When he was inaugurated in January, Obama scored a job approval rating of 64% approve-25% disapprove in the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll — a net positive rating by a formidable 39 percentage-points.
As the year comes to a close, he’s still in positive territory, but not by much. The latest survey, taken Friday through Monday, puts the president’s approval at 49%-46%. That is Obama’s narrowest margin of the year, with his approval matching his low point in early October and his disapproval matching his high point later that month.
In comparison to the approval ratings for modern elected presidents in December of their first year in office, Obama’s standing is the worst, though he’s close to Ronald Reagan. In December 1981, Reagan’s approval rating was also 49%, though his disapprove rating was a bit lower, 41%.
Gallup Poll ratings for the others: George W. Bush was at 86%, in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks; John Kennedy at 77%, the elder George Bush at 71%, Dwight Eisenhower at 69%, Richard Nixon at 59%, Jimmy Carter at 57% and Bill Clinton at 54%.
Obama continues to have a higher favorable rating than job approval, a sign that some of those who don’t like his policies as president still think highly of him as a person. Among those surveyed, 56% had a favorable opinion of him; 42% an unfavorable one.
And Sarah Palin?
The nationwide tour promoting her best-selling book, Going Rogue, seems to have helped boost her image, although she still has a way to go. Now, 44% have a favorable opinion of the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee. Forty-seven percent have an unfavorable view.
In October, her favorable rating was 40%-50%
The poll of 1,025 adults, taken by landline and cell phone, has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
“If Obama only wins 37 percent of the white vote in 2012 he’s toast.”
Acorn would never let that happen. Oh, and the Black Panthers will lock down all the polling locations so that only the right kind of white folks vote.
There aren’t enough Black Panthers and Acorn enthusiasts to make it happen, though no doubt a few would try. Independents are no longer acting like Democrats. 14 percent of Democrats think Obama is the worst president ever. That spells doom for the donkeys everywhere west of Interstate 81.
Only one GOP candidate has the ability – and proven record of – winning support among black voters.
Oh stop. For the love of God. Just stop. God Boy Huckabee is not going to win blacks against Mr. 98 percent. If you think so you are either a Holy Rolling Idiot or a Partisan Hack.
Why do people assume that the only ones supporting Mike Huckabee are “Holy Rollers.” That means that half of America are holy rollers. Did you see the latest Public Policy Poll. He does the best vs. Obama. Get over your fear of him already.
Duh, obviously this poll shows that white people are just blinded by racism… as evidenced by the unbiased black perspective, only 2% of the population should have legitimate complaints about the President.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Results from the 2008 presidential election
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#USP00p1
Among Whites
John McCain 55%
Barack Obama 43%
Among Blacks
Barack Obama 95%
John McCain 4%
December 14th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
If the GOP nominee in 2012 could transform the white breakdown to 61%-37%-2% that could swing a significant amount of states.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Poll: Obama approval positive, but just barely
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/12/poll-obama-job-approval-at-49/1
December 14th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Only one GOP candidate has the ability – and proven record of – winning support among black voters.
Mike Huckabee – http://www.MikeHuckabeePresident2012.blogspot.com
BSR
December 14th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
If Obama only wins 37 percent of the white vote in 2012 he’s toast.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Thanks for posting Alex, this is very telling.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
“If Obama only wins 37 percent of the white vote in 2012 he’s toast.”
Acorn would never let that happen. Oh, and the Black Panthers will lock down all the polling locations so that only the right kind of white folks vote.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
“Only one GOP candidate has the ability – and proven record of – winning support among black voters.”
Unfortunately, he’s also the only candidate with a proven record of setting killers free on the population…
Besides, nobody is going to beat Obama in the black community.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
DanL,
There aren’t enough Black Panthers and Acorn enthusiasts to make it happen, though no doubt a few would try. Independents are no longer acting like Democrats. 14 percent of Democrats think Obama is the worst president ever. That spells doom for the donkeys everywhere west of Interstate 81.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Oh stop. For the love of God. Just stop. God Boy Huckabee is not going to win blacks against Mr. 98 percent. If you think so you are either a Holy Rolling Idiot or a Partisan Hack.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
“If you think so you are either a Holy Rolling Idiot or a Partisan Hack.”
My guess would be both.
December 14th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
There is significant ground for the GOP to improve within the Black Community – but only in an election not involving Barack Obama or another Black.
December 14th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
#12 I don’t think so. Look at how McDonnell performed against Deeds among the African-American community.
December 14th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Why do people assume that the only ones supporting Mike Huckabee are “Holy Rollers.” That means that half of America are holy rollers. Did you see the latest Public Policy Poll. He does the best vs. Obama. Get over your fear of him already.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
[...] today’s Rasmussen analysis (via Race42008): The President earns approval from 37% of White voters and 98% of African-American [...]
December 14th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Duh, obviously this poll shows that white people are just blinded by racism… as evidenced by the unbiased black perspective, only 2% of the population should have legitimate complaints about the President.