Gallup: President's standing among self identified "Democrats" "Liberals" "Liberal Democrats" UP

[grantcart]

First detailed demographic analysis of the President's approval rating
released after it was announced that the Senate was passing a HCR bill.

Groups that showed an increase in support for the President

Democrats +2 to 86%
Independents +2 to 45%
Pure ind +4 47%
Liberals +2 to 86%
Moderates +2 to 61%
Liberal Democrat +1 87%
Liberal/Mod Rep +8 35%
Nonwhite +4 76%
Black +1 91%
Hispanic +9 77%
Some college +4 50%
College grad +2 49%
$ 2000/mo +13% 69%
$2-5,000/mo +2 52%
18-29 +0 64%


Groups that showed a decrease in support for the President

White -1 to 41%
HS Diploma -1 52%
$ 7,500+ -7 43%
Conservative -3 28%
Conser. Dem -4 73%
Conser. Rep -1 13%



http://www.gallup.com/poll/121199/Obama-Weekly-Job-Approval-Demographic-Groups.aspx

[Number23]

1. I don't know why you think that this matters.

People have seen these polls. They have seen these numbers. IT DOES NOT MATTER. They DO NOT CARE.

They have decided that the polls are a) manufactured by the MSM or (even more bizarrely) the DLC or b) not reflective of the REAL Democratic party/liberal base because their cousin's great-grandma Rosie told them that Democrats are upset with Obama.

People here are DETERMINED with a capital D to portray Obama as a failure who has disappointed his "base" and should be primaried in 2012. Why do you think that posting data from source after source after source after source that shows the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of what they apparently believe will have any effect?

[grantcart]

4. Some people may be wondering why nobody is volunteering to lead a

primary charge against the President from the left.

[Number23]

6. But the reality of what's happening does not seem to matter in the least to "some people"

They are determined to be disappointed. They are determined to cast this President as a failure.

And all of the polls, opinion pieces, statements from organizations and information in the world cannot convince them that the man is not a failure because in their heart, it is what they believe. Facts and data be damned.

When there is a lack of a primary challenger from the left (and we all know that there will be) they will cast those who they want to challenge the President as "DLC stooges" or "cowards" instead of acknowledging that the way that they see things is no where close to the way that the rest of the nation does or the reality on the ground.

I rec'd this post, by the way. But I expect that to do about as much good around here as posting polls that show how popular this President is within his own party.

[CoffeeCat]

61. I'm a former Obama precinct captain and you are dead wrong...

I am a former precinct captain for Obama. You couldn't have found a more loyal cheerleader
for his policies. I signed up because he promised certain things, including reinstatement of
Habeas Corpus. We lost that during the Bush Administration. Obama promised to bring it back.
He wrote about it in his "Blueprint For America"--the document that laid out his campaign promises.

Obama has not reinstated Habeas. In fact, in February--the Obama Administration filed a brief in
Federal Court that would keep in place anti-Habeas Bush policies. The Obama Administration argued
that detainees, from anywhere in the world--can be rounded up, detained indefinitely and without
a trial.

That's what the Obama Administration fought for. An extension of Bush corruption and disgraceful,
dehumanizing policies.

You're doing a bang-up PR job of trying to smear thoughtful people--who only care about democracy--but
it's not working.

People see through these corporatist, media-driven polls--that clearly defy the reality and discontentment
we see everywhere with regard to Obama's policies.

But go ahead--continue trying to shift the focus from deplorable policies that any U.S. citizen should
be ashamed of---and onto the horrible, "determined to be disappointed" liberals.

What a crock!

[shellgame26]

69. what I find interesting

is that those who think they are "far left" are actually closer to the right than those who are willing to accept that change takes time. What's interesting is that they don't realize it. I like to deal with practicalities. If voting for Nader, as some people on the 'far left' have said they are willing to do, will result in another conservative victory, then how much to the 'left' can they really be?

[carolinayellowdog]

10. Almost all the replies are snark against DUers

"Some people" accusations are passive aggressive bullshit. Information that is interesting on the face of it has been turned into yet another basis for the centrists vs. progressives nastiness that is ruining this site.

[dmallind]

13. What do you expect when people use aggressive baseless hyperbole against anybody right of Saunders?

You expect no push back for that? At least here are facts not DU posturing about who "the base" are.

[jonnyblitz]

20. delete

responded in the wrong place

[stevenleser]

25. Yep +100000

[spoony]

17. Spot on. nt

[TheWraith]

21. There's no "centrists vs. progressives nastiness."

There's progressives/liberals/left wingers versus the "more liberal than thou" crowd. Even the people here who consider themselves "centerists" are not just generally left leaning but also relatively few in number.

[yellowcanine]

50. It is hard data so it is worth posting regardless of how it might be received.

No one should have to apologize for posting facts.

