Obama's Approval Rating Higher Than Reagans? Who Knew?

[jillian]

An interesting perspective from the always interesting ragin' cajun.... James Carville.

There are 14 months to go before a majority of Americans go to the ballot box again. Frequent comparisons are being made to the 1994 Clinton healthcare debacle and the ensuing Newt Gingrich-led Republican wave at that year’s midterms, of which I had a front-row view. But it is rarely noted that unlike then, there is plenty of time between now and the 2010 midterm elections

Historically, the first midterm election has usually been bad for a president’s party, often the result of giving back seats won on the president’s coat-tails. According to the latest Gallup poll, Mr Obama’s net approval rating (53 per cent approve, 40 per cent disapprove) is far more promising than Bill Clinton’s in 1994 (45 per cent approval, 46 per cent disapproval) and Ronald Reagan’s in 1982 (42 per cent approval, 47 per cent disapproval).

Much of the Republican hopes are pinned on Democrats’ economic policies failing over the course of the next year. The reputation of congressional Republicans is staked on the economy not getting better under President Obama. Democrats’ archives are full of Republicans promising Americans that Democrat policies won’t work. They offered meaningless alternatives and vehemently opposed each and every measure the economists and budget experts came up with.

If there is some improvement in job growth next year, Democrats will make the case down the home stretch that they not only staved off a major economic calamity inherited from a disastrous Republican administration but also managed to make progress despite unrelenting opposition.

The problem with Republicans, is that, as Ray Charles might have said, they are Republicans. In spite of all these Democratic troubles, the Republicans are held in lower esteem than they were in November 2006 (37 per cent warm, or favourable, against 48 per cent cool) or in November last year (37 per cent warm against 45 per cent cool). There’s been no improvement from elections in which they got clobbered. Our recent Democracy Corps polling showed the Republicans with a 32 per cent warm, 44 per cent cool rating. Sure, the right-wing Republican base is energised – with the “birthers”, tea parties, and town halls as proof – but they have to sustain their agitation, anger and general nuttiness for 14 more months. In elections, you don’t play against yourself; you have an opponent. Luckily, the Democrats are up against a still very unpopular Republican party.

FT.com / Comment / Opinion - Obama can avoid midterm blues

 

[Wicked Jester]

The difference is, Reagan was elected to a second term. Obama won't be!
After all, Reagan was our greatest president. Obama is an idiot!
Imagine that, a sitting president appointing a self avowed anti-american communist pig to his administration. Absolutely dispicable!..A blatant slap in the face to all who have shed blood or died fighting the scurge that is communism. But we shouldn't be surprised. After all, he launched his political career in the home of an anti-american scumbag who blatantly sought to MURDER our fellow citizens!

 

[RadiomanATL]

An interesting perspective from the always interesting ragin' cajun.... James Carville.

There are 14 months to go before a majority of Americans go to the ballot box again. Frequent comparisons are being made to the 1994 Clinton healthcare debacle and the ensuing Newt Gingrich-led Republican wave at that year’s midterms, of which I had a front-row view. But it is rarely noted that unlike then, there is plenty of time between now and the 2010 midterm elections

Historically, the first midterm election has usually been bad for a president’s party, often the result of giving back seats won on the president’s coat-tails. According to the latest Gallup poll, Mr Obama’s net approval rating (53 per cent approve, 40 per cent disapprove) is far more promising than Bill Clinton’s in 1994 (45 per cent approval, 46 per cent disapproval) and Ronald Reagan’s in 1982 (42 per cent approval, 47 per cent disapproval).

Much of the Republican hopes are pinned on Democrats’ economic policies failing over the course of the next year. The reputation of congressional Republicans is staked on the economy not getting better under President Obama. Democrats’ archives are full of Republicans promising Americans that Democrat policies won’t work. They offered meaningless alternatives and vehemently opposed each and every measure the economists and budget experts came up with.

If there is some improvement in job growth next year, Democrats will make the case down the home stretch that they not only staved off a major economic calamity inherited from a disastrous Republican administration but also managed to make progress despite unrelenting opposition.

The problem with Republicans, is that, as Ray Charles might have said, they are Republicans. In spite of all these Democratic troubles, the Republicans are held in lower esteem than they were in November 2006 (37 per cent warm, or favourable, against 48 per cent cool) or in November last year (37 per cent warm against 45 per cent cool). There’s been no improvement from elections in which they got clobbered. Our recent Democracy Corps polling showed the Republicans with a 32 per cent warm, 44 per cent cool rating. Sure, the right-wing Republican base is energised – with the “birthers”, tea parties, and town halls as proof – but they have to sustain their agitation, anger and general nuttiness for 14 more months. In elections, you don’t play against yourself; you have an opponent. Luckily, the Democrats are up against a still very unpopular Republican party.

FT.com / Comment / Opinion - Obama can avoid midterm blues

eh, too early.

