Obama's favs way up despite DU. / Gallup Daily: 72% favorable 19% unfavorable

[DCBob]

http://www.gallup.com/poll/111772/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Favorability.aspx

These are huge numbers. Obama is doing something right. Right??

[bluestateguy]

1. The Great American Majority

nt

[nomorenomore08]

2. How many of those 72% are people who own copies of Rick Warren's book(s)?

That'll tell you (at least partially) whether the uptick is good or bad for us liberal/progressive types.

[DCBob]

6. How about what's good for America..

or what's good for the world.

[nomorenomore08]

10. Yeah, I guess I was thinking about it kind of narrowly.

But considering what allegedly "conservative" policies have done to America and the world since 2000 (and really, since 1980), I think it's time we gave liberalism (social and economic) a try. Why is one reason why Obama's use of Warren concerns me.

[DCBob]

18. Totally understandand and agree mostly with your comments but ..

Obama's mission is unity and reconcilation. This is his way of doing it. He may be wrong but this is his decision.

[glowing]

3. I still have a favorable opinion of Obama.. On Warren, he's wrong.

He said he would make mistakes.. this is one that he's making. this is wrong. I hope he doesn't stick by it. I hope he chooses someone else or that Rick steps aside.

[DCBob]

26. Yes, I hope Obama changes his mind or Warren steps aside for personal reasons or somthing like that.

But if he doesn't - we have to live with it. Obama is our guy and our leader.

[Jennicut]

39. I feel exactly the way you do

I am favorable of Obama over all but he messed up with this. I hope he realizes not that people are angry but how hurt they are.

[glowing]

42. Its rather surprising actually. I would think he would realize there are families

that are very hurt by his decision. I don't think he really understands how hurtful it was. Which is odd because he's normally very thoughtful.

[Jennicut]

49. Well, we all make mistakes but this was very wrong on his part

Maybe he was "reaching out" in a naive way, maybe he was being political and wanting more support from the evangelicals, maybe he just did not think it through at all. I don't have really have an answer and there really is no good excuse. I hope he learns from the uproar and realizes that perhaps trying to come together as a country does not have to include right wing bigots at his inauguration.

[mwei924]

4. Reminder: 99% of voters do not spend time on political forums..

[Brooklyns_Finest]

5. This could get interesting

:popcorn:

[Connie_Corleone]

7. I have a high favorable opinion of Obama...BUT he screwed up on Warren.

He screwed up NOT because he tried to reach out to someone he disagrees with. But because he chose someone who has said hurtful things about gay people and their loving relationships.

[DCBob]

17. Yeah. I don't like the Warren choice either but....

Obama is our guy and our leader. He has heard the opposition yet he sticks with his choice. At some point you have let it go or we risk failure. Much like how the conservatives and religious right derailed McCain.

[AntiFascist]

60. WTF are you talking about?

Obama already won the election, he can't very well be derailed and its much too early to worry about 2012. His choice of Warren will likely have very little effect on future elections, unless it is followed up with further homophobic reconciliation.

[DCBob]

64. Of course the elections are over but now the real work begins -- changing the country.

We need everyone's full support to make it happen.

[AntiFascist]

68. So, you're willing to trade the support of those who feel strongly...

against the choice of Warren for the few Evangelicals who may switch to support Obama?

[mondo joe]

69. I dont care if he fails.

He doesn't care if my family fails.

[mmonk]

8. What does that have to do with anything or with DU?

What does it have to do with the rightness or wrongness of Warren?

[DCBob]

19. Looking at the vast majority of posts on DU recently one would think Obama is a complete failure.

I am sure most of DU is supportive but you would not know it from reading the latest threads.

[Solon]

9. Question, is the only thing that should concern us is whether Obama is popular? n/t

[nomorenomore08]

12. Of course not. See my posts #2 and #10.

What this country really needs IMO is a decisive swing to the left, similar to the rightward swing that happened post-Reagan. But I don't think we'll get it, or at least not enough of one, with the incoming administration.

[FrenchieCat]

13. When it is time to pass some policy legislation that we want.....

yes, it will be important.

Is it important now, kinda of, since he hasn't been sworn in yet.

Is it the only thing that should concern us? No.

[Connie_Corleone]

11. Having a favorable opinion doesn't mean you never disagree with him.

These kind of threads that act like a legitimate issue (anti-gay Warren) is trivial is not helping the discourse on DU.

[FrenchieCat]

14. I think we can have all kinds of threads here at DU......

I think that folks are venting and doing what we always do here at DU...having discussions, heated debates, and liberal opining.

I see nothing wrong with it. Why do you?

[Connie_Corleone]

21. I didn't mention any of those things.

I was talking about trivializing a serious subject (Warren being invited to give the invocation) that has obviously hurt a lot of people here on DU. It's like saying it doesn't matter if you're hurt by this move, Obama has a 72% approval rating.

