Poll: 100 Days In, High Marks For Obama

On The Cusp Of His 100th Day, President Enjoys High Approval Ratings On A Host Of Issues - But Few Republicans Are On Board

(CBS)  As his 100th day approaches, more than two in three Americans approve of the job Barack Obama is doing as president, a new CBS News/New York Times survey finds.

But while the president earns high marks from Democrats and independents, he has not won the support of Republicans, less than one third of whom approve of the president's job performance so far.

Mr. Obama's 68 percent approval rating at the 100 day mark is better than the ratings of his two immediate predecessors, George W. Bush (whose approval at this point was 56 percent) and Bill Clinton (whose approval was 49 percent). Going back to 1953, only two presidents - John F. Kennedy (83 percent) and Dwight Eisenhower (72 percent) - had a higher approval rating at this point in their terms.

The president has the overwhelming support of Democrats, nine in ten of whom approve of the president. Just 31 percent of Republicans agree, however. The party divisions are similar to those seen under President's George W. Bush and Clinton - Mr. Bush had the support of just 35 percent of Democrats at the 100 days mark, while Mr. Clinton was backed by just 26 percent of Republicans at this point.

Mr. Obama enjoys the approval of Americans overall on every major issue: Iraq (63 percent approval), the economy (61 percent), foreign policy (59 percent), Afghanistan (56 percent) and terrorism (55 percent). He is widely seen as a different kind of politician, one who Americans say cares about them and can unite different groups. Most say he has already made progress on critical issues and that he is tough enough to make the hard decisions required of a president.

There are doubts, however, that the president he will be able to end the recession and the war in Iraq by the end of his first term in office. Just 37 percent say Mr. Obama will get the country out of the recession in his first term, while 44 percent say he will end the U.S. involvement in Iraq in four years in office. Still, a majority of Americans say the president has made progress on both fronts during his first 100 days.

One in two Americans, meanwhile, do not think the president has started making progress on cutting taxes for the middle class - even though tax cuts were part of the President’s economic stimulus plan that was passed in February.

Majorities say it is either "very" or "somewhat" likely that Mr. Obama will bring about significant reform in health care (67 percent say so), immigration (59 percent) and energy policy (75 percent) during his first term - though the percentage that say such reform is "very" likely is relatively low.

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CBS News/New York Times Polls:
100 Days In, High Marks For Obama
Blacks See Improved Race Relations
Public Does Not Want Torture Probe
Support For Same Sex Marriage Grows
Full Results (PDF): Obama | Race Relations | Waterboarding
Full Coverage Of Obama's First 100 Days

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Americans have high expectations for Mr. Obama's term in office, with 72 percent saying they are "optimistic" about the next four years. The percentage of Americans who say America is headed in the right direction is 41 percent - less than a majority, but substantially more than said so in February (23 percent) or October (just seven percent).

Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed, meanwhile, say Mr. Obama's presidency has improved the U.S. image around the world. Just 11 percent say his presidency has worsened it.

Views Of The President:

Sixty-eight percent of Americans say Mr. Obama is a different kind of politician. Just one in four call him "typical." Asked what makes Mr. Obama different, far more cite his governing style (40 percent) than his policies (nine percent).

Americans are split on whether Mr. Obama has made progress on changing the “way things are done in Washington." Forty-eight percent say he has done so, while 45 percent say he has not.

The president's personal favorable rating stands at 54 percent, a slight drop from January. At this point in his presidency, George W. Bush's personal favorable rating stood at 41 percent. Eighty percent say Mr. Obama cares at least somewhat about their needs and problems, including 54 percent who say he cares "a lot."

Roughly three in four Americans say the president is tough enough to make hard choices. Sixty-two percent have confidence in him to deal with an international crisis. Sixty-three percent say he will unite the country.

Americans believe the news media have been relatively easy on the president. Forty percent say the media have been easier on Mr. Obama than on his predecessors, while just 18 percent say they have been harder on him.

The Vice President And First Lady:

Vice President Joe Biden receives relatively positive reviews from Americans, though 37 percent don't yet have an opinion. Fifty-percent approve of the vice president's job performance, while just 13 percent disapprove.

The reviews for first lady Michelle Obama are overwhelmingly positive. Eighty-four percent approve of her job performance, while just six percent disapprove. Her personal favorable rating stands at 67 percent, up from 50 percent earlier this month.

