Gallup: Obama approval among independents down to 38%
posted at 9:30 am on July 7, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Barack Obama won the Presidency by convincing independents to break away from the GOP and from John McCain, promising them a new, post-partisan, centrist direction and agenda. Even after passing Porkulus by locking Republicans out of the process and pushing ObamaCare last spring, Gallup’s survey a year ago showed Obama still holding 56% of independents. Now that number has sunk to 38%, while his rolling 3-day Gallup average job approval drops to 44% (via Andrew Malcolm):
Thirty-eight percent of independents approve of the job Barack Obama is doing as president, the first time independent approval of Obama has dropped below 40% in a Gallup Daily tracking weekly aggregate. Meanwhile, Obama maintains the support of 81% of Democrats, and his job approval among Republicans remains low, at 12%. …
Over the past year, Obama has lost support among all party groups, though the decline has been steeper among independents than among Republicans or Democrats. Today’s 38% approval rating among independents is 18 percentage points lower than the 56% found July 6-12, 2009. During the same period, his support has fallen nine points among Democrats (from 90% to 81%) and eight points among Republicans (from 20% to 12%).
It’s worth pointing out that Rasmussen first saw this trend a year ago in its surveys of likely voters. Independents engaged in the political process had already become disenchanted with Hope and Change at about the time ObamaCare and ObamaCap hit Congress and the radical nature of the Democratic agenda became clear. What has happened since is that the realization has slowly filtered out to those less engaged in national politics, and now Obama is getting marginalized in the demographic that won him an election.
How dangerous is this for Obama? Well, as I keep arguing, Obama will be President for the next two-and-a-half years regardless of what people think about him. That’s a long time in politics, and Obama could make a Clintonian pirouette and become a supply-sider and free-marketeer in the second half of this term. That helped Bill Clinton win back independents in 1996, and the same could happen to Obama. If the economy roars back to life in 2011, Obama will regain some of his footing with independents, but getting that kind of recovery absolutely depends on dramatically changing course on policy, too.
The danger is for Democrats in the midterms. With this significant of a collapse in standing, two dynamics come into play. First, the independents who turned out for Obama in 2008 will not show up in 2010. Worse, those who do will show up to vote against Obama and his agenda. This poll shows a high level of disillusionment among independents especially, and they can only demonstrate their anger at that by kicking Obama’s allies out of Congress. Obama had better hope that satisfies them.
Blowback
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Are 38% if Independent voters black? I can’t believe there can be anyone who still approves of the job this guy is doing.
Tommy_G on July 7, 2010 at 9:34 AM
Oddly, he doesn’t even seem to care that he’s lost the indies as he continues lurching left. Makes me nervous.
ctmom on July 7, 2010 at 9:34 AM
Excellent point, Ed. Let’s not start salivating yet – especially since Barry will in all likelihood have a Republican House to use as a foil for the next two years. Obozo’s ever dipping poll numbers are partially because his party is screwing up everything in sight – if the GOP gets some power back in November, he’ll be putting his spin machine to work in 2011 and 2012 pinning some of the blame on them.
I’m not holding my breath on the economy improving in 2011, but that still doesn’t mean this clown is going to be easy pickings in 2012. Never underestimate the gullibility of the casual voter.
Red Cloud on July 7, 2010 at 9:35 AM
Carter was at 40% with Indies around this time.
Hmmm
artist on July 7, 2010 at 9:35 AM
He doubles down on stupid when he meets the slightest opposition, and everything he does is wrong.
The lower he goes more dangerous he’ll become.
Akzed on July 7, 2010 at 9:36 AM
That’s why he has all those dead and redundant ACORN voters and the New Black Panthers to ensure the vote count goes in his favor.
Disturb the Universe on July 7, 2010 at 9:37 AM
No redux of 1996. He can’t mimic Bubba since Bubba had better staff and, aside from the sex problem, wasn’t one fifth as likely to do really stupid things. He also worked harder.
IlikedAUH2O on July 7, 2010 at 9:38 AM
The tingle is gone.
kingsjester on July 7, 2010 at 9:38 AM
Possibly, but I think the urge to cut the head off the snake may override the beauty pageant voters.
sherry on July 7, 2010 at 9:38 AM
If we double dip…then expect a lower approval rating. The blaming Bush thing is still getting a little traction, but that wearing out thin with most people. After two years you own it, you can’t Bush in 2012, but he’ll try.
