yay Congress . .

[bpwallace49]

Public scorn for Congress sharpens, support for Obama holds

 

 

The latest Associated Press-GfK poll found that fewer people approve of Congress than at any point in Obama's presidency. Support has dropped significantly since January to a dismal 22 percent as the health care debate has roiled Capitol Hill. Neither Republicans nor Democrats are safe; half of all people say they want to fire their congressman.

 

Conversely, Obama's job-performance standing is holding fairly steady at 53 percent. And over the past two months, the Democrat has gained ground on national security issues, specifically the subsiding Iraq war and the escalating Afghanistan war, as he has spent most of his time — at least publicly — on domestic matters like the economy and health care. On those issues, he still has the support of about half the people.

 

"I agree with what Obama is trying to do, but nobody is listening to him," said Grace Pope of Waterville, Maine. But this 75-year-old Democrat added, "I don't think that the Congress is doing anything."

 

Such sentiments and the survey's results make clear that Obama remains far more popular than House and Senate members as he leads a Democratic Party facing a volatile election-year environment that, so far, seems to be trending in Republicans' favor. Judging by his standing at this point, Obama seems to be an asset for his rank and file.

 

But, given the fickleness of this electorate, the uncertainty of the health care debate and the stubbornly high unemployment rate, the president could just as quickly turn into a liability. His own clout will be on the line in the first midterm elections of his presidency. And the outcome is certain to shape the remainder of his first term, if not his likely re-election bid in 2012.

 

For now, it's unclear just how much Obama can do to prevent midterm election shellackings. Democrats lost recent statewide elections in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia even though he campaigned for them. Presidents typically lose House and Senate seats in their first midterm elections. And the party in power usually bears the brunt of voters' ire when the country is in turmoil.

 

Thus, another of the poll's findings may not bode well for Obama and his Democrats: A clear majority of Americans — 56 percent — now say the country is headed in the wrong direction.

 

Democrat Benny Newman of Tulsa, Okla., laid the blame for the nation's ills on both Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress.

 

"Just bundle them in the same bag," said Newman, who at 79 just lost a job with a local public school district because of budget woes. "I don't think either one of them is interested in the general public. ... They're always stalling, playing politics, trying to jockey for a better position for their own re-election."

 

In recent weeks, Obama has increasingly blamed the ways of Washington for a lack of progress on his agenda — even though he's in the White House and his party is leading Congress. The disparity between his popularity and Congress' shows his pitch may just be working.

 

Obama's overall standing hasn't really moved since January. Neither have his ratings on health care and the economy.

 

But his marks have jumped on Iraq and Afghanistan. More than half of people approve of how he's handling the wars, with 55 percent backing him on Iraq and 57 percent supporting him on Afghanistan. That's compared with 49 percent for each two months ago. The new poll was taken during weekend elections in Iraq, where a U.S. troop drawdown is under way, and in the midst of a buildup in Afghanistan, as the U.S. notches victories in rooting out suspected terrorists.

 

By comparison, Congress' approval rating has dropped 10 percentage points since January, perhaps an indication that people are blaming lawmakers more than the president for gridlock that has paralyzed Washington on a host of fronts.

 

It is quite unusual for voters to tear down their own member of Congress. People often dislike the institution of Congress but usually support their own representatives. But not this year. Half said they wanted to elect someone other than their current congressman; only 40 percent wanted to re-elect their lawmaker.

 

"I don't think anybody up there is doing a good job. ... We need to get rid of them all and institute term limits," said Republican John Campbell, 52, of Del Rio, Texas, a warden at a federal detention center. He castigated Washington as full of "cronies" and Congress as a "bunch of entitled prima donnas."

 

"Washington," he said, "is broke."

 

As poor as the ratings are for Congress in general, people seem slightly more unhappy with Republicans than Democrats — another bit of potentially good news for Obama's party.

 

Just 30 percent approve of how Republicans in Congress are doing their jobs compared with 36 percent for Democrats.

 

Republicans still trail Democrats on the question of who should win control of Congress come November; 44 percent say Democrats, 38 percent say Republicans.

 

And the GOP has a slight disadvantage on two issues that voters deem among the most important — the economy and health care.

 

Still, Democrats are vulnerable, and perhaps nothing illustrates that vulnerability better than this: By 67 percent to 59 percent, more independents disapprove of Democrats in Congress than disapprove of Republicans. This matters because independents usually determine who wins elections. And they have been moving away from Democrats, after heavily supporting them in 2006 and 2008.

 

Congress . . . . it is amazing that Obama still has high ratings after delegating health care to the idiot duo of Reid and Pelosi . . . looks like people may be realizing that congress is now more concerned with parlimentary procedure and getting re-elected than getting things accomplished. For BOTH parties . . . .

[Perchoutofwater]

Daily Presidential Tracking Poll

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

 

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 22% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -21. That matches the lowest Approval Index rating yet recorded for this President (see trends).

 

Forty-two percent (42%) of Democrats Strongly Approve while 72% of Republicans Strongly Disapprove. Among those not affiliated with either major political party, 17% Strongly Approve and 45% Strongly Disapprove.

 

Fifty-seven percent (57%) believe that passage of the proposed health care legislation will hurt the economy. Just 25% believe it will help.

 

Sixty percent (60%) of parents believe that textbooks used by their students are more concerned about political correctness than accuracy.

 

Republicans hold a seven-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

 

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Overall, 43% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. That, too matches the lowest level yet recorded for this President. Fifty-six percent (56%) disapprove.