The Economy And Foreign Affairs:

Assessments of the economy remain grim, with just 16 percent rating it as good and 84 percent saying it is bad.

But the percentage who says the economy is improving, while still low, is now the highest it has been in over four years. Twenty-six percent now say it is getting better, while 25 percent say it is getting worse. In February, just five percent said the economy was getting better.

The percentage of the public that says the country is headed in the right direction now stands at 41 percent. While that percentage is similar to what it was earlier this month, it is significantly higher than before Mr. Obama assumed office. Fifty percent think the country is on the wrong track, the lowest number since July 2003.

Though Mr. Obama receives the highest approval rating on handling foreign policy of any modern president at this early point in their presidencies, slightly more than half of Americans think the war in Afghanistan is going badly.

[hunk31]

I think Obama is another Jimmy Carter for the Democrats. In 6 more months he will be in serious trouble as folks realize he has ignored the 75% of our economy which is free market for pursuing his far left goals of socialism. Young people need jobs as they come off college campuses and this President will see that they dont find them. Just wait. Just as in Europe the Conservative tide will be a tsunami in 2010 and t hese far leftists will be thrown out of power. Thank god that will mean Pelosi will not be around anymore as Speaker. What a disgrace to US.

[kms57sisk]

I think we are all going to be surprised at what kind of President we have. Just give it about 3 yrs and everything will change, he will change. People please beware., he seems like a wonderful man at this point, but he's going to change and become very evil.
I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so. Good Luck Mr. President you definitely have a hard job ahead of you.

[mmedry]

I take exception to most of these polls and want to be involved in taking the polls myself, can anyone tell me who to contact to be able to take the polls? Are these polls only given to left-wing, gotta love him obama people?

I cannot believe 2 out of 3 Americans actually approve of the job he's doing. What an idiot, I'm ashamed he's the president of my country...just in bowing to the king of some muslim country has certainly put me off (again) and he could not bring himself to bow to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen of our strongest and most supportive ally...he's undoubtedly prejudiced AGAINST old white women and must certainly be prejudiced FOR old muslim men. Could it be because his "typical white grandmother" was an old white woman and his father was an old muslim man?

Plus to have the gall to apologize for me and mine to other countries!!! UH HUH - not for us does he apologize...I've had my families blood spilled on foreign soil and if I have anything to say about it we'll never do it again. We'll leave it up to all those who wouldn't even think about dirtying their hands by joining our proud American military. A pox on all of you who think obama's putting America down does not reflect on each and every one of you. Are you ashamed of your country? Are you ashamed of our troops who have fought and died since - when - the Spanish American War?

I will admit that the only decent "American" thing that he's done so far is to give the go ahead for the US Navy snipers to take out those pirates. And the US Navy should never have had to wait for his okay. Reminds me of clinton's playing golf instead of answering the phone call to give his okay to take out bin laden (and now of course they blame it on Bush instead of taking responsibility for their own stupidity) except in this case at least Obama did give the okay. I will give him that.

Somebody let me know how to get on the polling committee(?) please, I think there's a problem here. And maybe it's just the fact that we can't get a journalist to give reports anymore...they all seem to be commentators and think their opinions are the most important part of the news
Thanks.

[Aldymac]

The swine flu isn't a new threat as the news media suggests, the vaccine for the flu was ordered up by President Bush, so don't be giving the credit to Obama.

[mje222]

Spending to much can not be a good thing. Fly over New York , how much do you think that cost ya. Not a good report card.

[formrusmcsgt]

As his 100th day approaches, more than two in three Americans approve of the job Barack Obama is doing as president...
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So, by definition, 2 of 3 disagree with the McCain/Palin accusation of "Unfit to Lead"....

Hi. I would like to know vote on the items you list. Please direct me on how i can get involved. Thanks Walter

[ddaryl1]

thank god we have Obama and not some insane, right wing nut job runing this country.

I am proud to be an AMeircan again... and I despised this country during the GW Bush years

I still despise republicans and after GWB that WILL NEVER CHANGE

[noloyalisti]

tomadams99 I thought you were talking about the Bush Crime Family when you were talking about just spending money.

And by the way the failed obsolete party of No, Nope and No Hope were doing what they do best, blocking appointments. And we need to break up the factory farms and livestock corporations whose practices start these kinds of diseases.

