Obama still popular among young voters in new poll

President Obama on March 30, 2011.

/ CBS

Despite a recent poll indicating an all-time low in President Obama's popularity, a new survey shows that young voters are increasingly happy with the president's performance.

According to the study, released on Thursday by Harvard University's Institute of Politics (IOP), 55 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds approve of the president's job performance - up six points from a similar survey in October.

Among those respondents currently enrolled in a four-year college, the president fared even better: 60 percent of those surveyed said they approved of the president's performance, up nine points from October.

Mr. Obama's popularity among young voters could be a crucial factor in his ability to get re-elected, particularly given that he did so well with the demographic in the 2008 election.

Even while the president appears to enjoy significant support among young people, however, two recent polls appear to suggest that the president's overall support is taking a dip - possibly partially owing to his recent handling of the crisis in Libya.

In a Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday, 48 percent of voters said they disapproved of Mr. Obama's performance as president, while only 42 percent - an all-time low for the president in this particular survey - approved. When questioned on a hypothetical 2012 electoral matchup, Mr. Obama received only 36 percent support, while an "unnamed Republican challenger" won 37 percent.

The voters tended to oppose America's recent intervention in Libya: according to the survey, 47 percent were against American involvement there as a whole, while only 41 percent supported it.

(Incidentally, the voters gave contradictory answers when asked more specific questions about American involvement in Libya: they approved of using cruise missiles to destroy the nation's air defense by 53-35 percent; they disapproved of using force to remove Muammar Qaddafi by 48-41 percent, and they said 65-27 percent that the U.S. should use military force to protect Libyan civilians from Qaddafi.)

The approval ratings largely fell along party lines. Eighty percent of Democrats approved of Obama's performance, while 81 percent of Republicans disapproved. Among independent voters, 50 percent approved and 39 percent disapproved.

[wfw3536]

Once young people see Obama getting involved in wars we do not need and doing little about jobs or the national debt they will start changing their mind. Obama has broken too many promises and isn't the person who ran for president a couple years ago. How sad he talks big against the big corporations and let his good friends at GE off with no taxes for the last 2 years. He also allowed the head people at Fannie and Freddy off with 35 million in wages when we have given them 60 or 70 billion. Where is the leadership?

[SueDinNY]

As someone who is no longer a "youth" I can attest that there's a lot of living and experience necessary to understand the whole picture. Right now our national debt is our greatest threat. $15 trillion and escalating by the minute. Do youth understand that the Democrats are denying any problem and are actively battling to prevent any cuts? No. Cuts take away politicians' power. There is so much fat in the gov't that can be trimmed and they want a measley $10 bill taken out? Obama is a good orator but he constantly misleads with lies. Do youth see that? No, because they are not researching the facts. Obama and his cohorts need to go. He is damaging this country. Filling your tank hurts - alot! Go, Obama, go. I mean - leave.

[Zann-Zel]

Do the youth understand the tax cuts to the rich? The corporations paying 0 in taxes??

[sjc_1]

Younger people understand tax breaks and corporate loopholes. They know that if you are spending more than you take in you run deficits.

[crazyname]

young voters, why didn't the lead say that. Just said voters. I guess that is just another way of supporting Obama in 2012. Anybody stupid enough to believe Obama is doing anything good for the country doesn't deserve a vote in the next election!

Young adults believe only what MTV and the drive by media put on theair. Hell, when Obama sgives a speach it sounds like he is doing good, but actions speak louder than words, and his actions are in the wrong direction, just like his vacations. he is an out to lunch president without a clue on how to lead a country! Chicago needs him back, the sooner the better.

[jessytell]

Dose anyone need more proof that Obama is a child? When have you ever seen young people happy with an adult? Like NEVER!

[ky7474]

If Obama would get out or bed with big pharma and stop destroying peoples lives over cannabis usage, which most people know the corruption behind this rediculous prohibition, then the numbers would be even higher. This is a much larger issue than they want to admit. The lies and corruption that continue to surround this issue will define America and decide whether we are a moral nation or a sold out nation to corporations and the aspirations of the filthy rich. Wake up America, stop destroying the lives of these innocent citizens.

[aldolaghi]

sounds like Hillary helped find this poll among the other 100 that sjow people unhappy with Obama

[tsigili]

Youth is both naive, and idealistic. Realty is, they don't know much.

[Zann-Zel]

All these rights about taking voting away from the young people - hey if they're old enough to die for their country they're damn sure old enough to Vote!!!

[Zann-Zel]

Wow I'm not awake yet obviously!
All this Talk about taking voting rights from the young people....Hey if they're old enough to die for their country they're damn sure old enough to vote!

[Zann-Zel]

by guyfrompa46 April 1, 2011 7:19 AM EDT
If this is true thenm maybe we need to raise the voting age. Again here are a bunch of liberal idiots who still think Obama is a rock star instead of an incompetent politician.
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You are really showing your age here! The worlds gonna change no matter how hard the old white men try to hang on to power! LOL! : ) Its a beautiful day out here!
OBAMA 2012

[guyfrompa46]

If this is true thenm maybe we need to raise the voting age. Again here are a bunch of liberal idiots who still think Obama is a rock star instead of an incompetent politician.

[meboard]

I take away from the article that less educated one is, the more right-leaning. Is that why the GOP does all it can to defund education programs and belittle our eductors?