Ominous new Gallup findings for Democrats: Blacks still love Obama, others not so much

The good news for President Obama is his popular support among blacks is holding steady at 91%.

The bad news is no other group of potential voters likes him that much.

In fact, 29 days before his first midterm elections, the Democrat's approval ratings remain mired below 50%.

A new Gallup Poll this morning finds his approval rating for September was 45%, almost the same as August's 44%. Obama's not exceeded the crucial 50% level in a single month so far this year.

Since Obama's name is not on any ballot Nov. 2, the proportions of Americans who like or dislike the fellow on Oct. 1 of a midterm election year shouldn't matter, in theory. However, history indicates otherwise.

Presidents with approval ratings below 50% at midterm time see their party suffer substantial losses in its congressional membership, regardless of how much explaining and blaming the president attempts in the campaign leading up to what becomes, in effect, a referendum on the president.

And since Democrats currently hold substantial majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives, they have substantially more seats to lose. A switch of 39 House and 10 Senate seats would give control of both houses to the Republicans for the first time since they lost it in 2007.

Democrats (79%) and liberals (75%) still like Obama a lot.

But after that, his approval percentage goes to the deep south. Support among even young people is down: 57%. Hispanics: 55%. Moderates: 54%. Unmarrieds: 53%. Easterners: 52%. Women: 47%. Midwesterners and Westerners: 45%.

Men: 43%. Southerners: 41%. Independents: 40%. Marrieds: 39%. Seniors: 38%. Whites: 36%. Conservatives: 23%.

Amazingly, among Republicans Obama still manages to hold the support of 12%.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA

Comments

[Charles23]

Why does the LA Times ned a poll to tell you the obvious?

[AndrewL]

For all his supposed unpopularity, it's worth pointing out that Obama is still more popular than pretty much any other national politician, including potential challengers like Palin, who is stuck at a fairly dismal 35%. He's also doing better than the Republican party in general (44% by Gallup's reckoning), or the Tea Party, which only attracts 23% support according to NBC/WSJ (a lot of people don't have an opinion on the Tea Party because it's not as well known, but among those who do, it's still at net negative popularity).

In other words, 45% may not be great, but it's far from horrible, especially at a time when unemployment is above 10%.

Pollster.com, which averages all polls, is showing that as of today, the generic congressional ballot has moved into a virtual tie. I know conservative-leaning pundits and activists like to pretend that Obama and the Democrats are at historical levels of disapproval, and they've taken their hits to be sure, but let's not oversell things here.

[DofG]

In the movie "Hombre", the bigoted-conniving Indian agent proclaimed: "You see Mr. Russell, we white people stick together"! Russell's reponse: "They'd better!"

And so it is with black America, but from a far different perspective; for it is not so much that blacks "love" Obama as much as blacks understanding on which side their electorial bread is buttered-The Democratic Party. And unlike their white counterparts and "others", who erroneously think that both parties are inherently interchangable, blacks are going to ride that donkey, despite the fact that sometimes it moves too slowly, because they know that it at least moves forward!

[Bulldogg]

I don't know where you got the blacks for this poll. The north pole maybe. All my friends, family are tired of his lies and his color is irrelevant. More wars, wiretaps, patriot act, same economic team as Bush, more drones killing innocent brown people, more drill baby drill. We see what's up....

[C]

I strongly believe this happens to be a racial heading. We must all remember a nation voted for this man! Not one race, saying that means I currently know more blacks that are republican.

[Heisenberg]

Looks like someone is wearing "rose colored glasses"!
Wow...91% of Blacks approve of Obama,...time to wake up and smell the coffee.

[nu2swfl]

When a group of people maintain an opinion of a politician because of his race, regardless of his policies, that is known as racism.

In this case, it's black supporting Obama, regardless of his ineptness, only because he is black.

It is a shame, blacks are so racists.

[Kevin]

Proving that blinding racism permeates the black community.