Oil Can on July 7, 2010 at 9:40 AM
Agree with you ctmom
cmsinaz on July 7, 2010 at 9:40 AM
I posted this link from Barone on a different thread related to racial politics, but it’s relevant here as well. A number of other observers have reached similar conclusions.
In mostly-white battlegrounds, Obama likely has Bush-like numbers
obladioblada on July 7, 2010 at 9:42 AM
That helped Bill Clinton win back independents in 1996, and the same could happen to Obama.
….
People LOVE to make the 96/12 comparison.
One MAJOR difference, the unemployment/jobs picture.
artist on July 7, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Indies schmindies
cmsinaz on July 7, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Clinton was a liberal but was a politican first.
Obama is a liberal. End of story. He could be at 3.8% approval and he will still pursue a far left, agenda.
angryed on July 7, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Stop it! You’re getting my hopes up!
KS Rex on July 7, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Do such people really exist? You have to be pretty stupid to claim to be Republican and also approve of the One.
pearson on July 7, 2010 at 9:45 AM
I can’t see dear leader tacking to the center, that would be beneath him….he is arrogant enough to think people will change instead of him having to change
cmsinaz on July 7, 2010 at 9:45 AM
Finally some poll numbers starting with the number 3…
PatriotRider on July 7, 2010 at 9:45 AM
Good news rides a fast horse…
“I can see NO-vember from my front porch…”
Khun Joe on July 7, 2010 at 9:45 AM
That depends upon how willing the GOP majority is to hire special prosecutors next year.
Vashta.Nerada on July 7, 2010 at 9:46 AM
I’m discouraged that it isn’t lower than this. What’s wrong with people? Are they polling people who live on the same planet as we do?
scalleywag on July 7, 2010 at 9:46 AM
Obama is an ideologue-narcissist. He does not care about anything except his ideological pursuits. He sees his success with these pursuits as reflecting on him personally and no one, no party, no set of ethics is going to get in the way of his mission. He is motivated completely by self preservation so he can fulfill his sacred mission: to transform this evil nation. I love that some right-leaning people keep on giving him the benefit of the doubt concerning his motivations, but if you look at him as an ideologue-narcissist it all makes sense. Hardly anything more dangerous than a BS artist on a mission.
mbabbitt on July 7, 2010 at 9:47 AM
HOW HOW HOW do 12% of Republicans approve??? Who are these Republicans and where can I find them to tell them they aren’t Republicans?
sammypants on July 7, 2010 at 9:47 AM
Obama could order the carpet-bombing of puppy farms and Gallup still wouldn’t put him below 40%.
fiatboomer on July 7, 2010 at 9:47 AM
Couldn’t agree more. Makes you wonder what part of the Constitution they are going to run over next. Makes Animal Farm and 1984 look prophetic, and that really freaks me out.
search4truth on July 7, 2010 at 9:48 AM
John McCain
David Brooks
David Frum
Lindsey Graham
All supposed Republicans who think Obama is just super duper.
angryed on July 7, 2010 at 9:49 AM
Exactly. And don’t forget that Michelle will kick his hen-pecked butt if he tries act like Clinton.
With Obama, you have the real risk of a President, realizing he is a one-termer, trying to do as much slash-and-burn damage to the “racist nation” before he leaves office. When Michelle again becomes no longer proud to be an American, watch out!
pearson on July 7, 2010 at 9:50 AM
Who are these people? Do Charlie Crist and Lindsey Graham really have that many supporters?
BuckeyeSam on July 7, 2010 at 9:50 AM
He needs a Hitler to fight…
mjbrooks3 on July 7, 2010 at 9:51 AM
Well, you see right here is the problem. To most Americans, “centrist” means being the middle point between a libertarian-Republican and a safety-net-Democrat. To Dear Liar, “centrist” means being the middle point between Mussolini and Pol Pot.
rbj on July 7, 2010 at 9:51 AM
I am beginning to think that Clinton may be a lot smarter than any of us give him credit for. Why he certainly was an amoral bastard only interested in his own self promotion, he may very well have been a political genius. I think too often we try to compare what Obama might do to what Clinton did do. But most of the time bad presidents don’t pull off a Clinton like policy shift and get away with it. Most bad presidents(or unpopular if you prefer) pay for it come reelection time. Obama does not have the smarts of a Bill Clinton or the luxury of a third party canidate being present in the next election.
