Why are Obama's approval ratings so lousy?

[quinnox]

He is barely holding his head above water right now. According to Gallup, 49% approve and 44% disapprove.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/gallup-daily-obama-jo...

Its astonishing how quickly the public seemed to sour on Obama, he was close to 70% at one time.

And the trend has been downward ever since, except for recently when he seems to be hovering around 50% for a while now.

Anyone else worried that Obama is not more popular, and any ideas why he is doing lousy in approval?

I'm wondering if Obama may eventually be a drag on the Democratic party and that would really suck.

[leeroysphitz]

1. Nice.

[Mari333]

13. hahahaha.

[pocoloco]

31. Not nice, it's called wimping out!

[LynneSin]

2. Because terrorists haven't flown planes into 3 landmark buildings?

Bush was on his way to having even worse ratings until 9/11 happened.

[berni_mccoy]

3. Oh Noes! DOOM GLOOM BOOM. Actually, he's on the rise while Congress if falling.

[jaxx]

4. Nope, he's not a drag.

When people tell the pollsters that they are disenchanted with not getting their personal agendas filled, it shows on the polls. When the rightwing lies about health care reform on a daily basis it makes the uninformed afraid. That is their reasoning...scare the pants off of them and they'll run away screaming nooooooooooooo.

They never call me, I'd up their poll.

[niceypoo]

5. I just hope he doesnt bother looking at his approval ratings

When politicians do things in reaction to polls, nothing ever gets fixed.

[ProSense]

6. When he sinks to

below Reagan's 35% or Clinton's 37%, then it may be time for concern.

[RainDog]

7. because he has ignored those who supported him?

...because anyone who reads the Obama supporters on this site grow to hate him because of them?

...because no one want an insurance co. giveaway rather than health care reform?

...because people voted for him to undo the Bush era policies and voted for him to uphold the constitution, as he promised he would do, and then see him continue to uphold abuses of FISA, etc?

...because people did not expect him to reward "faith-based" organizations whose track records show they are hostile to democratic values?

...because he has attacked unions and supported Wall Street?

[QC]

22. +1

[Catshrink]

34. ... because he's continuing Bush's attack on public education

and the vilification of teachers?

[lutefisk]

93. He's actually out-Bushing Bush in education policy.

And Arne Duncan is as offensive as any Bush appointee I can think of.

[readmoreoften]

37. +1

[Kaleva]

41. Liberal Dem support for Obama is still up in the 80% range.

[Starry Messenger]

68. This.

[lolly]

83. Arne Duncan doesn't help

As surprising as this may be to some, a lot of us who voted for Obama did not do it in the hope that he would double down on Bush's drive to destroy public education and reduce teachers to the status of Wal-Mart wage slaves.

Whooda thunkit?

[Starry Messenger]

95. I certainly never heard that speech if that was in his plans.

This is the guy I voted for:

“… I’ll tell you what’s wrong with No Child Left Behind,” President-elect Barack Obama said in a speech in Manchester, New Hampshire in 2007. “Promising high-quality teachers in every classroom and then leaving the support and the pay for those teachers behind is wrong. Labeling a school and its students as failures one day and then throwing your hands up and walking away from them the next is wrong.”

http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Obama_Child_L...

[DiverDave]

69. +2

nailed it.

[Romulox]

91. Inner circle made up of Clintonites, Chicago Boys, and Goldman Sachs rejects... nt

[Luciferous]

92. Yep. You nailed it.

[timeforpeace]

8. It's not a popularity contest. At least when he's under 50%. Otherwise it is.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted sub-thread

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[3324SS]

10. Why the low numbers????

Because most people right now think he and the Dems are weak and infective.

It has been 1 year with no major legislation that will either put millions back to work, or get them lower HC costs or access to a Dr.

Most people don't care about the details, all they understand is 51 votes is a MAJORITY, Dems had 60 now 59.

What's the problem?

Right now it is perception and add to that the RW Echo chambers non stop attacks against Dems. Don't forget 90% of talk radio is run by the echo chamber.

