Presidential Approval – an Update
EmailFocus on the health care machinations in Washington is bound to spin into a look at Barack Obama's popularity. And voila, the latest Gallup daily tracking poll has the president's approval rating at what it calls his "lowest yet."
Actually, as far as I see, Gallup has had the president's approval at this level – 46 percent – a few times earlier this month, first on March 10. What is (very slightly) new is that he's hit his highest disapproval in Gallup's daily data, 48 percent. It’s been numerically higher, by a point or two, in some other polls.
Like Gallup, Pew Research had Obama at 46 percent approval (43 percent disapproval) in a poll done Sunday. An NBC/Journal poll, done Sunday as well, also had him under 50 percent – in this case at 48 percent approval, with 47 percent disapproving.
Obama’s approval has been this low before – 44 to 46 percent in a few other polls the past few months. His numerically highest disapproval was 50 percent in three CNN/ORC polls from December to February.
Of greatest import is the president’s trend line, which continues closely to resemble that of Ronald Reagan, the last president to take office in this kind of economy. Reagan’s first-year drop in approval and Obama’s are almost identical, correlating, as we've reported, at .88.
With or without the health care brouhaha, Obama would do well to expect more of the same. In our polling across Reagan's second year, he averaged 48 percent approval, cracking 50 percent (barely) only twice, and bottoming out at 42 percent just after the second anniversary of his inauguration.
He recovered when the economy did.
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His approval rating like Congress’ doesn’t really matter. They don’t care whether you approve. You don’t know what is good for you and they do. They have the power and you don’t. They will do whatever they deem is best. You don’t count. Get it?
Posted by: marymccurry | March 18, 2010, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
Reagan cut taxes and got the economy going again … that is what brought his ratings up. I fear that all we are doing now is making it worse. Perhaps you should be comparing Obama to Carter … a one term president that brought us Reagan and a recovery.
Posted by: Michael | March 18, 2010, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
Like Reagan, Obama will also recover his popularity. And I think Obama will become one of the most successful Presidents on a par with Reagan if not even more successful. Reason? He is just as sincere, morally centred and principled. This is what great leaders are made of – and he is also a visionary, optimist and great communicator.
Posted by: Paul Stewart | March 18, 2010, 9:52 pm 9:52 pm
The bias in this article is astounding. What it calls “Lowest ever” … followed by partial numbers and other polls showing this was low here, that was low there. This week was the worst position yet for Obama in the gallup poll (comparing approval & disapproval). He’s also plummeting in rasmussen, and if you check RCP poll, which averages a slew of other polls, he was upside down for the first time ever this week. Like it or not, Obama’s numbers have hit – on average – a new low this week. See the combined polling data at RCP. -scott
Posted by: scott | March 20, 2010, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
Prior comment should have had an extra set of quote marks:
“What it calls his ‘Lowest ever’ ”
-scott
Posted by: scott | March 20, 2010, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
What a disgrace to see Gary Langer defend Obama’s poll numbers. I guess they wanted to remove that negative article they had on Obama’s poll numbers just a day ago.
Posted by: John | March 20, 2010, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
I can also see why ABC news would want to put this up as they are trying to spin the coverage so the bill will pass Sunday. Hello, have you guys heard about the protest outside of the capitol building where THOUSANDS are line up to stand up to BIG GOVERNMENT?
Mr. Gary Langer removed the article that was here before becasue he knows people will be looking at Obama’s poll numbers before and after the healthcare bill vote.
What a disgrace ABCNEWS has turned into. This is truly, simply, and neurotically DISGUSTING!
Posted by: John | March 20, 2010, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
OK, Mr. Langer: What is on the horizon to get Obama’s numbers up? Jobs? Don’t make me laugh! The deficit? People see Obama isn’t the least bit serious–this Frankenstein “health” bill proves so. The economy? Think double dip recession.
The problem is, there is nothing Obama can do to improve his “image.” He is nothing but a Marxist in an empty suit. Americans are finally wising up to just what they bought into (at least 53% of them).
Posted by: JFrykman | March 20, 2010, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
Funny, but, if the lies and innuendo were to be factored out, Obama would actually be extremely popular. We need to get back to fair comparisons. When you back away from Political rhetoric, this man is more honest than Bush (War to find Weapons of Mass Destruction), Cheney(there is no “Global Warming”), and Rove (there is no Recession).
Posted by: able | March 21, 2010, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Just when I think I can’t be more proud of our president, he adds to the list of reasons!
Posted by: Kay | March 22, 2010, 9:27 am 9:27 am
Change is difficult. Research states that it takes people months, maybe even years to make or accept change, but change must happen if the US is to remail the great nation that we are. The health care overhaul will be good for the future of middle and lower class American citizens. We just have to support our leadership and stay the course.
Posted by: Carol Johnson | March 23, 2010, 12:44 am 12:44 am
This problem started when President Obama won the election. The Republicans made a pack then and said they were going to destroy Obama’s plans and they wanted him to fail. They tried by using filibusters’ every chance they had to block his plans. What happened was the Democrats found a way to get around the Republicans and still follow the procedures and now the Republicans are upset. Obama tried so hard to bring the Republicans along until his own base his people that supported him got tired of him waiting on the Republicans. Obamas’ supporters did not get what they wanted like the Public Option or Single payer or the exchange. However, the Republicans got 200 proposal included in the bill and they did not even vote on it.