Bush Sr. could not pull out of his tailspin.
Carter could not pull out of his tailspin.
Ford could not pull out of his tailspin.
Johnson could not pull out of his tailspin.
Truman could not pull out of his tailspin.
Clinton is the exception, not the rule.
Bush Jr. probably creates an exception at the opposite end of the spectrum for his reelection bid. His opponent was so bad that people actually believed he would be worse than an unpopular president. Another benefit that Clinton had as well by the way. Dole was a horrible candidate.
I would say that Obama is ripe for the picking as long as we don’t run another Dole or McCain like candidate, no third party upstarts and Clinton does not take over Obama’s brain.
NotCoach on July 7, 2010 at 9:51 AM
No, but many of them are on welfare.
Daggett on July 7, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Say what you want about Bill Clinton, but the man was savvy, and NOT stupid. Obama is no Bill Clinton.
teacherman on July 7, 2010 at 9:53 AM
Yep. Clinton “inherited” a recovery, albeit a weak one. After the tax hikes and Hillarycare debacle, he moved back to the center because A) he had no choice with the GOP retaking Congress and B) he had a track record of bipartisanship having been governor of a purple state for a dozen years.
Obama could theoretically tack to the center in 2011 out of necessity, but that would mean abandoning his entire agenda. If he’s gonna find common ground with the GOP, he’ll have to drop crap-and-betrayed, extend at least some of the Bush tax cuts, cut federal spending by massive amounts, and end the bailouts. He won’t have to budge on Obamacare since the Republicans will be powerless to repeal it before 2013 and I doubt they have the guts to defund it.
But does he have the stones to tell his union cronies to kiss off? Is he willing to give the environmental lobby the finger? And most importantly, would he concede that the agenda he pushed for the first 2 years of his Presidency(not to mention his entire ideology) was misguided at best? I just can’t see that happening.
Doughboy on July 7, 2010 at 9:53 AM
I’m surprised it’s still that high (81%). Bet it’s much lower than that among Dems in my neck of the woods. Around here (Western PA), closer to 50-60%.
petefrt on July 7, 2010 at 9:53 AM
Once again we have to remember a key fact when discussing this topic…
47% of Americans pay NO income tax. That portion of the public will always vote for / support the politician who gives them free stuff paid for by someone else.
So IMO ~45% is Obama’s – and any Democrat – floor.
angryed on July 7, 2010 at 9:55 AM
Darrell Issa. Smart and relentless.
BuckeyeSam on July 7, 2010 at 9:55 AM
I don’t see the Obama/Clinton analogy. I never had the sense that secretly Clinton despised America.
Ted Torgerson on July 7, 2010 at 9:56 AM
Akzed on July 7, 2010 at 9:36 AM
Nice! A picture of a black and brown rat. Obviously your a racist Tea Bagger! Everyone knows most rats are white!
s/
dhunter on July 7, 2010 at 9:57 AM
Big difference between Bubba and Barry: Bubba grew up in a time and place that believed in American exceptionalism. He understood that sentiment, probably even shared in it from time to time. Barry can’t pivot to the middle because he doesn’t know it exists, and he doesn’t know any people with moderate views. Obama is simply far left. That’s all he knows.
And a disagreement, Ed. Barry didn’t convince “independents to break away from the GOP and from John McCain, promising them a new, post-partisan, centrist direction and agenda.” That’s just not accurate. The 2008 election was 24/7 anti-Republican coverage, the likes of which we hadn’t seen since Reagan was president. Independents didn’t believe Barry was a centrist. How could they? There was not one word from his campaign to suggest that. They were voting against the other guy, not for this guy. They were just naive and didn’t believe that every single criticism of Barry from the right was spot on. They get it now.
Rational Thought on July 7, 2010 at 9:57 AM
I don’t see the Obama/Clinton analogy. I never had the sense that secretly Clinton despised America.
Ted Torgerson on July 7, 2010 at 9:56 AM
With Obama, it’s no secret.
kingsjester on July 7, 2010 at 9:57 AM
Great points
pearson on July 7, 2010 at 9:58 AM
A few points:
This poll was of adults to the best of my knowledge rather than of registered or likely voters. That means his support from independents that are likely voters is way lower than 38%, IMHO.
