Lowest ever: Obama job approval sinks to 39%, as even Democrats' support melts away
President Obama has passed the Big 4-0 -- going the wrong way.
Turns out voters were not simply satisfied to spank the Democrat and his party in the Nov. 2 midterm elections with historic losses in the House of Representatives.
Obama's job approval rating as calculated by the Zogby Poll has now sunk to 39%, a new low for his 22-month presidency that began with so much hope and excitement and poll numbers up around 70. As recently as Sept. 20, his job approval was 49%.
A whopping 60% now disapprove of his job, up from 51% disapproval Sept. 20.
Obama now trails in hypothetical 2012 matchups against Republicans Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and the next Bush, Jeb.
And, oh, my! Lookee here! Obama has even fallen into a statistical tie with none other than Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor.
How embarrassing that is because other polls have shown a majority of Americans believe she is unqualified for the presidency. So it appears many have now decided, on second thought after a nearly two-year test drive, Obama looks that way too.
Obama began losing the support of independents in the summer of 2009, as he responded to polls showing voter concerns focused on the economy by staging 59 town hall meetings on healthcare. Independents were a crucial part of his coalition win in 2008 but have now dwindled to 39%.
Only 6% of Republicans, not surprisingly, approve of Obama's job performance. But younger voters, also crucial in the ex-state senator's convincing defeat of John McCain, now approve by only 42%.
Nearly 7 in 10 likely voters say the country is on the wrong track, rarely a good sign for incumbents.
But, Zogby notes, perhaps most ominous for the president is that he's now losing support among his own party people. His approval plopped nearly 10% in just one week, from 78% down to 72% in Zogby's latest read.
Obama, John Zogby writes, "is failing to please more than one-fourth of his own party’s voters. This is a perilous position for the President.
"Conventional wisdom calls for him to reach for the center and assume that Democrats will stay with him in 2012. But as we saw in the mid-terms, Democrats can't win without strong turnout from the young and minorities, both of which are demographics that need more motivation than others to vote."
Former governor Romney fares the best against Obama (44-38%), then comes Gingrich (43%-39%), then another former governor, Jeb Bush (40%-38%), who says he is not running. Palin ties (40%-41%). Obama does, however, destroy developer Donald Trump (39%-29%) and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (32%-13%). (A separate Quinnipiac Poll Monday found Obama in dead heats with either Romney or former Gov. Mike Huckabee.)
-- Andrew Malcolm
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Photos: Chile Navy via Associated Press; Larry Downing / Reuters.








The Past is Prologue for Palin
Posted by: Nathan Sass | November 23, 2010 at 08:08 AM
So, sarah Palin is not qualified to be President of the United States and Barack Obama is?
Who's kidding who?
Barack Obama and the Democrat party are socialists/Marxists bent on remaking this country in the image of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. The TEA Party people and the rest of America are beginning to understand just how destructive the left really is! Sarah Palin, like Ronald Reagan have an ideology that will save America and give us a renewed sense of freedom and a rebirth. America, I believe, under a Conservative administration such as Mike Pence, or Sarah Palin will restore our country to its place as the world leader, economically, morally, and scientifically; and it is exactly that feeling of optimism that the left hates! The left wants a President that humbles himself before the dictators of the world. They get some perverted satisfaction from watching Obama bow before every scumbug leader on the planet. However, Sarah Palin, or any conservative (real American) leader will never ever do that. Sarah Palin for President,? you betcha.
Posted by: robert friedman | November 23, 2010 at 08:09 AM
I don't think he can make a comeback! He just seems to keep sinking lower and lower!
Posted by: Michael Emand | November 23, 2010 at 08:11 AM
I have just been thinking, remember last year when a lot of people were worried about the flu vaccine and the Obama family got their flu shots on nationwide tv to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy?
Well first off, I would never stand still and watch my daughters be aggressively patted down like what we have been seeing on the news lately so I wouldn’t wish it on the Obama’s.
