Daily Presidential Tracking Poll

[TerriHaute]

For Friday, December 18, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 28% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -14.

The number who Strongly Disapprove of Obama’s performance has now topped 40% for seven straight days and his overall Approval Index rating has been in negative double digits every day for over a month.

The President this morning at a United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen at a time when a record number of Americans believe that global warming is caused by long-term planetary trends rather than human activity. Fifty-one percent (51%) of voters believe President Obama holds the opposite view and sees human activity as the primary cause of global warming.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 44% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. That matches the lowest level of approval yet recorded for this President. Fifty-four percent (54%) now disapprove. See recent demographic highlights from the tracking poll.

In a commentary, Larry Kudlow wonders if Ben Bernanke should withdraw his name from consideration for a second term as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. Just 21% of Americans favor his confirmation. Bernanke opposes an audit of the Fed, a policy favored by 75% of voters nationwide.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -14 (see trends).

Just 34% believe that passing the health care legislation currently before Congress is better than passing nothing. Fifty-seven percent (57%) take the opposite view.

The nation’s economic woes will take their toll on charities this year. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Americans say they’ll be giving less than they did a year ago.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 45% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) now disapprove. See recent demographic highlights from the tracking poll.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-one percent (41%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -15.

Early this coming week, Rasmussen Reports will release our first look at the North Dakota Senate race and another set of general election match-ups in Illinois. Those will be our final election poll releases for 2009.

We will release new polling data every day through the holiday season. However, towards the end of the week we will take a couple of days off from calling people and updating the Presidential Tracking Poll.

Check out our review of last week’s key polls to see “What They Told Us.” As the Senate prepares to vote on proposed health care reform legislation, most voters say they’d rather see nothing passed. On Monday morning, Rasmussen Reports will release our weekly tracking data on the health care plan (see last week’s data).

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) now disapprove. See recent demographic highlights from the tracking poll.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Monday, December 21, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -17.

Today’s update show the highest level of Strong Disapproval yet recorded for this President. It comes as the Senate is preparing to pass health care reform legislation initiated by the President and opposed by most voters. That latest Rasmussen Reports tracking, released earlier today, shows that 41% support the health care legislation and 55% are opposed.

Consumer confidence has improved significantly since President Obama took office. The number who rate the economy as poor has declined from 62% on Inauguration Day to 51% today. However, while pessimism about the overall economy has declined, there has been virtually no change in perceptions of personal finances.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) now disapprove. See recent demographic highlights from the tracking poll.

In the first Rasmussen Reports poll of the North Dakota Senate race, Republican Governor John Hoeven holds a wide lead over Democrat Senator Byron Dorgan. However, Hoeven has not yet decided if he will enter the race. Rasmussen Reports Senate polls have also been released for Arkansas, Colorado, Nevada, Illinois, Connecticut, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and California.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 25% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (46%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -21. That’s the lowest Approval Index rating yet recorded for this President.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of men Strongly Disapprove along with 39% of women. Most African-American voters (58%) Strongly Approve while most white voters (53%) Strongly Disapprove.

Seventy-four percent (74%) of Republicans Strongly Disapprove as do 52% of unaffiliated voters. Forty-seven percent (47%) of Democrats Strongly Approve.

For the second straight day, the update shows the highest level of Strong Disapproval yet recorded for this President. That negative rating had never topped 42% before yesterday. However, it has risen dramatically since the Senate found 60 votes to move forward with the proposed health care reform legislation. Most voters (55%) oppose the health care legislation and senior citizens are even more likely than younger voters to dislike the plan.

One bright spot in the numbers for the President is that 51% of voters still say former President George W. Bush is more to blame for the nation’s economic woes. Just 41% point the finger of blame at the current President.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 44% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-six percent (56%) now disapprove.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of Democrats approve while 88% of Republicans and 62% of unaffiliated voters disapprove. See recent demographic highlights from the tracking poll.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-four percent (44%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18.

Nine percent (9%) of adults rate the economy as good or excellent while 55% say it’s in poor shape. That’s one reason just 16% say they’ll be spending more on holiday gifts this season. Sixty-three percent (63%) say they’ll be spending less.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) believe the United Nations is not tough enough on Iran.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook. Rasmussen Reports will not conduct telephone surveys from Thursday through Saturday. Thursday morning will be the final update of the Presidential Tracking Poll until after Christmas.

Overall, 45% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. The President’s overall approval has stayed between 44% and 46% every day for twelve days. Prior to that, it had stayed between 46% and 50% every day for more than two months.

