WaPo-ABC News poll as of 12/15/10 - 49% approval for Pres. Obama

[Joan Ruaiz]

Washington Post-ABC News Poll

Approval rating for the President 49%


Additional Questions asked:

Who do you trust to do a better job coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next year?

12/12/10 -
Barack Obama 43%
Republicans 38%

10/27/02
George Bush 53%
Democrats 38%

12/15/94
Bill Clinton 34%
Republicans 49%

*****************************************

Who do you trust to do a better job handling - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?

12/12/10 - Summary Table
--------------------------------------------------Both----Neither----No
----------------------------------Obama---Reps---(vol.)---(vol.)--- opinion

a. The economy----------------------44-------45-----2--------7---------2

b. The federal budget deficit---------39-------47-----2--------9---------4

c. The threat of terrorism------------41-------41-----4--------7---------7

e. Health care reform----------------51-------38-----1--------6---------5

f. Helping the middle class----------53-------38-----1--------6---------2

g. Taxes-----------------------------43-------44-----1--------7---------5


*******************************************

Do you think things in this country (are generally going in the right direction) or do you feel things (have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track)?

------------------------------Right Wrong No
----------------------------direction track opinion
(Different President at about the same time in the Presidency)

12/12/10 (Obama)---------------31---------67-------2
9/26/02 (Bush)------------------43---------53-------4
1/4/95 (Clinton)-----------------27---------68-------6


******************************************

As you may know, control of the House of Representatives will switch from the Democrats to the Republicans next month. Do you think that's a good thing, a bad thing, or doesn't it make any difference?
-----------------------Good thing--------Bad thing----------No difference opinion
12/12/10-------------------41----------------27------------------30

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[GClark]

Thanks for the great news!

If they would really tell the truth the ratings would be even better.
How any clear thinking person could believe the Republican Party would do more than the Democratic Party is beyond me.

[Baltoman991]

(12-15-2010 10:24 AM)GClark Wrote:  Thanks for the great news!

If they would really tell the truth the ratings would be even better.
How any clear thinking person could believe the Republican Party would do more than the Democratic Party is beyond me.

This stood out to me. And if this part of the poll is true then I say that America is reverting back to stupid:

a. The economy----------------------44-------45-----2--------7---------2

b. The federal budget deficit---------39-------47-----2--------9---------4


They honestly believe that Repukes will do better at reducing the defecit? Are those 45 and 47 percent really that stupid or just ignorant as to who got us into the shit we're in now?

I really hope they over sampled Republicans on this poll. If not, well, all I can do is shake my head.

[Andy823]

(12-15-2010 10:24 AM)GClark Wrote:  Thanks for the great news!

If they would really tell the truth the ratings would be even better.
How any clear thinking person could believe the Republican Party would do more than the Democratic Party is beyond me.

I agree. I think the key words would be "any clear thinking person", which leaves out the right wing drones, the ones who love Beck, Limbaugh and fox news! These people are so gullible, and brain washed by the right it's pathetic!

[Drunken Irishman]

Ignorance, Balto.

They hear the Republicans talking endlessly about fixing the deficit and automatically believe they're going to be deficit hawks.

It was the linchpin of their campaign this last fall, so it isn't a surprise more Americans feel they will do better at reducing the deficit than the Democrats.

In a year, that number will change.

[Dimwitted Fool]

(12-15-2010 04:45 PM)Drunken Irishman Wrote:  Ignorance, Balto.

They hear the Republicans talking endlessly about fixing the deficit and automatically believe they're going to be deficit hawks.

It was the linchpin of their campaign this last fall, so it isn't a surprise more Americans feel they will do better at reducing the deficit than the Democrats.

In a year, that number will change.

Aye! Ya tell a lie long enough, it becomes the truth-- Republicans have busted the budget and increased government every time they had a chance, but then they say it's a bad thing and blame it on us.

And they keep saying it.

[kahuna]

I'm not a bit surprised. I expected that the president would get a spike up in his approval ratings. The president has had a fantastic two weeks.

[Jeff in Milwaukee]

Based on the results, the country has NEVER believed the country is moving in the right direction. So my question would be, Is this even a valid question to ask? I mean, if the reply is always in the negative, why bother polling on it?

[Adelante]

December 17-19

Quote:
CNN Poll: Three-quarters approve of new tax cut law

... The survey does indicate a slight deterioration among liberals, who generally opposed the tax cut compromise because it extended for two years the Bush-era lower income tax rates for the highest earners and because of a a revival of the estate tax at a lower level, which benefits the wealthy. The president's approval rating among self-described liberals dropped from 79 percent in November to 72 percent.

At the same time, Obama's approval rating improved among moderates - from 55 percent in November to 60 percent now. "That gain among moderates helped offset the drop among liberals," Holland notes. "And that's what 'triangulation' is all about - taking a hit among your base voters in order to improve your standing with swing voters who are more
likely to vote for your opponent."

The poll also indicates that 55 percent of the public thinks Obama's policies will move the country in the right direction, with just over four in ten saying the president's policies will move the nation in the wrong direction. Obama's 55 percent is 11 points higher than the 44 percent who say the policies of congressional Republican leaders will move the country in the right direction. Americans are split at 48 percent on whether what congressional Democrats are proposing will move the country along the right path.

Fifty-one percent say that the GOP's policies will move the country in the wrong direction, which could serve as a sobering reality check for Republicans who just last month won back control of the House of Representatives and trimmed the Democrats majority in the Senate.