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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009

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NEXT STOP, REALITY TV (MAYBE)

Va. Socialites Crashed
Obama's State Dinner

And, yes, Tareq and Michaele Salahi want reality-TV turn

Nov 25, 09 9:29 PM CST
Racist Image of Michelle Obama Taken Down

Blog site removes it, not Google, then issues apology

Nov 25, 09 2:07 PM CST
Blair Knew Iraq Had No WMD
10 Days Before War Began

Intelligence ignored, British panel told

Nov 25, 09 8:16 PM CST
PROFILE

Biden the
Second Most
Powerful
Vice Prez

He's scaling back from Cheney, but a major player in his own right

8 hours, 24 minutes ago
Worst Modern VP Picks

Don't be so quick to judge Palin

9 hours, 19 minutes ago
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Over Racist Michelle Image

But company won't
pull doctored photo

Nov 24, 09 12:28 PM CST
MALKIN GETS FESTIVE

This Year's Top Liberal Turkeys

Stimulus, President O-bow-ma get top billing

Nov 25, 09 8:01 PM CST
analysis

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Children's books get hyper-partisan

16 hours, 38 minutes ago
White House Backs Senate On 'Cadillac' Health Tax

Advisers outline cost control measures for health plan

12 hours, 23 minutes ago
Bachmann, Palin
to Address
Tea Party
Convention

Nashville to host ultra-conservative gathering February

Nov 25, 09 4:34 PM CST
Clintons Strive to Avoid Conflict of Interest Claims

Pair lead separate lives focusing on same issues

11 hours, 51 minutes ago
FACEBOOK DOESN'T LIE, RIGHT?

Party-Crashers Got Close
to Obamas Before

Photos show them in inaugural box; Secret Service admits mistake

1 hour, 43 minutes ago
Michelle wore...

The Skinny on the State Dinner

Michelle Obama wore Naeem Khan, and other tidbits

Nov 25, 09 7:49 AM CST

|NEXT STORY »

Obama's Approval Rating Sinks to 50%

By M. Morris| Posted Aug 27, 09 5:40 PM CDT|

(Newser) – President Obama's job-approval rating slipped to 50% in Gallup poll results out today, a new low for the 10-month-old administration, the Los Angeles Times reports. The drawn-out health care reform debate apparently is dragging down the number, which hit 69% after the inauguration. The disapproval number is 43%. "It's real easy to stay popular in Washington if you don't do anything at all," a White House rep said.

Obama has seen his ratings sink faster than some of his predecessors—Both Bushes saw their approval rating hold above 50% for about 3 years. President Clinton sank below the magic number just 4 months in, and President Ford took a mere 3 months, thanks in large part to his pardon of Richard Nixon.

President Obama, with daughter Malia, 11, waits for lunch at Nancy's yesterday in Oak Bluffs, Mass. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Obama pauses as he reads a statement about the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy Wednesday on Martha's Vineyard. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Obama, with brother-in-law Konrad Ng, waves from Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah, Mass., today on Martha's Vineyard. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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57 comments

VIEWING:

Jayster999
Aug 27, 09 5:43 PM CDT

Swing low, sweet chariot. This son of a bitch is goin' down, baby! YEAH! Reply

-12

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Aug 27, 09 5:48 PM CDT

Yay schadenfreude! When are you guys gonna start the push for impeachment? October would be pushing it. Better wait til January.

IN RESPONSE:

Robert_Dada
Aug 27, 09 5:50 PM CDT

Don't hold your breath Jay-bird. However, you might want to pray to that God that doesn't exist you keep getting all amorous about.

IN RESPONSE:

doingtherightthing
Aug 27, 09 6:26 PM CDT

slip sliding away, he's just slip sliding away ooooh. I'd go on but Obama might slip into obscurity. He's going down, and will be voted out in 2010.......

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Robert_Dada
Aug 27, 09 6:29 PM CDT

Wow rightthing, you mean he'll really be voted out 2 years before he's up for reelection? I never knew human brains could be as small as a single cell. No doubt that cell in your head is busting its nut just to keep your respiratory system going. Certainly no thought taking place.

IN RESPONSE:

doingtherightthing
Aug 27, 09 6:38 PM CDT

Dada....yep, force him out before 2012. Time to oust Obama........he's a threat to our security........

-6

IN RESPONSE:

Reader68389796
Aug 27, 09 7:10 PM CDT

Why do you talk about your mother like that?

