Americans' faith in Obama fading: Poll

Time for vacation, even for a presidential Democrat named Barack Obama.

As he prepares for a week off with his family, leaving right after lunch, the president will read in Friday's Washington Post results of a new poll that shows his numbers sharply down.

It almost seems like the harder he's worked to sell his healthcare reform program all summer, the more they've seen him speaking earnestly and well in town hall after town hall, the less confidence Americans have developed in the president.

The new Post/ABC News poll of 1,001 Americans between Aug. 13-17 shows that only 49% now believe Obama will make the right decisions for the country.

That's down from 60% at the 100-day mark of his presidency. Worse, only 49% now think he will achieve significant improvements in his hallmark campaign of healthcare reform, a drop of 20 points from last winter.

Fifty-five percent now see the nation as seriously off-track, up from 48% in April.

The president's overall approval now stands at 57%, down 12 points from April. Disapproval has jumped to 40%, the highest of his seven months in office.

Despite all the travel and good talking, fully 42% now "strongly disapprove" of Obama's work on healthcare, with support collapsing especially among seniors and the highly-prized sector of political independents. A bare majority (52%) still support creation of a public option, but that's fading too -- down sharply from late June's 62%.

If congressional members are detecting the same themes during their August recess visits in their states and districts, that could present serious problems for the political prospects of the reform efforts when everyone returns to the capitol after Labor Day.

-- Andrew Malcolm

It's unanimous. One-hundred percent of those readers clicking here get Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Or they can follow us    @latimestot

Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press

Comments

[James]

This freak's numbers will continue to decline, people will soon see what a horrific mistake this country has made. The U.S. will be unrecognizable after this scum bag has had his way.

RIP USA 1776-2009

[Tab Cocovillea]

What more can be said, other than "we the people" know a bad deal when we see one. Only difference between the health care fiasco and the bailouts is... the screams of anger have finally reached their tin ears.

[Michael]

The beginning of the end. Wake me when it's 2012.

[no sanctuary]

Most Americans, especially seniors, understand intuitively that Obama's plan will impose a massive government controlled a transfer of wealth and healthcare from Americans who have contributed to society their entire lives, to illegal aliens and deadbeats who have not.
People also believe with good reason that a taxpayer subsidized 'public option' will ultimately eliminate all other options, and Americans will be left with a UK style nationalized health care, with out of control costs and fraud as in Medicare, and their health care at the mercy of government decision makers.
If the leftist Dems ram this through there will be a huge shift at the ballot box in 2010 and widespread resistance to implementation.

[Tempest]

Well only he's to blame for that. Appeasing the radical right. Ignoring progressives.

[chester]

happy,the fella is just a fraud

[ex-pat]

The reason the US is all up in arms is not because what Obama is trying to do is oncorrect or needed. It's a Macarthy style fear of socialism confused with communism. The senior s´citizens aren't getting a whole heck of a lot today so what could be worse? This argument isn't about common sense or about whether or not Obama is competant. It's about people being as religious about their politcal party as they are about their faith. Think people! it will neve reve rbe as clear cut as we are right and you are worng. Stop being led by an indoctrination and start to actually think for yourselves. I am so tired of the self proclaimed ignorance my country suffers from! I am also tired of the common people spewing on about socialism and how evi it is. When in reality all they know is what some one else told them, the biased news sources, the politician trying to hars ell his cause. Eductate YOURSELVES!

[Greg]

Politics is an hilarious side -show in this country where the only thing that really counts is the almighty dollar. Woe betide those who don't have it or have bad enough luck to lose it.
As we fall below all the averages of the rest of the western world it's comforting to know that at least a few of us will still get to ride around in Lear Jets pretending to be gods. The people/proliteriat are still suckered into thinkin that one day it could be them, and that keeps the whole pyramid game goin.
Viva La Revolution!!!!! If only.

[Will]

The health "reform" numbers do not add up. The American public has had to cut back and monitor personal budgets with declining wages and job losses. At the same time, the government has overspent and continues to increase the national debt and government jobs. Obama has led this charge. Now the progressive (Liberal) wing is angry and insolent over the public's reaction to government healthcare proposals. If it is passed despite the public outcry, hello to the new Republican majority in 2010.