But just imagine that Obama load up his wife, daughters, and mother in law and go to Reagan International airport and have them go through the scanner and pat down in front of all the people there and on television.
That would set an example.
Posted by: John Harris, Conroe Texas | November 23, 2010 at 08:13 AM
Incompetence, you can only hide it for so long even if you have the entire MSM lying for you.
Posted by: jukin | November 23, 2010 at 08:13 AM
Well, it is always unpopular to rule against the will of the people...
Posted by: Forest Wilson | November 23, 2010 at 08:16 AM
Throw out the statistical outlying poll information (California) and then tell us what the ratings are.
Posted by: Odumba the Magnificent | November 23, 2010 at 08:16 AM
"His approval plopped nearly 10% in just one week, from 78% down to 72%"
???
Posted by: Dennis | November 23, 2010 at 08:22 AM
It does not surprise me that he is sinking and will sink even faster. He is not living in the real world. He has his Idealistic views and plans and can with the help of congress impliments them. But is failing to live in reality as a country we are sinking, this country needs help to get back on track to work, without that we have no self esteem no self reliance or confidence as Americans it is what gives us our strength. We all make plans for the future and Ideas,but we have to take care of today in order to get to tommorrow and to get were we want and need to go sometimes that tough and hard but has to be done other wise we will keep sinking. The President has a tough job today and can not please everybody and should not try. But as a people we need to get someone that will align with this Country Focus on today. Life is what happens while your making plans for the future. Lets get in today Tommorow will come and be better if we Focus on today
Posted by: Gman | November 23, 2010 at 08:24 AM
What! No comments? No libs blaming the Tea Party, or a vast right-wing conspiracy, or Fox News? Barry, Nancy and "Pinky" Reid did this all on their own... I hear are crickets.
Posted by: H. Cox | November 23, 2010 at 08:25 AM
At last, a large number of the sleeping are awakening to the fraud that is obama and the progressive/socialist/marxist left. For those of us who pay close attention and have more than two functional brain cells, it is a painful process to watch the citizenry come out of a political stupor so slowly! It's like seeing a family member awakening to slowly over ages, from the anesthetic of an unnecessary and dangerous operation, and knowing some never will. Many saw this train wreck that is obama gathering steam over the last several year. "Yes we can!". You can what? "Change!". Change from what to what? "Hope!" Hope for what? These are the simple questions the sleeping and brain dead never thought to ask as he vomited his mindless "inspiring" speeches. He preyed on their weakness! In Al's words. Just spout mindless rhetoric and let the gullible fill in the details for themselves! It worked so easily! And now we have the disastrous answers. The consolation is that this is awakening many to the wisdom that is the constitution. The end result of this disaster living in the White House will be making the country stronger and more constitutional, if it doesn't kill us first.
Posted by: Lee | November 23, 2010 at 08:28 AM
Obama is heading south in support & the polls because:
-he does not have capable / wise fiscal advisors around him(instead he has
a tresury sec. who was cheating the gov't out of $140K of taxes due).
- the President's world view is that of a 'spread the wealth around' socialist: his father was a committed socialist, his grandfather was a communist and yes, his past beliefs run contrary to most American citizens!
- the Democrat leadership continues to promote 'class warfare' which can only be destructive to our nations economy. They (Reid and Pelosi) just don't get it. They must be thoroughly rejected again in 2012 !!!
Posted by: leebert | November 23, 2010 at 08:29 AM
at this rate his approval will be in single digits by the time the next election comes around. i'll bet jimmy carter is sitting there hoping the bamster looses by moore electoral votes than he did, so carter will no longer be the worste POTUS in history.
Posted by: troy | November 23, 2010 at 08:36 AM
This is quite disturbing for the U.S., but not surprising for me personally, because I never had faith in Obama. Now for many of the hopeful in that 70% grouping I suppose it was necessary for Obama to hang onto his radical convictions and socialist agenda before losing almost half of them. As for the 30% of Americans that had their doubts from the beginning; We have to settle on a better late than never outlook, and hope we can reverse the slow but ever increasing chipping away of our liberty.