Fifty-five percent (55%) now disapprove of the President’s performance.

Republicans have opened their largest advantage yet on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

The First Lady, Michelle Obama, is viewed favorably by 55%.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -16.

Earlier this morning, the United States Senate passed its version of health care reform on a party-line vote. The Senate Democrats must now reconcile the bill with the version passed by the House of Representatives and then hope to sell voters on the idea. Most voters (55%) oppose the health care legislation working its way through Congress. Those who feel strongly about the legislation are overwhelmingly opposed to it.

Most voters (54%) also believe they personally will be worse off if the health care plan passes. Just 25% think they will be better off. Some Democratic leaders and strategists have suggested the plan will become more popular once it has been passed and people see how it works.

A commentary by Michael Barone notes that it been more than 150 years since such significant but unpopular legislation was passed through Congress on a partisan basis. The political ramifications in 1854 were so significant that it led to the creation of a new political party, the Republican Party. Ultimately, the Kansas-Nebraska Act also played a key role in the run-up to the Civil War.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook. Rasmussen Reports will not conduct telephone surveys from Thursday through Saturday. Today’s numbers will be the final update of the Presidential Tracking Poll until after Christmas. However, the Rasmussen Reports web site will be updated every day. Check out the home page for the latest.

Overall, 44% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. The President’s overall approval has stayed between 44% and 46% every day for thirteen days. Prior to that, it had stayed between 46% and 50% every day for more than two months.

Fifty-six percent (56%) now disapprove of the President’s performance.

On the morning before Christmas, 23% of American adults have not yet finished their holiday shopping. Forty-three percent (43%) are having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit. Still, 66% say that Christmas is one of the nation’s most important holidays. That narrowly edges out the Fourth of July as America’s top-rated holiday.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) say the economy is getting better while 47% say it’s getting worse. Just 29% say the United States is heading in the right direction. Republicans have opened their largest advantage yet on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Saturday, December 26, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, released Thursday, shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -16 (see trends).

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook. Rasmussen Reports will not conduct telephone surveys again until Sunday. The current numbers reflect the final update until Monday. However, the Rasmussen Reports web site will be updated every day. Check out the home page for the latest.

Overall, 44% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. The President’s overall approval has stayed between 44% and 46% every day for thirteen days. Prior to that, it had stayed between 46% and 50% every day for more than two months. Fifty-six percent (56%) now disapprove of the President’s performance.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, released Thursday, shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -16.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) now believe the economic stimulus plan passed earlier this year has hurt the economy. Just 30% believe it helped. That’s the first time since the legislation passed that a plurality offered a negative assessment.

Most voters (52%) are concerned that the government will do too much in terms of responding to the economic challenges. Just 35% fear it will not do enough.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook. Rasmussen Reports has not conducted telephone surveys over the last few days. We are polling Sunday night and will release updated numbers tomorrow on the President’s Job Approval, the health care plan, and more.

Overall, 44% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. The President’s overall approval has stayed between 44% and 46% every day for thirteen days. Prior to that, it had stayed between 46% and 50% every day for more than two months. Fifty-six percent (56%) now disapprove of the President’s performance.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Monday, December 28. 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 28% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -12.

Expectations that Congress will pass health care reform in the coming year soared following the Senate’s Christmas Eve vote. Sixty-seven percent (67%) now expect it to pass. Still, most voters continue to oppose the health care plan and 63% believe it will raise the cost of care. Most voters (54%) also believe they personally will be worse off if the health care plan passes. Just 25% think they will be better off. A commentary by Michael Barone notes that it been more than 150 years since such significant but unpopular legislation was passed through Congress on a partisan basis.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) now believe the economic stimulus plan passed earlier this year has hurt the economy. Just 30% believe it helped. That’s the first time since the legislation passed that a plurality offered a negative assessment.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. That’s the first time in more than two weeks the President’s overall approval has topped 46%. Fifty-two percent (52%) now disapprove of the President’s performance.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-one percent (41%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -15.

Thirty-six percent (36%) give the President good or excellent marks for handling the economy while 47% think he’s done a poor job in this arena.

As 2009 comes to an end, the private sector and public sector are experiencing two different economies. Government employees tend to believe the economy is getting better while those in the private sector hold the opposite view. That’s a big change from the beginning of the year when those on the public payroll were a bit more pessimistic than private sector workers.

