Americans Remain Confident in Obama as President

[ProSense]

November 25, 2008

Americans Remain Confident in Obama as President

Roughly two-thirds say they are confident in Obama’s ability to be a good president

by Frank Newport

PRINCETON, NJ -- Between 63% and 67% of Americans have said they are confident in Barack Obama's ability to be a good president in the weeks since his election on Nov. 4, a sentiment that doesn't yet appear to be have been affected, positively or negatively, by news coverage of the president-elect's staff and Cabinet appointments, or by reports of his economic and other policy plans.



Gallup Poll Daily tracking has included the basic question, "Are you confident or not confident in Barack Obama's ability to be a good president?" every day since Nov. 5. The results have been remarkably consistent, as seen in the accompanying graph. Almost two-thirds of Americans have said they are confident in his ability to be president, with only minor day-to-day fluctuations, since Nov. 5.

The days since Obama's election have been filled with news reports of projected and actual staff choices, Cabinet member appointments, and his planned economic stimulus proposal, as well as his weekly radio addresses. Some of the news reports, including the probability that he will appoint former rival Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, have the potential to be controversial. Still, nothing Obama has done so far appears to have changed the basic -- and generally positive -- structure of American public opinion about his coming presidency.

Notably, the percentage of Americans who are confident in his ability to be a good president substantially exceeds his share of the vote (53%) in the November election.

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[Jackpine Radical]

1. The results are not only consistent, but very strong.

More people are confident than voted for him. Just about 2/3 of Americans.

[RollWithIt]

2. 65-66 is very strong....

It's essentially the opposite of Bush's #s.

[S_E_Fudd]

3. Clearly folks are happy with the Clinton era appointees he has made...

And those that will likely be made...

But why not...why wouldn't you want to bring back those responsible for 8 years of peace and prosperity...

Obama is showing very good judgment so far...

[cali]

5. I doubt most of those polled follow the appointments that closely

I believe the confidence in him is due largely to personal qualities.

[S_E_Fudd]

6. Really...

Well given that probably 90% of the time since the election Obama has been seen making appointments. Your contention is they are ignoring all that and just what - are enamored with his voice?

They are confident in him because he is making wise and sober headed choices...

[cali]

7. Sorry, wrong.

people don't follow that stuff. not even close. Aside from Hillary, I'd bet just about anything that 89+% of Americans can't name a single appointee.

It's clearly Obama personally who people have faith in. And they had the same degree of faith prior to his naming a single appointment.

[S_E_Fudd]

8. So people are apathetic and ignorant about what is going on with the transition...

Doesn't speak highly of the average Obama voter...or say much about how Obama is doing his job so far...

Fortunately you are quite wrong...

[Jennicut]

12. I think people follow politics more then ever. Most people are not dumb, just that 20% of Bushies

[Mark E. Smith]

14. Great news

Thanks for posting this!

[gravity]

13. I know republicans who were impressed with Obama's appointments

Obama signaled that he was serious on fixing the economy, instead of just waging ideological wars

[Starry Messenger]

4. I'm still feeling awesome about it.

January 20th can't come too soon for me. What a day that's going to be.

[cokeboat]

9. The statistic looks promising

[lonestarnot]

10. 52 more days, if we can just hang on.

[sufrommich]

11. Well, that's a good sign. He has a definite mandate

going in.