More than half of women see Obama's "successes" as failures

The White House may view the last 18 months as historic, racking up a legislative scorecard that includes a $787 billion stimulus package and an overhaul of the health care system.
A majority of women, however, see it as a failure, according to a new poll conducted by Kellyanne Conway for The Kitchen Cabinet, a conservative women’s group.

The findings point to the divide this year between Washington and the electorate, which has yet to give President Barack Obama much credit for his string of legislative victories.

Fifty-six percent of women consider the health care reform law a failure, while 29 percent view it as a success, according to the poll.

The economic stimulus package is viewed only slightly more favorably: 53 percent say it was a failure, while 34 percent say it was a success.

Among independent women – a group that Democrats and Republicans are battling over – a majority viewed the health care overhaul, the stimulus package, the auto industry bailout and the Troubled Asset Relief Program as failures, the poll found. TARP was approved during former President George W. Bush’s administration.

The negative take on what the White House views as signature achievements helps explain, at least in part, why the president and congressional Democrats have seen their approval ratings plunge since early last year and are struggling to gain traction ahead of the midterm elections. Women historically turn out in larger numbers than men, spelling trouble for incumbents.

“People who voted for Obama feel just as betrayed by the outcome as conservatives,” said Sonja Eddings Brown, treasurer and creator of The Kitchen Cabinet. “Everybody realizes we’re burying our kids in debt, and even Democrats realize hope and change had a price tag they didn’t expect.”