IN RESPONSE:

Reader60610265
Aug 27, 09 8:40 PM CDT

And you go down down down in to the ring of political impotence.50% and falling.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

2-bits
Aug 27, 09 5:50 PM CDT

Isn't this like the third time? Seriously. So does he keep fluctuating or are these polls wildly inaccurate? No one ever says anything when he goes above 50%. Reply

-2

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Aug 27, 09 6:36 PM CDT

Well this is the first time that is overall job approval rating has slipped below 50%. There was a really big deal made when his approval rating was at 69% as well. For the president it is usually one aspect of his administration that falls below 50%, but again it is early, and I am sure that he will rebound.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Aug 27, 09 6:43 PM CDT

According to Newser, it happened once before, but you're right, for the most part it's just noise generated by his approval rating slowly dropping. http://www.newser.com/story/66278/obama-approval-down-to-50.html

IN RESPONSE:

Bryanw55
Aug 27, 09 7:34 PM CDT

Hey Godawgs, it has not dropped below 50%, it is at 50%. Bush had likely been on 3 months vacation by now and was ignoring the warnings of imminent attack at this point in his presidency, a few days away from 9/11. He hadn't done enough to lose popularity. We hadn't even seen him reading my pet goat while the country burned yet.

-2

| 0 minutes ago

RobN
Aug 27, 09 6:06 PM CDT

Just waiting around for our resident liberals, who were beside themselves throwing GB's bad ratings in every conservative's face, to tell us that polls don't matter. My day isn't complete until there's been a big batch of hypocrisy on Newser. (I've also got $20 that says that at least one response to this post will blame it on Fox News.) Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Aug 27, 09 6:09 PM CDT

I blame bad long term memory, personally. But no said polls don't matter, at least not yet. I hope you don't imagine this sort of thing often. It's not a good look.

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 27, 09 6:13 PM CDT

The polls don't matter because it's FoxNews' fault. Go home with the satisfaction of a complete, fair and balanced day.

IN RESPONSE:

QueenAlli
Aug 27, 09 6:39 PM CDT

come on man, gw's ratings sucked - really, really sucked.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Aug 27, 09 10:01 PM CDT

@queen acutally GW's ratings were higher then Obama's until the last two years of his presidency. look at the whole two terms he served.

| 0 minutes ago

odowd80
Aug 27, 09 6:13 PM CDT

Obama's approval rating is falling because he's losing his base. Progressives like myself are getting pissed off at all of the soft bipartisan stuff. He needs to move to the left and get aggressive if he wants to maintain his popularity. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Robert_Dada
Aug 27, 09 6:21 PM CDT

Yes, it's long overdue. It's tiring watching him try to engage the conservatives. Time to sweep them aside and get the job done.

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Aug 27, 09 6:25 PM CDT

Progressive = commine.

IN RESPONSE:

Robert_Dada
Aug 27, 09 6:30 PM CDT

Jayster, what's a commine? The non-existent God certainly didn't bless you with much talent for spelling or vocabulary huh?

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Aug 27, 09 6:32 PM CDT

...fine, the word is spelled commie. Thanks for your attention to detail.

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Aug 27, 09 9:12 PM CDT

Obama, in neither the primaries, nor the general election campaign, portrayed himself as being very liberal. He came across as articulate and knowledgeable, but he mostly talked in glittering generalities, soaring though his rhetoric was. It was inevitable that his popularity would not remain as high upon his taking office, and having to make some tough decisions, as it was during the campaign. Nevertheless, in view of the mess he inherited, I think it can be said that he has acquitted himself quite well.

IN RESPONSE:

Reader65069154
Aug 28, 09 7:15 AM CDT

If Obama caters to "progressives" his rating will fall further, and he'll accomplish even less. That's why they call this a democracy.

| 0 minutes ago

Jayster999
Aug 27, 09 6:31 PM CDT

Suuure. If he just acts more radically leftist, the masses will flock to him. LOL. I hope he tries it. LOL. Oh man, you really don't have a clue. You really think people are wanting him to push his agenda HARDER? That's why his approval is falling? ROTFLMAO! Yeah, that's it (gfaw), ya, you're on to something there (snicker). You made my day od80. Thanks for the laughs. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Aug 27, 09 7:57 PM CDT

But all you wingnuts have been calling Obama a Fascist lately. Now he's a commie? Make up your mind! And NO, they are not the same thing, in spite of what Rush Limbaugh, and all his imitators have been feeding you. Fascists are extreme right wingers; Communist (commies) are extreme left wingers. If you want to remain as clear thinking, and open minded, as you presently are, continue to credit only right wing sources as reliable information.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Aug 27, 09 10:05 PM CDT

@freethmeall fascists can be either extreme right or left wings. it is on the back end of the political spectrum.