[CoffeeCat]

59. Interesting that Gallup...

...was often vilified on DU when the poll was about Bush. I learned
on DU about Gallup's Republican ties.

Now, all of a sudden--when another bunk Gallup poll--that defies what everyone
is seeing in real life--is disseminated--it's gospel?

Weird.

[progressoid]

62. Yup.

Weird, but not unexpected.

[yellowcanine]

70. Gospel? No. But I have learned not to confuse my own observations with polling data.

According to what I was "seeing in real life", Ronald Reagan would never have been elected, George W. Bush would have lost badly to Al Gore, and he would also have lost to John Kerry. So yes, I will believe a poll which defies what I am "seeing in real life."

[Laelth]

2. Interesting, but I wouldn't bet the farm on the correlation. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[babylonsister]

3. What do you know. So DU isn't a microcosm of the real world after all. nt

[nomorenomore08]

5. DU is a microcosm of... DU. Not much more than that.

nt

[impik]

7. Hee. Facts. Who cares.

Didn't you hear? He's going out on 2012.

[Kahuna]

31. In fact, Kucinich, Dean AND Feingold are going to challenge him..

:rofl:

[impik]

43. Hee. All three of them COMBINED won't get more votes than Obama

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

47. Sing With Me: Kucinich and Feingold and Dean, OH MY!

You know, I love all three of those guys: Feingold is my Senator and Dean is a God To Me for what he's done over the last four years and Kucinich is -- dammit he's liberal and cute as a button.

I have to keep reminding myself that I shouldn't judge ANY of those three by the words and actions of the so-called supporters. They're better men than that, and even when they "attack" Obama, I know that they're doing it for the right reasons.

[quiller4]

64. Actually Dean has announced he absolutely will NOT challenge.

[goclark]

8. Grantcart ~ you are confusing some people with facts

Gallup is not usually a cheerleader for Democrats are they ~?

You should not do things like this ~ some people have already made threats about who they will support in the next election~

They must have a crystal ball because I'm trying my best to get from day to day.

Thanks grantcart

[cry baby]

9. good news indeed, thank you grantcart. nt

[Bobbie Jo]

11. So...um, where's the unrec column on that poll there, grantcart?

Surely this can't be an accurate measure of the 'general moooood' of the left?


oh, and...K&R!

[dmallind]

12. So even more ironically

It is the "DLC stooge Blue Dog traitor secret Republican conservadems" who control Obama's every move via Rahm Emmanuel, who like the guy less, and support him less, than the liberal base who he has betrayed, thrown under the bus, demeaned and told to fuck off, and who are ready and fired up to get him primaried and withhold their support......?

Is that what DU keeps trying to tell me?

[AspenRose]

54. I like your sig line.

[DisgustedInMN]

14. Interesting.

No such a thing as a Progressive according to this poll, eh?

Why is that no surprise?

Keep telling yourselves it's ok to turn your backs on us.

[stevenleser]

26. You forgot the sarcasm tag...

I almost thought you were serious with this comment.

[DisgustedInMN]

45. I forgot nothing.

Do you suppose being condescendingly smug is an attractive trait?

[Renew Deal]

15. lol

This ought to be good. :popcorn:

[TheKentuckian]

16. What do the poll numbers have to do with crappy policies?

Of course I'm far from calling for a primary or for folks to stay home but we're getting involved in a lot of crappy legislation that easily could bite Obama, the party, and most importantly the people square in the ass.

If you think it is wise to escalate in Afghanistan then fine.

If you think we have a good and workable health care bill coming, fine.

If you think its no big deal to continue to allow the corporate communist to run the country into a ditch, thats cool too.

If you think the environment can wait for a better economy, then whatever.

If you think we ought to continue free trade that's your right.

If you don't see ever rising corporate influence and control as a problem that's your prerogative.

But if none of that can even be seen as a plausible political landmine then I suggest you check your glasses and keep in mind that people have to show up to the polls or we get rolled.

[Clio the Leo]

23. It suggests that they are not as crappy as you seem to think they are....

.... as "crap" is a relative description.

[depakid]

18. Rarely fails to impress how easy it is for outfits like Gallup to manipulate people's perceptions

What will be interesting (and relevant) will be how people will be motivated (or discouraged) as they discover what's actually in the bill- and what's likely to occur as other legislation is "compromised" and gutted in favor of corrupt interests down the line.

That'll set the stage for the 2010 elections- and based on the current tendencies- the trend isn't promising.

One by one, core constituencies will be alienated- as they were in 1994, staying home rather than donating, putting boots on the ground and getting out the vote.

[grantcart]

22. Gallup's and Nate Silvers numbers ended up being the same

So I guess you would also charachterize Silver as a manipulator of people's perceptions.