The economic confidence of small business owners held steady in December following a big drop in November. Fifty-two percent (52%) of those owners say conditions are getting worse for their business and 51% experienced cash flow difficulties within the past 90 days. A third of small business owners say they do not intend to retire.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) now say another terrorist attack is at least somewhat likely within a year, up thirty points in the wake of the Christmas Day airline attack in Detroit. Forty-six percent (46%) say that airport security procedures are not strict enough. That’s up 13 points.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 25% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-one percent (41%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -16.

Confidence in the War on Terror has fallen following the Christmas Day airline attack. For the first time since October 2007, the number who believe the terrorists are winning has reached 30%. Just 36% believe the U.S. and its allies are winning.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) say it’s at least somewhat likely that the proposed health care reform legislation will cost more than projected. Eighty-one percent (81%) also believe passage of the legislation is at least somewhat likely to lead to higher middle class taxes and 68% believe it will increase the federal budget deficit.

The belief that what happens in Congress really matters has jumped since the health care debate began. Seventy-four percent (74%) now believe that legislation being considered will have a significant impact on their life.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove.

In Nebraska, just 17% approve of the Medicaid deal cut by Senator Ben Nelson to secure his vote on health care reform. Nelson is now down by 30 points in an early look at his 2012 Reelection Bid. Republicans now lead by five points on the Generic Congressional Ballot. That’s a big change from the seven-point lead enjoyed by Democrats when President Obama was inaugurated.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 24% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18. Twenty-nine percent (29%) now say the country is heading in the right direction.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of those with health insurance say it’s at least somewhat likely that passage of health care reform could force them to change their insurance coverage. That figure is essentially unchanged since June when the public debate over the legislation began. Seventy-eight percent (78%) say it’s at least somewhat likely that the proposed health care reform legislation will cost more than projected.

At midnight on New Year’s Eve, 62% of American adults say they’ll be awake to welcome in the new year. Half expect to kiss someone at midnight and more people will pray than drink.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook. Rasmussen Reports will not be polling over the next few nights due to the holiday. However, new data will be released every day and you can check it out on our home page.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. At the time of his Inauguration, the President’s approval rating was at 61%.

Fifty-three percent (53%) now disapprove.

Confidence in the War on Terror has fallen following the Christmas Day airline attack. For the first time since October 2007, the number who believe the terrorists are winning has reached 30%. Just 36% believe the U.S. and its allies are winning. Confidence about the situation in Afghanistan is down as well.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

Obama Approval Index Month-by-Month

There was no polling on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, so the numbers have not changed since Thursday's report. However, here is an interesting big picture chart on the presidential approval index over the past year. --Terri

When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.

The president’s Approval Index ratings fell three points in December following two-point declines in both October and November.

Looking back, the president’s honeymoon ended quickly before his ratings stabilized from March through May. They tumbled in June and July as the health care debate began before stabilizing again over the summer. Public attitudes towards the health care legislation have hardened in recent months, with most voters opposed to the work being done in Congress.

As Congress has drawn closer to achieving the president’s goals on health care, unemployment also has been rising, and Obama’s ratings have reflected the turmoil.

The number who Strongly Disapprove of the president’s performance inched up a point to 41% in December. The number who Strongly Approved fell two more points to 26%. That leads to a Presidential Approval Index rating of -15, a new low for Obama.

Also in December, the president’s total approval dropped two points to 46%. His total disapproval gained a point to 53%. It’s worth noting that the Approval Index ratings have generally proven to be a good leading indicator of the president’s overall approval ratings.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...istration/obama_approval_index_month_by_month

 

[TerriHaute]

For Monday, January 4, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-one percent (41%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -15.

The number of Democrats in the United States has fallen to the lowest level in at least seven years. Still, the GOP has not gained ground. Instead, the number of unaffiliated voters has jumped.

On health care, this week’s tracking shows a slight uptick for the Congressional plan, but most voters are still opposed. When it comes to paying for the cost of the proposed health care reform plan, voters are okay with the idea of taxing the rich, but strongly reject cuts in Medicare and excise taxes on “Cadillac” plans provided by employers. Most voters favor prohibiting coverage of abortions with plans that receive federal subsidies, but those who generally support the plan tend to oppose the abortion provision.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

Over the weekend, Politico published a story highlighting how some liberal Democrats are “turning their fire” on Rasmussen Reports. However, the article quotes one Democratic pollster who put it into perspective by saying “sometimes when people are unhappy, sometimes you shoot the messenger.” The Politico story has generated a number of other stories including comments from Bill Kristol, Michael Barone, Nate Silver,and Ed Morrissey.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Tuesday, January 05, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -13.

