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Voters Losing Faith in Obama, Democrats

People split on which party should control Congress; first time since '03

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 19, 2010 6:17 PM CST
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(Newser) – President Obama is still personally popular with voters, but approval of his party continues to slip and galvanize support for Republicans, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC poll shows. Voters are split 41%-41% on which party should control Congress after November—the first time voters haven't favored Democrats in this poll since 2003. Republicans also seem more eager to vote: 55% said they were very excited about the November election, while only 38% of Democrats said the same.

Three-fourths of voters say they like Obama, but only 48% approve of his job performance, a steep fall from the 60% of his early days. And 27% were "pessimistic and worried" about his presidency, versus 9% a year ago. "This president came in under extremely difficult circumstances, but the expectations were Rooseveltian, and he has been far more ordinary," said pollster Peter Hart. "They like him, but year two will determine whether they see him as the leader to solve our problems rather than just a charming, charismatic, and good person."

President Obama speaks after a conversation with African-American seniors and their grandchildren on the legacy of the civil rights movement on Monday.
President Obama speaks after a conversation with African-American seniors and their grandchildren on the legacy of the civil rights movement on Monday.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, center, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks with members of the media during a campaign stop, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, center, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks with members of the media during a campaign stop, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
President Obama gestures as he speaks at the 'Let Freedom Ring' concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Monday, Jan. 18, 2010.
President Obama gestures as he speaks at the 'Let Freedom Ring' concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Monday, Jan. 18, 2010.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 51 comments
vendetta
Jan 20, 2010 12:59 PM CST
Not a surprise. Voted for him because the GOP ran the country into the ground. Hes failed on 2 wars, the gays, the economy, jobs, gitmo, rendition, torture, the list goes on and on. The democrats are just as bad, could not get anything done.
flightofphoenix1973
Jan 20, 2010 12:59 PM CST
People are impatient creatures with a need for instant gratification.
flightofphoenix1973
Jan 20, 2010 12:58 PM CST
@SPH well said! I often wonder how people expect Obama to have solved all that ailes America in 1 year. So many things have happened, so many problems I am sure Obama was not even aware of prior to being sworn in. I assume there were things he was not allowed to know untl then. What a complex and difficult job the leader of a democratic Country must be for ANY President or PM no matter the party or Country. I think with a little time Obama will hit his stride and suprise a lot of people. Peraps if he had more support from his `people`and less resistance he would have a smoother go.

 
Barack Obama • Congress • Republican • Democrat • independent voters • NBC News/Wall Street Journal • Martha Coakley • martha coakley vs scott brown

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