John F. Kennedy is the most popular president of the last half century, according to a new national poll A CNN/ORC International survey released Friday indicates that 90% of all Americans approve of how Kennedy handled his job as President. No other President of the last half century even comes […] Read more »
Obama’s Second-Term Swoon
A new set of polls this week suggests the continuing problems of the Affordable Care Act’s rollout have hit President Barack Obama’s presidency hard. A new Gallup poll has Mr. Obama at 40% approval. A CBS News poll has him at 37%. The administration’s troubles with the law’s implementation and […] Read more »
Partisans’ Historical Assessments of Obama, Bush Differ Most
In assessing the legacies of the last 11 U.S. presidents, Republicans and Democrats diverge most in how history will judge Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Republicans believe Obama will be judged worst among recent presidents, while Democrats predict Bush will. At the same time, Republicans expect Bush to […] Read more »
Obama’s Second-Term Slide Continues
Barack Obama has had a difficult year since his reelection victory. His overall job rating stands at 41%, down 14 points since last December. A majority (53%) now disapproves of the way he is handling his job as president. The latest national poll by the Pew Research Center, conducted Oct. […] Read more »
History Suggests Shutdown Stakes May Not Be That High
As the federal government prepares to shut down for the first time since 1995/1996, historical Gallup data reveal that the repercussions of that past conflict ranged from none to short-lived, in terms of Americans’ concerns about the U.S. and the political players involved. [cont.] Elizabeth Mendes, Gallup Read more »
No, the Shutdown Won’t Destroy the Republicans’ Majority
… The belief that a shutdown would be an electoral disaster for Republicans is steeped in Clinton-era political mythology. According to legend, the 1995-1996 shutdown put President Clinton on a pathway to reelection; the ’98 impeachment proceedings gave Democrats gains in the House. But the myth crumbles under scrutiny. Yes, […] Read more »