Gallup offers qualifiers for Obama

Cushioning Obama’s Fall

By Bob Parks
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Seeing how (if trends continue) the next Gallup poll could have Barack Obama’s approval numbers dip under 50%, the good folks made an attempt to let us know beforehand that all’s not as bad as it seems.

Presidential Approval Usually Falls Below 50%; Timing Varies

Barack Obama’s latest job approval rating is 51%, according to Aug. 23-25 Gallup Daily tracking.

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.

Uh oh.



However, falling below 50% would hardly mark a point of no return for Obama. All presidents went back above the 50% mark after their initial loss of majority public support. And Clinton and Reagan, who dropped below majority approval faster than most other presidents, easily won second terms in the subsequent election.

Whew, that was close.

One day (when I have some time) I’ll have to check into the Gallup archives and see it they offered such qualifiers when George W. Bush started tanking in the polls, especially with a press that had no thrill up their legs.

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/14141