[MarjorieG]

11. Maybe because of unequal samples and media misinformation campaign

[Captain Hilts]

30. Maybe because it's a pattern common with most presidents. RR, Clinton, etc. nt

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

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[quinnox]

15. right, sorry the numbers are real

Its not spin, look at the hard numbers. Maybe its unpleasant to face reality but just pretend a 49 - 44 split is awesome...

[Bobbie Jo]

17. Interpretation is spin.

...but you already know that.

Maybe not "awesome"....but "lousy?"

Like I said....spin.

[Warpy]

14. People don't see change happening and they're losing hope

mostly thanks to the health care morass in Congress. Obama is being blamed for not being able to ram it straight through the way Republicans ram their tax cuts for rich cronies through.

This is the end game for the old system, when corruption is being exposed in all the institutions people were told to trust but nobody's going to jail and regulations haven't yet been enacted.

Once the first set of reforms gets through, things will likely start to turn around. While we're kept in a holding pattern, stymied by Republican temper tantrums, the approval rating will stay very low.

[O is 44]

16. I'll worry about his ratings when he is up for reelection again

[quinnox]

18. but if he goes lower it will hurt the Democratic party in the

mid term elections. You don't care about that?

[O is 44]

33. The pathetic congress hurts their own ratings

when they don't vote the way the majority wants, don't hide behind this President when all they have to do is vote. Tell me why again after several weeks on trying to get 50 senators to sign on to the public option letter, it stopped in the 40’s, same goes for the jobs bill, financial reform. They have only themselves to blame. I don't by the bullshit they can't act without the President's go ahead.

[lolly]

72. Maybe because he opposed it?

Obama made no bones about the fact that he didn't want the public option, that it was off the table.

True, he can't take over and vote for everyone in congress. But why the hell would they buck the insurance co. donations and stick their necks out when he has opposed it?

[O is 44]

75. He has never opposed it,

all they need to do is vote, Congress needs to put up or shut up and stop waiting for their hands to held by this President.

[sabrina 1]

87. Maybe because they knew, as we did because he said so,

that the President thinks it's 'not that important'? Of course that should not affect them. They are an equal branch of government and should not be influenced by the president, especially when he's wrong, or by big busines waving checks in their faces. But that is how DC works. And apparently under this administration it is not to 'change'.

[Lasher]

23. Maybe we should worry about his ratings during the midterms coming up this year.

It matters.

[azmouse]

19. Thanks for your concern.

I'm sure President Obama is losing sleep over it.

[kctim]

20. Because the economy is still dragging

all other excuses are nothing but partisan BS.

[Pirate Smile]

21. What a load of crap. When Reagan had bad unemployment he was down to 35%. It is surprising

Obama has stayed around 50%.

[quinnox]

25. ok, so going from close to 70% down to 50% is a great thing...

uh huh. Seems like nearly a 20 point loss to me, but that must be crap too.

[Jennicut]

35. It is the economy, pretty much. Reagan had it bad at this stage with the economy and Clinton was

around this WITHOUT a horrible economy, in 1994 we were out of the recession. Also, no President ever retains 70% approval in the modern era. The country is too split right now and the issues are too complex.

[Lasher]

29. Yep, Saint Ronnie was in the mid-40s at this point.

I wonder how it can be that the Most Popular Person who has Ever Lived managed to poll that low.

[salguine]

24. Maybe because he turned out to be a Trojan Horse for Wall Street and insurance cartels?

[Greybnk48]

26. If you listen to cable news, he's in the toilet. But in reality he's doing just fine.

I don't think some people here realize how few people watch cable news. It's not mainstream behavior.

When healthcare passes and people find out what it means for them; when that happens, the do-nothing-for-anyone-but-the-rich Repugs are toast...for years.

[Captain Hilts]

27. That's normal. Not to worry. nt

[stray cat]

28. You think the representatives in the house and senate are not at lower levels?

they are entering the basement

[quinnox]

32. Yea, and this is bad too for Democrats

what's your point.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

36. Because the people voted for "change" and got politics-as-usual.

The new boss has met the real bosses and decided to go along with them.

