11/24: Voters Divide Over Obama’s Approval Rating

Among registered voters nationally, 45% approve of President Barack Obama’s job performance while 48% disapprove.  Seven percent are unsure.

whitehouse.gov

When McClatchy-Marist last asked this question in late October, 48% approved of the president’s job performance, 43% disapproved, and 9% were unsure.

Click Here for Complete USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

Independent voters are responsible for the change.  Currently, 38% of these voters approve of the job the president is doing in office, 54% disapprove, and 9% are unsure.  Late last month, 48% approved of the president’s job performance, 43% disapproved, and 10% were unsure.

• 42% of registered voters approve of how President Obama is handling the economy while 55% disapprove.  Four percent are unsure.  In McClatchy-Marist’s September 21st poll, 41% approved, 56% disapproved, and 3% were unsure.
• President Obama receives mixed reviews when it comes to his handling of foreign policy.  44% approve of his management while 47% of voters disapprove.  Nine percent are unsure.

“The national electorate remains largely split over President Obama.  Independents, so important in ’08 and ’10, hold the key to his political future,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “Right now, he’s hurting with these voters.”

Table: Obama Approval Rating
Table: Obama Approval Rating Over Time

Click on the graph to enlarge the image.

Table: Handling of the Economy
Table: Handling of the Economy Over Time

Click on the graph to enlarge the image.

Table: Handling Foreign Policy

Obama’s Favorability at Lowest Point Since Taking Oath of Office

47% of registered voters have a favorable perception of President Obama, 49% view him unfavorably, and 4% are unsure.  The president’s current favorability rating is the lowest one he has received since assuming the role of President of the United States.  Most recently, in McClatchy-Marist’s late October survey, a majority — 54% — held the president in high esteem, 41% had a less than stellar impression of him, and 5% were unsure.

Table: Obama Favorability
Table: Obama Favorability Over Time

Click on the graph to enlarge the image.

Majority of Voters Disappointed by President

A majority of registered voters — 51% — believe President Obama has fallen below their expectations.  39%, though, report he has met their expectations, and 7% say he has exceeded them.  Three percent are unsure.  Little has changed on this question since Marist-McClatchy last asked it.  In October, half said the president had fallen short, 38% thought Mr. Obama met their expectations, and 9% said he surpassed them.  Three percent were unsure.

Table: Obama Meeting Expectations
Table: Obama Meeting Expectations Over Time

Click on the graph to enlarge the image.

Turn the Nation Around

A majority of U.S. residents — 53% — think the nation is headed in the wrong direction.  41%, on the other hand, say it is moving along the right path.  Six percent are unsure.  Little has changed on this question since McClatchy-Marist last asked it in late October when 52% viewed the nation as being on the wrong road, 38% saw it as moving on the correct track, and 10% were unsure.

Table: Right or Wrong Direction of the Country

McClatchy-Marist Poll Methodology

Related Story:
Looking to 2012: 48% Plan to Vote Against Obama