Perhaps Obama is not as Popular as the Media would have you Believe.!

United States
September 22, 2009 5:47pm CST
It is simply wrong for commentators to continue to focus on President Barack Obama's high levels of popularity, and to conclude that these are indicative of high levels of public confidence in the work of his administration.[b] Indeed, a detailed look at recent survey data shows that the opposite is most likely true. The American people are coming to express increasingly significant doubts about his initiatives, and most likely support a different agenda and different policies from those that the Obama administration has advanced. Polling data show that Mr. Obama's approval rating is dropping and is below where George W. Bush was in an analogous period in 2001. Rasmussen Reports data shows that Mr. Obama's net presidential approval rating -- which is calculated by subtracting the number who strongly disapprove from the number who strongly approve -- is just six, his lowest rating to date.[/b] M.E. Cohen.Overall, Rasmussen Reports shows a 56%-43% approval, with a third strongly disapproving of the president's performance. This is a substantial degree of polarization so early in the administration. Mr. Obama has lost virtually all of his Republican support and a good part of his Independent support, and the trend is decidedly negative. A detailed examination of presidential popularity after 50 days on the job similarly demonstrates a substantial drop in presidential approval relative to other elected presidents in the 20th and 21st centuries. The reason for this decline most likely has to do with doubts about the administration's policies and their impact on peoples' lives, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123690358175013837.html What do your think? Truth or Lies?
3 people like this
11 responses
@stealthy (8181)
• United States
22 Sep 09
His rating is dropping because of his policies, choices in cabinet and other positions and ever expanding number of broken campaign promises.
• United States
22 Sep 09
LOL, look at the poll of polls. His numbers haven't dropped in months, unless you listen to FOX News who will tell you his approval number is 1%.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 09
stealthy Thank you I agree with your response. As usual an Obama lover has infilterated this discussion with his adoration.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 09
How dare they be one non-liberal press!! How shocking!! And I so remember with fondness all the support the last administration (and the economy) got from the media.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Sep 09
I saw a poll on a news site that said the "majority" of american was "mad" at the government. Not just Obama....but both parties. Poeple are getting tired of the BS from both sides. So right now neither side has a right to say much of anything about popularity. Both are not really in favor.......at least by the majoirty of people who took that poll. And to be honest I hear that ALOT ( I would definately say the majoirty of the people I know and talk to in my town) where I am. People not happy with either side right now. If those numbers continue to grow it could means good things for third party candidates in the next few elections. I hope so.
2 people like this
• United States
23 Sep 09
Thank you both for being true Americans who care more about our country and not just a particular political party.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
23 Sep 09
Like I've said over and over...we all better stop thinking in terms of us vs. them and start thinking like AMERICANS before it's to late! We are about to loose all our rights as Americans and all we can do is fight amongst ourselves.
2 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
23 Sep 09
And here I thought one third of the country was simply racist! (Geesh, maybe all those tea party goers actually aren't a crazed mob of drooling haters who know nothing about the president's policies and their future impact.)
2 people like this
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
23 Sep 09
It's clear that you wrote this before watching the David Ledermann show Monday night. From the applause that was heard when the President entered and spoke, I would say that President Obama is very well liked by the majority of the public. OOps... Maybe the audience was screened before entry and only loyal Democrats were allowed to enter... Hmmm.. Think about it!
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
23 Sep 09
By the majority of the public? Letterman must have the largest theater seating ever!
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 09
Dave has long gained a more liberal audience by coming out and letting his ideology guide his comedy.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
23 Sep 09
I've been in a TV audience....they have 'cheerleaders' who pump up the crowd and almost demand you make alot of noise. And Letterman is as liberal as you get as far as celebrities go. What I see is a scramble for media exposure and a great PR team on the president's side....and YOU'RE buying it? BAAAAH. You're part of that generation that grew up in front of the TV, aren't you?
3 people like this
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
23 Sep 09
Ratings are the way we judge these things and there has never been any serious complaints about their validity. Also, the media does frequently give the public a false sense of things mainly by the way they report stuff. So this can very well be true, bearing in mind this Health Reform he's onto now, which goes against a lot of things which a lot of people in America hold as having real value. I would say its true.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 09
Thank you. I agree that these polls are pretty accurate as to what the average American thinks and the current Healthcare propsed bill is of major concern to nearly all of us regardless of which party one supports.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 09
I am for health care reform but NOT for the bill that Obama wants to pass where the Senior Citizens (such as I) shall lose by Obama depleting the Medicare fund by 400 billion dollars and adding increased taxes to pay for his pet projects. I have paid into the Medicare fund to support my health-care when I retire now he wants to take most of the benefits away from it.