[Kaleva]

38. Republican support for Obama is almost down to single digits.

[O is 44]

39. but,but he is not liberal enough n/t

[lolly]

84. He isn't

But that's not why the Republicans don't like him.

He doesn't seem to care that nothing he does will get their approval--short of putting an R next to his name.

[quinnox]

40. which makes it ironic

because he has been talking about bipartisanship and reaching out for months.

[MadBadger]

43. Bipartisanship isnt aimed at Reaching most Republicans

Its aimed at independents.

[quinnox]

48. and he has been losing independents too

so his bipartisanship campaign has been a total failure.

[O is 44]

58. Total failure Obama is not. n/t

[quinnox]

62. and I didn't say that

I said going by the evidence his bipartisanship campaign has been a failure if the aim was to attract republicans and independents.

[MadBadger]

64. Did you expect his numbers to remain sky high?

Of course they were going to come back to Earth.

[quinnox]

67. No

But I just wish his approval numbers didn't go this low. It might hurt the Democratic party. It would be better if his numbers were higher. Like maybe around 60% or high 50's I think that is doable.

[MadBadger]

70. Obviously people have informed you of Past Presdient's approval numbers

This isnt that low, especially in a down economy. And the ones hurting the Democratic Party is Congress. Poll after poll shows that Americans on a variety of issues trust Obama more than Democrats and Republicans in Congress

[O is 44]

71. If you care about low approval numbers your worry should

be with congress, they are just about in the single digits. If you listened to the President's speech right now he could care less about poll numbers.

[moobu2]

42. Corporate News Media basically

[muffin1]

44. Progressives are falling away. Teachers are falling away.

And how many GLBTers do you think approve of him right now? I'm not gay, but I certainly believe it is way past time to ditch DADT and DOMA. If a pollster called me today, I would say I don't approve.

And this is coming from someone who was one of Obama's most ardent supporters.

[quinnox]

45. I can't argue with that

I'd be pissed too if I was a gay person. No action on their issues.

[muffin1]

53. Right?

Nothing would make me happier than for Obama to get those two things done. I am willing to give him some leeway on other things. But not on equal rights - it's such a no-brainer.

[quinnox]

54. agreed

It would be simple to do and give him some newfound respect among progressives.

[EFerrari]

49. Unemployment has to be a factor, too.

[muffin1]

57. Oh, without a doubt.

I guess I'm just willing to give him a little more time on the huge issues. A number of things piss me off - unemployment, this crappy health care bill, Afghanistan, etc.

But as I just replied to the OP, it just goes without saying (or it SHOULD), that every person in the country is entitled to equal rights . It just blows me away that he doesn't seem to see it. In AMERICA, in 2010, there is no excuse for this - especially with our first black President leading the way. I mean, if he doesn't care about discrimination, what chance do we have?

[EFerrari]

66. I was just watching "Before Stonewall" and there was a segment

that showed how gay couples were welcomed to the clubs in Harlem. And in the book end, "After Stonewall", it's pointed out that Jesse Jackson was the only straight politician that showed up at the Great March.

GLBT folk aren't alone. Looks like Arne is indirectly going to re-segregate most of our schools before he's done unless I'm mistaken.

[lolly]

82. He lost a lot of GLBTers at the inauguation

Remember Rick Warren? That was supposed to reach across the aisle to evangelicals.

How's that working out? I mean, besides alienating gays, what did it do?

[Vincardog]

46. Could it be because he has impeded any investigation into the illegal regime that preceded him? Or

could it be that he is continuing many of the same illegal unconstitutional activities of the that illegal regime?

Could it be that he has expanded the illegal war of aggression in Afghanistan?

Could it be that he has continued the attack on public education?

Could it be that he puts Pro Capitalists in charge of regulating the activities they used to champion?

Could it be that people do not like the pro Pharma and profit driven hospital back room deal he made to kill universal Single Payer?

Could it be the more people see of what BO stands for the less they really like his policies?

I am just askin.

[quinnox]

50. nah, couldn't be

as long as you were wearing a blindfold and ear plugs this whole time.

All kidding aside, I think you are right on target with your questions.

[ixion]

47. Clintonesque Triangulation

'nuff said.

