U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts’ favorable rating has fallen to a new low of 31% from 39% in July 2012, shortly after Roberts as part of a five-member majority upheld the Affordable Care Act. Twenty-seven percent of Americans now disapprove of Roberts. Interestingly, 42% have no opinion of him, up from 31% in July 2012, when Roberts was a central figure in the news due to the ACA ruling.
Prior to 2012, Gallup previously measured Roberts’ favorability during his nomination hearings in September 2005. At that point, his image was more positive, with 50% of Americans viewing him favorably and 17% unfavorably.
Thirty-three percent of Republicans now hold a favorable opinion of Roberts — who commanded 67% favorability among Republicans during his nomination hearings. While Republicans’ ratings of Roberts have dropped precipitously, his image has also worsened among Democrats. Thirty-five percent of Democrats currently have a favorable opinion of Roberts, who dissented on the ruling that overturned a law banning federal recognition of gay marriage. In 2012, after Roberts cast a crucial vote upholding the healthcare law, 68% of Democrats were favorable toward him.
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