Americans Give President Obama Negative Ratings on Handling of 12 Issues
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-(Business Wire)-August 25, 2009 - As President Obama’s overall job approval remains just barely positive, when presented with a list of twelve issues he is currently facing, the American public believes that the job he is doing on all 12 of them is negative. The one that is closest to an even split among adults is reducing the threat of terrorist attacks against the United States where just over half of Americans (51%) give the president negative ratings and 49% give him positive ratings.
These are some of the findings of The Harris Poll®, a new nationwide survey of 2,498 U.S. adults surveyed online between August 10 and 18, 2009 by Harris Interactive®.
Looking at the economic issue overall, three in five Americans (61%) give President Obama negative ratings on the economy, while 39% give him positive ones. In June, 43% of Americans gave President Obama positive ratings on the economy. When it comes to specific economic issues, the news is worse for the president. On regulating the financial system, 63% give President Obama negative marks and on taxes two-thirds of Americans (67%) give him negative marks. Seven in ten Americans give the president negative ratings on employment/ unemployment (69%) and social security (70%) while over three-quarters (77%) give him negative marks on the job he is doing on the federal budget.
Looking at the environment, 57% of Americans give President Obama negative marks for his handling of that issue. When it comes to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the American public is of a similar mind. Almost three in five U.S. adults (58%) give President Obama negative marks on his handling of the war in Iraq and 59% give him negative ratings on his handling of the war in Afghanistan. More than three in five Americans give President Obama negative ratings on the overall job he is doing on education (63%) and health care (65%).
There is also a generation divide on these issues. The youngest generation, Echo Boomers (those aged 18-32) are less likely to give President Obama negative ratings on 11 of the 12 issues. On one, the environment, Baby Boomers are the most “positive” on the job the president has done. In comparison, Matures (those aged 64 and older) and more likely to give President Obama negative ratings on 11 of the 12 issues. On social security, Gen Xers (those aged 33-44) are the most negative.
So What?
President Obama has had a lot on his hands during his first seven months in office. The economy continues to very slowly improve (at least according to economic indicators) but that news does not seem to be hitting the American public and they are finding fault with President Obama’s handling of economic issues, especially the federal budget. While this alone would be bad news for the Obama Administration, when it is not coupled with any good news – at least on how the American public views the job the president is doing on six other non-economic issues – that means the White House might be in for a rough autumn. It is one that will most likely be dominated by health care which the president is trying to move through Congress quickly. But he is hampered by two things – the negative attitude of the America public in how he is handling the issue and the lack of a good deal of political capital to help push this through the House and Senate.
| The Harris Poll® #93 |
| By Regina A. Corso, Director, The Harris Poll |
Methodology
This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States August 10 and 18, 2009 among 2,498 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online. Full data tables and methodology are available at www.harrisinteractive.com.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research, powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.
Harris Interactive Inc. 08/09
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