Obama's approval numbers defy critics
By: Cahir O'Doherty | Published Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 2:37 PM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:24 PM
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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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.MrSinatra | Aug 04, 2011, 06:03 PM EDT
the guy that wrote this is an idiot.
maloney | Jul 30, 2011, 12:54 AM EDT
Oh the difference a week can make. And you were saying Cahir? LOLOLOL
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
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.....
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
cillowen | Jul 22, 2011, 08:07 PM EDT
repugs are all about service to their oligarchical masters - did you see how O'Reilly went beserk in defense of his Hackdoc maven. No taxing of the wealthy allowed but taka aways from the folks who stick with america through thick and thin. You wont find them hiding their loot offshore. The plutocracy will place another tweedle dee into the breach - thus ensuring obama is a one timer - and so this democracy con goes on.
DannyBoyG | Jul 22, 2011, 06:35 PM EDT
Love to see all the angry and hated words for Obama. Truth is those people will have to live with him for another 4 years. Now know how we felt with GWB in his second term. Talk about nightmares!!!!!
haasny007 | Jul 22, 2011, 04:30 PM EDT
Extremist Republican retards keep him going. He will be reelected in 2012. Thank god!
irishbob | Jul 22, 2011, 04:00 PM EDT
The guy is a total idiot, but unless the Repubs come out with someone that can stand up to him, he will win in 2012. If that happens, America will be lost for years to come, and may never pull out from the tail spin he's put it in.
JBRAFTREE | Jul 22, 2011, 03:54 PM EDT
Sure, his numbers may be good, because he's giving away my middle class $ to the people that voted for him, and will again.
Nicomax | Jul 22, 2011, 01:31 PM EDT
About as good numbers as the revered Ronnie had in 1983, and he went on to a massive landslide in 1984. The Repubs. are swirling about in a sea of candidate confusion, only to get worse if the Texas whale jumps in.
slainte39 | Jul 22, 2011, 01:15 PM EDT
All these numbers and statistics quoted in these comments are slanted to the writers political agenda. Sometimes you have to have a gut feeling about things (without stats), to go forward, and my gut feeling about where the Republicans would take us...is not good. I'm happy with the present kool-ade...don't need one that's more lethal. It's not a perfect world folks and "the devil(Obama) I know is better than the one(tea party), I don't know".
Colliegirl | Jul 22, 2011, 01:09 PM EDT
I'm with colkelley. I went to the Gallup poll cited about. It's true Obama's approval rating are staying solid. That's solidly below 50%!! See Quote: "President Obama's job approval rating averaged just under 47% in the latest quarter, continuing a pattern of sub-50% approval ratings for him that started early in 2010. While this is not an auspicious indicator for a president's re-election in the final months leading up to election, it is still too early to say what it forebodes for 2012."
olovely | Jul 22, 2011, 12:53 PM EDT
Republican lies that are repeated over and over again: 1. tax cuts create jobs 2. mushroom clouds from Weapons of Mass Dee-struction 3. big government is bad for the common man (actually its bad for the filthy rich)
FastEddy | Jul 22, 2011, 12:53 PM EDT
LOL ... I suppose you believe what you hear from mass media about the slanted demofascist, NY Slimes pundits and polls ... "...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 ..." ??? Wah? Duh? ... You mean that any degrading remarks re: current administration policies and pontifications, will be taken as "racist"? Why Dat, bro? Again LOL! ... Re debt/deficit. "During the first two years of the Reagan recovery the dollar rose by 12% against other major currencies and by 34% versus gold. During the Obama recovery the dollar has lost 10% of its value against major foreign currencies and 39% of its value versus gold." - Louis Woodhill in July 18, 2011 Forbes Magazine
pounder | Jul 22, 2011, 12:27 PM EDT
Obama is not a leader and should not be returned to the White House.The current debt crisis is entirely his fault,simply because he let it get that way without any direction or leadership.What about the billions spent monthly on the wars he was going to end.What about the rising unemployment figures.One could go on,but I believe the liberal white guilt which got him elected in the first place will have been tempered by his performance,or lack of it,in the next election.Ditto for getting all the first time black voters out again.Obama is an empty suit who is exactly the wrong person to be sitting in the Presidents office during these critical times.
hollabackgurl | Jul 22, 2011, 12:21 PM EDT
The Republicans want to gut social security and medicare for seniors and the ill and give massive tax breaks to the rich. And they're doing it right out in the open where you can see them. It amazes me that anyone would consider voting for them.