And Carville is comparing Obama to 2 presidents who left office on a high approval rating, saying that Obama's approval is higher than theirs was at the same point. I think I need to remind Mr Carville that Bush had, by this time next week, the highest approval rating ever for a president....and then left office with the lowest.

 

[jillian]

okie dokie...

forget the meds there, buddy?

I hear prozac is wonderful...

 

[Political Junky]

So cool, and Obama's ratings are about to go up considerably.

 

[manu1959]

so obama is the left's reagan......oh goodie....

 

[jillian]

eh, too early.

And Carville is comparing Obama to 2 presidents who left office on a high approval rating, saying that Obama's approval is higher than there's was at the same point. I think I need to remind Mr Carville that Bush had, by this time next week, the highest approval rating ever for a president....and then left office with the lowest.

I thought it was interesting. And of course, it's early... but if you listen to the psychos you'd think that a president with a 52% approval rating is somehow doomed to one-term status. That's simply absurd.

In fact, Clinton had such a rough first two years that it cost the dems congress and ultimately led to his harassment at the hands of repubs who spent 70 million dollars pursing a failed land deal.

Bush had the highest approval rating a week from now not because of anything he did, but because we were attacked and we all gathered 'round him. (unlike the wingnut assertion that dems somehow always objected to everything he did). I am hopeful that such a situation never occurs again even to artificially elevate our current president's approval ratings.

 

[jillian]

so obama is the left's reagan......oh goodie....

a bit too soon to say. frankly i don't understand why Reagan is the right's Reagan...

 

[Zona]

An interesting perspective from the always interesting ragin' cajun.... James Carville.

There are 14 months to go before a majority of Americans go to the ballot box again. Frequent comparisons are being made to the 1994 Clinton healthcare debacle and the ensuing Newt Gingrich-led Republican wave at that year’s midterms, of which I had a front-row view. But it is rarely noted that unlike then, there is plenty of time between now and the 2010 midterm elections

Historically, the first midterm election has usually been bad for a president’s party, often the result of giving back seats won on the president’s coat-tails. According to the latest Gallup poll, Mr Obama’s net approval rating (53 per cent approve, 40 per cent disapprove) is far more promising than Bill Clinton’s in 1994 (45 per cent approval, 46 per cent disapproval) and Ronald Reagan’s in 1982 (42 per cent approval, 47 per cent disapproval).

Much of the Republican hopes are pinned on Democrats’ economic policies failing over the course of the next year. The reputation of congressional Republicans is staked on the economy not getting better under President Obama. Democrats’ archives are full of Republicans promising Americans that Democrat policies won’t work. They offered meaningless alternatives and vehemently opposed each and every measure the economists and budget experts came up with.

If there is some improvement in job growth next year, Democrats will make the case down the home stretch that they not only staved off a major economic calamity inherited from a disastrous Republican administration but also managed to make progress despite unrelenting opposition.

The problem with Republicans, is that, as Ray Charles might have said, they are Republicans. In spite of all these Democratic troubles, the Republicans are held in lower esteem than they were in November 2006 (37 per cent warm, or favourable, against 48 per cent cool) or in November last year (37 per cent warm against 45 per cent cool). There’s been no improvement from elections in which they got clobbered. Our recent Democracy Corps polling showed the Republicans with a 32 per cent warm, 44 per cent cool rating. Sure, the right-wing Republican base is energised – with the “birthers”, tea parties, and town halls as proof – but they have to sustain their agitation, anger and general nuttiness for 14 more months. In elections, you don’t play against yourself; you have an opponent. Luckily, the Democrats are up against a still very unpopular Republican party.

FT.com / Comment / Opinion - Obama can avoid midterm blues

eh, too early.

And Carville is comparing Obama to 2 presidents who left office on a high approval rating, saying that Obama's approval is higher than theirs was at the same point. I think I need to remind Mr Carville that Bush had, by this time next week, the highest approval rating ever for a president....and then left office with the lowest.

For a legitimate reason. His decisions put us where we were in November. Obama already proved he wont make those type mistakes, and he Obama does not have a vice president who ties to Haliburton either.

 

[manu1959]

so obama is the left's reagan......oh goodie....

a bit too soon to say. frankly i don't understand why Reagan is the right's Reagan...

well who was the republican's pres before reagan.....

 

[Political Junky]

Republicans will suffer when healthcare is passed without their support.

 

[RadiomanATL]

An interesting perspective from the always interesting ragin' cajun.... James Carville.



FT.com / Comment / Opinion - Obama can avoid midterm blues

eh, too early.

And Carville is comparing Obama to 2 presidents who left office on a high approval rating, saying that Obama's approval is higher than theirs was at the same point. I think I need to remind Mr Carville that Bush had, by this time next week, the highest approval rating ever for a president....and then left office with the lowest.

For a legitimate reason. His decisions put us where we were in November. Obama already proved he wont make those type mistakes

too early to tell for that too.

Really, your Obama worship -- he will not make any mistakes EVER-- is a little annoying.

