Eugene Robinson: Republicans aren’t closing the deal with voters

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/republicans-arent-closing-the-deal-with-voters/2011/11/14/gIQAr5wKMN_story.html?hpid=z3

Unemployment is at 9 percent, the housing market is moribund, “consumer confidence” is an oxymoron, and three-fourths of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track. So how is it that President Obama leads each of his likely Republican opponents in the polls? And why on earth is the gap widening rather than closing?

It’s simple: Voters are paying attention to what the GOP field is saying — not just the applause-line attacks on Obama but what the candidates propose to do about the economy. The more they talk, the more discouraged the electorate seems to become.

This should be the Republicans’ election to lose. They seem well on their way.

(snip)
According to polls, voters agree with the Democrats on major issues such as ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and preserving Social Security and Medicare. They agree with the Republicans that the government should spend less but seem increasingly doubtful that any of the GOP candidates would trim the budget in an intelligent and compassionate way.

And Republican electron fraud in general.

Which is why Obama will be re-elected.