[Beth]

I'm not so sure he's been talking "well." He sure has talked a lot, but he's contradicted himself several times, he's equated the US Postal SErvice with a well-run government program that should make us NOT fear a US takeover of health care. He's told people who disagree with him that the time for talking is done and they should just get out of the way.

Not so good, in my own opinion.

[Lor]

The USA needs health reform, and this means a government controlled FREE system should be available. You can keep your private system too.

Every other developed nation has it and it works, regardless what you are told. I come from Australia and when I came here, I was outraged at the system and costs involved.

People die here because they can't afford health cover, there is health related bankruptcy here and people in other countries have never heard of it.

The system is controlled by corporations - insurance companies, drug companies etc. The reason things are so expensive is because corporations charge outrageous prices on medical equipment and drugs.

The fact is you are ILL-INFORMED and your government doesn't have the balls to face up to the corporations and lobby groups over this. Forget winning the next election or losing corporate election funding over this.

Health care is the most important thing for a society and should be run by a society voted government, not by money making businesses.

[mj loehrer]

Now, Andrew, it's easy to speak earnestly and well at twon halls when one is doing it to invited cronies aka SEIU and ACORN. It's easy to speak well when one is doing it in front of those who are on your bandwagon. Wheh the lad gets out in the real world(won't happen anymore) is when he becomes flumoxed.

[K T]

This is what happens when you elect: 1 - someone with very little experience to the top job in the world; 2 - someone totally out of touch with the majority of Americans and the way they think; 3 - someone determined to have his own extreme left way even though it's not what the majority of Americans want; 4 - someone who can't manage his way out of a paper bag; 5 - a narcissist who thinks life is all about him.

I disagree with the "RIP USA 1776-2009" comment by James. America is a lot bigger and better than the huge mistake it has made by electing Obama. We will overcome this mistake. We will come back from it and hopefully remember and learn from this mistake for many years to come. Obama will be a lame duck president through the rest of his administration. The Republicans will retake Congress in 2010 and the WH in 2012.

[cw]

If God, was the president most people in this country would gripe. Obama is a man of courage and is only trying to help people. He has done more in his short term in office to help people than all the years of Bush administration. Remember who got us into this mess. The GOP. I seriously think that half of the people in this country are mentally ill and paranoid and are afraid of their own shadow. That is why the believe the GOP propaganda.

[Tae]

I think it's crazy that when Bush was in office and screwing the whole "world" no one said anything; spending millions of dollars on a senseless war, blowing money and so on and so forth. But as soon as someone that comes in and tries to help (not to mention, he's black), he's criticized to no end. He's trying to clean up a tremendous mess that is not his own and everyone's against him. Did you ever stop to think that there are already government funded medical services (medicare, medicaid, blah blah blah). JUST STOP IT.

[Kara]

One thing, if anyone remembers, is that President Obama said that things are expected to get worse before they get better. Its funny how people have selective hearing when it comes to the economy when we weren't made many promises in the past that were carried through by our leaders since Clinton. People couldn't wait to find something wrong with Obama, but obviously had some faith in him in the beginning. I don't remember hearing anyone complain about Bush's 2 month vacation after he was inagurated. Just give him time...this economy is so set on microwave results when we all know that quick is not quality.

[Kara]

James your ignorance enlightens me. So you honestly feel that Mclain would have been a better choice. LMAO! Must be a chemical imbalance...

[Joey]

He promised us change and we got it. Proof that there is wisdom in the saying "Be careful for what you wish." It is important, though, that we don't blame Obama but rather ourselves. He merely sold us a bill of goods and we bought it. It is because of our own ignorance that we are in this position.

[ericvsthem]

what people don't realize about these polls is that he's losing a lot of support from progressives. i think the conventional wisdom is that he's losing the support of moderates - and that is certainly true - but the numbers are being even further dragged down due to the loss of support from progressives - his true base - as he backs away from more and more campaign promises. hopefully, this is something that he will reflect on during his vacation. but probably not.

