Obama's Approval Rating on Economy Falls Further

CBS News Poll analysis by the CBS News Polling Unit: Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus and Anthony Salvanto.

---

President Obama's job approval rating has changed little in the past few months, but with the economic recovery lagging desperately behind where most Americans would like it to be, his work to fix the ailing economy is scoring ever-lower marks.

The public is divided on the overall job he is doing now: 44 percent say they approve, while 45 percent disapprove in a new CBS News poll -- virtually unchanged from last month.

The president's rating on the economy, however, has taken a further plunge in the poll. Now, only 38 percent say they approve of the job he is doing handling the issue - which has been the problem weighing most heavily on the nation's collective mind for months. Half of those questioned (50 percent) say they disapprove of his work on the economy.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Campaign 2010

The latest CBS News poll also suggests Mr. Obama's presidency, in general, has not lived up to the expectations of many Americans. In assessing his presidency so far, just one third of Americans said he has been a "very good" or a "good" president. According to 39 percent, he's been "average", while 27 percent say he has been a "poor" president.

Those ratings fall far short of the public's expectations when Mr. Obama took office. In January 2009, two out of three Americans said they expected him to be a good or very good president. Only four percent said they thought he would be a poor president.

Poll: Just 22% See Palin as Capable President

With these negative evaluations, President Obama's involvement on behalf of candidates running for office in November could prove detrimental. While most voters say the President's support for a candidate would not affect their vote, among those to whom it would make a difference his involvement would be more negative than positive. If President Obama supported a candidate in their area, just 15 percent of likely voters say that would make them more likely to vote for the candidate, and twice as many (31 percent) say it would make them more likely to vote against that candidate.

Read the Complete Poll

---

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1,129 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone October 1-5, 2010. Phone numbers were dialed from RDD samples of both standard land-lines and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

[GrannyCares]

October 7, 2010
Gallup Finds U.S. Unemployment at 10.1% in September
Underemployment, at 18.8%, is up from 18.6% at the end of August
by Dennis Jacobe, Chief Economist

PRINCETON, NJ -- Unemployment, as measured by Gallup without seasonal adjustment, increased to 10.1% in September -- up sharply from 9.3% in August and 8.9% in July. Much of this increase came during the second half of the month -- the unemployment rate was 9.4% in mid-September -- and therefore is unlikely to be picked up in the government's unemployment report on Friday.

Gallup's U.S. Unemployment Rate, 30-Day Averages, January-September 2010

Certain groups continue to fare worse than the national average. For example, 15.8% of Americans aged 18 to 29 and 13.9% of those with no college education were unemployed in September.

[rosey800]

What do you idiots expect? The Bush Administration buried the economy so deep that NOBODY could redeem it in JUST 2 years when it took how many years to go down?? Republicans are just angry they are no longer in control and if we give Obama a chance (i.e. longer than 2 years) to pull us through it, and if we actually had cooperation from the Republicans, this country COULD recover much quicker!

[sumpsimus]

Rosey, set aside your emotions for a minute. Ask yourself: would you support Obama's performance so far if he were a Republican? An Independent? If he were white? You need to look at the facts. The facts are that this is Obama's economy now. He knew what the job was, and he told us how long he thought it would take to change it. He said if we passed "stimulus" that unemployment wouldn't go above 8% (it was a little over 4% with Bush). Now it's 10%. He didn't tell us to expect 10%. Stimulus didn't work. Son-of-stimulus didn't work. 90,000 stimulus checks went to dead people or convicts. Listen, he asked for the job and you hired him. He's just not doing to good job. He has added more to the national debt so far than all American presidents from George Washington to Ronald Reagan COMBINED. He could turn the economy around. He has a democrat congress. There's been a democrat-controlled congress since 2007. Open your eyes, dear, and see what's really happening. You might have buyer's remorse. You are not alone.

[mb91764]

The point of all this is that Obama took on a job he was not ready for.That he only saw a gravy train for him and michelle,she likes million dollar vacations that we pay for.The man doen't understand how the real world work,would you if everthing was always giving to you.Do you think someone who makes millions understand the view from way down at the bottom.Plus it cost millions to get that 200,000 dollar job, got to keep the real promises he made in the back rooms.Plus e got to keep our real rulers happy-CHINA

[rightbehind]

I went to bid a job yesterday and one the plant owners was walking me through. He was pointing out all the work beginning to back up. He is waiting till after the election before he hires because he back republican ideology. I remember almost 2 years ago this guy and his partner was about to loose it all. Now they are 4 times the size they were. his President and the democrats have done it right. There are lot's out there though that still cling to a proven failed ideology

[inketolstoy]

The plant owner of a sucessful company supports "republican ideology" but we should trust your word that it is a "proven failed ideology" because....?????? If the President and democrats had "done it right", wouldn't he support them? Is it the owner of a company that has grown 4 times the size during difficult economic times clinging to a proven failed ideology, or are you?

