by Frank James
We have more evidence that President-elect Barack Obama enjoys a tremendous amount of political capital as he heads into his inauguration Tuesday.
Gallup's pollsters report that Obama gets a relatively high 83 percent approval rating for his presidential transition, a higher. That compares with 61 percent for President-elect George W. Bush in 2001 and 68 percent for President-elect Bill Clinton in 1992.
A Gallup excerpt:
Obama's transition approval rating has actually increased slightly over the last month, despite the fact that he has encountered a few "speed bumps" in terms of his Cabinet appointments, including the withdrawal of his appointee for commerce secretary, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who was forced to drop out owing to investigations into possible improper business dealings in his home state.
As my colleague Mark Silva reported yesterday, the Pew Research Center found that Obama had a 79-percent overall approval rating.
That Obama would have higher ratings at this point than either Bush or Clinton isn't surprising since he convincingly won election with a significant plurality and those two earlier presidents didn't.
But the high approval for his transition is a good indicator of how smoothly it has been managed. It also suggests how much Americans are pulling for Obama to succeed, especially in his efforts to help breathe new life into the economy.
Comments
Wow...this really shows how out of touch with America these rabid, constant complainers who can only shout Change, Chicago, and Blago really are. Come on guys...give us a little sample of your vitriol.
Posted by: bill r. | January 16, 2009 11:59 AM
These impressive numbers are stunning given the media and GOP frenzy in recent days over the various hiccups/"scandals" of the Obama cabinet picks. Even Geithner's especially embarrassing gaffes can't slow down Obamamania. Will TARP and the stimulus whack down his popularity?
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | January 16, 2009 12:37 PM
The good will granted any incoming president + The public's wishful thinking in the face of crises + Obama's undeniable charm = No surprise here.
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As I've said before, check these numbers next Summer, or Autumn and see if we're impressed. I certainly hope so.
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The critical question is: can somebody like Obama, who is in the dead middle of the mainstream; who got where he is by not shaking things up; who has always been a champion of the status quo; in short, another "New Democrat"; make the bold decisions called for in these difficult times? His resume indicates the answer is "no". His cabinet choices to date confirm that.
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That aside, I fervently hope to be pleasantly surprised.
Posted by: MJ | January 16, 2009 12:52 PM
His cabinet choices to date confirm that.
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That aside, I fervently hope to be pleasantly surprised.
Posted by: MJ | January 16, 2009 12:52 PM
Well that puts you in the 17% that feel that way. Most...even the less rabid on the right have found his choices to be acceptable.
Posted by: bill r. | January 16, 2009 4:22 PM
His resume indicates the answer is "no". His cabinet choices to date confirm that.
That aside, I fervently hope to be pleasantly surprised.
Posted by: MJ | January 16, 2009 12:52 PM
You and the rest of the Wingnutter crew have been whining about Obama ever since he announced he was running for Prez.
You lost. Deal with it, Clown.
Posted by: Leo Deux | January 16, 2009 5:08 PM
Posted by: bill r. | January 16, 2009 4:22 PM
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Thank you for that condensed version of FJ's original post.
Posted by: MJ | January 16, 2009 6:33 PM
Obama uses the phrase "pragmatic" a lot. It appears from many statements and appointments that a lot of policies will not radical shift, some appeasement to the "leftys" are just semantics. Of course, he is still president-elect, but I am praying for the best. He very much appears to understand Bush's terrorism tactics and I believe much of it will be status quo, as he has to maintain "no attacks since 9/11". I like his Chicago style of "slapping" around Congressional Dems. to his positions. So far, so good. If I was a "lefty" I would be PO, a lot of their positions and "victims" are about to be bused.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 16, 2009 7:59 PM