Whether that was the intent of the OP or not, I don't know, but that's how I took it. And, yes I think there's something wrong with trivializing threads.

People will still post them because it's a message board and they can post what they want. I'm just expressing my opinion.

[mmonk]

15. Approval ratings. What do they mean at this point?

WASHINGTON — President Bush is ending his third year in office with 63% job approval, the highest rating of any president since Lyndon Johnson, who finished 1963 with a 74% rating a month after John F. Kennedy's assassination.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2003-12-26-approval-ratings_x.htm

As you can see, approval ratings are just a snapshot of a moment. It has little to do with anything right now or "reaching out " to Warren.

[DCBob]

22. Approval ratings have everything thing to do with what is happening right now.

These are daily polls that measure daily events including Warren. BTW, Bush's numbers were up at that time mostly from confidence in the Iraq war and the economy. Hard to believe considering where we are now.

[mmonk]

47. Come back in three years. These are polls of someone

who just won an election and has not governed one day yet. It does not prove the rightness or wrongness of including Warren unless you measure right and wrong according to what people think at a given time. The unwarranted invasion of Iraq was popular when it first was launched. That didn't make it right or the right thing to do.

[Divine Discontent]

16. yeah, they loved Shrub too at one time, your point? It also takes time to have something effect #'s

and this WILL effect his numbers! you know what "THIS" I'm referring to. He has deeply offended me, my family, my friends, and he's acting arrogant about it. He needs to rebuke Warren and say exactly why!

[Raineyb]

20. Didn't Bush have a 90+% approval rating at one point too?

What is your point?

Regards

[jefferson_dem]

23. Well...*A* point is that Obama does not equal Booosh...

In cased you needed that clarified.

[Raineyb]

44. I don't need that clarified. What the approval ratings mean does.

Approval ratings have been known to change and even the most undeserving have been known to have high approval ratings. Again what is the point?

Regards

[jefferson_dem]

61. The point is that we have a progressive Democratic president-elect

who has support from nearly 3/4 of the USA.

Let's celebrate! Onward...

[DCBob]

25. Yes. Right after 9/11 and the beginning of the wars. He has been on a steady decline ever since.

My point is Obama is connecting with the vast majority of America even without the "benefit" of a war.

[Raineyb]

46. Obviously as he won the election.

But since approval ratings can change it's not exactly a point on which anyone can rest on their laurels.

Regards

[DCBob]

58. I am sure Obama is not resting or relying on approval numbers.

My point is that the vast majority of America approves of what Obama is doing. You can argue that if that is actually good or bad but in politics it's clearly good.

[Raineyb]

67. I wouldn't have made that arguement when Bush had the high approval numbers

and it's not a good one to base how well things are going now.

Regards

[Yukari Yakumo]

34. Immediately right after 9/11

Your attempt at a strawman argument doesn't remotely work here.

[cwydro]

24. He will be a good president.

I'm sorry so many here do not agree.

[DCBob]

40. I truly believe Obama will be one of our greatest Presidents ever.

It is unfortunate some on the left will miss out.

[jefferson_dem]

63. I hope too many don't sulk, gripe, and moan in perpetuity because the guy failed to pass...

one litmus test.

I, for one, will stand proud as the nation marches forward...under Obama's leadership.

[AllentownJake]

27. Just because I'm mad at him right now

doesn't make me view him unfavorably. :silly:

I have a picture shaking his hand on my wall. I didn't take it down.

[DCBob]

28. If Gallup called you right now what would you say?

Be honest.

[AllentownJake]

30. Do you approve of Barack Obama

Yes.

Do you approve of his choice of Rick Warren.

No.

Nobody ever said the guy was going to be perfect and anyone who thought he was they were deluded. He's going to screw up. If you divorce yourself from someone you've supported for over a year for a few screw-ups you probably have a mental disorder.

My problem is there are people unable to say. Yes this was stupid and hurtful and makes no sense.

[DCBob]

32. Ok. I understand your position.

I just hope those upset with him now over this issue will not let it affect their enthusiasm for working towards changing this country.

[AllentownJake]

35. That's for Barack to fix

He created this stir. He wants people he just insulted to lobby congress for him, he better do something to make them feel a little better about supporting him. That's what a leader does.

I'll work on the issues I care about at this point. I still support him but if it isn't an issue that is of particular importance to me...I'm a little less inclined to answer his call for him.

That's the honest truth. I'm not gay however, he slapped some of my friends in the face for no good reason I can see. So if he wants something I don't particularly care about. Meh. Whereas before 3 days ago I would crawl over broken glass for him.

[DCBob]

37. That's unfortunate.

I am still crawling...

[AllentownJake]

41. I'm not discouraging you

However, alot of people's trust has been violated by rewarding someone for bad behavior and I'm one of them.