Posted by: aljones | November 23, 2010 at 08:38 AM
The LA Times being a leftist newspaper, is being kind. The actual percentage is probably much lower. Obama is a disgrace to the White House and the nation. There are not enought words in the dictionary to describe how bad this guy is for our country. You people at the Times put your money on the wrong horse. Your horse is a loser for all of us.
Posted by: walter12 | November 23, 2010 at 08:40 AM
Can I get some of whatever Hallucinogen these pollsters are taking. There is no way that Obama has a 39% approval rating. He might have 19%.
Posted by: Deborah Gold | November 23, 2010 at 08:41 AM
who are the 39% who thinks ANYTHING about the scum traitor pig is acceptable, and who let them out of the asylum?
Posted by: amplitude jones | November 23, 2010 at 08:47 AM
Gee...if the media had done it's job, maybe voters would have known that Obama was and still is unqualified for the Presidency. Jimmy Carter 's vindication at last.
Posted by: WONDER OF IT ALL | November 23, 2010 at 08:53 AM
Surpise, surprise. The big question is, can we afford to wait 2 years with the world coming down around us... impeach and get it over with already. We have huge problems to deal with and we need to start now while we have a chance. Obama is exactly what we did not need in any way, shape or form.
Posted by: Metara5 | November 23, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Americans are tired of the failed policies of this administration. We have voices that are not being heard. President Obama's approval ratings will soon be in the mid 30's. Arrogance is never appreciated and President Obama needs to quit reprimending the citizens of this country with his words and those of his cabinet members. We are not a "nation of cowards" and we will prove it in the 2012 elections. Liberals will find a new leader who brings unity, not division.
Posted by: Debbie | November 23, 2010 at 08:55 AM
And it isn't over yet. He will even eclipse Jimmy Carter as the most incompetent, disastrous POTUS in American history.
Posted by: Rational | November 23, 2010 at 08:58 AM
For anyone who hasn't figured it out, Obama's only qualification is as a Community Agitator. Period. In over his head! Worse than Jimmy Crater who is still absolutely clueless. Clearly, Obama is is a Ideologue! Doesn't care about the country and believes we, Americans, are the problem.
Get you head out of your rear end Sheeple!
Posted by: william truth | November 23, 2010 at 09:02 AM
I am amazed that 6 percent of Republicans approve of this guy. Who are these so-called Republicans, anyway? RINOS, I bet.
Posted by: Jim Webster | November 23, 2010 at 09:05 AM
Why is Zogby polling Obama against a proven loser and dufus like Huckabee - even his name sounds idiotic! And when will Sarah Palin just please go away! Could we please have a match up with one of our A players like Michelle Bachman or Rubio or Christie or DeMint?! Are these legitimate contenders being purposefully ignored so the main stream media can give us another McCain?
Posted by: pqow | November 23, 2010 at 09:06 AM
It is too bsd most Americans got fooled two years ago. Obama is not just incompetent, he is dangerous for the US. Hope it is not too late.
Posted by: Hank | November 23, 2010 at 09:06 AM
round and round he goes, down and down he goes................
Posted by: docwilly | November 23, 2010 at 09:07 AM
And this POTUS' approval rating is only going to sink like a rock with the whole TSA thing. He appointed these "Czars" and now he has to face the backlash on their poor policy decisions. He should have thought about the "BIG PICTURE" and quit surrounding himself with people that "hate America".
Posted by: Keith | November 23, 2010 at 09:08 AM
Suprised it's this high.
Rome is burning, and Nero is playing the fiddle.
(i.e. North Korea, Iran, Health Care, Afganistan, National Debt, Unemployment, Entitlements, Failure to reach Trade Agreements.....)
