by Mark Silva
One year after the buoyant election of President Barack Obama, Americans are less sure about the president - voicing less confidence in his ability to accomplish a number of goals, to heal the political divisions in the nation or to control federal spending.
One year in, Obama's job approval rating - 53 percent - places him near the bottom of modern-day presidents after one year in office, along with Ronald Reagan - yet two of the three presidents rated this llow one year after election (including Bill Clinton, the lowest, at 48 percent) went on to win reelection.
A majority of Americans still voice confidence in Obama's ability to do all these things: 52 percent expressing confidence in his ability to control spending, 54 percent in healing political division, 58 percent in bringing troops home from Afghanistan (66 percent Iraq) in a way that is not harmful to U.S. interests, 62 percent in keeping the nation safe from terrorism, 64 percent in improving health care, 67 percent in reducing unemployment, 60 in increasing respect for the U.S. abroad.
All of these measures of confidence, however, are lower than the views held in the days after Obama's historic election.
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These are among the findings of a Gallup Poll conducted near the end of the year since Obama's landslide electoral victory in November of 2008. The survey was conducted Oct. 16-19.
"Two-thirds of Americans now say the country is more deeply divided on the major issues facing the country than it has been in the past several years, an increase of 11 points from the record-low reading on this last November,'' writes Frank Newport, editor-in-chief of the Gallup Poll.
In light of the overall decline n Obama's job approval in Gallup's polling - it stood in the high 60s in the days after his inauguration in January, in the low 50s in the latest tracking - Newport suggests that "It may not be surprising to find that Anericans have become at least somewhat less optimistic about Obama's ability to accomplish these goals.''
Americans appear least confident, however, in the president's ability to heal political divisions in the country - which are likely to be amplified somewhat after the election held one year later - in which the president's party was rebuffed in two governor's races and prevailed in a New York congressional district that Obama carried last year but which hhadn't elected a Democrat in more than a century.
"Some had hoped that Obama's election would bring the nation closer together,'' Newport writes. "The significant drop in views that Obama will be able to heal political divisions and the increase in views that the U.S. is more deeply divided than in previous years suggest that the American people are not convinced this has occurred.''
One year after election, Obama's 53 percent job approval rating places him near the bottom of the list of elected presidents since World War II, in terms of their approval ratings one year after winning the office.
George W. Bush's approval stood at 87 percent one year after election - that was in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when his approval soared. John F. Kennedy held 79 percent approval one year in, George H.W. Bush 70 percent, Richard Nixon 67 percent, Dwight Eisenhower 61 percent, Jimmy Carter 55 percent and Ronald Reagan 53 percent - the same as Obama today. Only Bill Clinton had slipped lower: 48 percent.
Obama, Newport suggests, "can take some solace'' in the fact that two of the three presidents who had about the same, or lower, ratings one year after election went on to be re-elected. And George H.W. Bush lost, despite his lofty ratings one year in.
"The public's view of a president's first year in office is far from being an effective predictor of how well he will ultimately be judged as president, nor is it a good predictor of his probability of being re-elected,'' Newport notes. Nevertheless, he dds, "Americans have become less sure that he will be able to accomplish a number of his administration's goals.''
The survey of 1,521 adults conducted Oct. 16-19 carries a possible margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The job approval rating is from the combined daily surveys of the week ending Nov. 1, which carry a somewhat lower margin of error.
Comments
I have no confidence in his ability to lead or protect us from terrorists - he scares me to death!
Posted by: nancy | November 4, 2009 8:56 AM
Barack Obama won the election last year because George W. Bush was extremely unpopular and the economy went into the tank in September 2008.
President Obama can give great speeches but he has not been able to prove that he can govern. He had limited accomplishments in his previous elected offices and has accomplished little so far as President.
The Democrats and the main stream media believe that the Country has moved to the far left but the independents are trying to tell that is not so.