[david]

Black people are being racist in their support, the only reason the like him is that he is black

[cuthean]

Blacks would vote for unanimously for marion barry over abraham lincoln. They are disasters. Everywhere they live looks as if it was stripped by locusts after beinf hit with mutilple nuclear bombs.

[danpa]

this is a PERFECT EXAMPLE of STUPIDITY.....
a vote for another because of a single item is idiotic...
although, at times, we may all be guilty of this, it's a rather sad day in America when one group of people are standing behind a person that is determined to put their very freedom in jeapardy.
Blacks, don't be fooled by the color of his skin - it's really red, as in Marxist Red... if all of you want to return to slavery, he'll get you there faster than any other person will.

[ssinva]

No surprises here. They don't see it. Remember Marion Barry? This culture will continue to self destruct with the help of the liberals and the welfare state.

[Neil]

If blacks liked Obama because he was black, they have no reason to change their minds. His genetic makeup hasn't changed a bit.

[Matt Weisenbach]

Blacks are racist, plain and simpple, it is all they think about. If owbamby wasn't halfrican they wouldn't give him the time of day.

[thinkerray]

President Obama has a zero percent approval rating among the long term unemployed who have been displaced by the Democrats ill conceived policies and taxes.

He has fallen faster than any President in memory.

[ohiojack]

This just shows that the 91% black are looking for something free from the government.If you are only voting for Obama because you are black you have a problem and it is not going to get any better. This country needs jobs for everybody and right now this administration is stopping job creation

[isnrblog]

So blacks still like him because he's black. Racism lives.

[Frank Booth]

Was there any doubt? It really is a shame that some people will vote for someone strictly because he represents their skin color, no matter the consequences. Racism goes both ways (belief that one race is superior to another).

[charlie1503]

no racism going on here, folks.....just move along....nothing to see....

[Cigarbat]

The reason 91% of blacks like Obama is mostly because they are racist.

Also many like his message. Redistribute the wealth. Take from people who work, give it to ones that don't want to work. Never a lecture about taking responsibility for one self.

Many also believe in the Village concept; that everyone else must take care of them.

[owen]

Darn those racist white people.

[Dutra]

They are still waiting for Uncle Sugar to deliver on all of his promises. Grab a blanket and a 40 oz because it 's going to be a long wait.

[Cheryl]

Really, are those the same people that are on government entitlements still? Welfare, disability, etc. The ones that are sucking the life out of this country. What a same and what pathetic bunch of leeches.

[NowYouKnow]

You can fool all of them all of the time!
Mission Accomplished!

[Kent]

No suprise here. Marion got caught on camera and the stupid black community still supported him. This is why the black community has no credability. As usual the skin color decides all for them.

[MAKEMYDAY]

It's all about race and color then!!! The black poulation obviously don't have a clue like their "Brother" (Obama), on how to manage this country!!! Everything changes in 4 short weeks - that's when a GOP Congress will put the brakes on this disfunctional administration!!!

[freddy]

"In fact, 29 days before his first midterm elections, the Democrat's approval ratings remain mired below 50%." The biased leftists at the LA Times already has b hussein re-elected?!?!?!? It can only be his 'first mid-term elections" if others follow; which would be an epic accomplishment given that his overall approval rating is in the high 30's!!!

You can only enable illegals to vote & stuff so many ballot boxes before even the blind fools notice it....

[Guy]

So 91% percent of African Americans apparently like Obama solely for the color of his skin. Every other ethnic group is giving him 50% or less approval. And the NAACP calls the tea party racist.

[drivingfool00]

That means the the blacks of this country don't use the brains they were born with and only see the color of skin and that there are still 36 percent of the whites in this country that are dumber than rocks.

[Mike Bennett]

So which is more racist?

[Robin]

This is news? Blacks always have and always will vote skin color.

[Ellen O'Day]

I grew up in Africa and moved to the US to get away from tribalism and pandering of one group over another to get votes.

And now it - tragically - appears in America.

What else can explain Obama's 91% approval among blacks except TRIBALISM.