I can still foresee a scenario where Obumble might have to resign in disgrace. The US Human Rights Commission hearing on the New Black Panthers case is not going to bode well for Holder, I think. J. Christian Adams’s testimony included not just the info on policy not to pursue voter intimidation cases where the victim is white — Adams also testified that there was a mandate not to pursue any cases pushing to have Motor Voter election rolls expunged of the dead and those who had moved out of state. The testimony has spurred the HR Commission to issue further subpoenae in the case.
If the DOJ truly is not pursuing cases to clean up the voting roles in Motor Voter states, then our electoral process is a total sham.
Greyledge Gal on July 7, 2010 at 9:59 AM
What kind of speech does he need to give to win them back?
Cindy Munford on July 7, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Wait until America figures out Dr Death Panel is taking over Medicare/Medicaid … I bet this blows up before the election.
tarpon on July 7, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Clinton was a liberal who had a GOP Congress for his last 6 years. The economy was in good shape. Obama with a GOP Congress is the best we can hope for until 2012. If the dims hold the Congress, the damage may never be undone.
volsense on July 7, 2010 at 10:00 AM
I disagree. Certainly there were plenty of independents voting against McCain(well, Bush and the GOP at large more than him individually). But lots of people, be they independent, Republican, or moderate Democrat, really did buy into the notion that Barry was a pragmatic centrist. If one’s exposure to Obama was limited to campaign speeches, puff pieces in the press, and the Presidential debates, it was easy to buy into the myth.
Doughboy on July 7, 2010 at 10:03 AM
I agree. Clinton loved America. As many Americans as he could as often as he could get away with it!
NavyMustang on July 7, 2010 at 10:06 AM
In regards to the Clinton comparison here is the 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one in the media or left wants to talk about: HE BECAME PRESIDENT AS THE INTERNET BOOM TOOK OFF INFLATING THE ECONOMY AND CREATING “BUDGET SURPLUS” THE LEFT DRONES ABOUT.UNLESS ANOTHER TECH BOOM IS COMING EXPECT STAGNATION COURTESY OF OBAMA.
rob verdi on July 7, 2010 at 10:09 AM
..when the overall numbers hit the 30s, then he’s dead meat to the Dems and they work around him, not with him. Being a narcissist, he thrives on approval and when he loses that, he begins to flail..
..it ain’t gonna be a pretty sight.
No one’s talking about this now, but the real speed bump will come when he has to “handle” the Bush tax cut expiration.
I’m sayin’ he ends up out on the steam grate in front of the Rayburn building begging for dimes.
The War Planner on July 7, 2010 at 10:10 AM
My sisters are in this category. And they claim I, who opposed Obama very early, and likes Sarah Palin, is the stupid one. Well, they are government workers. Shrug.
NaCly dog on July 7, 2010 at 10:13 AM
+1,000..
..and Bush presided over the first internet bust and an I/T downturn *and* the potential calamitous effect of 9/11. I don’t know anybody but mind-numbed Kool-Aid drinkers who wouldn’t swap the 16% real unemployment and job losses to the Bush 2001-2007 economy.
The War Planner on July 7, 2010 at 10:13 AM
If Obowma was your answer, ever stop to consider how stupid was your question?
Hate does that to you …
tarpon on July 7, 2010 at 10:15 AM
I’m sorry, but one would have to have been a complete idiot — I really mean that — just utterly IQ challenged to believe Barry was a centrist. His speeches, the puff pieces, etc., revealed a far-left ideologue in every single case. I do not let my “moderate” friends get away with whining that they “thought he would be moderate.” There was simply no indication of that, and every indication that he would be what he told us he would be — a far-left socialist. Nope. They were naive. They knew what he was — he told them, for God’s sake — they just didn’t believe that a man running for president could hate his own country — and its Constitution — so much, and they were voting anti-GOP.
I will NEVER let an Obama voter off the hook by letting them say they thought he would be “centrist.” He had the most far-left voting record in the Senate, he worked for FREAKIN’ ACORN, he wore his far-left ideology up close and personal, and the only friend I’ve ever heard of him having was a guy who blew people up to protest the Vietnam War. We all knew what we were getting. Those who voted for him voted for an unapologetic, anti-American, transparently open leftist loon. Cry me a river if they regret it now. How the hell do they think those of us who DIDN’T vote for him — and begged them not to — feel!?
