by Mark Silva
Four months in, President Barack Obama's public approval rating is holding fairly steady, at close to two-thirds. And he is faring better, at this stage, than all three of his immediate predecessors.
Only Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan enjoyed higher public approval ratings in the Gallup Poll during May of their first year in office, Gallup reports today: JFK had 77 percent approval at this stage, Ike 74 percent and Reagan 68 percent.
At 65 percent approval, on average during May, Obama stands even with Jimmy Carter at this stage of his presidency.
And Obama is more popular, at this stage of his presidency, than George W. Bush was - 55 percent in May of his first year - Bill Clinton, at 45 percent, or Bush senior, at 60 percent.
The implications, for the new president four months into office, are serious: The ability to advance an agenda knowing that he still has public support on his side.
This will likely play into everything from Senate confirmation of his first nominee to the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, to his push for health care reform this summer. He is likely to have an easier time with that nominee than with health care, but Congress will have a hard time bucking the agenda of a popular president.
"Obama's consistent monthly averages above 60 percent clearly indicate he is still enjoying the honeymoon phase of his presidency,'' Gallup reports. "His popular support will certainly be tested in the coming months, though, as Congress begins work on some of his more ambitious initiatives, including his 2010 budget and healthcare reform.
"In addition to the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he is also attempting to advance the Middle East peace process and deal with the increasingly serious situation in North Korea. However, to date, according to the American public, he seems to be performing better than most of his immediate predecessors, and not worse than most post-World War II presidents.''
The president's approval rating comes from interviews with 13,310 adults conducted May 1 through May 27, with a possible margin of error of just one percentage point.
Comments
Bruce says: Not reported here in the swamp, a poll from pollstomakemefeelbetter.com shows Obamas numbers dropping like a brick.
John D says: The looney left has brought us hurricanes, forrest fires, and ingrown toe nails.
Inky says: butt whot about his berth certificot?
Joe says: Blah blah blah!
Terry says: But aarp is a radical left leaning group.
Have they learned anything? Naaaaaaaaaa!
Posted by: bill r. | May 29, 2009 8:49 AM
If I were a media Democrat, what would I write on?
I'd concentrate on poll numbers (which the media's pro-Obama fawning can influence) rather than policy.
If I wrote anything on the economy, I'd write up what Obama's White House SAYS about the economy, rather than the actual facts of the economy.
If I were a media Democrat, that is.
Posted by: Bruce | May 29, 2009 10:11 AM
Did they help find those WMDs?
Posted by: bill r. | May 29, 2009 11:26 AM
Maybe someday what's left of the Republicon party will figure out that people are looking for good ideas and policy proposals, NOT sound bites and smear jobs, but I doubt it.
.
http://www.americablog.com/2009/05/gop-is-shrinking-across-every.html
Posted by: former Republican | May 29, 2009 12:56 PM
At 65 percent approval, on average during May, Obama stands even with Jimmy Carter at this stage of his presidency. ~ M.S.
The Shape Of Things To Come ~ H.G. Wells
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | May 29, 2009 1:04 PM
They are in there last throes if you will~Dick Cheney
Posted by: bill r. | May 29, 2009 1:10 PM
According to the American voters: Republicans are less popular than Russia and Venezuela.
.
http://www.pufferfishblog.com/weblog/2009/04/republicans-less-popular-than-venezuela.html
Heckuva Job, Wingnuts!
Posted by: Ed | May 29, 2009 2:48 PM
At 65 percent approval, on average during May, Obama stands even with Jimmy Carter at this stage of his presidency. ~ M.S.
The Shape Of Things To Come ~ H.G. Wells
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | May 29, 2009 1:04 PM
Bush at the same time was 55%. At the end of his term 22%
You're right Django, I guess H.G. Wells was right! LOSER!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 29, 2009 4:01 PM
And Kool-Aid sales are steadily rising also. Coincidence or casue-and-effect?
Posted by: Terry | May 29, 2009 7:46 PM
And Kool-Aid sales are steadily rising also. Coincidence or casue-and-effect?
Posted by: Terry | May 29, 2009 7:46 PM
And your point has what to do with this article? Nothing! As usual empty and nothing new.from Terrie the sore loser. Now go stomp your feet and join Rush and Newt in the play pen!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 29, 2009 11:59 PM
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 29, 2009 4:01 PM
There is an unconfirmed report that bin Laden's Event Planner may have been killed earlier this week. Now I could not tell anyone that that was either good or bad, but as the best buddy any Terrorist could ever hope to have, maybe Supreme Loser Jimmy Carter could just borrow Air Force One and go and extend his condolences. Folks would get to see Jimmy Carter, Supreme Loser, standing in for Mustapha Mond, slithering off AF-1, and shazam, his approval ratings would probably spike up 25 points, which proves that ....
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | May 30, 2009 12:04 AM
Scotty,
I was drawing a correaltion between Kool-Aid sales and BO's popularity.
http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/packaged-goods/e3i9731bda8fc678b445d40af81549ebc38
A correlation indicates a linear relationship between two random variables. For example, warmer tempatures on earth and Sun-Spot activity have a strong correlation. Scottie in front of a copmuter and intellgent posts have no corrleation? Does that make sense? I know math can be hard for girls.
Posted by: Terry | May 30, 2009 7:50 PM
I know math can be hard for girls.
Posted by: Terry | May 30, 2009 7:50 PM
Very funny Terrie. So now woman arent smart enough to handle math is that it? You're an ass.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | June 3, 2009 7:24 AM
Scottie,
Actually that's an old myth put out by by an old toy you probably have in your closet.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/164523
This post coming from the father of a daughter who has a math degree
Posted by: Terry | June 3, 2009 8:24 PM