The independents and the Republicans are concerned about big spending programs, bailouts, the deficit, the national debt and the probability of massive tax cuts. The Democrats are ignoring these concerns.
Barack Obama still has time to save his Presidency but Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are endangered species!
Posted by: Pat H | November 4, 2009 8:57 AM
Take the Kool Aid drinkers out of the equation, and the approval rating is probably 30%.
Posted by: Adolph | November 4, 2009 9:27 AM
While Va. followed a 36 year precident of electing the party opposite of who is in the Whitehouse, and Corzine being an unpopular figure in NJ, it is good to see that the GOP can spin this into some sort of victory. Good lord they need something to bring them back from the edge of total depression. One race I noticed "not" in this thread is the Hoffman, baby, Hoffman. A republican district since the Civil War, and national figures such as Palin, Beck, Limpbag, and Vannity stomping for him, the Americans and republicans says keep the crazies out of our party.
Posted by: bill r. | November 4, 2009 9:43 AM
His poll numbers are still too high given his constant lying, staggering arrogance, dangerous narcissism and astounding incompetence. The Virginia and New Jersey elections were a good start, but we need to continue to stand strong in every way against Obama and the other spoiled children in the White House. Obama is bad news for America.
Posted by: Jackson | November 4, 2009 10:06 AM
Of course, doubts are up. You have a 24-7, lying and distorting machine, financed by greed, attacking a new President, President Obama, from the moment he entered office. They even questioned his citizenship. they smeared his patriotism, they questioned his sincerity. He followed into Office, the rottenest joke in centuries and a devastated economy. There better be doubts, or someone isn't paying attention. I know the Obstructionist in our Senate have a lot to answer for, to their constituents and to our nation. They are so quick to cite chapter and verse, of our great Constitution and they can't even follow their proscribed duties, laid out by that great document !! With the Republican-Libertarians, there is no doubt, they have failed America miserably !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | November 4, 2009 10:39 AM
President Obama won 53% of the popular vote. 53-58% still support him. President Obama will easily be re-elected in 3 years. Despite the teabaggers, birthers, Beck, Palin, Limbaugh or other right wing nut jobs. Any questions?
Posted by: Robert | November 4, 2009 11:55 AM
I have no confidence in his ability to lead or protect us from terrorists - he scares me to death!
Posted by: nancy | November 4, 2009 8:56 AM
Agree Nancy, a hint of that is Obama's atitude towad Isreall for starters.
Posted by: Inky | November 4, 2009 12:01 PM
He had limited accomplishments in his previous elected offices and has accomplished little so far as President.
Posted by: Pat H | November 4, 2009 8:57 AM
;
B-b-b-b-b-b-ut I thought he was turning us into a Marxist Socialist nation? You crazies can't get your talking points straight. One minute Frank Luntz is telling you to call President Obama a Do-Nothing President and the next Limbaugh/Hannity/Beck/Malkin are telling you that he has completely changed America. Hi-Larious!
PS One year later and my life is wonderful. My standard of living has increased and I still have a job because I'm not dead weight to my company, unlike most of you loathsome crybaby Republican complainers. Take charge of your life and make yourself successful. I did;)
Posted by: janet | November 4, 2009 12:02 PM
Dear Barack,
Please continue to campaign for Democratic candidates in future elections. The Republicans welcome all your help.
Thank you.
BTW, wasn't NY-23 given back to Canada years ago? I think we got 3 Canadian geese and a six-pack of Moosehead in exchange.
Posted by: Thank You | November 4, 2009 12:05 PM
"I have no confidence in his ability to lead or protect us from terrorists - he scares me to death!"
People like you should not be allowed to vote. Put your tea-bag hat on and hide in the basement ok?
"constant lying, staggering arrogance, dangerous narcissism and astounding incompetence" - Bush is no longer in office, wake up!
