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Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Obama's high marks in NBC/WSJ poll

Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 7:17 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: , ,

From NBC's Mark Murray
Here's our take on the latest NBC/WSJ survey:

WASHINGTON - As he enters his 100th day in office, President Barack Obama enjoys higher marks from the American public than his most recent predecessors did at similar points in their presidencies, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

More than six in 10 approve of Obama's job, nearly two-thirds view him favorably, and a majority believe he has gotten off to a solid start during his first three months on the job.

Perhaps most significantly, Americans so far find him to be likeable. More than 80 percent in the poll say they personally like Obama, even if they don’t agree with all of his policies. And respondents give him high scores on his personality, demeanor and leadership qualities.

Republican pollster Bill McInturff, who conducted this survey with Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, says these numbers suggest “someone who is wearing well” with the public at this stage of his presidency. McInturff, in fact, even compares Obama’s early likeability to Ronald Reagan’s in the 1980s.

Yet the poll also contains a few cautionary numbers for Obama and his young administration: a growing number believe the president is liberal; a majority thinks he’s trying to take on too many issues; and there are concerns about all the government spending.

“The wind is at his back,” Hart says. But looking ahead to the next 100 days, the Democratic pollster adds that Obama might “face some pretty stiff headwinds in his future.”

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The wind at his back metaphor makes me think of something my Grandma used to say:

It's good to have the wind at your back; just don't get so far out you have to row back against it.

She was wise.  Awesome news about Kathleen Sebelius.  obviously some Repubs went her way.  still trying to figure out who.  If Sam Brownback is smart (big IF) he voted to confirm her.  If she hadn't been confirmed she would have easily beat him in 2010 for that Senate Seat.

PS.  Since I pay taxes in both States, I wish I could vote in both.  But that will just stir the ire of the anti-ACORN fanatics.


 OBAMA WILL FIGURE OUT HOW TO CAPTURE THOSE HEADWINDS AND TURN THEM INTO RENEWABLE ENERGY.
And it's a NBC poll so we all know it's not biased!!
Right. (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 6:16 PM)

--------------------------------------------

Yeah, an NBC poll co-sponsored by Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal.  You're right...not biased at all.
Obama is taking on too many issues. At least he is not running and hiding from the issues. At least, he is trying to do what is best for the country. It is good he keeps the American people involved with the country operations. The American people need to know what is going on; it is good to hear from the President instead of third hand. President Obama is doing well with the hand that he has been dealt. And he should be given credit for it.
"Yet the poll also contains a few cautionary numbers for Obama and his young administration: a growing number believe the president is liberal"

What the heck does this even mean?  Of course he's a liberal.  He ran as one.  People thinking he is a liberal is bad? What ever happened to objective reporting?
My bad, forgot Brownback is running for Governor.  Won't be my last mistake today.
Clara,
Here is the roll call list: Brownback did vote Yea.
Roll call On the Confirmation Kathleen Sebelius  
Grouped By Vote Position

YEAs ---65
Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Begich (D-AK)
Bennet (D-CO)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Bond (R-MO)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Brownback (R-KS)
Burris (D-IL)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagan (D-NC)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kaufman (D-DE)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-CO)
Udall (D-NM)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (D-VA)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

NAYs ---31
Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Risch (R-ID)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)

Not Voting - 3
Kennedy (D-MA)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sessions (R-AL)

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/r...

It's time to finally do what Bush said.

   "It's important for people to understand that in a democracy, there will be a full investigation. In other words, we want to know the truth. In our country, when there's an allegation of abuse ... there will be a full investigation, and justice will be delivered. ... It's very important for people and your listeners to understand that in our country, when an issue is brought to our attention on this magnitude, we act. And we act in a way in which leaders are willing to discuss it with the media. ... In other words, people want to know the truth.

   "That stands in contrast to dictatorships. A dictator wouldn't be answering questions about this. A dictator wouldn't be saying that the system will be investigated and the world will see the results of the investigation."


