Faith in Obama Drops as Reform Fears Rise

Washington Post: Poll Finds Health-Care Debate Drags Approval Rating

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Dan Balz and Jon Cohen.

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Public confidence in President Obama's leadership has declined sharply over the summer, amid intensifying opposition to health-care reform that threatens to undercut his attempt to enact major changes to the system, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Among all Americans, 49 percent now express confidence that Obama will make the right decisions for the country, down from 60 percent at the 100-day mark in his presidency. Forty-nine percent now say they think he will be able to spearhead significant improvements in the system, down nearly 20 percentage points from before he took office.

As challenges to Obama's initiatives have mounted over the summer, pessimism in the nation's direction has risen: Fifty-five percent see things as pretty seriously on the wrong track, up from 48 percent in April.

But there has been a notable increase in optimism about the length of the recession: Half of all Americans expect it to be over within the next 12 months. In February, just 28 percent said the recession would end that rapidly.

Obama's economic stimulus plan has come under attack from Republicans, who say it has failed to bring tangible benefits. But in the poll, almost twice as many say the program has made things better as say it has made things worse (43 percent to 23 percent), with a third saying the plan has had no effect.

The president's overall approval rating stands at 57 percent, 12 points lower than its April peak, as disapproval has ticked up to 40 percent, its highest yet. On specific issues, Obama received more mixed marks. A majority, 53 percent, now disapprove of his handling of the federal budget deficit, and his ratings on health care continue to deteriorate. On the marquee issue of the economy, 52 percent approve of his actions, unchanged from June.

Despite the decline in general confidence in Obama, there is still little competition in the battle for public trust: Just 21 percent say they think congressional Republicans will make the right decisions for the country's future, while 35 percent have confidence in Democrats.

Disapproval of Obama's handling of the health-care issue reached 50 percent in the new poll, the highest of his presidency, and 42 percent of those surveyed say they now "strongly disapprove" of the way he is dealing with his main domestic priority. Views of the president's actions on reform have dropped most sharply among seniors and independents.

The Public Option

The poll was completed just as a new debate about a public health insurance option erupted after administration officials appeared to signal their willingness to jettison the proposal as part of an eventual compromise. White House officials later insisted that there had been no change in their support for the public option as they sought to reassure Democrats furious about what they regarded as an administration cave-in.

In the survey, 52 percent of Americans said they favor the government's creation of a new health insurance plan to compete with private insurers, while 46 percent are opposed. That is a big shift from late June, when 62 percent backed the notion and 33 percent opposed it.

The drop in support for the public option has been particularly steep among political independents, the closely watched group so critical to the Democratic takeover of Congress in 2006 and Obama's victory last year. Two months ago, independents supported the public option by a 2 to 1 ratio. Now, 50 percent are in favor, and 47 percent are opposed.

Seniors have also become decidedly negative toward the proposal: In June, seniors were evenly split on the plan, but now a majority strongly oppose the idea.

The momentum for any reform appears to have slackened as the debate has intensified, with 51 percent now behind the notion that government action is needed to control costs and expand coverage and 46 percent seeing such measures as doing more harm than good. Two months ago, proponents outnumbered opponents by a wide margin.

Obama faces an increasingly polarized environment as he campaigns for his health-care initiatives. Fifty percent of those surveyed say they oppose the set of proposals advanced by the president and congressional Democrats, while 45 percent support them. Intensity is on the side of the detractors: Forty percent of all Americans strongly oppose the plans, while 27 percent are solidly behind them.

Angry protests at some congressional town hall meetings have dominated the news over the August congressional recess. Just over half, 51 percent, of Americans see these demonstrations as "appropriate," while 45 percent call them "inappropriate."

Eighteen percent of those polled say they feel "angry" about the health-care changes that Congress and the Obama administration are proposing. And about as many, 15 percent, say they are "enthusiastic" about them, with the majority almost evenly divided between "satisfied" (32 percent) and "dissatisfied" (31 percent).

Positive feelings about reform drop significantly by age, with 57 percent of seniors holding negative feelings, including 29 percent who say they are outright angry.

Partisan affiliation plays directly into the intensity of feeling: Fifty-one percent of those who describe themselves as strong Republicans say they are angry, while enthusiasm peaks at 40 percent among liberal Democrats.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Polling Shows Public Is Turning Against Afghan War

Obama's Poll Numbers: What it All Means


A Skeptical Public

The lack of energy behind broad change stems in part from widespread skepticism that the proposed overhaul would make things better. Only 19 percent envision the quality of their care improving or their costs going down if the system is changed, and few of those who now carry health insurance (the vast majority of Americans) say they think their coverage or costs would improve. Seniors are more than five times as likely to believe their care will deteriorate under projected modifications than to believe it will improve.

The overall drop in support for government action on health care is notable among political independents, who now divide evenly between whether government reform is even necessary or would do more harm than good. Disapproval of Obama's handling of the reform issue has spiked to 57 percent among independents, a new high, with nearly half giving him strongly negative marks. Nearly six in 10 independents oppose the proposals.

