Obama Approval Hits 66% High in New Poll

Prez lauded on foreign policy, economy, but not from GOP voters

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama's approval ratings are at the highest since he took office, according to the latest CBS News/New York Times poll. Of those surveyed, 66% approve of how Obama is handling the job, up two points from last month, and 67% said they believed world leaders respected the US president, up from just 30% when the question was asked in 2006.

The country is heading in the right direction, according to 39% of those polled, up from 15% just before Obama took office. Republicans remained skeptical about the president, however, with only 31% approving of Obama's performance. The president's handling of the economy, foreign policy, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq won high marks, but some initiatives remain unpopular—58% of those polled disapproved of the bank bailout.

[Images (2)]

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President Barack Obama addresses the Turkish Parliament General Assembly in Ankara yesterday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama waves as he departs from Ryzyne Airport in Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday. Polls give the president high marks for his handling of foreign policy. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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It's psychology more than anything else. President Obama has turned around the negative feeling in this country. He's given everything an impetus because he's very upbeat, like Roosevelt was. - Arthur Gilman, a Republican from Ridgewood, NJ

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Showing 3 of 9 comments

justme

Apr 8, 2009 12:13 PM CDT

Obama's numbers are good because he is 1 Not Bush 2 a great speaker with a wonderful message. 3 Good looking. His numbers have slipped in all polls except ABC/ NY Times (somewhat suspect?). They will continue to slip unless the retoric turns to real progress. That will take more than the few days he has had so far. Good luck to him. PS hate FOX news all you want. It is still a better source of real news than ABC/ NY Times that have become Obama cheering squad central.

northeast

Apr 8, 2009 1:41 AM CDT

When they know he has the right plan. Exactly. His plan sucks. If all you wanted was "leadership," Bush was plenty of that.

ezrider

Apr 7, 2009 12:55 PM CDT

Thanks Doc i thought it was pox blues,nothing good comes in nothing good goes out

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Obama Approval Hits 66% High in New Poll