[Upton]

51. It's the economy stupid!

[SteveG]

52. Compare to Reagan's 38% approval in at this point in 1982

Obama is doing great in the ratings compared to Reagan in 1982.

[marmar]

55. festival de flamme

[quinnox]

59. not at all, this thread has been rather civil

I have been pleasantly surprised.

[KittyWampus]

94. you outed yourself the other day.

[NoodleyAppendage]

56. Because he misled his base into thinking that he was actually a populist progressive. n/t

J

[Kaleva]

60. The why does his support from liberal Dems remain so high?

[NoodleyAppendage]

73. That's all he has and I can tell you from experience, they are flagging in their support.

I can't say that I'm thrilled or motivated to hit the polls or canvas for him in 2012. A lot of people who really worked hard to get him elected are confused and disappointed.

The biggest reduction in support for Obama is from the youth bloc. They will not be around in 2012 unless Obama starts showing what he was selling during the general election.

J

[NoodleyAppendage]

74. That's all he has and I can tell you from experience, they are flagging in their support.

I can't say that I'm thrilled or motivated to hit the polls or canvas for him in 2012. A lot of people who really worked hard to get him elected are confused and disappointed.

The biggest reduction in support for Obama is from the youth bloc. They will not be around in 2012 unless Obama starts showing what he was selling during the general election.

J

[RainDog]

89. If I were polled, I would claim to support Obama too

because the choices are so stupid.

do I claim not to support him and thus give the right wing fucktards a talking point or do I say I support him because I still WANT HIM TO DO THE RIGHT THING?

there are all sorts of shades of blue in claims of support.

however, with the attacks on the teacher's union, I think I will move to the "do not support" column.

[Echo In Light]

61. Simple, obvious conclusion that the brainwashed & agenda-bound of course disavow

[Mari333]

63. public option, end gitmo, gay rights...

and now we have a bunch of Bush appointees running corporate occupations, bankers with no regulation running amock, and jobs leaving the country like prune fanatic on metamucil.

[MadBadger]

65. Liberal Democrats overwhelmingly support Obama n/t.

[treestar]

76. They all do there is a honeymoon of course

And the economy is bad and right or wrong, people blame the President.

This is par for the course and close to meaningless. It will only matter in Nov. 2012.

[w4rma]

77. That's what happens when you jettison popular plans (like a public option) for unpopular ones (like

mandated health insurance).

What did anyone think would happen?

And his next trick will be to push a plan to close public schools in favor of merit pay and billionare owned charter schools.

His popularity isn't going to be going up any time soon. We're toast in November at this rate. Obama needs an intervention. He's addicted to that Wall Street money.

[aikoaiko]

78. Its the economy.

[Liberal_in_LA]

79. yep, He'll bounce back

[warm regards]

80. W was as at 80%, at one time.

Personally, I believe the ups and downs in polls have more to do with people who only pay attention to "what's in" than it does with people who know what's going on.

[cali]

81. you are amusingly transparent- just like a 4 year old.

[B Calm]

85. Bush approval rating was 17% his last year. Obama needs to stop

trying to get along with the cons and get hard-nose with these pricks! All this bipartisan crap is making him look like a soft leader!!

[Cal33]

86. Maybe he is too obsessed with bipartisanship. It takes two

to tango, and the NeoConservatives don't tango. Maybe Obama is too obsessed to
accept this.

[Romulox]

88. 1) Bankster Bailouts; 2) blank check for war; 3) mandatory corporate insurance. nt

[upi402]

90. Betrayed his base, all Republicans will hate him no matter what

He continues Bush policies, begs for bi-partisanship - and still the Republicans HATE him and everything he does. Then Obama bites the hand that fed him the office. I'm done, I get it.

[Arkana]

96. Not really, no.

Considering Congress is at best at around 30% approval and Obama didn't have a massive terror attack to bail his approval ratings out, he's doing just fine.

[Geek_Girl]

97. The economy is in the toilet and his policies kind of suck

He's pretty much upheld all of W's policies. His numbers will probably go up if unemployment improves. If the unemployment rate doesn't start to improve quickly he's going to be a one term president.