George Bush Jr.
"A" for Obama.......an embarrassing "D-" for the jealous, loud, out of touch Republican spokespersons that act like far-right crazies.
Clara Kansas City, MO

Relating payment of taxes to voting is a GOP idea. List to right wing talk radio and you'll hear people proudly express the idea that only property owners or tax payers should be able to vote. So actually allowing a dual state tax payer to vote in two states would be as if not more upsetting to liberals. On a lighter note I'd prefer retirees only do their damage in Florida (their winter state) and not also their home state!
NBC, WSJ (Owned by Rupert Murdoch), CNN, CBS, ABC, Washington Post, New York Times, AP, GFK, Gallop.
<Begin snarky sarcasm>
THESE POLLS CAN'T BE RIGHT!  IT'S IMPOSSIBLE THAT THESE POLLS ARE RIGHT!  THEY'RE ALL LIBERAL, ALL OF THEM!  ULTRA-LEFT WING LIBERAL SOCIALIST RAGS!  WHERE ARE THE POLLS THAT TELL US HOW MUCH WE HATE OBAMA!  HELP US FOX NEWS!  HELP US RASMUSSEN!
<End snarky sarcasm>

Seriously.  It's pretty telling when every poll has him at a 55% approval or better (Rasmussen - 56%, FOX - 62% for those of you who are interested).  Face it, righties.  Obama's popular.  We like him.  We have faith in him.  And we believe in him.  Most importantly, he believes in this country.  He gives it to us straight without the "talk down to the peons" attitude we got from the last president.  Hate on him if you want, its your right.  But you have to acknowledge that you're in a shrinking minority here.  Let me quote some advice from Bill Maher.

>>>Look, I understand what you "real Americans" are going through. After eight years of controlling everything, this latest election and Obama's popularity have you feeling a little like a rejected husband. You're the bitter divorced guy who comes home one day, and all your things are out on the front lawn. Or at least more things than you usually keep out on the front lawn.

But, you're not ready to let go. Despite the fact that the country you love has left you and is moving on. Which makes you want to call it a "whore" and key its car. You can't articulate your feelings. One minute you're blubbering about how much you love it, and the next, you're vowing that if you can't have it, nobody will.

But, it's been almost 100 days, and your country is not coming back to you. She's found somebody new. And, I hate to tell you, it's a black guy. <<<

http://jawillie.blog.com
The American people realize our President is trying his very best to make our country better.
He is such a welcome change from the previous administration and followers, how can we not respect
and support him?
President Obama is both popular and effective. Certainly 100 days does not a presidency make but to his credit he has set the table well for moving his adgenda along.

The gift that Sen. Spector gave the Dems is some icing on the cake in terms of getting to the filabuster proof postion in the Senate on many key issues. Thanks again senator!

The next 100 days will be another test of wills on many fronts but at least we now have confidence that competance is back in the Federal Govt.

Change is happening every day!
The President has done an excellent job. I give him an A+ for the bold agenda he has set under very difficult circumstances. I also give him an A+ for having the fortitude to put the country FIRST when there have been differences between what he may have thought during the campaign and what he now knows as President. He does not think of the 'political' consequences or the personal attacks; only the good of the nation. This shows honor and integrity.
Interesting.....the man talks a lot, does little, and enjoys high popularity ratings.
Then again, Reagan was a big bag of wind who did nothing also. So, I guess it shouldn't surprise me.
But as my Mom used to say..."it aint where ya' start, it's where ya' finish."
Let's see where we are three years from now. The economy,  job losses, the wars in Iraq and Afgahnistan, any act of violence against Americans at home or abroad could change public perception of him in a New York Minute.
He really hasn't done much of anything, therefore it's hard for him to have done anything wrong.
But, a few more incidents like the NYC flyover yesterday could sink those "beauty contest" numbers real fast.
Personally, I want him to stop talking, and fix the economy.
What's wrong with being liberal? It represents looking ahead and not afraid of change. Nowadays I think being called republican would be more of a risk. Also what's wrong with trying to do too much? Would you rather he not be doing enough? C'mon, why does the media always have to look for a negative within a positive?
Liberals don't want to be called liberal.  It is a re-branding effort that began after GWB won in 2000 to relabel themselves as Progressives.  The idea is that Progressive sounds less threatening than Liberal.

Ironically, those that claim to be Progressive are actually much more to the left than your regular Liberal.  Just think of Progressives as a Neo-Liberals


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