Political Hotsheet
October 27, 2009 11:10 AM

Biden First Year Popularity Lower than Cheney, Gore

(AP)
Vice President Joe Biden's popularity has fallen to its lowest point since the Democratic National Convention, a new Gallup poll finds.

There are nearly as many people with an unfavorable opinion of Biden, at 40 percent, as there are with a favorable opinion (42 percent). That makes Biden far less popular than the previous two vice presidents, Dick Cheney and Al Gore, during their respective first years in office.

Biden's favorability rating peaked in November of last year at 59 percent, the poll finds, and has steadily dropped since. While President Obama's popularity has declined over the course of the year as well, his favorability rating remains higher than Biden's at 55 percent, according to Gallup. On average this year, Biden's favorability rating has been close to 20 points lower than the president's.

By contrast, both Cheney and Gore in their first years as vice president held favorability ratings just a few points lower than President George W. Bush's and President Clinton's, respectively. On average, Cheney held a favorability rating of 65 percent in 2001, while Gore was popular among 55 percent of Americans in 1993.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton beats out both Biden and Mr. Obama with a recent favorability rating of 62 percent.
Tags:
Joe Biden ,
Dick Cheney ,
Al Gore
Topics:
Joe Biden
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Add a Comment See all 41 Comments
by Skylark53 October 29, 2009 2:03 PM EDT
Look up "incompetent" and "buffoon" in Webster's and you'll find a picture of this bumbling twit. A total assclown.
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by Biggest_Rick October 27, 2009 3:54 PM EDT
This is obviously because they don't put Biden out there enough to make speeches and public pronouncements. People would realize then that he is just a bumbling harmless fool who pretends to be a genius as he plays Vice President. Nothing funnier than watching liberal melt down when they find out that Dick Cheney was better at something than "their guy". Let's just hope that President Obama stays healthy. Let's be honest here, Biden is actually the liberal version of Dan Quayle. (Only Quayle was smarter)
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by jackp32 October 27, 2009 3:40 PM EDT
That makes Biden's rating lower than Whale sh*t, which is about right.
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by stuart-johns2 October 27, 2009 3:19 PM EDT
For the life of me, I cannot see how in the hell Biden's favorability rating can be lower than Cheney's. Ah the media.
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by inmom63 October 27, 2009 3:17 PM EDT
Just one question gents....if Biden is so great - why did our illustrious Prez sent Kerry to Afganistan and not Biden???
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by rightbehind October 27, 2009 2:58 PM EDT
Highly unlikely. I think he's a good guy.
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by jxknowles October 27, 2009 2:56 PM EDT
We luv ya, Joe. Your ratings are still double anyone in the GOP. Keep doing the people's work during these trying times.
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by ianlou October 27, 2009 2:53 PM EDT
For all of you Repugs claiming these polls are meaningful, remember, Bill Clinton left office with an approval rating at 66%, the highest end of office rating of any president since World War II.

That must mean he was our greatest President in the last 75 years.
George Jr's 22% was the lowest since Gallop started taking polls 70 years ago, that must make him our worst President.
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by inketolstoy October 27, 2009 3:31 PM EDT
I got to love the progressives hiding from the reality in the present by dwelling in the past. Forget about the sinking present America, and remember the evil Bushs and the glorious Clintons of the past. Sounds real progressive to me.
by ianlou October 27, 2009 3:58 PM EDT
by inketolstoy October 27, 2009 3:31 PM EDT
I got to love the progressives hiding from the reality in the present by dwelling in the past...

**********************************************************
Those who ignore the mistakes of the past are bound to repeat them by voting Republican.
by bubbadubba October 27, 2009 2:50 PM EDT
I like Biden better than Cheney or Gore so some stupid propaganda inspired poll means nothing to me because like the song says "I don't care what other people think, what do you think about that?"
The wealthy are doing everything they can to derail Obama's plan to take the country back from the rich and give it to the rest of us, and I for one am not falling for propaganda from the rich.
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by ianlou October 27, 2009 2:35 PM EDT
This is a non-story when you consider
Cheney left office with a 13 percent approval rating.

Personally I was thrilled to hear of Cheney's hunting accident until
I learned he was not on the receiving end.
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by Iamthemango October 27, 2009 2:34 PM EDT
Barack Obama is charismatic with an obsessive need to be popular. Joe Biden has countercharm, which made him the perfect tool during the campaign.

Mr. Obama has new pitbulls in David, Rahm and Valerie. He doesn't need Biden any more and America never did.
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by far_point200 October 27, 2009 2:28 PM EDT
At least Cheney had a Dick.
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by ianlou October 27, 2009 2:37 PM EDT
Replace "had" with "is"
by pnut134 October 27, 2009 2:00 PM EDT
You know what really causes the Administration to be nailed in the polls. Because they are actually doing something. They are out there making the headlines, solving the problems, and giving you idiots something to second guess (with your vast knowledge), and make inane comments about.

