Democratic governors send a message to Republican governors with "cheer up" buttons at governors' meeting.
From left, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, and North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue wait for President Barack Obama to speak before the National Governors Association, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Republican politicians are concerned with the length and tone of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Meanwhile, Republican governors said at the National Governors Association meeting that they want the candidates to focus on the economy rather than social issues.
Democratic governors attending the National Governors Association meeting had a message for the Republicans: Cheer up.
The negativity has started to negatively impact Americans' opinions of the candidates, a new Gallup poll found. None of the Republican candidates have strong favorable opinion percentages, and none of the four are near the favorable opinion percentages enjoyed by the Republican candidates in the three previous presidential elections at the same point in the campaign, according to the conclusion published by Gallup.
Fifty percent have a favorable opinion of President Barack Obama while 48 percent have an unfavorable view, according to the poll. Both Republican candidates Mitt Romney and Ron Paul have 39 percent favorable opinions. However, 40 percent have an unfavorable view of Paul and 47 percent have an unfavorable view of Romney.
GOP candidate Rick Santorum, who has gained momentum in the race in recent weeks, registered with a 38 percent favorable view vs. 35 percent unfavorable. Twenty-six percent have a favorable view of presidential candidate Newt Gingrich while 61 percent have an unfavorable view, according to poll numbers.
Former Republican presidential candidates John McCain and Mike Huckabee as well as some Republican governors said they fear the long-lasting nomination fight could hurt the Republicans' chances at winning the presidency in November.
Huckabee cautioned the rhetoric used in the Republican campaigns, calling it a "toxic atmosphere" during an interview with an Israeli TV station.
"And I would love to be able to say that it's going to be all about ideas and solutions, but unfortunately, a lot of it is just being able to say I am more angry at the Obama administration than somebody else," he said, adding that the atmosphere in the race doesn't motivate him to run for office.
Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said the Republican primary race is taking the focus away from the policies of President Barack Obama.
"And the other thing is, of course, when four Republican candidates are contesting each other for the nomination, a hard-fought race, attention is being taken away from Obama's policies and the results of those policies, which are mighty poor. And any time we're not talking about Obama's policies and the results of those policies, we're not talking about what's the best thing for Republicans in the election," Barbour said on CBS' This Morning.
Barbour, the former Republican Party chairman, added that he thinks it's unlikely that the primary race will continue until the national convention.
McCain said on ABC's This Week he's concerned the negative tone of the presidential candidates will push people to vote for Obama rather than a Republican.
"I've been in very tough campaigns. I don't think I've seen one that was as personal and as characterized by so many attacks as these are," he said.
Their concern echoes former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who said last week the negative rhetoric being used in the Republican primary race could push independent voters into Obama's camp.
At the National Governors Association meeting this past weekend, Republican governors said they hope the negativity in the primary battle won't affect the November race and the candidates need to bring the focus of the race back to the economy and jobs.
Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell said the primary race is producing clips that can be used by Obama's campaign against the Republican nominee. Indiana Gov. Mitch McConnell said he hopes the bickering between the Republican candidates on non-economy issues will be long forgotten by the time voters go to the polls in November.
McDonnell, who is said to be a possible Republican vice presidential pick, also said at the meeting that his constituents are concerned about the economy and bringing the national debt down.
Meanwhile, Democratic governors stated what they thought at the meeting with buttons that said, "Cheer up."
"These Republicans that are running for president are so depressed. We've got some good news -- a great president creating jobs. And governors who are seeing job creation and therefore revenues," Democratic Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin said during a speech at the meeting.
The Republican party's multiple candidates also became the butt of a joke during the Oscars Sunday. While listing roles played by actor Christian Bale, host Billy Crystal said, "A dark knight, an American psycho, a charismatic crack addict. You'll get to choose one on Super Tuesday."