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Aug 27, 09 10:35 PM CDT

@godawgs: Touche! Yeah, I've seen those circular charts that demonstrate the point you are making. Nevertheless, the two individuals that come to mind, when one thinks of a Fascists or a Nazi (which I, believe is considered to be a certain type of Fascist) is Mussolini and Hitler, respectively. These two individuals were avid anti- communists, and were considered to be on the far right of the political spectrum at the time, and, as far as I know, are still so considered by most historians. In any case, it's absurd to think that Barack Obama is an extremists worthy of any of three of the labels aforementioned..

| 0 minutes ago

cornelison
Aug 27, 09 6:31 PM CDT

Polls shouldn't dictate what gets done in Washington. Health care should be a right like it is here in Canada. If you governed by the polls, black people would still be sitting in the back of the bus. Human rights issues are usually unpopular even when it the right thing to do. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Reader65069154
Aug 28, 09 7:17 AM CDT

Yeah - pass legislation the Americans don't want - that's a great example of Democracy.

| 0 minutes ago

cornelison
Aug 27, 09 6:33 PM CDT

Maybe the people who run this poll are sponsored by the health insurance industry. If the pollsters called all the people who are sick, dying and have no health insurance the would the outcome of the poll would be different. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

RobN
Aug 27, 09 6:42 PM CDT

I should think they probably wouldn't have phones then, either.

| 0 minutes ago

alkaseltzersammich
Aug 27, 09 6:49 PM CDT

This means nothing so early in his term. They also fail to mention that Republican approval ratings are regularly in the teens. Reply

-2

| 0 minutes ago

Timinator2K
Aug 27, 09 6:58 PM CDT

"Obama's Approval Rating Stinks to 50%" Reply

IN RESPONSE:

DontLikeYou
Aug 28, 09 12:54 PM CDT

Do I hear 40% rapidly approaching? Can I have an amen?

| 0 minutes ago

KurtRambis4va
Aug 27, 09 7:09 PM CDT

The day Newser's thumbs up/thumbs down system on political stories balances out to about 50%, we know Obama's in real trouble. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Reader68389796
Aug 27, 09 7:13 PM CDT

Ratings or not, this guy will win elections until he cannot enter anymore, the reason: there's no one out there now to even come close to challenging him. Mc Lame was the closest and he's as close to dead as Palin. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Meena
Aug 27, 09 7:13 PM CDT

I guess all this right wing ballyhoo (Hitler, Birther, Deather) is actually working and taking its toll on Obama. Seriously, he should stop this bipartisan lunacy because it's impossible to negotiate with these GOP nutjobs in good faith. They've made it abundantly clear time and time again they don't give a damn about the welfare of America, they just want to see him fail.... Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Aug 27, 09 8:06 PM CDT

Agreed. (Can I have your number?)

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Aug 28, 09 5:53 AM CDT

When you dance with the devil the devil changes you, you don't change the devil. Kick these bozos to the curb.

| 0 minutes ago

LiberalJesus
Aug 27, 09 7:26 PM CDT

Lets see......A black man with an arab sounding name was overwhelmingly elected in a landslide over a so-called hero white guy, the Dems take major control of both houses of Congress and you want to take this poll as a barometer of his Presidency after 7 months? Even leading republicans such as Orrin Hatch and John Cornyn have grudgingly given President Obama props on getting as much done as he has in such a short time. No President since FDR (that's Franklin Roosevelt for all you Fox viewers who are very short on historical knowledge) has had to deal with such a mess left behind by the previous republican administration. And like most pollster points out, 95% of his recent slide is due to Progressives getting their panties in a bunch! Like GW Bush said, the only poll that matters is the one they vote in. President Obama is sitting pretty! And unfortunately for you republicans, the Democratic Party will only grow as more and more minorities and the younger generation seek the level headedness and compassion that is so lacking now in a party that is filled with uneducated older white people and militant racist who just cant get over the fact that the days of white power is over. Welcome to the new world, where every color is just as good as white! Like it or not, the gop is dying from old age and like the dodo bird, close to extinction. Unless major changes come from within there wont be a republican party in a decade. The Democratic Party has been around much longer than the republican party and like the Whigs and Do Nothing Party of the past, this strain of republicanism that requires hate, fear and violence to appeal to its core members is a dead horse. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Aug 27, 09 10:12 PM CDT