Rational Thought on July 7, 2010 at 10:17 AM
And those numbers keep on dropping!
This guy just keeps making Jimmy Carter look better and better as he goes along!
pilamaye on July 7, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Economy is not roaring back in 2011. Real estate crisis has to burn out first before anything else.
antisocial on July 7, 2010 at 10:24 AM
The poll was taken before the decision to sue Arizona was announced and the “Muslims in space” story. Watch Obama’s indy percentage to drop more by the weekend.
bw222 on July 7, 2010 at 10:25 AM
The Community Organizer-in-Chief is incapable of that kind of transformation; it’s not in his DNA. He only knows one trick, and it’s class politics/soak-the-rich: alas, now that he’s nationalized and taxed everything he can, he’s out of tricks. (See Thatcher, Margaret: “Socialism sounds great until you run out of other people’s money.)
My fear is the Scorched Earth policies that he will attempt to enact with a lame duck Democrat-controlled congress before the GOP arrives to restore adult supervision. Brrrrr…
VastRightWingConspirator on July 7, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Wow, while I agree with you, imagine working less than Clinton…
Ann NY on July 7, 2010 at 10:28 AM
I have no problems with sending radical muslims up in space – it’s bringing them down that I object to.
Ann NY on July 7, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Only until those goodies start to disappear…
PatriotRider on July 7, 2010 at 10:30 AM
I’m an independent. I voted for McCain over this POS…
adamsmith on July 7, 2010 at 10:31 AM
You have to understand though that the Bill Ayers connection was widely ignored by the media. And when it was brought up(mostly by Hillary and Palin), it was universally treated by the drive-bys as a smear. How many voters out there do you honestly think knew Obama started his political career in the dude’s living room?
Rev. Wright could’ve been a bigger issue had McCain not p-ssied out and buried it, but again, even when Hillary harped on it, the media did their best to downplay it. And the fear of being called a racist made a lot of folks uneasy about discussing that relationship.
His far-left voting record? Ignored by the media. And McCain again screwed up by not even mentioning the Born Alive Infant Protection Act til the third debate. ACORN? Obama lied about it and the media covered for him. Crap-and-betrayed? It might’ve helped had the GOP not run a guy who supported it. Amnesty? See crap-and-betrayed.
The typical voter is either willfully ignorant or gets their news in snippets and soundbites. The tide is starting to turn over the last couple years, but unfortunately most independents in 2008 were easily put in a trance thanks to a lackluster GOP opponent and a corrupt mainstream media.
Doughboy on July 7, 2010 at 10:33 AM
My Obama Zombie™ family, including my own freaking parents, sister, in-laws, and all my friends are still 100% on board.
No facts, information, reason, stats, history, etc. will ever, ever change their mind. They’re locked in. I’ve never encountered anything like this before: a complete aversion and stonewalling of current events and important information.
visions on July 7, 2010 at 10:36 AM
..Unfortunately for America…..this is probably exactly what the Rahm,Axlerod,Jarrett line of thinking is.
…..Actually putting forth policies that will produce positive results for America is just not possible and out of the question for this liberal circus on the Hill.
Baxter Greene on July 7, 2010 at 10:36 AM
These are probably people who are registered republicans because their parents were and who live in republican districts, but who are liberals. Or just idiots. Like people in West Virginia who keep voting democrat despite the fact that on every policy issue they side with republicans. For many people, party affiliation is like tribal membership – you are born into it and it does not change no matter what.
Monkeytoe on July 7, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Barry. Does. Not. Care.
He has his four years to destroy American capitalism and the free market. That is his only goal .
DeweyWins on July 7, 2010 at 10:39 AM
The tingle is gone
Its gone away for good
The tingle is gone baby
Its gone away for good
faraway on July 7, 2010 at 10:40 AM
He may be happy to retire as President.
Then become the anti-Palin as the CEO/Reverend of a new and improved ACORN.
Plus millions in speaking fees and book sales.