While most voters oppose the health care plan working its way through Congress, some individual components of the plan are popular. When it comes to paying for the cost of the proposed health care reform plan, voters are okay with the idea of taxing the rich, but strongly reject cuts in Medicare and excise taxes on “Cadillac” plans provided by employers.

While California wants a federal bailout, most voters say it would be better to let the state go bankrupt.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 49% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-one percent (51%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

In Massachusetts, Democrat Martha Coakely leads by nine in the race for Ted Kennedy’s old Senate seat.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Wednesday, January 06, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 29% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -10. These are the President’s best ratings since before Thanksgiving.

Three leading Democrats are retiring rather than face the voters in November. The biggest surprise was North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan. A Rasmussen Reports poll last month showed Dorgan trailing Governor Hoeven by twenty-two points. The Republicans will be considered a favorite to win that seat in the fall. Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd is also stepping down. He trailed the leading GOP hopeful by double digits a month ago, but his retirement will boost his party’s prospects. Democrats generally do well in Connecticut unless they’re weighted down with political baggage like Dodd.

In Colorado, Governor Bill Ritter is stepping down. He trailed GOP Congressman Scott McInnis by eight points in December. These retirement come as the Republicans enjoy their largest advantage on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

Twenty percent (20%) of voters nationwide go online daily to look for news about politics, elections and government. Eighteen percent (18%) receive updates on their phone or mobile device and 5% forward e-mail or text updates every day.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 49% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-one percent (51%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) of American adults believe the economy will be stronger in a year while 39% say it will be weaker. Sixty-five percent (65%) believe it will be three or more years before the housing market recovers.

Last week, the Politico reported that some liberal Democrats have “turned their fire” on Rasmussen Reports and today the Wall Street Journal has a follow-up article: "It’s All Rasmussen’s Fault.” The article notes that “in 2009 Rasmussen became the most searched-for polling firm on the Internet. It also apparently has become the No. 1 target for people who don't like its findings.”

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Thursday, January 07, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -12. Thirty-two percent (32%) now say the country is generally heading in the right direction.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of college football fans expect Alabama to win the BCS national championship game while 37% disagree and think Texas will win.

Just 32% of American voters are even somewhat confident that their representative in Congress is looking out for their best interests.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 48% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

In Arkansas, Senator Blanche Lincoln is still struggling and attracts just 38% or 39% of the vote against any Republican challengers mentioned.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[NC Susan]

[FONT=Verdana,Arial]Fifty-five percent (55%) of college football fans expect Alabama to win the BCS national championship game while 37% disagree and think Texas will win.

Just 32% of American voters are even somewhat confident that their representative in Congress is looking out for their best interests.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial]


We are in for a bumpy ride to election Nov 2010

[/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial]ps, thanks for keeping these going TerriHaut[/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial]
[/FONT]

 

[TerriHaute]

For Friday, January 08, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-one percent (41%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -14.

Forty-five percent (45%) say a group randomly selected from the phone book would do a better job than the current Congress. Just 32% of American voters are even somewhat confident that their representative in Congress is looking out for their best interests.

The Christmas Day bombing attempt has increased concerns about terror attacks and most Americans now support racial and ethnic profiling for security purposes. A Rasmussen video report shows that 71% support the use of full body scanners at airports.

Fifteen percent (15%) of workers nationwide say their employers are hiring in the coming months while 28% say their firms are laying people off. Those numbers have remained stable for months.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-four percent (54%) disapprove.

Republicans have the early advantage in the 2010 Kentucky Senate Race. In Arkansas, Senator Blanche Lincoln is still struggling. The special election in Massachusetts will be held a week from Tuesday and is closer than expected. In Connecticut, Chris Dodd’s retirement is definitely good news for the Democrats. Rasmussen Reports has released other Senate polls for Colorado, Nevada, Illinois, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and California.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Saturday, January 09, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -17 (see trends).

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republican voters say that Republicans in Congress are out of touch with the party’s base.Most believe that the average GOP Member of Congress is more liberal than the average GOP voter.

Most Democratic voters say their party’s representatives in Congress do a good job representing their values. And, on balance, Democratic voters tend to think Democrats in Congress are in synch with the party’s base ideologically.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove.

