Americans say the relationship between President Obama and Congress was more frayed than usual in 2013—and, if anything, only likely to get worse next year. The first year of Obama’s second term has been marked by a government shutdown, no significant legislative achievements, and incessant bickering between the administration and […] Read more »
The Threatening Thirties
For the first time in his presidency, Barack Obama finds his aggregate approval rating hovering right at 40%. In some polls, he has already fallen below it: According to Gallup, the president’s approval dropped to 39% three times in November. … Looking back at Gallup’s approval polls since World War […] Read more »
Poll Finds Young People Souring on Health Law and Obama
A majority of 18- to 29-year-olds – a constituency crucial to the success of President Obama’s health overhaul — disapprove of the law, and fewer than a third of those who are uninsured are likely to sign up for coverage, according to a new poll by Harvard University’s Institute of […] Read more »
Learning from whiplash
As America sat down to Thanksgiving dinner, it suffered from an almost unparalleled case of political whiplash. … Just a few weeks ago, in the wake of the government shutdown, analysts (myself included) were preoccupied with surveying the wreckage wrought by the GOP. Democratic triumphalism was in full flower. … […] Read more »
A Traditional Midterm Headache for Democrats
Democrats have had a nice run recently of interesting House recruits and new takeover opportunities resulting from open GOP seats. And yet, it probably won’t matter. If history is any guide — and it usually is — the president’s recent problems have already overshadowed that good news for House Democrats […] Read more »
Disapproval of Obama rises among California voters
Even in deep blue California, disapproval of Democratic President Barack Obama is rising and voters are souring on the country’s prospects, according to a new Field Poll. Although 51 percent of California voters approve of the president’s performance, 43 percent disapprove, an increase of 8 percentage points since July. CONT. […] Read more »