Posted by: paul | November 23, 2010 at 09:10 AM
Obama has less ability to run the nation than most anyone on the face of the earth. He held no job of any significance. His years as a senator were spent running for president. As for being a community organizer, pfft yeah Chicago is a much better place because of his organizing skills, eh?
Please this man, Obama, is the least of the best that we have to offer. And the man knows nothing about anything. Just an Ideal man with no one to carry out his bidding. Pelosi, lets just get the bill bill approved and see what is in it...make it up as we go. Blah blah blah
His approval rating should be in the teens.
Posted by: SamIam | November 23, 2010 at 09:10 AM
What do you expect from a freshman Senator from Crook County Illinois without any military or executive experiece but who was well versed in community agitation?
Obama is not the problem. The voters are. Obama is proving the cliche, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," true.
Posted by: JJinCO | November 23, 2010 at 09:11 AM
If 39% of the population approve of Obama's performance we have serious issues that need to be addressed. We need available and affordable mental health facilities set up on the street corners to help these poor, disillusioned folk so they can be brought back to reality.
Posted by: philmckraken | November 23, 2010 at 09:13 AM
The Redcoats are coming the Redcoats are coming !!
Kill an overpaid cop -- Join the Tea Party.
They dont call them PIGS for nothing;
first to the trough.
After the Revolution read your Whiskey Rebellion history,
where GW & Alexander(central bank)Hamilton
slammed a federal excise tax on the poor farmers
& backed it up personally with the military force !They are not patriots they are revolutionaries.
As was the case the first time , this time also the Tea Party will lead to the destruction of the nation.
Though both the latter & the present were not against their mother country they naively thought
that they could have a revolution without separation, killing bloodshed, violence, war.
If you do not know history it will repeat itself.
NO THE TEA PARTY DOES NOT LIKE AMERIKA It is a sick bird; AN ILL EAGLE !!!
Posted by: Markangelo | November 23, 2010 at 09:14 AM
Surely there's a mistake by the MSM, I'm sure it should be a 90% approval rate, right keith o?
Posted by: MIke | November 23, 2010 at 09:15 AM
If you consider that his approval rating is still at 91% among black (13% of the US population, that puts his approval rating among non-blacks at 31%.
Posted by: G*d_Bless_America | November 23, 2010 at 09:16 AM
Im surprised its even that high
Posted by: Harry Nickapopalous | November 23, 2010 at 09:17 AM
I would vote for Sarah Palin in a hertbeat over obama in 2012.
Posted by: FEDUP | November 23, 2010 at 09:22 AM
The stink from this Admin., the WH and his Dem minions in local, state and federal offices has come to the light. The Admin. is so inept and so socialist in its tyranny that our systems are being ruined. The faux CIC in the WH cannot protect us. His type of liberalism is un-American. It is an alien philosophy. And the LATimes and the rest of the MSM-Journolists are partly to blame for not vetting these DNC, Chicago thugs from 2006 till now. No wonder America is waking up. It may be too late since our economy is ruined, our borders unprotected and now this idiot in the WH has to face not only his failures in the war with Islamofascism,Iran, but now N.Korea again. The Left has expanded Govt . and less freedom and free enterprise. Cal. voters keep voting for these leftist dunces and we are looking like Greece. Hopefully,the voters will remember in the rest of the nation will reject all of this liberal socialist agenda. God save us from these horrid dunces who are ruining our heritage, values, and history.
Posted by: Glenn Koons | November 23, 2010 at 09:23 AM
Can't wait for the left to play the mormon card on Romney (again), especially seeing Obama's mom was wife number 2 in a multi-wife family of muslims (she must have converted and become Kenyan too, because such a marriage is ILLEGAL in America... for Americans... and thus Barry is Kenyan and the divorce papers will prove that (that's why they are secreted away)). The cover-up is "always" more damning than the offense, which in this case is offensive to the point of high crimes... thank you democrat party).
Posted by: Soul Leister | November 23, 2010 at 09:24 AM
Obama doesn't have the gravitas or balls to lead. Look at what is going down in Korea today as proof. The North thinks he is a wimp and so do the Russians. Military generals would not even shake his hand when he went to Russia!