@LJ actually he only won by about 7% of the popular vote, far from a landslide. also the country is actually shifting more to the right by the day. now instead of the 21% of people who id themselves as republican it's now in the 30's and about 41% of the country identify themselves as more conservative then liberal. The only people who scream that the right is racist is the people on the left who have come under the impression that if you say something enough times that makes it true. The GOP will be fine, I am sure that 2010 will see a change in the powers that control the house and senate. The straw polls that are in place now are pointing to the right making a comeback, and if the two major bills that the president has started (health care and stimulus) don't work out then he will be a one term president. If President Obama doesn't win re-election will you cry yourself to sleep knowing that what the left calls the worst president of all time got elected twice, but the messiah didn't?

-3

IN RESPONSE:

odowd80
Aug 28, 09 8:34 AM CDT

@godawgs: in the US, 7% of the popular vote is definitely a landslide. Bush claimed a "mandate" after 2004 with a 2.4% spread.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Aug 28, 09 10:59 AM CDT

@odo no 7% isn't as big a victory as the left would lead you to believe. The numbers that are usually touted by the left are the electoral college votes which are not indicative of the actual popular vote.

| 0 minutes ago

BryanJ62
Aug 27, 09 7:33 PM CDT

It's August 2009 right wingers. If you can do the math, help is needed just ask, President Obama has three (3) more years before he has to run for re-election. Who cares right now. This is nothing more than six minutes into the 1st quarter of an NBA game. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Ucantusethatname
Aug 27, 09 8:07 PM CDT

No surprise. Americans don't want Obamacare. He has no idea of what to do in Afghanistan. Iran is just waiting for the atomic expertise of Pakistan to fall into its hands. The nation is involved in another losing war. Interesting enough, Obama never talks about terrorists, as if they don't exist or continue to pose a threat to us. Even with 60 votes in the Senate, he can't get legislation passed. The nation needs a leader not an inexperienced, arrogant narcissist. If he can't get legislation passed now, what will happen after 2010 when the GOP regains many House and Senate seats? No nation wants a first-year president to play fruit basket upset. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Jayster999
Aug 27, 09 8:11 PM CDT

Obama was elected on a platform of change. Little did voters know that that's all they'll have left in their pockets when he's done. Poll numbers indicate that some folks don't like the idea. Reply

-2

| 0 minutes ago

jamerican
Aug 27, 09 10:39 PM CDT

Did not take long before he started circling the proverbial toilet bowl...and it's only going to get worse...God forbid...maybe some Americans are beginning to wake up and think. Reply

-2

| 0 minutes ago

Doctor_Zaius
Aug 28, 09 5:51 AM CDT

1982- Ronald Reagan's approval rating = 35%. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Reader65069154
Aug 28, 09 8:00 AM CDT

Like it or not, in politics experience does matter. Thankfully, this guy doesn't know how to play the game. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Derni
Aug 28, 09 10:15 AM CDT

A fews of the greatest presidents had lower ratings Reply

IN RESPONSE:

DontLikeYou
Aug 28, 09 12:48 PM CDT

Absolutely right, Derni. Hell, even George Bush JR had a higher approval rating at this time in.

| 0 minutes ago

DontLikeYou
Aug 28, 09 12:46 PM CDT

America is awakening to the nightmare known as the Obama administration. Never in our history has a president's approval rating dropped so far and so quickly. Obama = Carter... 1 term and out. Say hello to President Palin in 2012. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

DontLikeYou
Aug 28, 09 12:51 PM CDT

///// freethemall=Nevertheless, in view of the mess he inherited...///// ---- LOL LOL, you libs sound like a broken record. Obviously, the only people listening to your excuses for Obama is, well, Mr. Obama. LOL! Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Aug 28, 09 1:07 PM CDT

Get a grip!

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Aug 28, 09 2:53 PM CDT

You don't think he inherited a mess? If you think not, you'll get no argument out of me. I don't choose to be a fool.

| 0 minutes ago

DontLikeYou
Aug 28, 09 12:53 PM CDT

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Obama's job approval rating has fallen to 50% since this story was originally published.] Should his rating continue its downward trend and fall below 50%, he would -- like most post-World War II presidents -- have less-than-majority approval at some point in his presidency. However, Obama, in his eighth month in office, could hit this mark in a shorter time than has typically been the case. If his rating falls below 50% before November, it would represent the third-fastest drop to below majority approval since World War II, behind the declines for Gerald Ford (in his third month as president) and Bill Clinton (in his fourth month). Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 57 comments »

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