Twenty-eight percent (28%) of football fans expect the Indianapolis Colts to win the Super Bowl and 14% pick the Dallas Cowboys. The Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers are also in double digits while the New Orleans Saints have the most people rooting for them. Peyton Manning is seen by 44% as the best quarterback in football today.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Sunday, January 10, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 25% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of voters continue to blame former President George W. Bush for the nation’s economic woes.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 45% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-four percent (54%) disapprove.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Monday, January 11, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-one percent (41%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -15.

Just 17% believe that the cost of health care will go down if Congress passes the health care legislation it’s considering. The latest weekly tracking shows that 40% favor the health care plan and 55% are opposed.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of voters continue to blame former President George W. Bush for the nation’s economic woes.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -14.

Just 32% of voters favor an excise tax on the most expensive health insurance plans while 59% are opposed. Labor leaders have expressed their unhappiness with this part of the plan as well. Overall, 40% favor the health care plan before Congress and 55% are opposed.

Looking back, most voters still consider the bailouts of both the finance and auto industries to be a bad idea. By a 2-to-1 margin, voters believe that the bailouts hurt the economy in the long run.

Scott Rasmussen’s analysis of the Massachusetts Senate race sees a lot of common ground between recent polls.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 24% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -15. Republicans continue to lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

Just 55% now believe that buying a home is the best investment most families can make. That’s down from 79% over the past eighteen months. Just 54% of homeowners believe their home is worth more than their mortgage. Earlier polling showed that 65% now think it will take the housing market at least three years to recover.

Thirty-one percent (31%) give the government good or excellent marks for its response to the Christmas Day bombing attempt. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say the response was poor. The data shows that 24% have a favorable opinion of Janet Napolitano while 47% have an unfavorable view.

A solid plurality of voters (43%) don’t trust Republicans or Democrats when it comes to addressing government corruption and ethics. But, on most issues, Republicans currently have the edge. On the economy, 48% trust Republicans more than Democrats while 37% hold the opposite view.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

In Massachusetts, the upcoming special U.S. Senate election is getting closer with Democrat Martha Coakley leading Republican Scott Brown 49% to 47%. This is the fourth straight public poll to show Coakley right around the 50% mark. In Minnesota, Norm Coleman is the leading choice for Republicans in the Governor’s race and Mark Dayton leads among Democrats.

Just 32% of voters favor an excise tax on the most expensive health insurance plans while 59% are opposed. Labor leaders have expressed their unhappiness with this part of the plan as well. Overall, 40% favor the health care plan before Congress and 55% are opposed.

Looking back, most voters still consider the bailouts of both the finance and auto industries to be a bad idea. By a 2-to-1 margin, voters believe that the bailouts hurt the economy in the long run.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Thursday, January 14, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 25% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -15.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of voters now give the President poor marks for handling the economy.That’s the highest negative rating yet recorded. Seventy-percent (70%) of Republicans give the President poor marks in this area along with 54% of unaffiliated voters.

Overall, just 36% voters say he’s doing a good or an excellent job on economic matters. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Democrats hold that view.

When it comes to national security matters, 39% say he’s doing a good or an excellent job while 38% say poor. Thirty-one percent (31%) give the government good or excellent marks for its response to the Christmas Day bombing attempt.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers. A commentary by Michael Barone argues that supporters of the President are driven by style while Tea Party Protesters are motivated by substance.

In Nevada, support for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has fallen even more following release of comments he made about Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign. Reid now trails two Republican challengers by double digits. In Ohio, Rob Portman holds a very narrow advantage over two Democrats in his effort to enter the U.S. Senate. In New Hampshire’s Senate race, Republican Kelly Ayotte likely Democratic candidate Paul Hodes by nine.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[NC Susan]

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=518161

System Takes Its Revenge On 2009's King

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMERPosted 01/14/2010 06:10 PM ET

View Enlarged Image

What went wrong? A year ago, he was king of the world.
Now President Obama's approval rating, according to CBS, has dropped to 46% — and his disapproval rating is the highest ever recorded by Gallup at the beginning of an (elected) president's second year.
A year ago, he was leader of a liberal ascendancy that would last 40 years (James Carville). A year ago, conservatism was dead (Sam Tanenhaus).
Now the race to fill Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in bluest of blue Massachusetts is surprisingly close, with a virtually unknown state senator bursting on the scene by turning the election into a mini-referendum on Obama and his agenda, most particularly health care reform.
A year ago, Obama was the most charismatic politician on earth. Today the thrill is gone, the doubts growing — even among erstwhile believers.
Liberals try to attribute Obama's political decline to matters of style. He's too cool, detached, uninvolved. He's not tough, angry or aggressive enough with opponents. He's contracted out too much of his agenda to Congress.
These stylistic and tactical complaints may be true, but they miss the major point: The reason for today's vast discontent, presaged by spontaneous national Tea Party opposition, is not that Obama is too cool or compliant but that he's too left.