Much easier to attack the fact finders than to address the facts.

[depakid]

34. LOL- I guess it's one of those deals that you have to actually study and practice IRL

And yep- in America, polling (particularly cheap polling) is done- and used as often (actually more often) to manipulate perception, as it is to reflect it. Gallup is well known for this- and is set out in Grad School courses as an example of how not to do accurate research.

That fact (and Americans' impressive gullibility) aside- you won't capture the dynamics going on here- and into 2010 with these sorts of questions- with these sorts of samples in spot polls. One major reason is that they're retrospective- not prospective, and gauge (at best) attitudes formed well before people have figured out, thought about and discussed what's actually in the bill.

Best thing that the Dems (and the administration) have going for them at the moment is that Republicans are still perceived as flailing about dishonestly- sounding and looking bat shit crazy (and every day they reinforce that perception).

In other words- guys like this:



Are our best friends- though as the campaigns start up, expect a change in tune.

[grantcart]

36. valid point also what is not yet acknowledged is that the Republicans

are about to engage in a great civil war Romney and economic Republicans will fight it out with the evangelicals but wait the evangelicals will have their own drag out fight - the Huckster versus Palin. Palin will allow her name to be entered for strictly commercial reasons but have no interest in actually running against Obama, giving her even greater license to throw grenades into the Republican tent.

[Jennicut]

19. Gallup has only been showing this for months, that liberals have stuck by Obama.

Of course, why should we care about Gallup, it is easily manipulated, correct? Gallup, which has been around for decades and used to measure support for all modern Presidents. All polls should be done away with! LOL, it is getting ridiculous actually. How many other polls do we need to corroborate this? NBC/Wash Post, Research 2000? Which one is good enough? Yes, Obama has disappointed and his health care bill may not be the greatest, but the MAJORITY of liberals like me wanted it to pass, much as some refuse to realize that. 5 second countdown until I am called a traitor to the progressive movement.

[WeDidIt]

24. Which shows that the Firebagger movement is not dissimilar to the PUMA movement

Loudmouthed assholes with no real numbers behind their noise.

[jefferson_dem]

27. Of course it is.

Resident cynics and trolls will just have to spin harder.

[grantcart]

28. I don't know how much harder they can go

They don't seem to be getting any closer to their destination either.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

29. See that poll just shows what we Hispanics *think* we like. But thankfully we have DU to tell us

what is *actually* best for us.

[Kahuna]

30. Where is the category for, "progressives?" They never include that

group.

[yellowcanine]

51. For me Liberal=Progressive. This is splitting hairs, imo.

If someone asks me if I am a Liberal I will say yes. If someone asks me if I am a Progressive I will say yes. I suspect that this is true of most people who call themselves Liberal or Progressive.

[DisgustedInMN]

56. I asked the same question...

... and was promptly ridiculed.

Is it any wonder why life long Democrats such as myself are feeling deserted and betrayed?

[Arkana]

32. Post this in the Obama group--you'll get a more positive response.

[grantcart]

41. thanks maybe I will

but the response here has been better than expected

[That Is Quite Enough]

33. Gobama!

:)

[tammywammy]

35. This just doesn't make sense at all!

I mean reading DU you'd think he was hemorrhaging democratic support....

[harun]

49. He is, wait to see the polls in about a month once people see what happened.

[rufus dog]

37. nice post

It has been unbearable reading some of the posts at DU, seeing some positive helps.

I can understand why some people are upset, unemployment sucks, no realistic chance to pass some of the really progressive agenda based upon numerous factors, (media, obstructionism and some the public just ain't ready for the change) so it is good to see the core is holding steady. Hell this New Years Eve I will be bidding a not so fond adieu to 2009, but I sure as hell won't be blaming Obama for the current state of affairs, which have improved!

[mcablue]

38. 2% bump!

Humongous. Outside the margin of error.

[Kaleva]

39. However, support for Obama amongst left wing whack jobs is in the single digits.

[grantcart]

40. now now be nice

[WeDidIt]

53. Especially those that have moved so far to the left, they're moving up on the right flank

[CoffeeCat]

58. Yeah, because following the Constitution makes one a "whack job"....

...and wanting politicians to serve "We The People" and not corporations that have
donated millions to our politicians.

That's all I want. I'm not getting that with this administration and with our Congressional Democrats.

That makes me a whack job?

Used to be that Democrats were aligned in being against corporatist bullshit like this. Now, we
cheerlead it in our own party, and call people "whack jobs" if they don't want corporate corruption
destroying our democracy.

That's a Rovian tactic--and one that has been used in the MSM--paint Progressives as imbalanced
and wacky.

Lovely to see it on DU. Just lovely.