Plus control of 25% of the electorate for the rest of his life.
faraway on July 7, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Dear leader can try to spin in the wind for the next 2 and a half years, but I don’t think he’s got it in him. He really believes what he’s doing is correct. Of course, by then he will have screwed every aspect of industry and the people so much it won’t matter what kind of speech he gives.
Kissmygrits on July 7, 2010 at 10:43 AM
This guy is like a malignant growth, devouring all the healthy tissue in its path. When he is finally stopped it could well be too late.
rplat on July 7, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Once again, I wonder why the GOP does not work harder to point out that party affiliation matters. Every dem – except those in the most radical districts – run as “moderates” or “centrists”, or even sometimes, as “conservatives.”
Granted, there have been some republicans who have run as liberals or moderates – but there is nothing like a 1:1 ratio of this phenomena. We need to brand the democrats so that people understand that no matter what they claim in the campaign, they will always return to form, taxing, spending and regulating. That they will always be for more entitlements, more gov’t control, less law enforecement, etc.
I don’t care if the GOP gets branded as “conservative”. After all, 99% of the time, dems run as being conservative or slightly right of center. Which means that the conservative message wins while the liberal message does not. So, let’s brand the parties.
I realize the GOP is not perfect and does not always hold to its ideals, but you are far likelier to have a republican govern/legislate the way he said he would then a dem.
The way he campaigned, O! could have been George H.W. Bush, Dole, Lamar Alexander, or McCain himself really. Claiming he was going to cut spending, reduce the deficit, not raise taxes, give tax breaks to the middle class, etc., etc.
What honest libral could claim he ran on and won as a liberal?
Monkeytoe on July 7, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Gallup: “Obama approval among independents down to 38%”
I for one, wonder why the figure is so high? It must take a while for most Independents to wake up?
GFW on July 7, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Breaking:
Obama declares himself to be an America-hating communist out to destroy our way of life, confirming the suspicions of his critics.
Approval rating drops from 44% to 42%.
Daggett on July 7, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Most people really just don’t pay attention until something affects them directly. Pastor Martin Niemöller famous quote about Nazi Germany should be revised to read:
“THEY CAME FIRST for the free marketers,
and I didn’t know because I was busy getting my hair done.
THEN THEY CAME for the free speechers,
and I didn’t know because I was busy voting for my favorite on American Idol.
THEN THEY CAME for our guns,
and I didn’t know because I was busy feeling sorry for oil soaked birds.
THEN THEY CAME for me
and by that time I was like, ‘What?!? Where did this come from all of a sudden?!?’.”
NotCoach on July 7, 2010 at 11:04 AM
I could not have said it better myself.
JohnGalt23 on July 7, 2010 at 11:14 AM
If Obama were to become Milton Friedman today, it is still to late to have a robust economy by November, 2012.
burt on July 7, 2010 at 11:14 AM
The way he’s been acting lately, if he keeps doing what he’s been doing and the GOP takes control in the House and Senate, we may very well be conducting an impeachment.
I don’t know how America can take 2 and 1/2 more years of this outright mayhem.
Jenfidel on July 7, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Obama was always the puppet of the Kennedy types who resented the Clintons.
Too bad. They will lose.
AnninCA on July 7, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Pigs will fly before that happens. One thing we have learned from this president so far is that when he thinks he’s right about something, no amount of facts to the contrary matter to him.
ButterflyDragon on July 7, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Obama might be in good shape in 2012 if someone doesn’t emerge from the other side that can truly challenge him. Sure his poll numbers suck, but I don’t believe Huckabee would beat him in the end.
I liked Mitt in the past but he has the RomneyCare baggage now and seems like he is sticking with it. Tim Pawlenty might have a shot, he is getting better every time I see him. Christie is great but he won’t run. Too early for Jindal.