It's not about style; it's about substance. About which Obama has been admirably candid. This out-of-nowhere, least-known of presidents dropped the veil most dramatically in the single most important political event of 2009, his Feb. 24 first address to Congress.
With remarkable political honesty and courage, Obama unveiled the most radical (in American terms) ideological agenda since the New Deal: the fundamental restructuring of three pillars of American society — health care, education and energy.

Then began the descent — when, more amazingly still, Obama devoted himself to turning these statist visions into legislative reality. First energy, with cap-and-trade, an unprecedented federal intrusion into American industry and commerce. It got through the House, with its Democratic majority and Supreme Soviet-style rules. But it will never get out of the Senate.

Then, the keystone: a health care revolution in which the federal government will regulate in crushing detail one-sixth of the U.S. economy.
By essentially abolishing medical underwriting (actuarially based risk assessment) and replacing it with government fiat, ObamaCare turns the health insurance companies into utilities, their every significant move dictated by government regulators.
The public option was a sideshow. As many on the right have long been arguing, and as the more astute on the left (such as the New Yorker's James Surowiecki) understand, ObamaCare is government health care by proxy, single-payer through a facade of nominally "private" insurers.
At first, health care reform was sustained politically by Obama's own popularity. But then gravity took hold, and ObamaCare's profound unpopularity dragged him down with it. After 29 speeches and a fortune in squandered political capital, it still will not sell.

The health care drive is the most important reason Obama has sunk to 46%. But this reflects something larger. In the end, what matters is not the persona but the agenda. In a country where politics is fought between the 40-yard lines, Obama has insisted on pushing hard for the 30.
And the American people — disorganized and unled but nonetheless agitated and mobilized — have put up a stout defense somewhere just left of midfield.

Ideas matter. Legislative proposals matter. Slick campaigns and dazzling speeches can work for a while, but the magic always wears off.
It's inherently risky for any charismatic politician to legislate. To act is to choose and to choose is to disappoint the expectations of many who had poured their hopes into the empty vessel — of which candidate Obama was the greatest representative in recent American political history.
Obama did not just act, however. He acted ideologically. To his credit, Obama didn't just come to Washington to be someone. Like Reagan, he came to Washington to do something — to introduce a powerful social democratic stream into America's deeply and historically individualist polity.
Perhaps Obama thought he'd been sent to the White House to do just that. If so, he vastly over-read his mandate. His own electoral success — twinned with handy victories and large majorities in both houses of Congress — was a referendum on his predecessor's governance and the post-Lehman financial collapse. It was not an endorsement of European-style social democracy.

Hence the resistance. Hence the fall. The system may not always work, but it does take its revenge.


.

 

[NC Susan]

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/PhotoPopup.aspx?id=518255

 

[TerriHaute]

For Friday, January 15, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -14.

Fifty percent (50%) of Democrats Strongly Approve while 66% of Republicans Strongly Disapprove. Among those not affiliated with either major political party, 18% Strongly Approve and 43% Strongly Disapprove.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -13 (see trends).

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 49% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-one percent (51%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

In California, Senator Barbara Boxer’s support remains below 50% and she holds just a three-point advantage over Republican hopeful Carly Fiorina. Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton continues to lead in Colorado’s U.S. Senate race. In Massachusetts, the upcoming special U.S. Senate election is surprisingly close.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -12.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Rasmussen Reports is pleased to report that we now have more than 20,000 people following us on Twitter. We look forward to watching that number grow throughout 2010 and to providing our Twitter audience with up-to-the-minute coverage of the election season.

Pat Caddell and Doug Schoen, pollsters for the two previous Democratic Presidents, wrote an interesting Wall Street Journal column on Scott Rasmussen. If you'd like Scott to speak at your meeting, retreat, or conference, contact Premiere Speakers Bureau.

Overall, 48% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-one percent (51%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

In California, Senator Barbara Boxer’s support remains below 50% and she holds just a three-point advantage over Republican hopeful Carly Fiorina. In Colorado, Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton leads Democratic Senator Michael Bennett by a double digit margin. In Massachusetts, the upcoming special U.S. Senate election is surprisingly close.

