does rahm want democrats to lose congress?

From Chris Bowers:

The best way for Democrats to keep improving is to focus on jobs. This is probably why, in a speech before a bunch of CEOs, Rahm Emanuel has declared reducing the deficit is the top economic priority for next year:

Deficit reduction over the long term will be the White House's primary focus next year, and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said at the Wall Street Journal's CEO Council conference last month it will be a "key component" of the president's State of the Union address.

"It is foremost on his mind and the mind of the economic team," Emanuel said.

Good idea. The budget deficit is also the top priority of, like, 2% of the nation:

CBS News Poll. Dec. 4-8, 2009. N=1,031 adults nationwide. MoE ? 3.

"What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?" Open-ended

Economy/Jobs: 47
Health care: 12
War/Peace (general): 4
Poverty/Homelessness: 3
Moral values/Family values: 3
War in Afghanistan: 2
War in Iraq: 2
Budget deficit: 2
Other: 20
Unsure: 5

This poll makes a mockery of the notion that the country is mainly concerned about the deficit right now. When people are not promoted with any choices, only 2% of the country independently lists the deficit as a top priority.