Most say Obama policies contributed to downturn

CBS News

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

(CBS News) Nearly two out of three registered voters believes that President Obama's policies contributed to some degree to the economic downturn, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll.

Thirty-four percent say Mr. Obama's policies contributed significantly to the downturn, and another 30 percent say they contributed to some degree. Thirty-five percent say the president's policies contributed little or not at all to the downturn.

While a majority of voters say Mr. Obama has at least some ownership of the recession, far more blame his predecessor, President George W. Bush. The downturn began before Mr. Obama took office.

Nearly half say Mr. Bush's policies played a significant role in creating the nation's current economic problems. Another 33 percent say they played some role. Only 18 percent say Mr. Bush's policies had little to no impact.

Forty-six percent of registered voters - including more than half of independents - say Mr. Obama's economic policies will never improve the economy. Thirty-four percent, including 31 percent of independents, say his policies will improve the economy if given more time. Just 17 percent believe his policies are currently improving the economy.

When it comes to their personal financial situation, more voters believe the president's policies will make their economic situation worse (39 percent) than improve it (26 percent). Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney fares better: While 25 percent say his policies will make their economic situation worse, a higher percentage - 32 percent - say his policies will improve their economic standing.

Nearly half of registered voters say Romney's policies will somewhat closely follow those of Mr. Bush, and 19 percent say his policies will follow Mr. Bush's very closely. Just one in four say Romney will not follow the policies of the last Republican president.

MORE FROM THE POLL:

Most say Romney policies favor the rich

Obama, Romney in dead heat in presidential race

John Roberts more popular among liberals than conservatives

VP choice matters to most voters

Read The Complete Poll

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This poll was conducted by telephone from July 11-16, 2012 among 1,089 adults nationwide.

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 three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

[Eugene2012]

"Nearly two out of three registered voters believes that President Obama's policies contributed to some degree to the economic downturn", but none can name a single policy! LOL!

[Voice_of_Independence]

I really find it funny when people post about how the economic meltdown started in 2007 and how it was Obama's fault when he was only a senator.. Well, before people post things they should really look up that the house and senate were both controlled by the Democrats from 2007-2010. When , yes senator Obama, was one of the people passing these laws that have helped put us in this hole we are in today.. Bush and Obama have been the worse one , two, punch that this country could ever have happened.. I am still trying to figure out how Obama can say that his administration is the 4th best.. Better than Clinton, better than Reagan, better than Jefferson , Better than Washington.. Really, better than Gearge Washington?? He cant even run the DNC within budget.. He owes 15 million dollars for going over budget for the DNC.. That is what the media should be talking about.. If he cant get his own DNC within budget , how can he get the country in budget?? People need to take a step back and look at the big picture..

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

Why is the media not questioning republicans about their role in the lack of more job creation due to their subversive, sabotaging obstruction? How is that not a HUGE STORY? The media is derelict in its responsibility to the American public.

[walkthetalk]

What I saw in You Senator Obama, Really inspired me to get onboard your Visionary, New Voyage. And now after crusing around with You at Helm of Our Countries Costa Concordia, For the last Three and Half years, No Thanks! Our ounce Wonderful Ship lays mortally wounded and the Tax Payer is drowning in DEPT. Also Our Great Country is much more Divided. This much Division hasn't existed since, The Great Civil War. Mr.President when you first assumed your new posistion, Your First and Only Focus, should have been The Economy! The Economy! and Growing JOBS! in the Private Sector, And NOT! in Goverment and NOT! your Pet Programs. I cannot and will NOT! Support You any further, as the Captain of Our Great Country. President Obama, I did believe in you once. And I wish no harm. God Speed!

[mikeonthebay]

I love that for Barack, there is no such thing as 'us' and 'them' - he doesn't care whether you're a Democrat, a Republican, or none of the above ... he knows that we all love our country ... and he's always ready to listen to good ideas ... he's always looking for the very best in everyone he meets."

Michele Obama

"We will reward our friends and punish our enemies" Barack Obama

[Lorraine-in-NY]

Very misleading headline! That is not what the poll says, in fact it says most blame Bush. 48 to 34.
I see we need better math education and don't cut back on the critical think skills!

[fathertheyknownot]

WOW! you actually believe this man , the President of the United States , has done nothing good or tried to do something good for this country, is anyone else in the Congress, House of Representatives, or the Senate, doing anything or trying to assist the President in doing anything good for this country.

This man Mitt Rommey, what has he done to demonstrate he has been working on bettering the life of

anyone else but his own, this man is bored and feels entitled to be President, how many of his five sons have served in the military or seen combat, yes he donates to money to charities, but does he get involved in helping the less fortunate,

if you eliminate the money in the hands of the poor and the middle class, where would the rich people get their money, everyone can't work, there will never be enough jobs to employ everyone that wants a job, and why are we so down on people in that category, there is too much hate in politics, there is too much sadness on peoples faces, there is too much fear in our life, about living

[CarsonCitySteve]

Not that this will change anyone's mind, but this is a skewed poll. The question asked was, "who caused this?" The answer could be debated, but it is true that the downturn was in place before Obama became president. Hence, it wasn't caused by Obama. However, if the question was "what has Obama done to end the crisis?", one would get a vastly different response. I'd like to see a better phrased question. Too many polls skew their answers by asking framed questions.

[TJphoto]

FOX NEWS! Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. I hate un-educated people. Have another beer!

[nancy_naive]

Most are idiots. With so many Republicans, the Bell Curve in this country is skewed to the left.

Funny how they refer to them as the "Right" when so many of them are to the left of the average in IQ.

[Floretta52]

Unfortunately they vote. We need to get every registered Democrat out and voting on election day.