He's just like any other politician, R or D, smile and laugh while they stick their hands in your wallet.

 

[jillian]

Republicans will suffer when healthcare is passed without their support.

IF the 75% of people who are happy with their health coverage don't feel any ill-effects from whatever legislation is passed... no support = no cover... which is why the repubs won't work with the dems.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

An interesting perspective from the always interesting ragin' cajun.... James Carville.

There are 14 months to go before a majority of Americans go to the ballot box again. Frequent comparisons are being made to the 1994 Clinton healthcare debacle and the ensuing Newt Gingrich-led Republican wave at that year’s midterms, of which I had a front-row view. But it is rarely noted that unlike then, there is plenty of time between now and the 2010 midterm elections

Historically, the first midterm election has usually been bad for a president’s party, often the result of giving back seats won on the president’s coat-tails. According to the latest Gallup poll, Mr Obama’s net approval rating (53 per cent approve, 40 per cent disapprove) is far more promising than Bill Clinton’s in 1994 (45 per cent approval, 46 per cent disapproval) and Ronald Reagan’s in 1982 (42 per cent approval, 47 per cent disapproval).

Much of the Republican hopes are pinned on Democrats’ economic policies failing over the course of the next year. The reputation of congressional Republicans is staked on the economy not getting better under President Obama. Democrats’ archives are full of Republicans promising Americans that Democrat policies won’t work. They offered meaningless alternatives and vehemently opposed each and every measure the economists and budget experts came up with.

If there is some improvement in job growth next year, Democrats will make the case down the home stretch that they not only staved off a major economic calamity inherited from a disastrous Republican administration but also managed to make progress despite unrelenting opposition.

The problem with Republicans, is that, as Ray Charles might have said, they are Republicans. In spite of all these Democratic troubles, the Republicans are held in lower esteem than they were in November 2006 (37 per cent warm, or favourable, against 48 per cent cool) or in November last year (37 per cent warm against 45 per cent cool). There’s been no improvement from elections in which they got clobbered. Our recent Democracy Corps polling showed the Republicans with a 32 per cent warm, 44 per cent cool rating. Sure, the right-wing Republican base is energised – with the “birthers”, tea parties, and town halls as proof – but they have to sustain their agitation, anger and general nuttiness for 14 more months. In elections, you don’t play against yourself; you have an opponent. Luckily, the Democrats are up against a still very unpopular Republican party.

FT.com / Comment / Opinion - Obama can avoid midterm blues

eh, too early.

And Carville is comparing Obama to 2 presidents who left office on a high approval rating, saying that Obama's approval is higher than theirs was at the same point. I think I need to remind Mr Carville that Bush had, by this time next week, the highest approval rating ever for a president....and then left office with the lowest.

It is too early. Trends me nothing this far out - the political landscape can change on a dime. Take for instance, 8 years ago today, Bush's approval rating were about the same as Obama's are now. But his approval ratings a week later were the highest in recorded history.

There is no way to predict what happens. It's far too early for any polling to mean anything.

As much as I love the Ragin' Cajun, I'm gonna have to disagree here.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Just a lil' something to bring the Obamabot loons back to reality:
www.rasmussenreport.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/generic_congressional_ballot
Truth hurts!

"Generic" polling means nothing, no matter how much you want it to.

 

[strollingbones]

The difference is, Reagan was elected to a second term. Obama won't be!
After all, Reagan was our greatest president. Obama is an idiot!
Imagine that, a sitting president appointing a self avowed anti-american communist pig to his administration. Absolutely dispicable!..A blatant slap in the face to all who have shed blood or died fighting the scurge that is communism. But we shouldn't be surprised. After all, he launched his political career in the home of an anti-american scumbag who blatantly sought to MURDER our fellow citizens!

but you are good with trading arms for hostages right?

 

[jillian]

Just a lil' something to bring the Obamabot loons back to reality:
www.rasmussenreport.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/generic_congressional_ballot
Truth hurts!

"Generic" polling means nothing, no matter how much you want it to.

yeah, but he's

 

[manu1959]

The difference is, Reagan was elected to a second term. Obama won't be!
After all, Reagan was our greatest president. Obama is an idiot!
Imagine that, a sitting president appointing a self avowed anti-american communist pig to his administration. Absolutely dispicable!..A blatant slap in the face to all who have shed blood or died fighting the scurge that is communism. But we shouldn't be surprised. After all, he launched his political career in the home of an anti-american scumbag who blatantly sought to MURDER our fellow citizens!

but you are good with trading arms for hostages right?

i don't recall..........

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Remember how the American media covered for Reagan's shadowy connections to domestic terrorists, black separatists and Islamists?

 

[manu1959]

Republicans will suffer when healthcare is passed without their support.

in case you haven't heard it republicans support doing things to fix the system.....tort reform ...buying insurance across state line....among other things.....it is the details and how to pay for it that are at issue......