President Obama

President Obama's overall job approval rating continues to edge downward in the NBC/WSJ survey. In addition to the 9-point drop in his approval rating, his disapproval rating has grown by 14 points. While the Washington Post/ABC survey in August reflected a higher approval number, 57%, than the NBC/WSJ survey, the disapproval number was the same at 40%. The drop from the WP/ABC February survey was 11 points. In the 8/25-27 Gallup survey his approval rating hit 50%.



Obama ranks 8th of 9 when his ratings are matched up with other modern President’s ratings at the same point (mid-August) in the first year after they were elected. (Gallup surveys):

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As would be expected, Obama's approval on his handling of particular issues has also declined.

On the economy, he has dropped 4-6 points depending on the survey. On the contrary, when it comes to foreign policy, his approval rating has increased by a small amount.

On health care, his score has remained constant over the last several months, but approval is below 50%.

And finally, on the deficit, an issue of increasing interest to many Americans, he has dropped a dozen points since April.

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In February, 68% had positive feelings about Obama, while 19% had negative feelings. Very positive feelings, at 47%, were 4.7 times greater than very negative feelings at 10%.

By July, 55% had positive feelings and 34% had negative feelings. Very positive feelings, at 37%, were only 1.85 times greater than negative feelings at 20%. [NBC/WSJ 7/09]

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There has been a diminution in Americans’ confidence in Obama's ability to make the right decisions for the country's future. In January and April 61% and 60% were confident in his ability, while 37% and 40% lacked confidence in his decisions. Now, only 49% are confident in his ability in this area and 50% lack confidence. Those who have no confidence at all in Obama's ability to make the right choices has grown from 9% to 24%. WP/ABC 8/09]

In July, 31% still believed that Obama would bring real change in direction of the country. This was down from 43% in February. [NBC/WSJ 7/09]

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When it comes to Obama's campaign pledge to "change the way Washington works,” Americans are equally divided, 49% (yes) - 48% (no).

The President also appears to be losing ground on the question of whether the overall "tone and level of civility" in Washington has improved. While 52% thought the tone was improving in early May, as of early August the number was 42%. The number thinking that the tone had worsened grew from 24% to 35%.

No surprise, the younger a person is, the more likely he or she is to believe that the President and his Administration are creating a "new spirit of idealism."

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There is one area in which confidence in Obama has grown spectacularly during these first months of his Administration...in foreign countries.

In a PEW survey of 21 countries, confidence in President Bush during the last year of his Administration was 21%. Confidence in Obama is at 71%.

Here are some examples of the changes in confidence. Only in Israel, among the 21 countries, is confidence lower in Obama than Bush, if only by 1 point.

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