Posted by: The Black Abe | November 23, 2010 at 09:26 AM
You know it's bad when you're losing to Newt Gingrich in the polls.
Posted by: Dang | November 23, 2010 at 09:26 AM
It is difficult to fathom that 39% of those polled approved of this dude. No doubt these are the very same people that drive like idiots and act like they own the roads. We had the very cool Baby Boomer's, the whiny, confused, and lost Generation X, the ever popular, albeit oddly preoccupied Generation Sex, and now the loathsome Generation Expectation.
Posted by: Banderman | November 23, 2010 at 09:27 AM
There is and old Southern story of The Farmer and the Mule .
Every Day at 12.00 sharp while they were plowing the fields .
The Mule headed to the Barn . It drove the Farmer crazy .
Finally one day a Neighbor saw that happen .
This Time the Farmer was so angry He came around the Mule at hit him squarely between the eyes .
The neighbor said why did you do that ?
He said I needed to get the Mule's attention finally .
That was the last time the Mule ever headed to the Barn at Noon .
America has been hit squarely between the eyes with Obama half Socialism half Communism evil agenda .
The difference is : Obama needs to be put in the Barn and be locked away forever or Back to Kenya Millions would buy his One way ticket back to his birth place .
Posted by: ReConUSMC | November 23, 2010 at 09:27 AM
Yeah. Someone once said "...trying to be everything to everybody ends up with being nothing to nobody." Or something like that.
Posted by: Guest | November 23, 2010 at 09:29 AM
You can't even BEGIN to imagine how despised this lying charlatan is. And yet the Media continue to prop him up in any way they can. Do not be surprised if Civil War erupts in the next year.
Posted by: Mark Matis | November 23, 2010 at 09:29 AM
I'm surprised it is even 39% - but then we have a whole lot of stupid blacks living in the USA
Posted by: Jo | November 23, 2010 at 09:37 AM
I really have a question on the accuracy of the poll. From the people I have spoken with at all levels of the socio-economy wheel, the 39% seems high. Those who voted for him never knew of his liberation theology, economic socialist persuasions, reverend wright, Ayers, connections. Yes they were not the brightest bulbs in the suburbs and they now believe that all of this stuff on the community organizer is new info. Delusional as they were, they now understand that 'hopey-changey' means changing to something they know is not Americana at its core. Service workers in our area have been outspoken on the fact this is not what they came to America for, they were trying to escape the collectivist stuff and America (as they understood it) was going to allow them to keep what they earned and they would not have to take care of the non workers (except those who really cannot work because they are truly disabled- not the ones who disable themselves sticking something in their arms), that what they came here for. But it may be that the burbs go it all wrong and there are actually people in NY and Cal that want this kind of stuff. 2012 will tell.
Posted by: dj | November 23, 2010 at 09:38 AM
Obama is poison to the United States. He's poison to the economy, he's poison to the the republic, he's poison to the unborn, and he is poison to international policy. For those who voted for him, remember why you voted for him at the time... he was going to improve international relations, yet they are far worse now. He was going to improve the economy, yet it has gone far worse through his policies and the national debt is far out of control. He was going united the nation, yet it is more polarized than ever. This guy is poison and should be stopped. Thanks to those with the wits to vote against his policies in the midterm elections. It is the first of several correct steps to regaining a Constitutional America. For those who don't understand this message, please study the Constitution.
Posted by: Megabodhran | November 23, 2010 at 09:41 AM
How is it that there are no comments? Could it be that he Boy King's worshipful subjects have wised up? Could it be they are all hiding in shame?
Heh.
Posted by: fulldroolcup | November 23, 2010 at 09:45 AM
The con is over
Posted by: chip | November 23, 2010 at 09:47 AM
We're finding out more about him. Makes sense.
Posted by: lafnkat | November 23, 2010 at 09:50 AM