Gallup reports that 56% of the public believes that Obama is doing an excellent/good job. Gallup reported 62% approved of George W. Bush’s job performance after the first 100 days. MSM tells us how popular Barack Obama is but the numbers tell a different story especially when used comparatively. Comparing the Gallup poll taken following the first 100 day of George W. Bush and Barack Obama is rather informative especially given the highly contentious nature of the 2000 election.
Here are the numbers for other presidents:
April approval ratings in first year in officeBush now 62%
Clinton, 1993 55
Bush, 1989 58
Reagan, 1981 67
Carter, 1977 63
Nixon, 1969 61
Sampling error: +/-3% pts
Now justify these headlines:
Gallup: First-100-Days-Obama-Meets-Exceeds-Expectations. By the way, the wording of the question is most suspect as many (including me) expected him to do just as poorly as he is doing. But Gallup is going even further. It uses his daily tracking poll to cover up the results of the 100 day poll.
Has vision 74%
Can get things done 69
Tough enough 68
Honest and trustworthy 67
Strong leader 60
Cares about people 59%
Shares your values 58
Keeps his promises 57
Understands issues 56
Inspires confidence 55
Sampling error: +/-3% pts
The same discrepancy can be found in the celebration of Michelle popularity. 79% approve of her performance compared to 85% that approved of Laura Bush.
Ergo? Much of America is still willing to give Obama time to prove himself even if 80% admit that his economic policies will harm their children and grand children and the rest are concerned about his reckless spending.
Update 1: It seems that the argument surrounding this blog has centered on whether “Just OK” amounts to approval. I do not believe so especially since when given 5 possible answers, the middle one is usually treated as neutral.
Update 2: It has just come to my attention that Media matters accuses me and those quoting me of touting falsehood for pointing out that Obama did not poll as well after his first 100 days as previous presidents have and that Gallup covered it up by mixing the results of the 100 day snap shot poll with its daily tracking polls.
Media matters attacks me by pointing out that the Gallup comparison of its first 100 day tracking polls of various presidents which show that Obama’s numbers are higher than previous presidents.
But that is mixing apples and oranges. The methodology used in daily tracking polls is different from the snap shot of a single poll. Hence, as I pointed out the comparison is bogus. It is like arguing that a combination of 100 day preelection tracking poll equals elections results. No one even dares argue that it is a good predictor of the outcome of an election.