[Susan Marn]

Let's give the man a chance, I have heard more grumbeling and complaining and it has only been some months!! Eight years with the previous president and NO ONE ever complained this loudly and I really don't think he was very good. We are now in an almost ten year war and I can carry a concealed handgun. AT LEAST Obama is trying!!! As he said in the begining, not every idea will work. As far as his wife in shorts, people they are still a HUMAN family just like the rest of us. Let us not forget, he is doing a JOB for our country. Give them a chance, listen, think, and stop yelling!!!!!! Bush was awful and no one said a word. Listen to yourselves!!!!!

[joe coleman]

i hope everyone who voted for him will soon see what a big mistake it was.hes going to raise taxes and the middle class working person will pay dearly.while all the poor people can collect unemployment,welfare and stay home and watch tv all day.the country is broke the only way is to raise taxes and thats what will happen along with his socialist health care plan.we are screwed

[Susan Marn]

Also, why do we worship some old catholic man when like the very first comandment in the bible tell us not to worship a man or idols?? No cross, no statue. Look at the catholic history, they do as they please and allow the wealthy to as well, since it's the wealthy that support them. Look at Henry the 8th. Catholics let him do as he chose. Also, maybe if they could marry they wouldn't molest children and then hide it from us. How sick is that????? AND THEY HID IT!!!!! And you all know it.

[dadanarchist]

Ha ha, silly Republicans, mistaking their fantasies for reality!

A good portion of his eroding support is due to frustration among moderates and progressives who want him to stop compromising with do-nothing Republicans and pass a substantive bill that actually reforms the broken health care system.

While 57% of Americans still have a favorable view of Obama, the fact that people don't think he can get things done points to the fact that a lot of the fall off is on the Left and left-leaning moderates.

And, of course, only 20% of Americans approve of the GOP. Unmoved from earlier in the year.

[Hazelgrl]

All i can say is i didn't vote for the guy dont look
at me hee hee like those car bumper stickers say..Bush
made plenty of mistakes MCcain was not everyones
favorite and i didn't know much about Obama other then
how he wanted to bring us change since the media never
brought out to much about him like they did with all
the other ones..I think people were just desperate for
a change they were willing to get anyone in there other
then a conservative that they thought would do the same
as Bush..I am afraid i think things will get worse here..

[Dot Foster]

Never had any confidence in him from the beginning... Nothing has
changed my mind... even worse than I thought....So unqualified for
the job it isn't even funny....

[Angiepagilagan]

my supportfor the president is getting sour because why does the presidentkeep insisting& praising Republican Grassley he will not compromise. last night hThe Pres. did it again praise tha tvery annoying person Is the president hard of hearing by doing so and naming Him that republican grassley is working hard. Is the President also stupid or what??/

[Great Grandma Martie]

My heart is heavy to witness how our great American people have been so deceived because of what is "Politically Correct" ----once laws have been put on the books, my father always said it is almost impossible to get them off. We have lost most of our freedom of speech, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and have made America a laughing matter in almost ALL OF THE WORLD. How sad!!! ALL BECAUSE OF GREED!!!! May GOD (and I assure you there is one waiting on the other side) have mercy on ALL of us.

[Kara]

The disdain that this Administration and Democrat Congress have for the American people is OBVIOUS and Reprehensible!!! When Obama was called an "America hater" they didn't think it included American citizens too.

[Diana Fahy]

Reading this article only confirms to me the ignorance of the people here.
The reason that President Obama is losing points in the polls, is because the
people of the U.S. thought he would be a miracle worker. He told them in his
campaign speeches that this would be a hard fight for us all. We can not expect
immediate results for what that idiot Bush did in eight years. I think that he is
trying to meet all of his promises to the people, but it won't be over night. We
are told to have faith, he hasn't even been in the White House for a year yet.
Maybe the opposing forces of his policy would agree more if we gave more
support to our President then letting protesters compare him to Hilter. Why
don't these people turn on them.

[Jerry]

President Bush had a 19% approval rating this time last year, President Obama currently at 57%. A 38& improvement of the job being done by the President is fantastic!

[Peter Frans]

Is finally the rest of the country waking up and seeing what this individual is doing to our country ? This fake wanne be president should have been impeached after 100 days in office!

