Presented with an opportunity to win Independents back, Democrats sought to convince these voters that more intervention by the Federal Government was needed. More government spending to jump-start the economy. More government control of health care to reign in rising costs. More government regulation of energy to help the environment. More tax revenue to pay down the debt. As a result, President Obama and congressional Democrats pursued policies that exacerbated Independents’ worries instead of easing them.

The majority in Congress also postponed voting on controversial bills, such as cap-and-trade and card check legislation, and pledged to re-visit these items in a lame duck session of Congress. Failing to act on these items prior to Election Day intensified the political headwinds. In a dozen battleground Senate states, voters were less likely to support a Democrat for House or Senate if Congress failed to stop or delay the scheduled tax increases (55 percent) or if Congress waited to pass controversial legislation in a lame duck session (60 percent).

On job creation, Independents grew increasingly skeptical throughout this election cycle that government spending leads to a lasting recovery. In April 2009 Independents believed “the federal government is squandering money on pork-barrel projects, bailouts, and big spending programs that create few private sector jobs” by 53 to 40 percent. One year later, Independents believed the economic stimulus package failed to “protect or create millions of jobs in both the public and private sector” by 61 to 26 percent. In addition, 63 percent of Independents said the federal government should spend less to reduce the budget deficit. 

When voters said the economy and unemployment was the most important issue facing the nation, President Obama and congressional Democrats spent more than one year debating health care reform legislation which voters believe does more to increase coverage than control costs.