Rasmussen Reports has released other Senate polls for Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Kentucky. and California.

In Ohio, Republican John Kasich still holds a modest lead over incumbent Governor Ted Strickland. Rasmussen Reports has also released polls on the 2010 governor’s races in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Monday, January 18, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -12.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of liberals Strongly Approve while 65% of conservatives Strongly Disapprove. Among political moderates, 32% Strongly Approve and 23% Strongly Disapprove.

Just 38% of voters nationwide now support the health care plan working its way through Congress. That matches the lowest level of support yet measured.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Rasmussen Reports is pleased to note that we now have more than 20,000 people following us on Twitter. We look forward to watching that number grow throughout 2010 and to providing our Twitter audience with up-to-the-minute coverage of the election season.

Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

In California, Senator Barbara Boxer’s support remains below 50% and she holds just a three-point advantage over Republican hopeful Carly Fiorina. In Colorado, Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton leads Democratic Senator Michael Bennett by a double digit margin. In Massachusetts, the upcoming special U.S. Senate election is surprisingly close.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 28% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -11.

Just 38% of voters nationwide now support the health care plan working its way through Congress. That matches the lowest level of support yet measured.

Scott Rasmussen takes a look at the Massachusetts Senate race as voters go to the polls in what has become a key Senate contest. National interest in the race remains high and both sides expect their candidate to win. Sixty-six percent (66%) of Coakley’s fans expect her to win while 69% of Brown’s fans think he will prevail.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Rasmussen Reports is pleased to note that we now have more than 20,000 people following us on Twitter. We look forward to watching that number grow throughout 2010 and to providing our Twitter audience with up-to-the-minute coverage of the election season.

Overall, 48% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-one percent (51%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

In Texas, Governor Rick Perry leads Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in the Republican Primary by a 43% to 33% margin. A third candidate, Debra Medina, attracts support from 12%. Medina’s numbers jumped from 4% earlier in the race and she has now been invited to participate in an upcoming debate.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[NC Susan]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9DA7L580&show_article=1


Highlights of Obama's first year, by the numbers: ___
7,949.09—Dow Jones Industrial Average close on Jan. 20, 2009.
10,609.65—Dow Jones Industrial Average close on Jan. 15, 2010.
13 million—Number of people 16 and older unemployed as of January 2009.
14.7 million—Number of people 16 and older unemployed as of December 2009.
7.7 percent—Unemployment rate January 2009
10.0 percent—Unemployment rate December 2009
$787 billion—Cost of economic stimulus approved by Congress.
$10.6 trillion—Outstanding public debt Jan. 20, 2009.
$12.3 trillion—Outstanding public debt Jan. 14, 2009.
$296.4 billion—Federal spending from the financial crisis bailout fund before Jan. 20, 2009.
$173 billion—Federal spending from the financial crisis bailout fund after Jan. 20, 2009.
$165 billion—Amount of bailout funds repaid by banks and automakers.
139—Bank failures between Jan. 20, 2009, and Jan. 14, 2010.
274,399—Number of properties that received forclosure-related notices in January 2009.
349,519—Number of properties that received forclosure-related notices in December 2009.
34,400—U.S. troops in Afghanistan in January 2009.
70,000—U.S. troops in Afghanistan as of Jan. 12, 2010.
319—U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan from January 2009 through Jan. 15, 2010.
139,500—U.S. troops in Iraq in January 2009.
111,000—U.S. troops in Iraq as of Jan. 12, 2010.
152—U.S. military deaths in Iraq from January 2009 through Jan. 15, 2010.
539—Appointments to top federal policy positions submitted to the Senate
352—Appointments confirmed by the Senate.
180—Appointments in top policy positions carried over from the Bush administration.
12—Formal news conferences.
21—Foreign countries visited.
29—States visited.
10—Visits to Camp David.
2—Vacations.
___
Sources:
AP reporting and analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Treasury Department
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
RealtyTrac Inc.
Defense Department
White House Transition Project

 

[TerriHaute]

For Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 28% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -12.

On the first anniversary of his inauguration, the President is dealing with the fallout from a stunning election upset in Massachusetts last night. On his way to victory, Scott Brown won unaffiliated voters by a 73% to 25% margin. That is consistent with a weakness among unaffiliated voters that has been evident in the President’s numbers for several months. Currently, just 25% of unaffiliated voters Strongly Approve of the President’s performance while 44% Strongly Disapprove.