Some Republicans believe they are the only Christians the ones that believe in God the ones that believe in being a good Samaritans, helping the poor, servants of God, the compassionate ones, one of Faith and Love… so, tell me when did helping others become evil? Some Republicans need to stop lying and hiding behind God. STOP with all that HATE and DIVISION and be glad so many people will be able to get help. I am a American, a Christian and Democrat and I believe that Jesus Healed the sick and the least I can do is make sure that sick people can get medical help. President Obama laid a foundation for others to build on we know it is not prefect but it is a start. President Obama is a Democrat, Black, Young, Wise and a Visionary this is something new to the World and some people are afraid of change and of him. These Republicans know they got children born with down syndrome, epilepsy, Aids, Lupus etc… children in collage, mother and fathers or grandparents on Medical, or working on a job and the insurance is to high to pay. These are not just Democrat issue they are people issues. This Bill preserves the right to life including the No Government funds shall be used for Abortion – Bill section: 1303 (B) (1) (B).
Posted by: dodcorp | March 23, 2010, 3:18 am 3:18 am
Republican are not Christians. They say that they are but their actions say otherwise. They will support a war but not healthcare. I guess it cheaper to kill than to heal.
Posted by: Avstewart1 | March 23, 2010, 8:56 am 8:56 am
How soon we forget who created this mess in the first place.I don’t think Obama was in the White House deregulating the country, during the previous eight years.Where were the Tea Party performers then, and the Party of “NO” ? It’s quite evident that the Republicans have decided, no matter what, they will continue to be a party of “NO” meaningful action. Yeah we should re- think Who should be representing us in November.
Posted by: Mike | March 24, 2010, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
TYVM Mike-And it’s that idiot’s(Bush+GOP)party who’s been doing the brainwashing 4 the past year!!!! They think it’ll work 4 Nov. but once the facts get out, it won’t. People will see the GOP wanted the state’s version that made people get Health like Car Ins.(Fmr. R-Gov’s i.e. Romney got the Health Ins. like that up here in MA).
They’re mad that a Right, White Pres. didn’t think of the way to fix SSN and knock at least $150B off the deficit. And once people finally see the SSN facts(sen-cit. refund, no app. refus., no RX co-pay), GOP wont get seats back in ’10 or ’12!!BTW-Tea(KKK)Party ain’t much smarter
Posted by: Orus | March 24, 2010, 7:13 pm 7:13 pm
TYVM-Paul Stewart!! Most of the people on the page weren’t alive when RR or JC were in office or just toddlers when BC got going!!! The man in office right now is the most intelligent man in office in an long time, if not ever.
If a left wing, African-American(half/half, 10th gen. cousin in Sen.) President can be the one to get HCR thru, U know he isn’t done yet!!!!!
Posted by: Orus | March 24, 2010, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
This is the most corrupt administration in American history. We still don’t know exactly what’s in this HCR Bill, nor what it will cost American taxpayers! WE NEED HCR ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT! The Obama administration said they would do “whatever it takes” to ram HCR down our throats — and they did — they used “bribe” money to buy votes — at our expense! NOW THEY HAVE REINSTATED FUNDING FOR “ACORN”. Is this Obama’s way of buying votes for November and 2012??? Note: The ACORN group is has renamed itself “Affordable Housing Centers of America”. Don’t let them fool you again.
Posted by: OBAMA, PELOSI, REID AND THE OTHER LIBERALS IN CONGRESS BASED THE ENTIRE 2008 ELECTION ON LIES! | March 26, 2010, 11:38 am 11:38 am
in my own oppinion the whole obama thing is wrong.i think he has a personal vendetta against this country and wants to see it fail.
Posted by: kathrine | March 31, 2010, 11:11 am 11:11 am
Obama approval ratings being so low must be a big disappointment to all at ABC NEWS that did so much to diss Palin and get him elected.
Posted by: TakeNoBull | April 2, 2010, 12:33 am 12:33 am
WoW some people still believe in the tooth fairy
Posted by: ernie | April 4, 2010, 7:13 am 7:13 am
Carol Johnson, ‘I truly President Obama is a Democrat, Black, Young, Wise and a Visionary this is something new to the World and some people are afraid of change and of him” I just spit my soda out all over my new hardwoods. Visonary , Please Ms Johnson Obama is more like a angry, young, socialistic black man that has an axe to grind. Try not to use the name of Jesus and Obama in the same sentence. As for the writer of this bias spin, try not to compare Barry with Reagan, you only sound stupid when you try and tie the economy of the 1980′s with the economy of today. Different dynamic. Reagan “cut taxes” and created 21 million jobs in the private sector. Barry is a joke only held up by a left wing media such as ABC
Posted by: JohnnyB | April 5, 2010, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
And all this after ABC has done all it can with its pro Obama bias? Obviously, there are just a bunch of racists voting.
Posted by: Roma | April 7, 2010, 2:59 am 2:59 am
It must really hurt ABC News to report his popularity is dropping. Maybe if ABC can spin more pro Obama bias they can convince the American people that socialism is new and exciting.
Posted by: Roma | April 7, 2010, 3:07 am 3:07 am
Great! a final admittance about the positive policies of President Obama. It is about time :))))))good morning,
America , ha ha ha. It has been a very challenging year, but it had to be gone through. Real change is seldom easy
but by going over it, America is surpassing the fall of ancient TGreece and Rome :) It is a huge challenge. No matter what, we must remain humble.
We are like all world races: two legs and two arms; local differences do not matter, neither do racial ones :P
We westerners may have more discipline, but easterners and latinos have better sense of humor. The orientals arre
more calm, some of them. So do hnot fall into the Nazis stupidity of assuming they were a superior race. all humans are equals :))))))
Posted by: Moderate American | December 27, 2010, 1:04 am 1:04 am