENT WILL MAKE AN ADDRESS TONIGHT WHERE HE’LL TRY TO BALANCE HIS MESSAGE OF CAUTION, WITHOUT BEING TOO RESTRICTIVE.
Jen Psaki: “This is not a speech about locking the country down. This is a speech outlining and being direct and clear with the American people about the benefits of being vaccinated, the steps we’re going to take to increase access and to increase testing, and the risks posed to unvaccinated individuals.”
Ray Bogan: SECOND, THE PRESIDENT’S AGENDA IS AT A STAND STILL AFTER DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOE MANCHIN SAID HE’LL VOTE AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN’S BUILD BACK BETTER BILL.
MANCIN ON RADIO INTERVIEW: 4:30 – 4:44 “I SAID WE’RE IN A 50-50 SENATE. YOU ALL ARE APPROACHING LEGISLATION AS IF YOU HAVE 55 OR 60 SENATORS THAT ARE DEMOCRATS AND YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. WELL YOU KNOW WHAT WE’RE ALL DIVERSE.”
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER SAYS THE SENATE WILL VOTE ON A REVISED BUILD BACK BETTER BILL EARLY NEXT YEAR, AND THAT THE SENATE WILL KEEP VOTING UNTIL THEY GET SOMETHING DONE.
THE B-B-B IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE PRESIDENT’S SIGNATURE LEGISLATION FOR SOCIAL AND CLIMATE ISSUES. BUT NOW IT’S FROZEN IN LEGISLATIVE PURGATORY AHEAD OF NEXT YEAR’S MID-TERM ELECTIONS, WHEN VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHICH PARTY CONTROLS THE HOUSE AND SENATE. IN WASHINGTON, FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M RAY BOGAN.