There, ladies and gentlemen, is why multi-culturalism does not work. America is quietly destroying itself by not facing up to the fact that human groups vote for their own.

[nancy]

Does this surprise anyone? Many Blacks want to be given more of the freebees that Obama has to offer. They want our taxes higher because they pay none or very little. Many would prefer a socialist way of life because they are the recipients. This is a no brainer!

[zinthar]

I thought this idiot was supposed to be the great uniter?!?! We're seeing more and more everyday that he is, simply, a racist, marxist whos only skill is speaking in front of teleprompters and being a shill for the real people in power.

[Ranger_Ric]

He could publicly hang half the black population and the other half would still vote for him. Fortunately, there are not enough of them to keep the Marxist in office and he will be a lame duck after November. He is quite finished destroying this country because Americans have had seen the face of Marxism and are repulsed by it.

[Eugene Williams]

President Obama is a likable individual. Many of his policies are not. He says bailing out banks and insurance companies was necessary due to structural economic inequities. He admonishes Black audiences to demonstrate more personal responsibility for their economic plight. Mr. Obama needs to address Black unemployment caused by structural inequities. It is Black America's personal responsibility to making him do so.

[nader paul kucinich gravel mckinney]

All the major media believe every word of the 9/11 story.
Both major parties believe every word of the 9/11 story.
twin towers, building 7, pentagon, shanksville, anthrax
Who controls the media and government censorship?

Sorry Gallup, we know better ~

[Your Neighbor]

*
Unmarried Senior White Conservative Males = Zero (0%) Obama Approval

[Sam]

91% of blacks give President Obama high marks? Sounds to me like Blacks like President Obama because he's black, or at least 1/2 black. Who's calling the kettle black now, NAACP? No pun intended.

[Is Race all ya got?]

What would we say if 91% of all whites still supported a failed white president?

Come on now, there has to be something besides race on all ya all's minds. Do ya all think of others stuff too, from time to time?

[SubjectofUSSA]

Obviously those 12% Republicans... aren't Republicans

Wonder what the make up of this poll was, the usual 60-40 Dem-Republican split to pad the numbers as always?

[dr]

What do you expect, Obama is a racist just like Maxine Waters and all the other CBC members. I'll bet the polls were not taken among the blacks who have a real job and are not on the gov't dole in some manner. I know many blacks who are professionals, engineers, doctors and business people. I can't find one who agrees with Obama's reign of destruction of America.

[Capn Jack]

Obviously they think with their skin color and not their common sense.

[Donny]

This poll simply underlines the irrationality of expectations of blacks and the failure of government programs aimed at improving race relations. Even under the dismal failures of Obama they still expect the moon for nothing. Race relations under Obama, with Eric Holder ignoring the written law to give blacks a get out of jail card, has done nothing but polarize feelings. It has to be done fairly, or not at all. Years of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and pandering by the NAACP have created these attitudes. A huge correction toward the center will inevitably come, and with much damage.

[Joe]

Its a shame that because of race, folks have blinders. If you sit back and look at Obama's term, there is nothing to love in it. And this is coming from a minority(non black). Obama needs to go, plain and simple.

[Jerry]

It's not racism that's affects the white polls though it probably affects the black numbers.

[CKAinRedStateUSA]

What's really sad about the black support for Obama is that his and his administration's ignorance of and assault against capitalism and the economy impact that community harshly.

Also, abortion, which Obama champions, impacts the black community at a significantly higher rate than other ethnic groups, including whites/Caucasians and Hispanics.

It's also sad, but more infuriating, that the black community, as well as the rest of America, have been so underserved and hoodwinked by usurper and mendacious Obama.

[zaks5thave]

FTA "Amazingly, among Republicans Obama still manages to hold the support of 12%." Where do you think "RINO" comes from?

[Marge Shotz]

My guess, their approval of this fraud is based soley on race.

29 days to go!!

[Mary Jo Kopechne]

This guy had a chance to move the race debate forward, instead he has WILLINGLY stepped it back. Thanks demorats.