• Pamplona, Spain
23 Sep 09
Hi whiteheather,Are Americans for or against this Health Bill do you think? Because the only thing I pick up on the Internet is one side gunning the other down the same as here in Spain. What do you think of this Health Bill and what do most Americans think? Would be interesting to know. Would be interesting to get a valid interpretation of this. I say this because Zapatero is using Obama as an example in many things and we are supposed to act as if we all live in Fairyland here. Take care.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Sep 09
LOL, I see you had to use another Rupert Murdock publican to back up your story. Do you actually read the WJS? It is one of the most right wing papers in the country, and owned by the most right wing man in media. Rasmussen has lost alot of credability when it became FOX New's polling company of choice. I did a post on this a few days ago, and the poll of polls (a combination of the 6 major polls) showed Obama's approval rating at 55%. Which hasn't changed in months. White, you can make a poll say what ever you want it to say by asking certain questions (why Rasmussen has lost so much credability). But, when you facts on your side, those polls that are manipulated don't hold water.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
23 Sep 09
I don't care who says what...honestly. I don't care for his programs and his policies and even if 99% of the American people DID approve of him, that doesn't mean he's right or that he's doing the right things. THINK for yourselves and quit following the pack or should I say HERD?
3 people like this
• United States
23 Sep 09
debrakcarey You got that comment completely right. I do not care to comment regarding the response. These type of adoring responses are reminiscent of a teen with their first crush.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 09
Deb, so I guess that you agree with me when it comes to the polls. Thanks for agreeing with me.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
23 Sep 09
Thanks for this very inlightening! and yes I heard on TV this morning not sure what I was watching but the opinion rating on Obama had fell way lowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
23 Sep 09
thats for sure. But the other day we heard this black lady on the rant on tv say he not been in that long give him a CHANCE!? Think we have gave him enough.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 09
I also think that many of Obama's supports are getting worried. Their adoration can only take them so far but it is a different story when Obama's promise of change is negatively impacting their life, livelihood and health care.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
5 Jan 10
thanks for BR
@venshida (4836)
• United States
23 Sep 09
From what I read, the policies approval rating has decrease. Most people still think highly of him as a person and he is rated highly. They just think the two parties in power now is doing a lousy job.
• United States
23 Sep 09
I also agree that the parties in power are doing a lousy job. I really do not care how popular he is on all the talk shows etc. I am more interested in what he does to us as a country with his policies.
• United States
24 Sep 09
Yet this conversation was had about Bush every day for 2,922 days straight. There goes that theory.
@leahsmom (337)
• United States
23 Sep 09
if he were white we wouldn't be having this conversation.
1 person likes this
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
23 Sep 09
Its obvious that his popularity level has diminished since he was first elected.I am not following as intimately as most. However, I am a parent and a tax payer and what concerns me is the fact that the president is losing so much support. In any situation losing your following isnt a good sign but NO WAY is it comforting for the president to stand alone. I dont know if I am honestly as optimistic as I was at the beginning. We'll have to wait and see. Right now I would have to say It looks as President Obama isnt being totally honest. I hope Im wrong. dl
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 09
That you so much for your response. I really appreciate it because following the timelime of your response this is one of the type of discussion you thoroughly disapprove of (according to your very recent new discussions).
1 person likes this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
23 Sep 09
I've been feeling a coolness in our air for a while now. I feel there are going to be many changes for us now that the president's popularity has dropped and due to his own actions. look for the new changes, they are coming and in our favor too !
1 person likes this
• Pamplona, Spain
23 Sep 09
Hi whiteheather39,Being from outside the US I really cannot say what I think about President Obama I have my own thoughts about him but those are personal. On a practical level I have heard a lot about that Health Bill he wants to get passed is he really going against the grain with that Health Bill? It´s confusing to hear about this being on the outside of the situation you live there I can appreciate what might or will happen is it that the poorer people will end up with no official Doctor at all to be able to consult? Sounds like we are going backward instead of forward. There are no American people where I live to consult this as the Television News is really nothing to go by. Our President if you are interested Zapatero yes that means Shoemaker by the way in English is making his own size eight Boots by stating that he is putting the VAT up by two percent next year this will surely wreak havoc in this already downtrodden economy. This statement he has made seems to be already his own wish come true he has not consulted one normal person about this new fangled rise thing he is indeed becoming less democratic every Day hell bent on inflating his own ego. Obama seems to be an interesting person to the outside person but because I know nothing about him again I would not agree to that Health Bill for a start. Spanish National Health by the way is on a downward trend because the Boat is already overloaded. You are brave taking this on about Obama while he seems to have such a following here in this Country Spain by the way. Take care now.
• United States
23 Sep 09
Thank you! It appears that there more and more Americans becoming braver when they see their livlihood and health care is being threatened by our current government.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 09
Please see my comments to your comment on the next response.
1 person likes this