DARK SKIES BLOG

Published by Jack Everest on 07 Mar 2009 at 11:49 am

Rasmussen’s Daily Tracking Poll puts Obama at net 8% approval

5 Comments POLITICS

5 Responses to “Rasmussen’s Daily Tracking Poll puts Obama at net 8% approval”

1. Iklan Mudah Blog » Blog Archive » Rasmussen’s Daily Tracking Poll puts Obama at net 8% approval on 07 Mar 2009 at 12:26 pm #

   

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2. James McPherson on 09 Mar 2009 at 12:06 am #

   

   I’m a bit confused. The +8 differential for March 8 is exactly what the Rasmussen tracking poll had for Obama a week earlier, on March 1, and the 39 percent who “strongly approve” is the same as or better than on 22 other days in February and March (every day from Feb. 3 to Feb. 10, every day from Feb. 14 to Feb. 25, and March 1 & 2), so one day’s similar numbers hardly seem to represent “falling fast.”

   It is true that disapproval numbers have gone up some and and weak approval numbers have slipped some, and I’m among those not particularly enamored with Obama. Still, Gallup’s daily poll has his job approval rating at 62 percent, and the latest Newsweek poll has it at 58 percent (with 72 percent having a favorable impression of Obama personally).

   Besides, though the positive numbers may make it slightly easier for Obama to get Congress to pass some things, their only current real benefit is to keep pollsters employed, conservatives hopeful, and political junkies like us somewhat interested. With several more big issues to tackle in the coming months, Obama’s approval rating means almost nothing for most of the next two years–and then mostly only to other Democrats who are running for election.

   What will matter is the shape of the economy, and perhaps the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, months from now. Most Americans are willing to give the president they just elected a chance–after all, they waited out the Bush years without storming the White House, indicating a certain level of patience. What happens over the next few years, not what happens in the first 100 days of the Obama presidency, will determine whether he is later viewed as an FDR or a Hoover. And chances are, some of us will still be disagreeing about which.

3. Jack Everest on 09 Mar 2009 at 2:07 pm #

   

   Hey Jim, hope all is well with you.

   Regarding Obama’s Rasmussen ratings (he is at net 6% today by the way), his ratings at present are, in my opinion, a reflection of his failure to address the securities markets and the economy. Jack Welch makes a very good point (see video at blog) that Obama’s job one must be stabilizing the economy and the markets. I completely agree.

   I believe the markets would jump upward if Obama were to state that the economy is, for now, his primary focus and that he would consider discarding such ideas as “Cap and Trade” and “Card Check.” Furthermore, if he were to plan to increase tax revenues by building a strong economy instead of increasing tax rates for reasons of fairness, the markets would emit an audible sigh of relief.

   Thanks for your comment.

   Jack

4. James McPherson on 09 Mar 2009 at 2:21 pm #

   

   Thanks, Jack. I did see your latest post, though I also noted that the Rasmussen article itself also states: “With just a few exceptions, that number [strong approval rating]has remained steady on a daily basis between 38% and 42% since Inauguration Day.

   “Thirty-two percent (32%) now Strongly Disapprove of the President’s performance, the highest level of disapproval measured to date. The rising negative is driven by Republicans, 58% of who Strongly Disapprove of Obama’s performance. Since Inauguration Day, Republican opposition has doubled.”

   That’s no surprise to me, especially with Fox and talk radio beating the anti-Obama drums, though again, I don’t think the ratings matter much at this point. And while I disagree with you on tax policy, I do agree with you (and Welch) that the ratings are at least partly a reflection of Obama’s unwillingness or inability to address the securities market and the economy in a meaningful way, and that his primary job at this point is to stabilize the economy and the markets.

   I’m glad you’re still doing what you do–I check still check in regularly, even if the results of the election generally have made me feel less need to comment. Thanks again.

5. goodtimepolitics on 10 Mar 2009 at 12:00 am #

   

   Obama’s rating will keepgoing down if he keeps flying around the country leaving a carbon trail larger than his buddy Al Gore. Having expensive parties at the White House every week using tax payers money and not working putting the economy first on his agenda while the American people are hurting. Yes the disapproval and Approval lines are starting to come together fast. Also Obama’s rating is the same now as President Bush rating was the first two months of him being president. I really don’t think Obama has a clue of what to do with the economy. Pork barrel spending isn’t going to fix it!

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