[wiseguy]

Obama...start over. From the beginning.

[Rose]

Where did they take this poll? On Mars? I don't know ANYONE who approves of ANYTHING Obama is doing.ESPECIALLY not us seniors!!

[SR]

Didn't vote for him!
Never liked what he did, said or what he represented.

Now you know why!

Those of you who voted for him, I bet, you're NOW wishing you hadn't.

[john a. saah]

I don't believe a lot of those so-called media polls conducted.

I think Obama is doing very well considering the terrible situation he inherited from those criminals Bush and Cheney.

Basically, if the big media conglomerates do not agree with something Obama does, they start showing all of those bogus polls they conduct with the american people.

How come I never got polled by any of these news media over the last several decades?

I trust Obama more than I trust the conservative and right-wing media. And yes, most of the media out there today is right-wing including CNN, FOX, ABC, CBS, and others.

[Bill Simpson]

It doesn't seem so surprising. Maybe his lack of managerial experience is showing. Could it be his talked-about delegating decisions to Congress? How about his stubborness; belligerence about nealth care that has people questioning his "big picture." It's so critical, important, necessary for our country's future; so let's passit in 2 weeks!...without reading it! Of course he's slipping. This should take a year to do - if it is about h.c. - which it's not. Americans aren't willing to give gov't the sweeping power a gov't-run plan would administer. They don't want to give up that much liberty. And he said again 2 days ago, he wants a single-payer system. Maybe folks recall Michelle's campaign speech:"You've got to think differently. You need to put your history and traditions aside. We're going to a different place!" Sounds threatening to me. What would Van Jones(Green Jobs Czar) be whispering in Obama's ear about now?

[Big Jim Slade]

Hey, you knuckleheads voted for him. A junior Senator with two years of experience, never ran a company or military campaign, school, or even wrote any significant legislation. Absolute bupkis.

And think of all the wonderful things Obama's done for California and our 55 electoral votes lately. (Keep thinking, still nothing?). It's like giving a gift and getting even more bupkis in exchange.

What exactly did you expect when you elected Amateur Night guys? Change can be worse too, you know.... you seem to be learning that lesson now. Heck, I learned it on my first wife the first night.

P.S. Could we please get a cutoff date when Obama will stop blaming Bush for anything and everything?

[Gary]

I'm very disappointed that Obama dropped the single-payer option before the debates even began. This put him in a weak postion to bargin with the Blue Dogs and the Republicans. Furthermore, he has not shown the leadership required to get a cohesive piece of legislation out of the committees that would include at least a public option.

[davew]

My faith hasn't waivered one iota. Obama is no different than any president trying to make big changes - there will be vocal opposition and compromise. Then something will be passed and we will start heading in the right direction. After that, it will be accepted by 99% of the people, just like social security and Medicare. Keep dreaming, Obama haters...

[15isthebest]

Goes to show ya, you can still fool Americans with lies and screaming at the top of your lungs.

The death panel lie is the worst and worthy of litigation. I can't blame Obama for not stepping in that political mine field and handing Palin a ticket to Eternal Victimhood. "Booohhooo the big bad BLACK president is using his GOVT guns against me, poor lil ol' Sarah from Alaska...."

Ya gotta love Americans. The only industrialized nation with a populace capable of voting themselves into NOT ONLY poverty, but into bad health AS WELL. Now, to be this stupid, that takes talent. Ya gotta admit THAT.

With soooo much demonstrable lies and hypocrisy of the oppositon and STILL worsening polls .... The Chinese are laughing their buttocks off, since they KNOW an increasing unhealthy American population, will be in no shape to compete with them.

The only thing we might blame Obama for is that he's a Democrat who KEEPS expecting a fair fight. He's fundamentally unfit for this insane screeching, complete lies and utter bogus claims from the foam-at-the-mouth repubs:

"Stephen Hawking would have died in the UK"
"The English pay 78 percent in taxes ...."

Obama cannot make policy based on ever changing polls. not this time.
He has to drag the American population into the 21st century, kicking and screaming. If they are still against them in 2012, so be it.