 

The newly selected Republican nominee starts the general election with a ten-point lead in the Illinois Governor’s race. In Massachusetts, an interesting three-way race is developing with incumbent Deval Patrick stuck in the mid-30s. Rasmussen Reports has also released polls on the 2010 governor’s races in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina Wisconsin, and Texas.

 

Scott Rasmussen and Doug Schoen have an article in today’s Wall Street Journal explaining “Why Obama Can’t Move the Health Care Numbers.” Scott's new book, In Search of Self-Governance is available from Rasmussen Reports and at Amazon.com. If you'd like Scott to speak at your meeting, retreat, or conference, contact Premiere Speakers Bureau.

 

(More Below)

 

Forty-two percent (42%) favor the President’s health care plan while 53% are opposed. Most believe passage of the plan will increase the cost of health care. Fifty-five percent (55%) say that Congress should scrap the current health care legislation and start over.

 

See our 2010 Senate polling from Nevada, Colorado, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, California, Indiana, Wisconsin, Washington, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina and Iowa.

 

The latest polling data can always be found on the Rasmussen Reports home page, updated with new data at least six times daily.

 

The New York Times Magazine has a feature on Rahm Emanuel that begins by describing how the White House Chief of Staff reacted to a Rasmussen Reports poll on the Massachusetts Senate race.

 

Scott Rasmussen has recently had several columns published in the Wall Street Journal addressing how President Obama is losing independent voters , health care reform, the President's approval ratings, and how Obama won the White House by campaigning like Ronald Reagan. You can also learn about his favorite place on earth or his time working with hockey legend Gordie Howe.

 

It is important to remember that the Rasmussen Reports job approval ratings are based upon a sample of likely voters. Some other firms base their approval ratings on samples of all adults. President Obama's numbers are always several points higher in a poll of adults rather than likely voters. That's because some of the President's most enthusiastic supporters, such as young adults, are less likely to turn out to vote. It is also important to check the details of question wording when comparing approval ratings from different firms.

 

Link

Edited March 10, 2010 by Perchoutofwater

[driveby]

My leg just got amputated by a slow moving freight train, but the pain and bleeding are holding steady.

[Kid Cid]

You know what we could use? A really fast car that is affordable. They just don't make enough fast cars for the average Joe.

[Perchoutofwater]

BTW bp, I'd love to see term limits on every government position with the exception of SC justices.

[dmarc117]

taxes are going up and services will be cut. save your money!! tough times ahead!

[Chief Dick]

You know what we could use? A really fast car that is affordable. They just don't make enough fast cars for the average Joe.

 

It really depends on your definition of speed. I mean, 50 miles per hour in a boat is REAL fast, but 50 miles per hour in a car is kind of fast, and all cars can hit that.

[bushwacked]

You know what we could use? A really fast car that is affordable. They just don't make enough fast cars for the average Joe.

 

I had a Volkswagen Fox when I was younger. I miss that car.

[TimC]

It really depends on your definition of speed. I mean, 50 miles per hour in a boat is REAL fast, but 50 miles per hour in a car is kind of fast, and all cars can hit that.

 

Did you hear the guy in the runaway Prius yesterday crying about hitting 90 MPH? I hit 90 MPH out of the toll booth.

 

I don't hate Obama...I hate him because Pelosi is usually standing behind him jumping up and down looking like a fool. He should have Pelosi step down and get someone more moderate in there. The lady is an idiot.

[bpwallace49]

Did you hear the guy in the runaway Prius yesterday crying about hitting 90 MPH? I hit 90 MPH out of the toll booth.

 

I don't hate Obama...I hate him because Pelosi is usually standing behind him jumping up and down looking like a fool. He should have Pelosi step down and get someone more moderate in there. The lady is an idiot.

 

+ infinity . . that is twice in a day Tim . . lets see if we can hit the hat trick for us agreeing . . .

[bpwallace49]

My leg just got amputated by a slow moving freight train, but the pain and bleeding are holding steady.

 

Sorry that is a "pre-existing condition" and is not covered. Best of luck!

[bpwallace49]

BTW bp, I'd love to see term limits on every government position with the exception of SC justices.

 

I agree completely . . . . remember when politics WASNT a profession? And citizens did their CIVIC DUTY by serving, and then goiung back to their real professions? If only we could go back to that concept for congress . . .

 

Another point is that while Congress bears the brunt of this, the STAFFERS are just as entrenched, do most of the work crafting policy for the congresspeople to sign off on, and stay in DC forevah . . . another symptom of the problem.

[Kid Cid]

It really depends on your definition of speed. I mean, 50 miles per hour in a boat is REAL fast, but 50 miles per hour in a car is kind of fast, and all cars can hit that.

I phrased it wrong. Not fast so much as quick. 0 to 60 in at about the 4 second mark. Although being able to travel trip digits is pretty nifty too.

[jetsfan]

taxes are going up and services will be cut. save your money!! tough times ahead!

 

crazy talk!!! spend your money now while it is still worth something!!

[TimC]

+ infinity . . that is twice in a day Tim . . lets see if we can hit the hat trick for us agreeing . . .

 

I think we should give the money we're giving to the poor to the rich. Because, really, who do you want to hang around with? Some loser poor guy whining about no job, 4 kids, and a leaking roof with his hand out or the rich guy in the Lamborghini buying hookers and steaks for everyone?

[Kid Cid]

I think we should give the money we're giving to the poor to the rich. Because, really, who do you want to hang around with? Some loser poor guy whining about no job, 4 kids, and a leaking roof with his hand out or the rich guy in the Lamborghini buying hookers and steaks for everyone?

Fast cars, baby. Fast cars.