All of you complainers exist in your own little world. The vast majority never being out of this country. You don't know how to think except one dimensionally, and most of you are poor at that.

We finally have a President that is willing to put his political career on the line by solving the issues no other president since FDR has faced. All prior administrations, BOTH Democrats and Republicans, laid low and made no waves. Legislated tax break candy to keep the masses happy. Legislated our future away to big business in appreciation for their contributions. And, looked the other way as the problems mounted.

Complain and ***** all you want. You should be thankful we have finally have a REAL President.
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by pollroller1 October 27, 2009 2:32 PM EDT
Very well put pnut134. I agree.
by dennisall77 October 27, 2009 2:37 PM EDT
Well said!! Ditto

All the Limbaugh sheep should be sheared.
by stuart-johns2 October 27, 2009 3:22 PM EDT
Yes. Nicely done. To the point!
by inketolstoy October 27, 2009 3:36 PM EDT
How origianl pnut. Your diatribe on how people who disagree with you are idiots out of touch with reality who have never been out of the country is thought provoking and original. I see all the mental giants of CBS are here to here to pat you on the back for it. Sit here at the table and help yourself to the Kool-Ade. It is yummy.
by teaddywastheman October 29, 2009 1:26 PM EDT
What exactly has he done?

What has he put his career on the line from. It seems he offers an idea not a plan and then expects congreessmen to put their careers on the line not his.

Again what has he done? Nothing from where I stand.
by mjvwsr October 27, 2009 1:52 PM EDT
say it ain't so
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by vietnamwar October 27, 2009 1:37 PM EDT
Vice President Joe Biden's popularity has fallen to its lowest point since the Democratic National Convention,

WHO PICK HIM AS A VICE ?
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by October 27, 2009 12:57 PM EDT
Joe is an embarrassment and a prime example of why there should be term limits. The thought that he is one step away from becoming president is frightening, although, he would still probably be better than the guy he would replace. Joe never held a real job. He's a professional politician. And look out, Delawareans, here comes son, Beau, right behing Joe to pick up the slack.
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by BeckieBest October 27, 2009 2:46 PM EDT
If you want to see an embarrasment, look in the mirror.
by Marc_1986 October 27, 2009 3:57 PM EDT
@Beckie

Wow, you're cool.
by anon6262 October 27, 2009 12:38 PM EDT
Cheney's 1st-year favorability is skewed by the occurrence of the 9/11 attacks and the media-generated myth of Bush/Cheney exceptionalism. Anyone who thinks Cheney is going to be seen as a better VP than Biden is delusional.
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by starleo146 October 27, 2009 12:50 PM EDT
Cheney is at it again trying to bring Biden down now, Please. Cheney it is over go and enjoy your retirement, and leave all your comments and polls to the experts. Maybe Lynn and his other secret daughter ran this poll
by stn_sage October 27, 2009 12:28 PM EDT
Being president or vice-president is NOT about being popular...or at least it shouldn't be!

It's about managing the country! It's about honestly facing issues and coming up with practical, efficient, ethical solutions...with a MINIMUM of 'playing politics' on everything!

To the degree they do this...the higher the likelihood that their popularity increases!

So, if their popularity is moving downward, then maybe THEY need to do a self-evaluation and determine whether or not THEY need to change their positions on the issues?!

He shouldn't be overly concerned about comparisons, but he should be careful to avoid doing things that put him in a 'negative light'!
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by Realist0818 October 27, 2009 12:44 PM EDT
Agreed, however, isn't this what we see every other week - how popular one is or is not - labeling one way or another? It is called politics for a reason whether we like it or not.
by stn_sage October 27, 2009 1:07 PM EDT
There IS an element of popularity attached to politics, for sure!

Those people who are competent and know what they are doing...tend to emphasize that...those who don't...tend to rely on popularity!

Sometimes, those who are competent also come off as cocky or brash...in that case, they just need to relax a little and be a little more personable...being careful what they say...if they do, things tend to work out!
by rocketjl October 27, 2009 12:28 PM EDT
This guy was a important Congressman, heading committees, etc. Now it becomes clear he has no idea what he is doing. What a loser.
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by sjc_1 October 27, 2009 12:52 PM EDT
Joe has lots of experience as a Senator on important committees. He talks with foreign leaders and provides good council. The fact that wrong wing nuts have nothing good to say is nothing new. They have nothing good to say about anyone except incompetent Bush and evil Cheney.
by Realist0818 October 27, 2009 12:12 PM EDT
Marcosis - c'mon - can't handle the truth? Again no accountability.....but I am sure I am just picking on an innocent "open-minded" individual.

He has done nothing - face it a$$hole.
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