BaltoIrishGirl | Jul 22, 2011, 11:47 AM EDT
Why in heaven's name would anyone with half a brain even consider a republican of any type for the next President? One does not turn around a shattered economy from the previous eight years of complete mismanagement, in just under three years. I don't care how smart you are!! Since the Gopers were first the party of NO, now they are the party of the fringes of political views. They speak with a forked tongue, especially Cantor of VA!!
Searlit | Jul 22, 2011, 11:34 AM EDT
seagreen, hang in there!
jimgordo1 | Jul 22, 2011, 11:05 AM EDT
One point that no one has picked up on --the Rpublicans and the Tea Party are NOT opposed to tax cuts -- they are DEFINITELY in favor of them, especially for millionaires. What they are opposed to is tax INCREASES for millionaires and large corporations under the guise of "It'll hurt small business." . They also want to balance the budget on the backs of seniors, the handicapped and the middle class
guiseppe | Jul 22, 2011, 10:55 AM EDT
I agree with tropiholic. I like the presidents handling of the currant situation and will definitely plan to vote for him in the next election.
slainte39 | Jul 22, 2011, 10:48 AM EDT
Most "quiet" independent politically Americans will probably vote for Obama as the Republican field and some of their proposals are "beyond the Pale".It always amazes me how much attention extreme "right wing" politicians and their loud mouth supporters, like the tea party ilk get from the "liberal" media...a conspiracy of idealogues? Stay in the center of the road, my friends...much safer.
olovely | Jul 22, 2011, 10:20 AM EDT
Apparently the conservatives on this thread can't read: the source poll is cited at the top of the second paragraph.
olovely | Jul 22, 2011, 10:18 AM EDT
It's true that most Americans blame the Bush administration for embarking on two ruinous wars and ballooning the deficit through historic giveaways to the rich. But Obama's poll numbers are also raised by comparison to his predecessor and the state of the current GOP field.
seagreen | Jul 22, 2011, 10:18 AM EDT
Why don't you guys beating up on Obama be up front for a change ? Instead of the junior high school name calling, the silly caricatures in the circulated emails that attempt to humiliate or derride the guy, just face the fact that if this guy gets reelected you are screwed ! By the time the next election rolls around in 2016, half of you will be dead (including myself) Demographics will have changed the face of the country to a point where no one will be able to elect or un-elect anyone on a racial basis. So for all of you that are trying to sink the ship to get rid of the rats, remember, your rear end will only float for so long ..
seanaci | Jul 22, 2011, 10:16 AM EDT
In other news; Iraqi’s purchases of candy and flowers soar as they make final preparations to welcome the coalition liberators. Afghanistan returns billions to US treasury to help them out with the debt ceiling crisis. Bush and Cheney turn themselves in to the Dallas police. Judge Bybee sentences himself to life in prison. GOP announces increases in Medicare and SS to be funded by tax on the rich. Elizabeth Warren to run for President. More at 11.
mikehoulihan | Jul 22, 2011, 09:57 AM EDT
Irish Central has zero credibility because you have clowns like this guy writing pure propaganda and lies.
jamieLM | Jul 22, 2011, 09:55 AM EDT
There's a poll to support any viewpoint. The accuracy of the polls are always in doubt because viewpoints are changeable and it depends on WHO, WHERE, and HOW MANY were polled to get the results. The only poll that matters is the voter-approval poll that takes place on election day.
colkelley | Jul 22, 2011, 09:35 AM EDT
Once again, Cahir engages in fantasy as fact "reporting." And for Tropiholic - you really need to stop the meds and avoid the Kool-Aid...either that or you are Black and a racist. A President's color is NOT a reason to vote for or against him/her. Condoleeza Rice would have gotten my vote because she is a brilliant and experienced diplomat who holds TWO PhDs and speaks several languages. Obama, on the other hand, stutters and stammers like he can't put a thought together (Bush was dumb because he stuttered, but Obama is brilliant because he stutters?), and his only prior experience was running for office and voting "Present" rather than take any stand...and THAT is a "great President?" You can't vote "Present" as President and without that option he is lost. It is time to stop looking at his color and start looking at his policies, his waste (a $2 BILLION trip to India), and his complete lack of ability to execute the office of POTUS and vote with your brain after you stop taking drugs.
Tropiholic | Jul 22, 2011, 09:24 AM EDT
I love my President O and can't wait to vote for him again in 2012. I'll work hard for his campaign and donate as much as I can afford. The alternative is too ghastly to contemplate.
shamrock99 | Jul 22, 2011, 09:15 AM EDT
Where or where do you get your information? By far, the vast majority of polls indicate that Obama's popularity and support have dipped well below the 50% mark. It might be well, if you would begin to implement the oldest journalistic principle.."be honest, truthful and objective"