Forget bin Laden; On economy, Obama approval hits new low

CBS

Updated: 3:30 p.m. ET

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

President Obama's approval jumped to 57 percent -- up 11 points -- following the U.S. military operation that killed Osama bin Laden, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll released Wednesday.

Mr. Obama also enjoyed near-universal approval for his handling of the bin Laden situation and rising approval on terrorism, Afghanistan and foreign policy -- but his approval on handling of the economy fell to 34 percent, down 4 points from two weeks ago and the lowest level of his presidency. Fifty-five percent disapprove.

Special Report: The killing of Osama bin Laden
Bin Laden news gives Obama 11% approval bump

In a press briefing on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney acknowledged that Americans were still struggling, but said the economy remained among the president's top priorities. 

"I think that the country is still emerging from the worst recession since the Great Depression," Carney told reporters. "I think that gas prices have weighed heavily on Americans as they try to make ends meet. And it's entirely understandable why that sentiment is out there, because people are struggling."

"We are fully aware of that," he added. "And that's why this president, I think you will see, will continue his focus on growing the economy, creating jobs, on working with Congress to pass legislation that does that. Working with Congress to take measures that reduce our deficit, that invest in those areas that allow us to grow, allow us to compete, [and] make sure that we educate our kids so we can be competitive in the 21st century."

Mr. Obama's overall approval rating was its highest since July 2009 and above 50 percent for its first time in more than a year. Eighty-five percent of respondents approved of his handling of the bin Laden operation, while just 7 percent disapproved. Nearly 50 percent called bin Laden's killing a "major victory" for the United States.

But 69 percent said they consider a terrorist attack in the U.S. "likely" in the next few months -- the highest level in seven years and up 15 percent from the last time the question was asked, in November.

Read the full poll (PDF)

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This poll was conducted by telephone on May 2-3, 2011 among 532 adults nationwide who were first interviewed by CBS News for a 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair Poll April 28-May 1, 2011. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus four percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

[I-READ-THE-BOOK]

Ummmm, let me think. When everyone who is getting unemployment pay runs out of unemployment benefits eligibility, and the national non-government work force is at a minimum, there will be no continuing or new applications for unemployment benefits; then GOOD NEWS! The unemployment figure will be nearly 0%. Thank you Obama for reducing unemployment by 100%

[I-READ-THE-BOOK]

Well, Obama did save that $25 million reward money by sending in US troops to whack OBL...US troops are government employees, and government employees can't accept rewards or bribes for doing the job they are being paid to do.

[wfw3536]

What a surprise, with un and under employment at about 19% in our country right now, we are borrowing 42 cents of every dollar the governmnet spends, folks are losing their homes at the same rate they did last year, he stopped deep water drilling in the gulf for almost a year, and Obama presented a budget a couple months ago to congress that increases spending. This goes to show he and his economic advisors have no idea of what they are doing. Oh, and he wasted 800 billion on the stimulus that was suppose to create all of those "saved" jobs that no one knows how they arrived at their numbers, and do not forget the new war he has us in in Libya where have spent over another billion dollars.

[jimbom121]

Of course its low...the gas prices. When gas prices stablize and start going down, which they will since we do not have a supply issue, the ratings will go up.

Meanwhile, the ratings of Repubs are even worse.

[web6242a]

The Deficit is a Bi-Partisan Creation --- The Dems through Entitlements -- The GOP through Endless War, Corporate welfare, and the absolute stupidity of Tax cuts during Wartime. Any fool can whine as if its all Obama's fault but the truth is both sides are creators of this debacle. Throwing a bunch of Dems or Republicans in office every few years will not fix this problem. The Real place to start is stop playing world cop (Close some unneeded bases), Change, and simplify the tax structure - end offshoring loopholes. Till then its all just Partisan Banter!!!

[Couturej]

I can not believe that CBS would go there with that headline. What is up with that? Thought I was by mistake on Fox News Channel.

[reluctantzealot]

No, if you want total partisanship reporting you will have to go to NBC.... They still answer to GE who Obama bought with bailouts, stimulus, and cushy government appointments for the CEO...

I'm sure will report only what you want to hear. I suggest you go there for your needs.

[bradkt1]

Osama Bin Laden's death helps President Obama on the national security side and blunts GOP attacks on him as being "weak" and "indecisive," but at the end of the day, OBL is a diversion.

It's the economy stupid!

This is where President Obama is vulnerable. Unemployment has to come down by at least another point between now and November, 2012. He has time, but he has to cut a deal with the Republicans...which means that he has to agree to some cuts that will make the Democratic left scream.

Too many Democratics think that the mantra "no more tax cuts for the rich" is a good campaign issue, but the problem with that approach is that there will be gridlock on the economy between now and Election Day, 2012. President Obama needs actual progress to be made on the economy that people can see between now and Election Day, 2012.

If Democrats can re-take control of the House in 2912 and capture 60 seats in the Senate...then fine, they can attempt to re-impose their agenda...but until then, they need to stop wasting everyone's time, start working with the Republicans and get on with the nation's business.

[bradkt1]

The last paragraph should read ..."If Democrats can re-take control of the House in 2012...."

[jimbom121]

Where have you seen the Republicans wanting to work with Democrats, either now or ovet the last 2 years? It works both ways.

How about Republicans stop the clowning around trying to repeal healthcare, or defunding planned parenthood, or re-naming abortion.

[bantamei]

Amazing. Republican delusional economic policies get us into the deepest recession since the depression and Obama gets the blame. Incredible!!!

[RatPackSixGun]

Actually, Democrats stonewalling reform, chiefly Barney Frank who single-handedly crushed reform of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in '05 and enlisted know nothing policy makers Meeks and Waters to bang their jowels in support of his stonewalling financial regulations, caused this.

[jimbom121]

RatPackSixGun

Barney Frank was in the minority...he had no power to do block anything. The economic mess we are in has been buling since 2000, and was fueled by the Ownership Act of 2003, as well as the SEC rule loweing brokerage requirements in 2005, and the repeal of Glass Steagal in 1999.

[user000049586849302948603]

by harv823 May 4, 2011 10:32 AM EDT
Gee, I really expected the economy to greatly improve when the Republicans took control of the House. What's wrong??

________________________________________________________________

What have Republicons done at all, except posture and try to sabotage the recover to further their own agenda?

[guyfrompa46]

You're kidding right. At least the republicans are trying to get the debt down. Obama is cluless on whats going on in AAmerica. You libs are pathetic. You idiots are trying to ruin this country I have news for you.. It will never happen.

[nomorelibs]

user: do you not notice that Republicans are the ones trying to lower the budget, by not trying to do it on the backs of "the rich"? Every little cut is met with instant criticism. We couldn't even cut ignorant things like Reid's cowboy poets festival. How on earth can we make serious cuts when democrats whine and squeel anytime real cuts are attempted to be made? You may want to climb out of your little bubble and face some facts. Your so left wing you won't open your mind at all. It is very sad.

[infantryman1968]

by user000049586849302948603 May 4, 2011 10:11 AM EDT
"President Obama's approval jumped to 57 percent -- up 11 points -- following the U.S. military operation that killed Osama bin Laden, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll released Wednesday."

and CBS chooses "Forget bin Laden; On economy, Obama approval hits new low" as the headline.

Talk about YELLOW JOURNALISM!!!


LOL!

Are they showing their true colors?

[Couturej]

I agree. I could not believe my eyes when I saw that headline. Come on CBS. What is up with that!