Obama's Poll Numbers Are Falling to Earth

[alienlovechild 75]

Polling data show that Mr. Obama's approval rating is dropping and is below where George W. Bush was in an analogous period in 2001. Rasmussen Reports data shows that Mr. Obama's net presidential approval rating -- which is calculated by subtracting the number who strongly disapprove from the number who strongly approve -- is just six, his lowest rating to date.

M.E. CohenOverall, Rasmussen Reports shows a 56%-43% approval, with a third strongly disapproving of the president's performance. This is a substantial degree of polarization so early in the administration. Mr. Obama has lost virtually all of his Republican support and a good part of his Independent support, and the trend is decidedly negative.

There is also a clear sense in the polling that taxes will increase for all Americans because of the stimulus, notwithstanding what the president has said about taxes going down for 95% of Americans. Close to three-quarters expect that government spending will grow under this administration.

Recent Gallup data echo these concerns. That polling shows that there are deep-seated, underlying economic concerns. Eighty-three percent say they are worried that the steps Mr. Obama is taking to fix the economy may not work and the economy will get worse. Eighty-two percent say they are worried about the amount of money being added to the deficit. Seventy-eight percent are worried about inflation growing, and 69% say they are worried about the increasing role of the government in the U.S. economy.

Support for the stimulus package is dropping from narrow majority support to below that. There is no sense that the stimulus package itself will work quickly, and according to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, close to 60% said it would make only a marginal difference in the next two to four years. Rasmussen data shows that people now actually oppose Mr. Obama's budget, 46% to 41%. Three-quarters take this position because it will lead to too much spending. And by 2-to-1, voters reject House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's call for a second stimulus package.

There is no real appetite for increasing taxes to pay for an expanded health-insurance program. Less than half would support such an idea, which is 17% less than the percentage that supported government health insurance when Bill Clinton first considered it in March of 1993.

Finally, what probably accounts for a good measure of the confidence and support the Obama administration has enjoyed is the fact that they are not Republicans. Virtually all Americans, more than eight in 10, blame Republicans for the current economic woes, and the only two leaders with lower approval ratings than Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are Republican leaders Mitch McConnell and John Boehner.

Mr. Schoen, formerly a pollster for President Bill Clinton, is the author of "Declaring Independence: The Beginning of the End of the Two Party System" (Random House, 2008). Mr. Rasmussen is president of Rasmussen Reports, an independent national polling company.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123690358175013837.html

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Are you rejoicing in the streets with VW, and Danno and the others?

[_Simpson_ 250]

Im not rejoicing in the streets but it is refreshing to see that people are starting to get it and that Obama is not the god the media made him out to be and that he doesnt have the answers. Hopefully this kind of logic will lead them to realizing that "government is the problem not the solution"(Reagan) and then we can move forward in a effective way and address the economy issues.

[SMOKE 1,426]

Im not rejoicing in the streets but it is refreshing to see that people are starting to get it and that Obama is not the god the media made him out to be and that he doesnt have the answers. Hopefully this kind of logic will lead them to realizing that "government is the problem not the solution"(Reagan) and then we can move forward in a effective way and address the economy issues.

Are you rejoicing in the streets with VW, and Danno and the others?

[_Simpson_ 250]

Im not rejoicing in the streets but it is refreshing to see that people are starting to get it and that Obama is not the god the media made him out to be and that he doesnt have the answers. Hopefully this kind of logic will lead them to realizing that "government is the problem not the solution"(Reagan) and then we can move forward in a effective way and address the economy issues.

Are you rejoicing in the streets with VW, and Danno and the others?

Yeah except I make it look cool.

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

[_Simpson_ 250]

that just hurts

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Not in denail at all. If it doesn't work I'll have no problem admitting it and critcizing him. But it's still much too early to say that it won't work.

There are still a few club members who haven't reported yet. Maybe because it's the weekend?

Edited March 14, 2009 by spookyturtle

[Sofiyya 1,687]

FYI: It's 12:45 PM MT, and Fox News has just shown a teaser about this issue that will be the next feature.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

No big part of this, assuming the poll is correct, is the over all climate of fear which the media, and right wing wing nuts in particular, are putting out. Our economic situation, and the world in generals is in bad shape, the media blitz is adding to the frenzy.

Just about six weeks into his presidency, and eight years of Bush/Cheney with assistance from Republican Senates and Congresses, extreme amounts of unchecked corporate greed and a healthy dose of souring of the world economy, and the radical right is effectively pinning it entirely on Obama. Genius! And I do not hear reasonable alternatives, merely blaming of Obama and trumpeting the same talking points which lost the Right the campaign.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

No big part of this, assuming the poll is correct, is the over all climate of fear which the media, and right wing wing nuts in particular, are putting out. Our economic situation, and the world in generals is in bad shape, the media blitz is adding to the frenzy.

Just about six weeks into his presidency, and eight years of Bush/Cheney with assistance from Republican Senates and Congresses, extreme amounts of unchecked corporate greed and a healthy dose of souring of the world economy, and the radical right is effectively pinning it entirely on Obama. Genius! And I do not hear reasonable alternatives, merely blaming of Obama and trumpeting the same talking points which lost the Right the campaign.

Spot on.

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

No big part of this, assuming the poll is correct, is the over all climate of fear which the media, and right wing wing nuts in particular, are putting out. Our economic situation, and the world in generals is in bad shape, the media blitz is adding to the frenzy.

Just about six weeks into his presidency, and eight years of Bush/Cheney with assistance from Republican Senates and Congresses, extreme amounts of unchecked corporate greed and a healthy dose of souring of the world economy, and the radical right is effectively pinning it entirely on Obama. Genius! And I do not hear reasonable alternatives, merely blaming of Obama and trumpeting the same talking points which lost the Right the campaign.

Spot on.

but i thought the media was left wing, so why are they involved?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

FYI: It's 12:45 PM MT, and Fox News has just shown a teaser about this issue that will be the next feature.

I would just like to see the media and his followers (here on VJ too) have some critical thinking when it comes to Obama. Because they don't have any now.

[HAL 9000 96]

No big part of this, assuming the poll is correct, is the over all climate of fear which the media, and right wing wing nuts in particular, are putting out. Our economic situation, and the world in generals is in bad shape, the media blitz is adding to the frenzy.

Just about six weeks into his presidency, and eight years of Bush/Cheney with assistance from Republican Senates and Congresses, extreme amounts of unchecked corporate greed and a healthy dose of souring of the world economy, and the radical right is effectively pinning it entirely on Obama. Genius! And I do not hear reasonable alternatives, merely blaming of Obama and trumpeting the same talking points which lost the Right the campaign.

Its OK. For each whinefest you see and hear, you have more responsible media pundits that aren't as ready to write off history and recent events for what it isn't.

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

FYI: It's 12:45 PM MT, and Fox News has just shown a teaser about this issue that will be the next feature.

I would just like to see the media and his followers (here on VJ too) have some critical thinking when it comes to Obama. Because they don't have any now.

critical (i.e. criticizing) thinking only applies when it's about republicans.