Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Funny Thing About Presidential Approval Ratings

You're going to be a bit disappointed if you are one of those people out there who has written off President Obama as a one-termer. According to the most recent Gallup poll, the president's approval rating has risen above 50% for the first time since last Spring. In fact, ever since the November "shellacking," Mr. Obama's approval rating has been steadily ticking upward. 

For a little perspective, Gallup has a neat interactive device where you can compare various presidents at the same times in their presidencies. At this time in the presidency of Ronald Reagan, his approval rating was six points lower than Obama. At the same time in the presidency of Jimmy Carter, his number was three points higher. We all know how both of those presidencies wound up.

The media will be too tied up with all the new Republicans for the next few weeks to grab this story, but it should be pretty alarming for any 2012 GOP contenders. At the same time that the Republicans are ascending, President Obama's poll numbers are, as well. I guess the comparison between Obama and new Weeper of the House, John Boehner, benefits the president. I see this as a trend that will continue through the next two years, as the Republicans attempt to enact their radical agenda and the American people search for more reasonable leadership. Hello, second term!

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