That’s Democratic political consultant James Carville opining on the political benefits of smoking crack cocaine, or something -- this morning on MSNBC.
During the segment, Carville suggested that the president should “take a toke” of illicit drugs. Why? Because unlike the disreputable mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, who actually did (whose approval ratings are surprisingly pretty solid all things considered), the president’s approval ratings are sliding towards historic new lows. That’s a roundabout way of saying smoking crack is perhaps less politically damaging and acceptable to the public than President Obama’s signature healthcare law:
Democratic strategist James Carville had a rather novel suggestion Monday for President Obama and his sagging poll numbers.
“I think the best thing he can do is take a toke on the mayor of Toronto’s crack pipe,” Mr. Carville joked on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” pointing to embattled Mayor Rob Ford’s slightly better approval ratings.
A new Pew Research poll shows that Mr. Obama’s overall job approval rating is at 41 percent — 14 points down from last December — with 53 percent disapproving.
A recent Forum Research poll, meanwhile, showed the Toronto mayor’s approval numbers relatively resilient in the face of his recent admission that he’s smoked crack cocaine. Forty-four percent approve, though about two-thirds say he should resign or seek rehab.
“The health care thing — who’s to say? I do not know,” Mr. Carville continued. “But on November 30, suppose it’s working well; that story will fade somewhat in the background. I think we can stop putting the nails in the coffin here. We can admit that there are some real, deep fundamental problems with this president, but I think we’re throwing the dirt here too soon, guys — I really do.”
Of course, we’re talking about two separate and distinctive countries here. But isn’t it sort of strange that a Canadian mayor who finally admitted to reporters he smoked crack -- “probably in one of [his] drunken stupors,” as he so eloquently put it -- is more popular with his constituents than the Leader of the Free World is with his? Rob Ford must be doing something right.
Or perhaps we shouldn’t be giving the man too much credit just yet. Here's why.