[Kaleva]

65. Nobody's painting progressives as imbalanced & wacky. Just the left wing whack jobs.

[CoffeeCat]

66. Unfortunately, it's a meme unleashed by the corporatists...

....who are attempting to paint anti-corporatists (or people who are against Fascism)
as nutjobs.

It's a common theme right now in the MSM. Unfortunately, it's making it's way into DU.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised that their PR smear is multi-pronged.

[Undercurrent]

42. This Liberal Democrat

is very supportive of our Democratic President. Just like the other 87% of us as reported in the poll.

This is good to know, because I sure don't get the impression that Liberal Democrats support our President by reading DU. Which leads to the logical conclusion that DU is out of whack with Liberal Democrats who don't post on DU.

[Hippo_Tron]

44. So Firedoglake, Ed Schultz, Daily Kos, and Huffpo don't seem to represent most liberals on this one

[Scurrilous]

46. K & R

:thumbsup:

[harun]

48. Wow, there is a category for Liberal/Moderate Republican

I thought those were extinct long ago. My grandparents used to tell stories about them.

[ipaint]

52. The 50-64 year olds seem to be catching on.

Maybe it's that 3x ins. premium charge.

Give it time. Most folks don't realize what is about to hit them.

[HughMoran]

55. K&R!

Hey, the recs really work here!

[CoffeeCat]

57. This poll is utter bullshit and everyone here knows it...

How many times have I heard DUers say that Gallup polls are bunk and a complete tool of
the necon/corporatist machine that has taken over our country?

I'll tell you how many times? At least a hundred.

We used to ignore Gallup. Now, suddenly Gallup is credible?

I don't believe this poll for a second. It defies every bit of reality. Look at the blogs, the Progressive
media and DU. Liberals are up in arms. I've mentioned before that I was an Obama precinct captain. Not
one of my fellow captains is happy about this healthcare bill. 3/4 of DU is unhappy...get this poll shows
the opposite? Oh please.

I'll tell you what this poll demonstrates---that the Democrats are also willing to use polls to skew reality. It
also tells me that the White House is worried about their sinking support within the party---because they are
using these salacious PR tactics to project support that just isn't there.

Pathetic, if you ask me. And also depressing--because it brings home the notion that some of our Democrats are just
as corrupt as most of the Republicans.

[Kaleva]

67. Just because a few here at DU have said Gallup is bunk doesn't make it so.

[GrimReefa]

68. You're mistaking the loudest for the majority

"I don't believe this poll for a second. It defies every bit of reality. Look at the blogs, the Progressive media and DU. Liberals are up in arms."

You know better than that. Or at least, you should.

Of course "the blogs, the Progressive media and DU" are going to look angrier than the general liberal base. If you aren't angry, you generally don't post - people who are the maddest tend to be the most vocal. People who like the way things are going tend to be quiet.

Look at the idiot teabaggers on the right. They hate John McCain, the way we hate Joe Lieberman. And yet, when the chips were down, who got the Republican nomination?

And as the progressive blogosphere becomes more anti-Obama, progressives who are pro-Obama are going to spend less time there, leaving an echo chamber that gives a warped impression of reality, even amongst self-identified liberals.

Rewind to a few weeks ago: Joe Lieberman (with help) managed to kill the public option and the medicare expansion. Howard Dean was on record as saying that we would be better off killing the bill and going to reconcciliation, and the White House threw a shitfit, which seemed to pit them against Dean, who is only the freaking standard-bearer for the Progressive movement, especially on HCR. Now, we've gotten a bill which has been vastly improved by subsequent amendments, will be further improved by merger with the House bill, and Howard Dean is back on board; and the general mood amongst liberals seems to be swinging back towards "well, I don't love it, but as long as it's just the first step to real HCR, then it's worth passing." Meanwhile, on the foreign affairs front, you have right wing assholes calling for a war with Yemen, while Richard Clarke is telling everyone who'll listen that Obama is 'ahead of the curve' on that country, without bombing them to smithereens - in other words, pursuing the exact course that won him the Nobel Peace Prize.

I'm not saying this or any other poll needs to be accepted as gospel - lord knows that Gallup has its issues, and that polling a year away from the next elections doesn't really mean much even if it is accurate - but is it really so hard to believe that liberals are happier with the President then they were this time last month?

[yellowcanine]

71. I am here and I do not know it. You are confusing conventional DU wisdom with fact.

Just because many DUers say Gallup polls are bullshit doesn't make it so.

Just because many DUers loudly say they are unhappy with Obama doesn't mean that most liberals feel the same.

[kid a]

60. That is also the case locally - County Dem numbers on increase.

[Major Hogwash]

63. Check again in 6 months when a poll matters. Obama didn't play Baby Jeebus this year.

No miracles.