There are consequences for that. To me he is just another Politian. A good one, with good intentions, but he isn't as clean and pure in my eyes as he was 3 days ago and I'm going to react to him as I would any other politian. Support them when I agree with them.

[jefferson_dem]

65. Ace post, Jake.

:thumbsup:

[gulliver]

29. Wish we could get some smart independents to displace...

...some of these PIGOs (progressives in griping only). Then they can all join the next Kahoutek Cult and depart the planet on the next spaceship.

Dear PIGOs,

Obama is going to be one of the best presidents we have ever had. Undermine that with your feckless griping, and the next Bush is on your consciences. I would argue that it is the duty of every progressive to give Obama their full support and enough time to produce results NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES.

I don't care if he picks Rush Freaking Limbaugh for Chief of Staff. All progressives owe it to Obama to pipe down and let him maneuver.

Best,

gulliver

[AllentownJake]

31. WTF?

Obama owes the people of this country and the people who supported him. I don't owe Obama shit. He earned my support. He can lose it just as easily because to quote Obama it isn't about Barack Obama its about you the American People.

[DCBob]

33. Ignore that post. It's flame bait.

[gulliver]

36. Didn't say anything about debts.

Supporting Obama doesn't end with the election. It's not, "We gave you the Presidency, so you give us our <fill in blank>." It should be "We got you in office. Tell us what you want us to do to help."

[AllentownJake]

38. If Barack Obama wants to tell me to invade Iran

I'll be outside the White House protesting his sorry ass.

If he tells me to be friendly with Warren and his ilk I tell him thanks but no thanks.

Sorry I am a strong supporter and will help when I deem the issue is important because to be honest after this fiasco and slapping my friends in the face. I could give a shit less what Barack Obama wants if I think its not in the interest of the country.

[gulliver]

43. If Barack Obama wants to tell me to invade Iran...

...I'm suiting up and heading to the Army recruiting station.

He's not going to do it, of course. But he needs the benefit of the doubt, no matter what. That is how you empower one of your own. We are not in his shoes. We asked him to lead us, and now we need to follow. If we gripe, straggle, play dead weight, or outright rebel, we aren't going to get what we voted for. We are going to hand our country back to Jeb Bush or Sarah Palin in 2012.

He needs time. No one is qualified to judge his decisions at this point, no matter how strongly they might feel about any of them.

[AllentownJake]

45. You sound like a Freeper talking about Bush you know

Just saying. The blind obediance, the not questioning, threatning with threat of a worse menace if we dare not support every decision the Great leader makes.

I'm a supporter not a worshipper.

[gulliver]

48. Good things sound like bad things and vice versa

All depends on your attitude. One person's tolerance and loyalty is another's blind obedience. Both are right and both wrong to some degree. The tough part is deciding which is "most right." And that takes a lot of work. People like Karl Rove would definitely frame loyalty to Obama as blind obedience to "the one." Just like they framed a well-justified disgust with Bush as blind hatred.

It's not even loyalty to Obama that I am asking for. That is emotional claptrap. I'm saying sit tight, give the medicine a chance to work. You may not like the therapy all the time. But do it.

[AllentownJake]

50. You realize every post like yours

telling people to take their medicine only encourages people to revolt more...if you want to go into psychology and doesn't serve the one you are offering your total loyalty to.

[gulliver]

51. I think people are ready to think twice, cut once at this point

Obama was a considered decision for a whole lot of people. And I think hastiness, egocentricity, alarmism, etc., have burnt us badly enough that a wide majority of people are a lot more wise than they were. A lot poorer too.

[AllentownJake]

52. I think your an arrogant

prick with no empathy but what do I know? I only did 40 hours a week for the man for 10 months and am extremely upset right now.

[gulliver]

53. Far from it

Wish you didn't feel that way. Undermine Obama and hurt everyone or support him and do a lot of good for a lot of people. To me, that's effective empathy. Words mean diddly.

[AllentownJake]

54. Well it was good to talk to you

and enjoy your worship. However, I feel its time for me to use the Ignore function. Your only going to offer blind support by your own admission in the future and I can turn on the TV to hear that.

[karynnj]

55. The fact is that I would bet that close to 100% here would ssay favorable

if asked. The choice is favorable/unfavorable.

I have no proof of that - respond to this if you would say unfavorable.

[Orsino]

56. He's doing plenty right.

Even something as utterly wrong as the Warren pick probably has some kind of political value which might be traded for progress down the line.

It had fucking better.

[AntiFascist]

57. Oh, is he still running for President?

So much for the minority, and I don't necessarilly mean the minority who find him unfavorable.

[DCBob]

59. He does want to be reelected in 2012, I am sure.

Also, the 2010 midterms are not that far way. Unfortunately it's always about "running" for something.

[AntiFascist]

62. Too bad its never about 'principle' n/t

[jonnyblitz]

66. principle and the issues don't matter to his personality cult.

the only thing that matters is that everybody loves him like they do. :crazy: