by Mark Silva
For all the controversy surrounding health care, the economy, global warming and many other issues on his plate - did we mention the war in Afghanistan? - President Barack Obama has maintained a high measure of public confidence in some important attributes.
The newest measure of this comes from the Gallup Poll, which finds that 72 percent of Americans surveyed say Obama is "willing to make hard decisions.''
Two-thirds of those surveyed - 66 percent -- view the president as "a strong and decisive leader.'' And a similar number - 64 percent - say he "understands problems American face in daily lives.''
Also - and this is interesting in the midst of a health-care debate in which Obama is betting his political bank account - nearly two-thirds view the president (64 percent) as able "to get things done.''
Confidence in the president's personal and persuasive traits corresponds with the findings of a Pew Research Center survey in which eight in 10 Americans surveyed call Obama "a good communicator.''
At the same time, the perception of the president's ability to manage the government effectively has slipped - from 66 percent in May to 55 percent in the latest Gallup survey of 1,030 adults conducted Sept. 11-13--with a possible margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Delivering a health-care bill before the end of the year could boost that measure -- though losing it could have the opposite effect.
All of these numbers, albeit lower than what he started with, provide a base suggesting that Obama's assertive attempts to wage his arguments on a public stage have a more receptive audience than his most vocal critics might suggest.
The president has been a nearly round-the-clock communicator in recent days, with five TV network news appearances on Sunday, a stop at the Late Show on Monday night and now a couple days of high-profile appearances at the United Nations in New York, followed by meetings of the Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh.
Some say he's over-exposed - suggesting that it once was unusual to see the president on TV. Some suggest he should go back to work. Some say this is a big part of his work.
"Presidents get an extended opportunity to explain their views to the American public,'' says Darrell West, director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution.
The president, in confronting some of the "vitriol'' of the debate over health care, has maintained during his own network appearances that the 24-hour news machine invites that sort of inflammatory rhetoric. For anyone seeking a few minutes of fame, he suggests, rudeness is the sure ticket to air.
Obama is competing with many voices.
"The extreme elements on both sides are getting a hearing because of the need to feed the 24 hour news machine,'' John Geer, a professor of political science at Vanderbilt University, says. " By going on all the Sunday shows, he too is feeding it. He is right to be worried about it, but he is using it as well to get his message across.
"We live in a country with polarized parties and the issue of health care speaks to our many disagreements. Obama has gone into the lion's den on this one. But between his many skills, the need for some sort of reform, and a Democratic Congress, he is likely to come out of the den with some scars but a bill that will be important for the nation and for his party in the upcoming elections."
Experts suggest that Obama is doing what a president should be doing in the midst of the challenges he faces and the initiatives that he is attempting to push through Congress - starting with the health-care bill, but also including a "cap and trade'' energy bill that has cleared the House with the help of a handful of Republicans and is stalled in the Senate as well as the immigration reform he yet hopes to tackle.
Gallup found that Obama gets "high marks for empathy, as he has done since he rose to national prominence. '' Sixty-four percent of those surveyed say the president understands the problems Americans face in their daily lives. "No less than 63 percent of Americans have said this about Obama since the characteristic was first measured in March 2008,'' Gallup notes.
So long as most Americans feel he is with them, most are likely to be willing to listen to him.
Comments
President Obama does come across as a very likable and personable individual. And it is not surprising that the majority of the public has confidence in him. But it is still too early to judge the success or failures of his Administration. I believe one major mistake Obama made was putting too much faith in Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in getting his legislation through Congress. Both Democratic leaders come across as divisive and very partisan. President Obama's other problem will be keeping the Far Far Left of the Democratic Party under control. This is the same group the led the Democrats down the road to huge landslide defeats in the Presidential Elections of 1972, 1980 and 1984. If Obama is going to get his programs through now is the time to do it. The Republican opposition is still wandering in the wilderness, has no alternative programs and is leaderless. But this current condition in the GOP will not last forever and the Republicans will bounce back. If history is a guide the Republicans should pick up some seats in the House and Senate in 2010. Only time will tell how far the GOP comes back and if the Obama proposed programs are enacted into law.
Posted by: Depot- Jim | September 22, 2009 12:32 PM
Obama the Unqualified has been very ineffective. Talks good, but actions speak louder. Another do-nothing president unable to really make any decisions! Or if he does, flips on them.
Posted by: Darkwater | September 22, 2009 12:46 PM
Darkwater, this stuff is measurable, so when you give vague accusations, it may benefit you (and everyone else) to look at the facts first.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/
Posted by: Joe | September 22, 2009 12:57 PM
Mark, are you kidding us? 72% says he can make the "hard" decisions, like when the Generals ask for more troops and Obama and the WH asks for more time. Guess they got to do some more polling and check the political winds. By golly, that's making the hard decisions.
Posted by: bubba Porter | September 22, 2009 1:07 PM
Isn't it amazing how journalists cherry-pick the polls they write about, and then spin the results?
The article cites selected Gallup and Pew Poll numbers, but manages to ignore the Gallup Poll fact that Obama's latest poll ratings are the lowest of any president's at this point in his administration, except Clinton's.
Which perhaps connects to the recent Pew Poll finding (also ignored by the Swamp) that public trust in journalists has sunk to its lowest level ever.
Posted by: The Rest of the Story | September 22, 2009 1:26 PM
I reside in Hyde Park and Barack Obama has been my State Senator, my United States Senator and now the President.
He is a great speaker and his persona is one of likability.
I must say he accomplished nothing tangible in either of his first two elected offices.
As a community organizer he was involved with the failed steel mills in South Chicago. If one views these former major manufacturing areas all one will see is desolate landscape and no known plan to build anything on this land.
The major controversy in Hyde Park when he was our State Senator was the rebuilding of the sea wall at Promontory Point. State Senator Obama indicated he would mediate between the Chicago Park District and the Hyde Park activists "Save the Point". Eight years later the sea wall has been rebuilt everywhere in Chicago but the Hyde Park area and again no plan currently exists to move forward.
The Hyde Park/Kenwood community has more abandoned storefronts and vacant houses than any time in memory.
Michelle Obama worked for the University of Chicago Hospitals helping to bring health care to the local neighborhood. Since she resigned the University Hospitals are cutting back on this care especially for the poor.
The only evidence that we have of President Obama is when he is in Chicago and traffic on Hyde Park Blvd is curtailed and the ability to use one's cell phone
is affected.
Posted by: Pat H | September 22, 2009 1:39 PM
Republican Congressman who oppose universal health insurance should immediately relinquish their federal health insurance. After all, these members of Congress have long enjoyed taxpayer-subsidized health insurance, a privilege that they apparently believe tens of millions of working, uninsured Americans and their families don't deserve.
If Republicans don't think being uninsured is a big deal, then they should go right ahead and try it out. And if they really believe a public plan is such a bad option, maybe they can persuade their parents to give up Medicare too.
Posted by: K | September 22, 2009 2:24 PM
101,000 Americans die UNNECESSARILY each year because of lack of access to basic medical care that they would get in most other industrialized nations.
.
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/In-the-Literature/2008/Jan/Measuring-the-Health-of-Nations--Updating-an-Earlier-Analysis.aspx
I keep asking my "Canada bashing" kool-aid drinking Wingnut friends to find me just ONE comprehensive poll in Canada showing that Canadians would swap their health care system, warts and all, for ours...Haven't seen any yet.
And believe me, if there were any polls favorable to the Republican cause of denying healthcare to everyone, the Republican minions would be linking to them all day long. Instead, all they have is a handfull of anecdotes that they get from Druggy Rush and that clown Glenn Beck etc.
Posted by: moreofthesame | September 22, 2009 2:29 PM
I laugh every time I see the Republican goons beating their chests over the natural up and downs of President Obama's poll numbers.
Republicans aren't gaining anything, in fact Americans hate the Republican party now more than they ever have.
"When you’re devoid of new ideas, devoid of new leadership, and your only answer to the nation’s pressing problem is to say “NO,” it’s not surprising that moderate, independent voices can no longer identify with you. And all that remains are the fringe elements of a once grand old party that are far outside the American mainstream."
.
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/the-incredible-shrinking-gop-only-one-in-five-self-identify-as-republican/
.
Posted by: Bjorn | September 22, 2009 2:46 PM
Isn't it amazing how journalists cherry-pick the polls they write about, and then spin the results?
Posted by: The Rest of the Story | September 22, 2009 1:26 PM
Thankfully we have someone with an honest no-spin story. He was quick to point out that many of those presidents with higher numbers also came to office with 2 wars and a crumbled economy left over by one of those presidents. Thank you for your no-spin indepth look.
Posted by: bill r. | September 22, 2009 2:53 PM
Where We Stand:
Democrats - favor the public option
Independents - favor the public option
Republicans - don’t favor the public option
-
Democrats - favor legislation to help address climate change
Independents - favor legislation to help address climate change
Republicans - don’t favor legislation to help address climate change
-
Democrats - favor equal rights for GLBT Americans
Independents - favor equal rights for GLBT Americans
Republicans - don’t favor equal rights for GLBT Americans
-
Democrats - know that the president is an American citizen
Independents - know that the president is an American citizen
Republicans - think the president is a Kenyan citizen
-
Democrats - believe we have nothing to fear but fear itself
Independents - believe we have nothing to fear but fear itself
Republicans - believe we have everything to fear including lots of dangers that exist only in their imagination
-
Democrats - believe that we're all in this together
Independents - believe that we're all in this together
Republicans - believe that we're all in this together as long as you give them all the power and do exactly what they say but not necessarily exactly what they do, especially when they break a bunch of commandments and stuff
-
Democrats - seek and weigh the facts
Independents - seek and weigh the facts
Republicans - have their own set of "facts" and therefore don't need to seek or weigh any new ones
And the Corporate Media paints the left and the right as "equally" shrill and detached from mainstream America?
Posted by: sok | September 22, 2009 3:17 PM
"sok", nice copy and paste job from DailyKos. Just a suggestion - - Instead of copying posts from one liberal blog and pasting them on another, why don't you give writing your own a shot? Who knows? You may be good at it.
Posted by: Herbie H. | September 22, 2009 4:32 PM
Thanks Herbie
Posted by: sok | September 22, 2009 5:08 PM
This poll must have been of only of Hollywood celebs. Strong, decisive leader? Last March, he spoke of a new Afghan initiative and that he wasn't going to take his eye off the real war. He hailed a new strategy. Today, when the generals ask him for more troops, he says he needs to look at it.
He leaves the formation of his so-called health care overhaul to Congressional Democrats.
Russia demands he bend over and give up on protecting Eastern Europe and he bends over and asks Putin to give it to him.
He takes whatever Chavez, Kim Jong Il and Khaddafy do to him lying down and he pleads they be nice to him.
Amazingly, the reality is this guy could be weaker than Carter. This idiot is a complete joke.
By the way, Mark, health care does not need to be on his plate, nor does alleged global warming, which day by day is proving to be quite the myth. Course, those of us with a brain knew that anyway.
Posted by: John D | September 22, 2009 6:16 PM
I doubt what sok is trying to pass off.
My read:
Liberal Democrats favor the public option and increased taxes
.
Blue Dog Democrats have concerns about the public option and increased taxes.
Independents have doubts about the public option and increased taxes.
Republicans oppose the public option and oppose increased taxes, fees and whatever else you call it when you take money from the individuals bank account and transfer it to the government.
The liberals can jam it done the people's throats but then they will suffer the consequences in the future!
