Technosailor

Barack Obama’s favorable ratings rise

by Mark Silva

Just a few days after a historic presidential election that played out against a backdrop of deep satisfaction with the way things are going in America, President-elect Barack Obama has gained several points in the public’s image of the Democrat who won the election.

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On election eve, the Gallup Poll reports, Obama’s favorable rating among voters surveyed stood at 61 percent. In the latest results of daily tracking polls that Gallup will continue throughout the transition to the Obama administration and then into the 44th president’s first term, Obama’s favorable rating stands at 70 percent - his unfavorable rating at 22 percent.

And the fever of dissatisfaction in the nation has cooled jut slightly - down from 86 to 81 percent. No time to call off the ice packs, however.

We’re wondering about the causes here: Realization that the next administration knows Africa is a continent? Rahm Emanuel’s hiring as chief of staff? Obama’s search for a pound puppy, a “mutt” like him? Fact that the campaign is finished?

Whatever the causes, Gallup explains: “To help better understand Americans’ continuing reactions to Obama’s historic election win, and his actions between now and his inauguration on Jan. 20, Gallup Daily will be tracking:

– Satisfaction with the way things are going in the United States. As of Election Eve, just 13 percent of Americans were satisfied and 86 percent were dissatisfied. In the latest daily tracking results, the measure is 14 percent satisfied, 81 percent dissatisfied.

– Favorability of president-elect Obama and vice president-elect Joe Biden, which as of Election Eve were 61% and 52%, respectively. In the latest track, Obama’s favorable rating stands at 70 percent.

– Americans’ forward-looking optimism about what the new administration will be able to accomplish once it takes office.

– Job approval of President Bush in the last two months of his administration and job approval for President Obama beginning Jan. 20, 2009. Bush’s score stood at 28 percent approval in the latest track, which is a few notches better than the 24 percent low he hit before Election Day.

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