Palin not popular with independents. Love Pence but he may not have the stature yet, coming from the House. Newt is yesterdays news and has a bunch of baggage of his own. Daniels? Maybe, need to see more of him.
echosyst on July 7, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Obama is trying to convert our TWEENS now, I shxt you not, he is after Twilight fans.
ginaswo on July 7, 2010 at 11:30 AM
and I still do not get folks like Ed who think Obama will become Big Dawg, what kind of proof do you need before you acknowledge he is a true believer with a mission in his own mind,
ginaswo on July 7, 2010 at 11:31 AM
+1000 Have said this all along. I despise Bill, but I know he doesn’t hate America. You have the sense he gets the whole motherhood, apple pie and little league concept. Obama not so much.
txmomof6 on July 7, 2010 at 11:33 AM
He already said he is willing to be a one-termer to get his way. No way is he going to change.
txmomof6 on July 7, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Comeback is NOT gonna happen…people realize he is a liar…can NOT turn that around…In fact, evry time he opens his mouth he digs the hole deeper…why…because he’s lying and people know it!
winston on July 7, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Have No Fear Liberals/Socialists/Obama Lovers, you still got the NRA.
try again later on July 7, 2010 at 11:39 AM
38% approval among Independents, I am bit surprised it’s that high.
Dr Evil on July 7, 2010 at 11:41 AM
I suspect that a large portion of that 12% may actually be Dems who switched parties to derail primaries.
dominigan on July 7, 2010 at 11:42 AM
angryed on July 7, 2010 at 9:49 AM
You are soooo right!
Don’t believe any harumping you may hear from these types right now, folks. They are definitely our 5th Column. Just think of most any establishment GOPer and they are likely in that 12%. But of course, you all know this already. Up the revolution!
JimP on July 7, 2010 at 11:43 AM
I’m not. Everyone likes to focus on Independents because they ASSUME that those people truly hold to an independent nature and generally trend between the two parties. Of course, that narrative ignores context. My opinion is that Independents really consist of three groups…
1) Truly independent, who do not like to follow the two party system.
2) Conservatives who have left the Republican party in protest over the RINO choices that have been the mainstay over the last decade. (This group has enlarged recently due to the TEA Party influence.)
3) Democrats who left their party to have a broader influence on primaries. Some may actually profess a more conservative viewpoint than the current far-left Marxist in office… but in the end, they can’t ignore their lemming urges to support the old party.
I believe that most of the 38% come from #3.
This is also why I ignore the groveling AP typically does at the feet of “Independent” polls. Pundits are trying to gauge the direction of a sample that includes elements that don’t mix, and don’t form a cohesive group. It’s an artificial measurement, one that I don’t give much credence to.
Like I said, this is just my opinion…
dominigan on July 7, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Clinton did a fine job as President.
/anninCA
Del Dolemonte on July 7, 2010 at 11:58 AM
I don’t believe that there are that many Democrats who vote Independent or GOP because they’re trying to “derail primaries.”
This is a group of former die-hard Dems that are genuinely disaffected with the Democrat Party, i.e. the new/old “Reagan Democrats.”
Jenfidel on July 7, 2010 at 12:01 PM
The One just needs to explain the Cloward-Piven philosophy then his numbers will certainly shoot way up!
Dr. ZhivBlago on July 7, 2010 at 12:04 PM
You’re probably right. I do feel that a number are split from the Dems, but have a hard time explaining the continuing support. Perhaps “lemming urges” are the best way to explain it.
dominigan on July 7, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Mostly it is Democrats who don’t bother to vote. I think it was not that clear cut in 2008. McCain was such an terrible RINO that conservatives were not excited to vote. I thought seriously of writing in James Madison when I voted. I backed off and voted for the RINO because I knew we would get a Sotomayer and a Kagan from Oh Bummer.
burt on July 7, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Good. This ass-clown can’t win reelection with numbers like that. So we get rid of the fu**ing socialist wanker and start the long, painful road to recovery.
Now, if we can just whip enough Republicans hard enough to keep them from fu**ing this all up. Oil your whips, boys and girls, and loosen up your shoulder.
Jaibones on July 7, 2010 at 1:52 PM
I’d like to see the actual cross tabs party percentage breakdown on this. There is 88 percent of repubs who abhor Obama (I know Charlie Christ and Graham are in the 12 percenters but that’s another story). Sixty eight percent of indies abhor Obama and 19 percent of dems abhor him. Since republican id has significantly risen thanks to Obama, the breakdown should be around 35 percent for dems and repubs and 30 percent for indies. That means that dems get 28 percent (81 percent of 35%) plus 3.5% from repubs) and 10 percent from indies, or 41 percent. So again Gallup is trying to juice the numbers to keep Obama’s ratings up as high as possible before the midterms.
eaglewingz08 on July 7, 2010 at 2:07 PM
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