[tomadams99]

Some of you are a little quick to give this guy credit. He has done nothing more than spend money. He cannot even get his cabinet appointed in good order. He just now gets Sebelius appointed, yet he still has no Surgeon General. Seems to me, the two positions would have been priority...if he actually intended to address Health care...or even pretend to be concerned over many of the health issues. The swine flu is not quite as new a situation as the media would like us to believe.

[Lori_A_D]

Well, I just watch Harry's segment on Obama's 100 days in office and about threw up! Are you kidding? Tea parties just being POCKETS OF RESISTANCE!? We are more than just POCKETS! We are Americans....remember there are over 40 MILLION of us who did NOT want Obama in office. Shame on ANYONE who supports him and his 48-billion-dollars-per-day proposed spending spree!

[formrusmcsgt]

As his 100th day approaches, more than two in three Americans approve of the job Barack Obama is doing as president, a new CBS News/New York Times survey finds.
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Which means that 2 out of three obviously disagree with the McCain/Palin claim "Unfit to Lead".........

[realnews12]

Actually, it's slightly higher. From gallup.com :

At 100 Days, Obama Approval Broad as Well as Deep
Solid majorities of everyone but Republicans and conservatives approve
by Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ -- As President Barack Obama concludes his first 100 days on the job, Gallup Poll Daily tracking for the week of April 20-26 finds 65% of Americans approving of how he is doing and only 29% disapproving. Obama's average weekly job ratings have varied only slightly thus far, ranging from 61% to 67%.

[realnews12]

Obama?s currently stands at 56 percent.

Posted by libertydeath at 9:24 PM : Apr 28, 2009

Wrong. His current Gallup rating is 63%. His average rating on realclearpolitics.com is 62.1%.

[texasbeta]

I ask that all thinking Americans both conservative and liberal, be more cautious in accepting MEDIA NEWS as the truth. There are to many hidden agendas and biases from the left and the right to use only source of news as the basis of sound thinking and perception.
Check out GE's promotion of White House's Solar energy initiatives, (because it is a prime builder of solar panels); while its wholly owned subsidiary, NBC/MSNBC covers the news and promotes the same agenda. Interesting, isn't it?
Posted by Char001

OBVIOUSLY, you have never heard of FOX NEWS. Seriously...face it...facts are liberally biased. That is simple to explain...liberals typically use FACTS when making decisions. Right wingers are reactionary, and less thinking. They invade countries based upon supposition. Now, before you attack EVERY OTHER NEWS ORG except FOX...maybe you should wonder if the "truth" you so champion...is actually the truth, being that only 1 source claims it. That same source also claims there are still WMDs in Iraq. Seriously...raise your arms when you walk...your dragging knuckles might leave scars

[texasbeta]

Posted by d-everyman

monkey

[dcp32]

The right would like BIG BUSINESS, small government, and small labor movements (if any).

Perfect!!

[Char001]

CBS News and its big time competitors NBC and ABC are in the tank for Obama.
They helped bring him in from obscurity, making one great national speech back in 2004, and promoted and protected him throughout the primaries and election.
Now with him in the White House, how can the majority of Americans feel that the news media is telling us the TRUTH.
We can see that the NYC TImes and NBC are just like Tass Newspaper in the old USSR Communist days. Can CBS POLLS be far behind those funny almost 100% election results from Saddam's Iraq and Chavez's Venenquela?
I ask that all thinking Americans both conservative and liberal, be more cautious in accepting MEDIA NEWS as the truth. There are to many hidden agendas and biases from the left and the right to use only source of news as the basis of sound thinking and perception.
Check out GE's promotion of White House's Solar energy initiatives, (because it is a prime builder of solar panels); while its wholly owned subsidiary, NBC/MSNBC covers the news and promotes the same agenda. Interesting, isn't it?

[dhutch88]

April 27, 2009While 55% of Americans say that the use of harsh interrogation techniques for terrorism suspects was justified. Good news 55% get it, its the other 45% that should move to France.

[dhutch88]

He sure has done more in the first 100 days, he has put us in debt Trillions of dollars, he has made friends with murders and dictators. He has also apologized for the our country for being tough on terriorism (wuss). He has hired 5 tax cheats, he has tried to take over banks and put our country further into debt then any other President. Yep his first 100 days have been great. He is cutting back on defense, which makes our country less safe. Yep he is so wonderful. Obviously if you poll a black person, they will say he is great because he is black not because of issues or policies. Pretty much the same for left wingers so right there your numbers a skewed. Plus, the media gives only the news which makes him look good. Yep he sure is doing great.