Poll: Americans high on Obama, U.S. direction

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:49 pm

Cynics will love this.

For the first time in years, more Americans than not say the country is headed in the right direction, a sign that Barack Obama has used the first 100 days of his presidency to lift the public's mood and inspire hopes for a brighter future.

Intensely worried about their personal finances and medical expenses, Americans nonetheless appear realistic about the time Obama might need to turn things around, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll. It shows most Americans consider their new president to be a strong, ethical and empathetic leader who is working to change Washington.

Nobody knows how long the honeymoon will last, but Obama has clearly transformed the yes-we-can spirit of his candidacy into a tool of governance. His ability to inspire confidence — Obama's second book is titled "The Audacity of Hope" — has thus far buffered the president against the harsh political realities of two wars, a global economic meltdown and countless domestic challenges.

"He presents a very positive outlook," said Cheryl Wetherington, 35, an independent voter who runs a chocolate shop in Gardner, Kansas. "He's very well-spoken and very vocal about what direction should be taken."

But other AP-GfK findings could signal trouble for Obama as he approaches his 100th day in office, April 29:

While there is evidence that people feel more optimistic about the economy, 65 percent said it's difficult for them and their families to get ahead. More than one-third know of a family member who recently lost a job.
More than 90 percent of Americans consider the economy an important issue, the highest ever in AP polling.
Nearly 80 percent believe that the rising federal debt will hurt future generations, and Obama is getting mixed reviews at best for his handling of the issue.
And yet, the percentage of Americans saying the country is headed in the right direction rose to 48 percent, up from 40 percent in February. Forty-four percent say the nation is on the wrong track.

Rare burst of optimism
Not since January 2004, shortly after the capture of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, has an AP survey found more "right direction" than "wrong direction" respondents.

So far, Obama has defied the odds by producing a sustained trend toward optimism. It began with his election.

But he is aware that his political prospects are directly linked to such numbers. If at the end of his term the public is no more assured that Washington is competent and accountable and that the nation is at least on the right track, his re-election prospects will be doubtful.

"I will be held accountable," Obama said a few weeks into his presidency. "You know, I've got four years. ... If I don't have this done in three years, then there's going to be a one-term proposition."

The AP-GfK poll suggests that 64 percent of the public approves of Obama's job performance, down just slightly from 67 percent in February. President George W. Bush's approval ratings hovered in the high 50s after his first 100 days in office.

But Obama also has become a somewhat polarizing figure, with just 24 percent of Republicans approving of his performance — down from 33 percent in February. Obama campaigned on a promise — just as Bush had — to end the party-first mind-set that breeds gridlock in Washington.

Obama is not the first president who sought to tap the deep well of American optimism — the never-say-die spirit that Americans like to see in themselves.

Even as he briefly closed the nation's banks, Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke in the first days of his presidency of the "confidence and courage" needed to fix the U.S. economy. "Together we cannot fail," he declared.

"When Obama came in," said D.T. Brown, 39, a Mount Vernon, Illinois, radio show host who voted against Obama, "it was just a breath of fresh air."

Others said their newfound optimism had nothing to do with Obama, but rather with an era of personal responsibility they believe has come with the economic meltdown.

"I think people are beginning to turn in that direction and realize that there's not always going to be somebody to catch them when things fall down," said Dwight Hageman, 66, a retired welder from Newberg, Ore., who voted against Obama.

The AP-GfK Poll was conducted April 16-20 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media. It involved telephone interviews on landline and cell phones with 1,000 adults nationwide. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30363738/

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:07 pm

For some reason we have a crush on this guy as a nation, but it won't last forever, its not true love, just a crush.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:31 pm

You may be right Brent. Time will tell.

tHE_0ne · Post by **tHE_0ne** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:54 am

jesus we are all doomed

SeedOfChaos · Post by **SeedOfChaos** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:47 pm

Brent wrote:For some reason

Part of that reason is that he isn't GWB. How much so, I cannot tell from here.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:56 pm

SeedOfChaos wrote:Part of that reason is that he isn't GWB.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:08 pm

SeedOfChaos wrote:Part of that reason is that he isn't GWB. How much so, I cannot tell from here.

A big part I'd say. The common expression around here is "At least he isn't Bush" or "Anyone is better then Bush". Most of this hype over Obama is probably really relief that Bush is out of the office. To be honest though, I think there is some hype that hypes the "Obama hype".

Easto · Post by **Easto** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:45 pm

There's spin everywhere.

I am just so happy to have a president that can express his opinion and stance without having to reach for, or makeup a word.

Prey521 · Post by **Prey521** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:01 pm

Easto wrote:There's spin everywhere.

I am just so happy to have a president that can express his opinion and stance without having to reach for, or makeup a word.

The man sounds like a bumbling idiot without his teleprompter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omHUsRTYFAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njy-5X2huFQ

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:46 pm

JBrazen wrote:The man sounds like a bumbling idiot without his teleprompter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omHUsRTYFAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njy-5X2huFQ

JBrazen..you do realize that teleprompters have been around for a very long time?

Reagan was considered the KING of using them yet you don't hear much about it from Fox and friends.

Really the RNC needs to come up with something different besides tax cuts and character assassination.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:24 pm

JBrazen wrote:The man sounds like a bumbling idiot without his teleprompter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omHUsRTYFAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njy-5X2huFQ

As opposed to the guy he followed who sounded like an idiot when he had one and when he didn't?

Got to love President Bush who thought we should all be able to work so we can put food on our families. That or his discussion about doctor lawsuits that would prevent OB-GYN's from practicing their love with women.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:26 pm

downhill wrote:JBrazen..you do realize that teleprompters have been around for a very long time?

Reagan was considered the KING of using them yet you don't hear much about it from Fox and friends.

Really the RNC needs to come up with something different besides tax cuts and character assassination.

That's clearly irrelevant DH. After all if they say otherwise then they have nothing to really whine about it.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:30 pm

downhill wrote:JBrazen..you do realize that teleprompters have been around for a very long time?

Yeah but the funny part is we've not had a prez that's been sooo..sooo...crippled...without one to hold his hand.

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:41 pm

Money talks. Wealth whispers.

In other words, your hearing only from from those that have money, not the truly elite wealthy. They never weigh in on such things. Too risky to become discovered.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:42 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Yeah but the funny part is we've not had a prez that's been sooo..sooo...crippled...without one to hold his hand.

*Cough* President Bush *cough*

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:44 pm

Roody wrote:That's clearly irrelevant DH. After all if they say otherwise then they have nothing to really whine about it.

LMAO. Not at all. They REALLY do need to change direction..andyes Fox and friends have used this quite a bit.

What's this pic tell you?

Is the RNC being disingenuous or hypocritical about their talking points or do they honestly believe their base is that stupid?

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:46 pm

downhill wrote:LMAO. Not at all. They REALLY do need to change direction..andyes Fox and friends have used this quite a bit. You are a good example of a believer..since you keep going on about it. lol

What's this pic tell you?

Is the RNC being disingenuous or hypocritical about their talking points or do they honestly believe their base is that stupid?

They are being hypocritical as we know. The very idea of complaining about a teleprompter shows that desperation.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:46 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Yeah but the funny part is we've not had a prez that's been sooo..sooo...crippled...without one to hold his hand.

I rest my case. Again.....Reagan was famous for it and if you think Bush ever gave a speech without one,that's laughable.

When he didn't have one, he'd say thing like.......

"Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."

You guys need a better news source...

Prey521 · Post by **Prey521** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:49 pm

downhill wrote:JBrazen..you do realize that teleprompters have been around for a very long time?

Reagan was considered the KING of using them yet you don't hear much about it from Fox and friends.

Really the RNC needs to come up with something different besides tax cuts and character assassination.

It's not about the teleprompter usage, it's that he sounds like an idiot without one. He only sounds smart when the script's up on a screen or if he already know the question that's going to be asked, which is the point that I am trying to make.

At least Bush made you laugh when he had to wing it. Obama makes you cringe when he's at a loss for words.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:53 pm

JBrazen wrote:It's not about the teleprompter usage, it's that he sounds like an idiot without one. He only sounds smart when the script's up on a screen or if he already know the question that's going to be asked, which is the point that I am trying to make.

At least Bush made you laugh when he had to wing it. Obama makes you cringe when he's at a loss for words.

Bush didn't make me laugh. He made me feel he was incompetent and most people agreed. Most clearly don't agree with your assessment of Obama's intelligence.

Prey521 · Post by **Prey521** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:01 pm

Roody wrote:Bush didn't make me laugh. He made me feel he was incompetent and most people agreed. Most clearly don't agree with your assessment of Obama's intelligence.

I didn't say he was stupid, he just sounds stupid when he doesn't have a script in front of him.

DV · Post by DV » Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:00 pm

JBrazen wrote:I didn't say he was stupid, he just sounds stupid when he doesn't have a script in front of him.

So he sounded stupid in the debates?

Prey521 · Post by **Prey521** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:02 pm

DV wrote:So he sounded stupid in the debates?

He sounded good, but then again, the debates are scripted. Throw him a surprise question or one that he has to really think about and watch the hilarity ensue.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:05 pm

JBrazen wrote:He sounded good, but then again, the debates are scripted. Throw him a surprise question or one that he has to really think about and watch the hilarity ensue.

I don't' recall Bush being asked surprised questions, just surprised with thrown shoes...and he dodged them pretty well.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:58 pm

JBrazen wrote:He sounded good, but then again, the debates are scripted. Throw him a surprise question or one that he has to really think about and watch the hilarity ensue.

Anyone can be caught off guard and babble like an idiot. Obama after all is only human. I doubt you could do any better; I know I couldn't even think straight in front of that many people. Also, your 2nd video seems edited.

Prey521 · Post by **Prey521** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:22 am

jeremyboycool wrote:Anyone can be caught off guard and babble like an idiot. Obama after all is only human. I doubt you could do any better; I know I couldn't even think straight in front of that many people. Also, your 2nd video seems edited.

2nd video is edited to show the parts where he sounds like a moron.

Yes, anyone can be caught off guard, but it happens almost all the time with this guy. While all Presidents use teleprompters, Obama NEEDS a teleprompter. The teleprompter even has it's own website and Twitter account.

jeremyboycool · Post by **jeremyboycool** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:58 am

JBrazen wrote:2nd video is edited to show the parts where he sounds like a moron.

Yes, anyone can be caught off guard, but it happens almost all the time with this guy. While all Presidents use teleprompters, Obama NEEDS a teleprompter. The teleprompter even has it's own website and Twitter account.

"2nd video is edited to show the parts where he sounds like a moron."

You mean the 2nd video is edited to make him sound more like a moron.

"Yes, anyone can be caught off guard, but it happens almost all the time with this guy. While all Presidents use teleprompters, Obama NEEDS a teleprompter. The teleprompter even has it's own website and Twitter account. "

He is the president of the United States. You don't get that far in politics without being able to publicly speak and debate. All successful politicians are masters of BSing. Your idea that he "needs" a teleprompter is just that your idea.

But at any rate, this is off topic and if we are not careful Brent is going to send us dirty PMs about goats and call us names. He might even move to have us banned.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:31 am

jeremyboycool wrote:
You mean the 2nd video is edited to make him sound more like a moron.