(12/29/09) -

Half of Americans Approve of Obama; One-in-Four Satisfied with Congress

Congress remains slightly more appreciated than in October, while the president posts his lowest score of the year.

Congress remains slightly more appreciated than in October, while the president posts his lowest score of the year.

Half of adults in the United States are satisfied with the performance of Barack Obama, while just one-in-four feel the same way about the U.S. Congress, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,001 American adults, 50 per cent of respondents (-1 since November) approve of Obama’s performance, while 44 per cent (+2) disapprove.

As was the case last month, the level of strong approval for the U.S. President (16%) continues to be considerably lower than the level of strong disapproval (27%).

Democrats (77%) remain clearly supportive of Obama, while Republicans (76%) are still dissatisfied. Independents are evenly divided in their assessment of Obama (47% approve of the president’s actions, 47% disapprove).

In stark contrast, only 25 per cent of Americans (-2) approve of the way Congress is handling its duties, while 62 per cent (+2) disapprove. Strong approval for Congress’ actions stands at a particularly low two per cent, while a third of respondents (34%) claim to be strongly dissatisfied.

While 41 per cent of Democrats approve of the way Congress is acting, the proportion dwindles to 21 per cent amongst Independents and 13 per cent amongst Republicans.

Analysis

The discussions over health care legislation in the U.S. Senate did not have a dramatic effect on the approval rating for Congress. Almost half of Democrats (48%) are dissatisfied with the actions of the House and the Senate.

While Obama’s rating has remained mostly stable for the past four months, it is the patent division amongst Independents that is keeping the president from expanding his base.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

CONTACT:

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs
+604 647 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com