There has also been slippage among independents on broader measures of Obama's presidency. His job approval among independents now stands at 50 percent, the lowest level of his presidency. For the first time, more independents strongly disapprove than strongly approve of how he is doing. His approval among independents is also below 50 percent on the economy, the deficit and taxes.

Before Obama's inauguration, 61 percent of independents expressed confidence in his ability to make the right decisions for the country. That number fell to 52 percent about 100 days into his presidency and now sits at 41 percent. Confidence in his judgment has also slipped substantially among seniors.

Looking ahead to the 2010 midterm elections, half of independents say a congressional candidate's support for the proposed health-care changes will not affect their vote, but among the other half, twice as many say they are less apt to back such a contender than say they would be more likely to vote that way. Seniors tilt even more negatively on the question.

The poll was conducted Aug. 13-17 among a random national sample of 1,001 adults on both conventional and cellular telephones. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

Polling analyst Jennifer Agiesta contributed to this report.

[trapbreaking]

August 21, 2009

Most Americans Expect Income-Tax Hike Under Obama

More than two-thirds of Americans -- including majorities of those in all income groups -- expect their federal income taxes to increase by the time Barack Obama?s first term as president ends.

Gallup

[trapbreaking]

stuart2010 August 21, 2009 12:52 PM EDT
Your just a pathetic liar. Your post is a blatant lie and I love how you guys love to quote from Rasmussen - a republican extremist governed poll.

Don't like Rasmussen?

How about Real Clear Politics a composite of polls?

Generic Congressional Vote
RCP Average
Democrats
43.3
Republicans
42.5


Hardly at 24%

[trapbreaking]

What you don't say is that those same polls reflect NO rise in the republicans approval ratings. Your still, STILL, at a dismal (lowest in recorded history) 24%! Talk abnout that! - by stuart2010

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Republican candidates have now matched their biggest lead over Democrats of the past several years on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% would vote for their district?s Republican congressional candidate while 38% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.

The level of support for Democratic candidates is unchanged this week, but backing for GOP candidates rose one point from a week ago. This is now the eighth straight week Republicans have led on the Generic Ballot.

These findings come at the same time that voters, for the first time in over two years of polling, say they trust Republicans slightly more than Democrats on the handling of the issue of health care.

[specialty8]

Get real Reveal. The ones that put him in office were the ones expecting big checks and handouts. He has given out big handouts, but not to the ones that voted for him. One term and he is done. If the one running against him promised better handouts that person would win and when the check does not come they will be gone also.

[reveal5]

T%he President gave a 5% tax cut to 95% of Americans. The stimulus package stopped an American economic collapse. 100 billion dollars of the 700 billion dollar stimulus has allready been paid back by banks. The 3 billion dollars for Cash for Clunkers has returned 21 billion dollars. Cops, firemen, teachers, infrastructure workers, and others are now employed and paying taxes instead of receiving unemployment. Infrastructure projects are now getting underway and will return many times the initial investment. The government will begin selling automotive stock and most assuredly make a profit. Green energy will keep hundreds of billions of dollars in America's and Americans pockets instead of going to some sheiks to build more palaces. Y'all on the froinge are uninformed, filled with hate, and incoherent. With due respect.

[trapbreaking]

We WILL have reform. We WILL have the public option. We are going unilaterally just like you warmongers did with Iraq - by stuart2010

Iraq Resolution or the Iraq War Resolution (formally the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 [1], Pub.L. 107-243, 116 Stat. 1498, enacted October 16, 2002, H.J.Res. 114) is a joint resolution (i.e., a law) passed by the United States Congress in October 2002 as Public Law No: 107-243, authorizing the Iraq War.

Pass with senate democrats voting 29 yea 21 nay

[wmb1957]

Health care looks unaffordable under the bill to the working middle class that make more the four times the poverty level.

Perhaps the Democrats do not care, but those people do not affordable health care too.

[reveal5]

If a Presidential election were held today...The President would win. His current approval rating, 51.8% as an average of all polls, almost exactly the same number as his winning percentage in the election. His constituency is solid. So, the point is all the hatred from the fringe has not diminished the President's core constituent base. The truth is the President is still the overwhelmingly most popular political figure in the United States today for a majority of Americans. Somehow we democrats, moderates, independents, and moderate Republicans who support this brilliant and charismatic President will just have to live with that.

[ROBACA]

The poll numbers will recover when government health care is finally a reality. In 2010 we will see a 65/35 split and probably 70/30 in 2012 when President Obama wins by a landslide after his successful programs have cleaned up much of the GOP mess.

Successful?? We shall see. Win by a landslide. I think not!! He is one term and that is it.

[wmb1957]

Only, if as far left on Democratic underground say, voters never remember a vote.

If the Democrats were being truthful they would come out and say the only reason they are in power is because of a failing education system that supports them because it gets more money from them to fail some more. That same education system that has failed miserably in providing an education not only in the fundamentals but also in how our political system. People get more education from the media then they do from schools on our government, and the media does PR reports for much of its news. Not long ago there was an article on the AP using outside left leaning organizations for its news.

AP, incidentally is a non-profit.