[15isthebest]

If Obama is to go down, and Americans are crazy enough to do just that, he should go down in style: With a single payer system, and he should veto any opposition to it.

Tough breaks then to the rest of yall.

[Bob In Pacifica]

So the President's approval rating is 57%?

Gee, I thought his ratings were bad. Granted, not in the sixties like when Clinton was on trial for diddling with Monica, but since the last guy in office was down in the twenties, I guess your article meant to say that a good majority of Americans approve of Obama.

[socalgaffer69]

The networks are right wing? Maybe Fox but that is it. NBC and ABC have fallen all over themselfs to get this dufis in office.I work in network news in LA and have watched a director yell at a news producer because the news was so slanted for Barry.

[Si]

Obama sounds lost and confused about what he is supposed to do as president. People can see he's leaving all the thinking and real decision making to lefties Polosi and Reed, while he travels everywhere and read teleprompters. Hey, he's still campaigning. There's no work in Washington for him. He pass, people bow and give him what he wants. If you question his policies he brings out his hatch men to hall meetings,on TV, on the internet, boycott your business to make you do as he say. As more people see the devil behind his mask they are leaving him.

[SmartAssProducts.com]

I have such a clear conscience! I knew from the get-go that Obama was not qualified to be POTUS, and I worked my ass off to make sure he wasn't the Democratic nominee. I look back with pride at the endless hours I put in for Hillary Clinton, KNOWING that she had the experience, intelligence, and general know-how to run this country. When Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, the DNC, et al, decided to throw Clinton under the bus--despite the fact that she had more popular votes than Obama--in favor of the unqualified empty suit, I said "screw you!" and voted for McCain--despite being a lifelong Democrat. So, all around, I have a clear conscience.

By the way, I CALLED what's happening now. I knew BEFORE Obama got elected that if he did get elected the honeymoon period would quickly fade as reality started to set in. Our "I want my vote back" -- http://www.cafepress.com/saproducts/5154320 -- and "Still glad you voted for Obama?" -- http://www.cafepress.com/saproducts/5154516 -- merchandise is selling like hotcakes as other people figure this out. Had I been stupid and uninformed enough to vote for Obama, I'd definitely want my vote back!

[Ken]

I though that Bush made his share of mistakes but the present POTUS is a walking disaster. This government has taken leave of its senses and is spending our tax money like a bunch of drunks on a binge. The Congress is going to drown us all because of its hubris. Kick the bums out at the next election. They need to get real jobs and have to balance their checkbook like the rest of us.

[StevenlAFl]

ex-Pat, you call us ignorant, but your sweeping generalization that everyone who doesn't believe as you do is ignorant and therefore makes you ignorant and hypocritical.

I quote you: "Stop being led by an indoctrination and start to actually think for yourselves. I am so tired of the self proclaimed ignorance my country suffers from! I am also tired of the common people spewing on about socialism and how evi it is. When in reality all they know is what some one else told them, the biased news sources, the politician trying to hars ell his cause."

I am an educated man and I went to college. The way you talk suggests that you may have not been. You need to start reading or watching the news. Reading or watching the news during his presidential campaign, then stopping since he was elected does not count as your having current knowledge. This makes your statements biased.

Obama making people mad from my experience, as a lot of people that I know in real life (including African Americans) who voted for him now despise him for what he's doing and already has done to the country.

Statistics show this decline in general approval. However, you SHOULD know that statistics are never to be taken as fact, because they are extremely subjective due to their being of only a specified mount. However, America (and apparently you) believe strongly in them. Otherwise, there is no reason to be angry. However, if you find that people that you know in real life are losing faith in him, why don't you analyze why that is? Do some research, and you may find yourself convinced.

Also, what "biased" news source? Do you mean FOX news? Do you mean MSNBC? Do you mean CNN? They all report similar news, quoting people directly. It is against the law to incorrectly quote someone.

You said you were tired of "the common people spewing on about socialism and how evi it is." Well, I'm tired of people like you who seemingly don't really know what they're talking about.

[Pete]

Isn't it funny how many Americans are not waiting for a change but are now changing there opinion. Can't say th Republicans were snowed by this guy.

[Pete]

Just three more years and this clown will be a memory!