Obama back up by 11 points at Gallup

[louis c]

52% approve and 41% disapprove at Gallup for President Obama

I know some of us here disagree with the President on a number of issues (Health Care Bill and Afghanistan). However, I agree on far more. One of the criteria I use in assessing my support for a politician at any level is that he's trying to do the correct thing. He (or she) may not accomplish that goal, but at least they're attempting to work toward that end. It's certainly a lot better than the alternative which is someone out to fuck us and we have to fight for a poor status quo.

In other words, Obama is our President for either 3 or 7 more years. If it's 3, we will be in far worse shape. If it's 7, at least we'll be moving in the correct direction, albiet incrementally.

Link;
http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Job-Approval.aspx

[Mari333]

1. and rasmussen says

its all so strange, polls.

[johnaries]

2. Rasmussen also said that Bush won in 2004.

I rest my case.

[MNDemNY]

10. Who was inaugurated in January of 2005?

Your "case" goes boom.

[malaise]

3. Rasmussen is Rethug Inc n/t

[jpak]

4. Rasmussen is a GOP dope

your concern is noted

[WeDidIt]

5. Rasmussen publishes a single accurate poll quadrennially

The last poll before the presidential election.

Look at the trends if you don't believe me. It was so obvious in the 2008 cycle it was frightening.

[alstephenson]

6. Polls suck. Especially Rasmussen.

This one had a whopping sample size of 1,500 likely voters...

[immoderate]

12. That's actually a good sample size.

1500 is enough of a sample to represent the population to within a couple of percent of error. It's like, how much soup do you have to taste to know if the entire pot is too salty?

The other variables are the accuracy of the sample, and the wording and presentation of the questions, and of course, interpreting the results. Plenty of room to screw around, but the sample size is adequate.

--imm

[Beetwasher]

13. Ummm, You Realize That's Only The "Strongly" Option, Right?

Pretty disingenuous to post ONLY that portion, since approval is two categories and dissaproval is two categories and the aggregate is his actual numbers. Tsk tsk tsk. How deceptive.

[leftstreet]

7. Is this for the dog pictures in the snow? They were pretty cute

[louis c]

8. Whatever it takes

[RedRubberBall]

9. Either Polls matter or they do not

Do not. Just do the right thing.

[louis c]

11. I believe they matter

And I follow Gallup. Up or Down

[progressoid]

14. Big fuckin deal.

Just before 9/11 bush's approval was at 51%

2001 Sept 7-10

Approve: 51
Disapprove: 39
No Opinion: 10

After 9/11 his numbers went through the roof. So What!?

Popularity is great if you're only interested in re-election. Some of us also want meaningful policy.

[louis c]

16. and if we don't get it, what then

vote Republican?

[progressoid]

17. If we don't get what?

Meaningful policy?

[louis c]

19. Meaningful policy

which is quite subjective.

If we can't accomplish everything in two years, what do we do/

Hand it back to the Right-Wing and hope for the best?

i did that in 1968. We didn't get everything we wanted, so out with LBJ, in with Nixon.

Again in 1980.

Kennedy against Carter. We'll show him. 12 years of Right Wing Republicanism.

This system (which will not change in our life times), does not allow a split within the two parties. If we do, we're doomed.

we must work from within, not divide.

[progressoid]

22. How exactly do you expect us to "work from within"?

Does "work from within" mean shut up and give them a thumbs up even when they deserve a thumbs down? Because there really isn't a mechanism for us lowly voters to "work from within". Frankly, if things continue the way they are going, Obama could very well be another LBJ or Carter. And that won't be our fault.

Everything you posted points to a need for better policy first. Popularity polls will only get you so far. Eventually people will see through the facade and want some substance. It took five years for that to happen with W. Without some reason to support him, these wonderful poll numbers will plummet quickly for Obama too. BUT, the poll numbers could rise even MORE with good policy.

[louis c]

23. Elect more progressives

It's not Obama's fault that we can't get 60 senators to break a filibuster. I don't think Lieberman is a Democrat, since he spoke for McCain only a year ago at the Republican Convention.

Obama is the best President we're going to get in the next 7 years. If we divide up or drop out it will only get worse.

real Progressives like Bernie Sanders and Jerad Brown see it the same way as I do. I'm with them.

[RedRubberBall]

18. "Some of us also want meaningful policy."

Hear, hear!

[LostInAnomie]

15. He's a popular guy everywhere except for the a small sliver of the internet.

[Xenotime]

20. Awesome!

[NYC_SKP]

21. OMG. Looks like this good news is "hurtful" to some of our membership.

How sad....

:P