[realist51]

yea too chevy and the wealthiest had an increase in there incomes of 19% they haven't created any jobs and haven't done there job and you continue to defend this when you going to get a clue. the president has little to know power now to do anyhting with the economy. what the he!! are all the answers. taxcuts ain't working dude have been in effect for over 8 years. trickle down never worked. you people continually forget that the republicant's doubled the deficit with the taxcuts and two unfunded wars medicare part d which was nomore than corperate welfare for the drug industry, unfunded nochild left behind and the two bush taxcuts. bushes own failed stimulas of tax refunds that shorted the goverment of more money. all done under republican controlled congress and whitehouse. and now ya'aall talk stupid and still don't present a viable solution just point and blame and say no,no,no

[sjc_1]

The first year most of ARRA went to tax breaks for businesses, which did not create jobs. The rest went to saving fire, police and teachers jobs which kept them from losing their homes. The second year is roads, bridges and schools, which has a direct and indirect effect of saving and creating jobs. What we need is SBA direct investments in saving and creating businesses that employ and hire.

[gmmisp1]

ET4321 bankrupt our country, how holy are thou. Where do you get off with a comment like that, you?re probably one of the millions that would rather use other peoples insurance by going to the emergency room every time you have a stuffy nose? I paid into these systems more than I ever got out of them you pompous A. When it?s all said and done you won?t have to worry about this bankrupting this country it will be small minds like yours that do us in.

[Simifanene]

As the richest man in the world said, "It's time to tax the rich like me, to help our country in a time of need." Mr. Buffet actually ask the President to heavily tax the rich to the limit and lower the tax for the upper middle class and below. He said it would remove our treasuries deficeit, increase spending and benefit the all American's. The rich would pay more taxes but would also make more money from the stable society that is buying more of their products. Come on Mr. President. Follow Mr. Buffet, he knows what he's talking about. Clear the deficeit, as you lower the majorities taxes and squeeze the rich into paying their fair share of taxes. They'll still be rich and they'll still be able to live a luxurious life. Our country will prosper from a war and recovery tax upon the top 20%. Lower the upper middle tax and they will also run to the polls voting for the President and Party that brought releif to their family during a time of war. Even some of the Rich beleif taxing the rich will save America. Save yourself, our party and our country with Buffet's wisdom. A matter of fact, why not bring Warren Buffet into your staff. He's richest man in the world because he knows econmomics inside and out. Save America with the Buffet War Recovery Tax. Save yourself as you bring America out of the Republican Depression. You've done well so far, but a tax is needed to eleminate the Bush's deficeit and at the same time fill our treasury. Then make jobs with the excess tax revenues. Ten million jobs, no out sourcing, just all Americans working and the economy booming.

[luadda22]

Simifanene, any bets that Buffett has paid any taxes over and above what he was required by law to pay??? He may talk a good game but his statements are bogus and empty. If you feel guilty, you can send any additional money to the Treasury any time you want to. I may also ask you how you can reduce the deficit and increase spending at the same time. That's what got us into this mess in the first place. Spending too much money!

[Simifanene]

Your right chevy, deficiets are about spending. Bush's two DigiNet Age wars have drained our economy, but they must be paid for. Our social programs help the poor to live a good life. Bonus's to his workers would also be a good idea, but today we are at in two war's that need to be paid for. Take away the war's and the budget is balanced. Until the war's are over a new War & Recovery tax is needed. It's the patriotic thing to do. The top 20% tax would bring in a trillion dollars every year, until Bush's DigiNet Vietnams are over. We agree on somethings though.

[Pro_America]

The Obaminal nation killer has seen his highest ratings. He will continue to see his ratings decline as America sees what he is really all about.

[pragmatist1]

...while the other half isn't really capable of knowing the difference...

[gig76]

Republicans ruin things and Democrats clean up messes Republicans make. This country is ruined because of Reagan, Phil Gramm, Newt Gingrich and his stupid reading of the American Constitution which he plagerized in public on public property, Sarah Palin who can't accept loss and sputters violence throughout America. She even had target practice at real politicians and she got away with hate crimes. So America is doomed and we had better just sign our deed of trust to China. We are doomed forever thanks to Republicans! Vote and elect Democrats 2010 and beyond.

[manley4714]

Gig...just how much koolaid have you had?