Posted by: Pat H | September 22, 2009 6:29 PM
This poll must have been of only of Hollywood celebs. Strong, decisive leader? Last
Posted by: John D | September 22, 2009 6:16 PM
*********************************************
.
.
Which Hollywood celebs would that be, Lil Johnny QuackingDuck?
Chuck Norris? Wiford Brimley? Carrie Prejean? John Voight? The Mailman from Cheers?
.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-22-gop-hollywood_N.htm
Posted by: janet | September 22, 2009 7:16 PM
Strong and decisive = effective.
Trouble is, he hasn't been strong and decisive re. healthcare, financial reform, and other areas. He's been triangulatin'.
He basically handed healthcare reform over to one Maine Republican and one Montana Democrat, and the whole 'gang of six' represent 1/50 of the American population.
And robust re-regulation of the financial system WILL NOT HAPPEN. People will have to die before that happens.
Ditto global warming. The Senate will never pass a meaningful GW treaty.
You need to face the truth America; We are not a democracy. Ask any Republican.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 22, 2009 8:38 PM
Blue Dog Democrats have concerns about the public option and increased taxes.Independents have doubts about the public option and increased taxes.Republicans oppose the public option and oppose
Posted by: Pat H | September 22, 2009 6:29 PM
********************************************
.
Blue Dogs and Repuglicans oppose a public option because they're currently sticking as much health insurance lobbyist cash in their pants pockets as they possilbly can right now.
Try again, Patty
Posted by: Lithium | September 22, 2009 9:06 PM
Obama's near round the clock exposure seems to be a really good example of law of diminishing returns.
Hey Barry, nice job.
Posted by: Chris | September 22, 2009 10:36 PM
nor does alleged global warming, which day by day is proving to be quite the myth. Course, those of us with a brain knew that anyway.
Posted by: John D | September 22, 2009 6:16 PM
Ya John the myth is in your head only. Have you looked at the northern ice caps lately?
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | September 23, 2009 7:38 AM
Hey Scott - have you ever heard of the Sun. That big glowing ball up in the sky (during the day only so don't look for it at night scott).
It sometimes has these things calle flare-ups, I'll skip the scientific language so you might be able to understand. These "Flare-ups" have been increasing lately in occurance as has been reported by the scientific world to be one of the factors contributing to an increase in average temperatures in certain areas of the planet. Heck even NASA can verify this in case you can't believe other scientific findings.
Guess what effects the Northern Ice Caps there Scott? Go back to class please and get some critical education lessons before releasing more stump grindin thought's from your head.
Posted by: springfield | September 23, 2009 3:05 PM
Posted by: springfield | September 23, 2009 3:05 PM
Uh, ya I've heard of flare-ups you MORON. So explain to me then why the ice caps have been melting at an alraming rate only in the last 30 years? I suggest you get your meat head out of the bible and into some real scientific journals not sponsored by the big oil hams you love to support!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | September 23, 2009 4:59 PM
Scottie,
Or could it be sunspots. The following graph talks about correlations - go get an adult to explain this to you. I know - math is hard for girls
http://motls.blogspot.com/2009/04/correlation-of-sunspots-and-sea-level.html
Posted by: Terry | September 23, 2009 5:52 PM
Posted by: Terry | September 23, 2009 5:52 PM
Oh Terry you're just so hysterical. How old are you again?
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | September 23, 2009 8:24 PM
Old enough and smart enough not make a dumb comment like "Oh Terry you're just so hysterical. How old are you again?" Does my mom where army boots also?
Did you find an adult to explain the concept of correlation?
Posted by: Terry | September 23, 2009 10:18 PM
I know - math is hard for girls
Posted by: Terry | September 23,
obviously not old enough.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | September 24, 2009 6:31 PM
Scottie,
Still looking for an adult to explain how x and y relate to each other?
Those dang facts are a stubborn thing. How was that blistering hot summer in Quebec this year?
Posted by: Terry | September 24, 2009 9:33 PM