Posted by: Michael | November 4, 2009 12:17 PM
While Va. followed a 36 year precident of electing the party opposite of who is in the Whitehouse, and Corzine being an unpopular figure in NJ, it is good to see that the GOP can spin this into some sort of victory. Good lord they need something to bring them back from the edge of total depression. One race I noticed "not" in this thread is the Hoffman, baby, Hoffman. A republican district since the Civil War, and national figures such as Palin, Beck, Limpbag, and Vannity stomping for him, the Americans and republicans says keep the crazies out of our party.
Posted by: bill r. | November 4, 2009 9:43 AM
bill- you clearly have bought into the hype- if VA and NJ went DEM you would be posting about the death of the REP party - You know as well as I do that Obama wanted these states to validate that he still has popular support for his policies. Losing these elections diminishes the '08 election as nothing more than anti-bush frustration ( which seems to be your argument for Corzine losing)-
The VA race was a +18 margin- 1 Year after the great one "historically" carried the state...
New Jersey was a victory in a deep blue state that Obama clearly wanted based on the 5-6 campaigning trips he made there..So much for the hope change message…
People are figuring out that the DEM policies are job killing, big government, ideology driven, nonsense economics...this is a huge message to the president that he better move to governing based on what MOST people want - and to stop listening to what the little Marxist voice in his head is telling him..
Posted by: heartburn | November 4, 2009 12:23 PM
Jackson: "His poll numbers are still too high given his constant lying, staggering arrogance, dangerous narcissism and astounding incompetence."
You know Bush isn't president anymore, right?
Posted by: Tim B | November 4, 2009 12:30 PM
little bill - you gotta get an education. Start with grammer school first, you need it.
Beyond that and after you grow up, maybe you could understand the menaing of failure, discern fact from fiction, manage to keep your diaper dry and get off the joy juice you're hooked on.
The presidential approval numbers are fading fast. See there just went about 2 percent more while we're talking! the man behind the curtain has been exposed and clicking your ruby slippers won't change the scenery or logical people's minds.
Posted by: springfield | November 4, 2009 1:01 PM
Veni. Vidi. Vici. Obama came, he saw and he conquered. But his empire crumbles as the people realize he speaketh with forked tongue - accomplishing little, stifling criticism, and forcing his face and that of his family's on the public every chance he gets.
And I voted for him....
Posted by: Nocostrata | November 4, 2009 1:07 PM
springfield:
If you insist on challenging someone's educational background, implying yours to be superior, be sure to spell "grammar" correctly.
It's elementary.
Posted by: Swamp Fox | November 4, 2009 1:27 PM
heartburn......Please let's be real enough to say there is enough "hype" on both sides of this election. The argument on Corzine is just that, an argument on the fact that these are "local" elections. Based on local issues. But certainly I don't want to rain on your parade, good lord you could use a little hope.Oops...I know how you hate that word. But you failed to mention the 23rd race.
Ps. Springfieldd.......You should certainly take notice of the 23rds race. The moderats said loud and clear that the crazies need to take it on down the road. As far as grammar? You need to reread your post, correct your spelling and write 100 times on paper....I will not be a hypocrite.
Posted by: bill r. | November 4, 2009 1:30 PM
I have no confidence in his ability to lead or protect us from terrorists - he scares me to death!
Posted by: nancy | November 4, 2009 8:56 AM
Well, so far his record on keeping us safe from terrorists is every bit as good as Bush's -- BETTER, actually, when you factor in that little hiccup where Bush allowed a few terrorists to blow up the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (oopsies!!). If you excuse that single event, as Republicans are wont to do, then Obama's doing AS GOOD A JOB as Bush!
As for your feelings? Well, welcome to my world 8 years ago.
Posted by: Op109 | November 4, 2009 1:46 PM
I do not present my self to be above anyone. I do not brag about myself or my accomplishments. I do however, clear the air when dimbulbs make dumb statements.
Honesty is really something to be proud of - you ever try it? Comedy is not your strong suit either.
