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Manhattan Diary by Cahir O'Doherty

Obama's approval numbers defy critics

Posted on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 09:29 AM

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In Washington it's believed that elections are decided by the economy and foreign policy.

But President Obama's numbers defy that conventional wisdom by staying solid even though the economy is in terrible shape.

Oddly enough he's doing very well with the public even though they're unhappy with the state of the economy. His approval rating is much higher than observers expect it to be based on how the country is actually doing.

The most likely explanation for this is that the majority of Americans still blame George W. Bush for the state of our economy. In fairness Obama hasn't turned it around yet, but it looks like the public didn't expect him to overnight and are intent on letting him win the war and not just the battles.

Gridlock in Congress may be another contributing factor, where's the GOP's rightward march and insuperable opposition to tax cuts and deficit spending are looking more and more extreme to the average voter. Fears over a default have now attached themselves to the Republican party, who - alongside the Tea Party -are now being blamed for the lack of pragmatism that's currently playing out before the cameras.

But it may be something more immediate than Obama's economic policies that's keeping his numbers high. It could simply be the public perception of him as a brilliant if overly cautious political operator who, time after time, meets his targets.

One other contributing possibility, and it bears thinking about, is the quality of the 2012 GOP field.

With several candidates already signing a shockingly extreme (and even racist) pledge to mollify the religious right, whilst others are accused of pandering to their ever changing audiences - the 2012 models barely command the respect of their own base, so it remains to be seen how credible a threat they really pose the president when their candidate of choice is eventually selected.

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MrSinatra | Aug 04, 2011, 06:03 PM EDT

the guy that wrote this is an idiot.

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maloney | Jul 30, 2011, 12:54 AM EDT

Oh the difference a week can make. And you were saying Cahir? LOLOLOL

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hollabackgurl | Jul 26, 2011, 05:07 PM EDT

The GOP got ahead of themselves in the deficit talks. Now they're snookered and the public is furious.

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Advocate | Jul 26, 2011, 01:12 PM EDT

The 'chains' you were instructed to Trust & Believe in have grown very heavy. He will soon grant total amnesty and (via UN Treaty), outlaw guns from law-abiding citizens. Obama's thinks is that the illegal's will help carry your "chains" cheaply wile they burn and trample OUR Flag. Only catch: We the SHEEPle must learn Spanish!

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maloney | Jul 25, 2011, 07:54 PM EDT

obama passes dream act by exec order. He must not be to sure of himself if he is depending so heavily on the illegal vote.

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hollabackgurl | Jul 24, 2011, 12:32 AM EDT

Republicans pledge their first allegiance to Grover Norquist and the Corporations before the USA, clearly. No wonder Obama looks good to us opposite that shower of transparent toadys.

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SusanneK | Jul 23, 2011, 06:37 PM EDT

Barak Obama's approval ratings are NOT good in the US. Sixty percent of his election votes came from the Hispanics and that's who he will cater to. He has to go!!!

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hancock | Jul 23, 2011, 02:49 PM EDT

He hasn't passed a budget, Pelosi carried the water for the disastrous "Obamacare", he spent trillions and unemployment went up. Ergo the empty suit. You seem a little challenged yourself sweety.

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irishjan | Jul 23, 2011, 12:38 PM EDT

OMG - where are you getting your facts and what liberal Kool-aid are you drinking. O'bastard's ratings are in the low 30s and tettering on dipping into the 20s. At this point ANY Republican candidate can easily beat him in the election. He has done nothing to REDUCE the debt, the jobs he claims to create never materialize -- all he does is spend $$$ on extravigant trips for his family and friends -- OUR money for his enjoyment. Wish that someone would expose him for the low-life mooching jerk that he is and get him out of office NOW. Why can't we show no-confidence like the British parliament.....

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olovely | Jul 22, 2011, 10:06 PM EDT

No, the independent voter (me) thinks the GOP have completely to the extremist Tea Party, who would rather run AMERICA into the ditch than compromise.

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caramia | Jul 22, 2011, 09:50 PM EDT

WHAT ARE YOU READING??? "Gridlock in Congress may be another contributing factor, where's the GOP's rightward march and insuperable opposition to tax cuts and deficit spending are looking more and more extreme to the average voter." The GOP's OPPOSITION to TAX CUTS ??? The GOP's opposition is to TAX INCREASES proposed by the Democrats and OBama. Dear lord. If you're going to pontificate, PLEASE get the facts STRAIGHT. Why am I even subscribing to this publication? Actually, the FACTS ARE, the "average voter" in America is backing the GOP's approach to our immediate fiscal crisis. Do your research.

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allentown | Jul 22, 2011, 09:40 PM EDT

Borders, Cisco and Lockheed Martin let go 23,000 employees. Housing prices to fall another 10% to 20% in 2012. You can only play politics so long, but the facts catch up with you. President Obama wants to protect Social Security, but have you seen the Obama Administration is using Social Security funds to support hundreds of illegal aliens living in new homes in Tacoma, Washington.

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Pittsburghkid | Jul 22, 2011, 09:35 PM EDT

Read Dara Kelley's piece on Diversity Visa. The Republicans are out lawing Diversity Visa, so more Irish can immigrate to America. Bet Obama Vetos it.

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olovely | Jul 22, 2011, 09:34 PM EDT

In what way, precisely, is Barack Obama an "empty suit" Hancock? Let me draw you out, otherwise you're just making phrases for the edification of the mentally challenged - and Maloney, who thinks he convices other people when he leaves his drive by comment, I have to inform you the public polls quoted in the article are not fantasy. What's fantasy is to pretend they don't exist.

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Pittsburghkid | Jul 22, 2011, 09:30 PM EDT

This is 2011. In 1967, Johnson was doing good in the polls, by '68 he was out of the race.

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