[trapbreaking]

VA

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h3Kn6hbrBa2TaufScnz5x86wOXBAD9A751CG0

[ABM_21]

Wait until income tax hits 50% with his out of control spending.
Someone has to pay back all the cash for clunkers and the billions to the bank exec's so they could all buy their own islands to get out this country before it is too late.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh yes. The slighted, blighted Retardvican view of the president. For one thing, according to Bernanke, the country is 'on the cusp of economic recovery'. Exactly how do people believe the country is on this road without government spending? Also, his 'out of control' spending? When Bush did it, nary a word of dissent was raised. Add to that the fact that the Republicans have fought the president every step of the way when it comes down to any reform he has tried to make. When all is said and done, health care needs reforming---without input from the insurance industry. He is trying to do this, but the conservative lie movement is using the same old scare tactics to try to derail his progress. Also, in light of the fact that the uninsured need some form of health coverage, a government run option is necessary. The conservative version: If you can't afford health care or don't have health care, tough. The fact of the matter is, people are suffering under the current state of health care. Something needs to be done, and the president is spearheading attemtps to make progress on this front. The public will regain confidence in his ability to lead once his programs have come to fruition. Someone said that someone is going to have to pay for his 'cash for clunkers' program. These programs h ave gotten people back into automobile showrooms, and some car dealerships have seen a rise in business by as much as 50%. Apparently, the program was a success. Bottom line: I'll sink with Obama before I drown with a Republican...

[trapbreaking]

The government couldn't run a pizza delivery. When is the last time you sent a package parcel post? UPS, Fedex, and DHL do the job much better. We only have to look at Amtrak to see how the government handles takeovers of businesses. Anybody see the bonuses that Sallie May, gave themselves, or the bonuses the VA execs gave themselves?


.

[TryTakingMyMoney]

Urgent public health announcement from Obama to all conservatives: To prevent the spread of swine flu, stop working now! Stay home and do nothing. The government will handle all your finances and pay all your bills. If you do get the swine flu call 1-800-ObamaCare and we will come to you...and yes...it's free. TO LIBERALS and ALL THAT VOTED FOR OBAMA (MINORITIES, ILLEGALS, etc.) CONTINUE AS NORMAL!

[gopparrotslie]

The politics of fear
The sky will fall prognosticating
Keep the overpriced, status quo socialized system ie. Medicaid/medicare
Which covers only a fraction of our citizens!!!

If you listen to the GOP spin doctors
You are a fool

Like if You were dumb enough to believe the Iraq war
Was about WMD's
And the diabolical threat Saddam supposedly was to the world

Like the health issue as socialist takeover
You need to smoke as few big blunts to believe that!!!!

[hungry1968-16]

by the_majesty August 21, 2009 10:43 AM EDT
Obama likes to spend our tax dollars, or just give it away.
He just gave $2 Billion to Brazil.







Under Bush, we "LOST" a pallet full of cash, worth $9 BILLION in Iraq.

Which is worse?

[credibility2]

The flash in the pan has fizzled. Euphoria can only last so long before one's sensibilities are throttled back to reality. One the other hand, some prefer a vegetative stupor.

[misands]

Too funnny!!! I predicted had this outcome a long time ago, and was even chastised for being too "negative" about the American people. Health care reform will never happen because Americans have built a great system of silently eliminating their poor and sick by dening healthcare coverage to these vulnerable citizens, and the politicians will always be able to play on the greed and selfishness of the people. You don't need a socioligist or polls to state the obvious - the American people will focus on their greed at the expense of others. It has been going on for decades and will go on through the forseeable future. Perhaps the politicians will finally come to see that it's not politically wise to to try to extend healthcare to a group that has been declared expendable by the majority.So now I can go back to laughing at Americans bragging about what a good Christian society they are while continuing to turn their back on each other and quitely let the poor and sick die in a way that every other modern society could never imagine.

[lemonskinkus]

How easy the Republicans sweep the facts under the rug. 600 billion plus...for the Iraq war which was an attempt to take over the resources and had nothing to do with terrorism. Billions upon billions spent by Bush and his cronies that ultimately destroyed the economy. 8 years of false propaganda to incite fear among the populace. 12 years of a Republican controlled Congress filled with complete and total corruption. Obama has 8 months at the wheel, and the mess Bush left this country in will take more time than that to turn it around. New information arrives daily about the use of the terror threat warning system as a tool for the Bush/Cheney Regime to undercut the country. Secret prisons, illegal torture. All of it is there, if you just open your eyes.

[jxknowles]

The numbers seem about right, considering the tough tasks we are facing as a nation. The grassroots movement that elected him is still strong and regrouping with many events this week and next. We will pass healthcare before Christmas and then we can start getting our troops out of harms way.

[fishguru00]

You gotta be kidding...you been to a VA hospital?

[rhs648]

This is why President Obama felt that he had to rush health care reform through congress. He must have sensed that the honeymoon period would be a short one. Apparently, he did not expect the backlash that resulted from rushing into something without thoroughly educating the public first. If you remember, George Buush was accused of the same thing after invading IRAQ. Please, no hateful responses simply because I used George Bush's name in my post as an example.