Imply what you will but please take my words as stated before your twisted logic creates something that is not there. In other words, if you have a response, respond to what I say not what you think I said or what you think I'm thinking.
**********************************
springfield:
If you insist on challenging someone's educational background, implying yours to be superior, be sure to spell "grammar" correctly.
It's elementary.
Posted by: Swamp Fox | November 4, 2009 1:27 PM
Posted by: springfield | November 4, 2009 2:23 PM
Oh man-up springfield!
Posted by: bill r. | November 4, 2009 4:26 PM
I do however, clear the air when dimbulbs make dumb statements.
Honesty is really something to be proud of
Clearing the air and honesty? On an opinion page? You know what they say about opinions, and you are just another rectum with a voice.
Posted by: bill r. | November 4, 2009 4:54 PM
Posted by: bill r. | November 4, 2009 1:30 PM
Right- the NY 23 race where an accountant who until about 45 minutes ago nobody heard of, with no money and with leaders from both parties campaining against him came within a few points of being a congressman while running on a platform based solely on conservative common sense ( non Obama) philosophies.. do you mean that race?
Posted by: heartburn | November 4, 2009 5:04 PM
heartburn....the guy who had Palin, Rush, Vannity, and Glenn Beck stomping for on national TV? yeah...that guy.
Posted by: bill r. | November 4, 2009 11:06 PM
bill r. did you really look at that NY race? If they had a primary, Hoffman would have been the candidate and had more time to solidify support among repbulicans. Don't believe everything Olbermann tells you...he's just a sportscaster.
Posted by: no name | November 5, 2009 12:19 AM
bill r., janet and other left-leaning commenters...I find it humorous when you imply that those who are conservative or just happen to disagree with the left are mindless robots who are told what to do by the Hannitys and Limbaughs of the world. It's funny, because I find the most mindless, robot-like people I meet are those who worship president Obama, read the New York Times and watch MSNBC. bill r. in particular...your comments are straight from the Olbermann playbook. So are you a robot or do you actually think for yourself? Hmmm....I wonder.
Posted by: no name | November 5, 2009 12:24 AM
The love affair with Barack may be getting to the end of the "infatuation" phases.
But there are many more phases of the affair to develop.
Consider it the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Posted by: ornery | November 5, 2009 3:22 AM
I am tired of hearing this empty suit play the Blame Bush game.
Sure Bush made more than his share of mistakes, but why is Mr Obama continuing the Bush Legacy? Obama has been in office 11 months and he has yet to "Change" one Bush policy.
It seems Mr. Obama is playing with our troops lives by not making a decision with Afghanistan, and he wants to play with OUR lives by ramming through a health care bill without careful consideration.
Meanwhile, Obama still wiretaps, Haliburton still gets the contracts, Gitmo is still open for business, the price of Oil is hovering around $80.00 a barrel, Our Dollar continues to slip to new lows everyday, unemployment has not stabilized, Iraq war continues to be an endless money pit, Afghanistan is severely mismanaged.. If you wanted George Bush for a 3rd term you should have lifted the two term limit and voted in the real deal... President Zero..
Posted by: Greg | November 5, 2009 3:30 AM
53 percent think he can control spending. Perhaps they are right, but the real question is will he and his Congress? When it comes to the deficit we are in deep, deep Do-do and the majority of Dems don't seem to care.
Posted by: Richard C | November 5, 2009 5:36 AM
A large percentage of Senator Obama votes in the Senate were recorded as Not Voting. Apparently after the elections yesterday many will be Not Voting for him next time!
Posted by: gedkin | November 5, 2009 7:27 AM
People this guy is in over his head.
For his delay in supporting our troops in Afghanistan he should be Impeached. After call he is suppose to be the "Commander in Chief. If this is leading the United States, along with Pelosi and Reid and the other members of the "Over the Hill Gang" Boy are we in trouble!. Go schmooze "Boss Daley I'm sure he can find a more suitable position for you.
Posted by: Paul | November 5, 2009 1:56 PM