Most voters said health care was the top voting issue in Massachusetts. But, a final look at the Massachusetts Election Night Poll shows that Martha Coakley narrowly won among voters who ranked health care as most important. Brown won among those who consider the economy most important. That’s consistent with national polling showing that voters are now more likely to trust Republicans over Democrats when it comes to the economy.

Overall, just 38% of voters nationwide now support the health care plan working its way through Congress. That matches the lowest level of support yet measured. Data will be released later today on the health care excise tax and other related issues.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 48% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-one percent (51%) disapprove. To get a sense of longer-term trends, check out our month-by-month review of the President’s numbers.

In Texas, both Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchison lead likely Democratic nominee Bill White in the race for Governor. In the Republican Primary, Governor Rick Perry leads Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison by a 43% to 33% margin. A third candidate, Debra Medina, attracts support from 12%. Medina’s numbers jumped from 4% earlier in the race and she has now been invited to participate in an upcoming debate.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[thompson]

Thanks for keeping this thread going. I appreciate your efforts!

 

[TerriHaute]

Thanks for keeping this thread going. I appreciate your efforts!

You are very welcome! I think it is really interesting to track the trend.

 

[TerriHaute]

For Thursday, January 21, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -15.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of voters nationwide give the President poor marks for his handling of the health care issue. Voters strongly oppose an excise tax on “Cadillac” health insurance plans to help cover the cost of that plan. Opposition rises even higher for a plan that would exempt union members from the excise tax.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove.

In the race to become the next U.S. Senator from Missouri, Republican Roy Blunt has moved ahead by six points. A commentary by Larry Sabato, suggests that if the election were held today, “the Democratic majority in the Senate would be reduced to just 52 seats.” Rasmussen Reports has released Senate polls for Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The numbers from Scott Brown’s stunning election upset in Massachusetts help document the challenging political environment for Democrats. Brown won unaffiliated voters by a 73% to 25% margin. Still, a final look at the Massachusetts Election Night Poll shows that Martha Coakley narrowly won among voters who ranked health care as most important. Brown won among those who consider the economy most important. That’s consistent with national polling showing that voters are now more likely to trust Republicans over Democrats when it comes to the economy.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Friday, January 22, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 25% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18.

Later today, Rasmussen Reports will issue a tracking update on the health care issue showing that expectations the legislation will pass have fallen dramatically since Tuesday’s election in Massachusetts. Since Nancy Pelosi has indicated that there are not enough votes in the House to pass the Senate proposal, this will be our final tracking update on the current legislation. If the Democrats in Congress develop a new approach for health care legislation, we will resume tracking at that time.

Forty-five percent (45%) believe General Motors will need more government bailouts.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 45% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-four percent (54%) disapprove.

In the Pennsylvania Senate race, Pat Toomey now leads both Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak. In Arizona, John McCain has opened a big lead over potential challenger J.D. Hayworth. In Georgia, if former Governor Roy Barnes is the Democratic nominee, the race for Governor could begin as a toss-up.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

 

[TerriHaute]

For Saturday, January 22, 2010

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows that 24% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -19 (see trends).

These figures come from nightly telephone surveys and are reported on a three-day rolling average basis. Today’s update is the first based entirely upon interviews following Tuesday’s election in Massachusetts and the Approval Index has fallen eight points since Tuesday morning.

The number of Democrats who Strongly Approve has fallen from 55% on Tuesday morning to 48% today. The number of unaffiliated voters who Strongly Disapprove has increased from 43% on Tuesday to 51% today. It remains to be seen whether those changes are a temporary reaction in the wake of a stunning election upset or the beginning of a more lasting change.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of voters nationwide now say Congress should drop health care and focus on the economy. Seventy percent (70%) believe that the health care issue was at least somewhat important in Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts. Rasmussen Reports issued our final tracking poll for the proposed health care reform and found that 58% of voters remain opposed to the plan Congress was considering. That figure includes 50% who are Strongly Opposed.

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

Overall, 44% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. That’s down four points since Tuesday morning and matches the lowest level of overall approval yet recorded for this President. Fifty-five percent (55%) of voters now disapprove. The number of Democrats who approve has fallen from 84% on Tuesday morning to 78% today (see other recent demographic highlights).

New polling released yesterday shows that the Governor’s race in California could be competitive. In Arizona’s Republican Primary, John McCain has opened a big lead over potential challenger J.D. Hayworth.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ministration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll