The latest CBS/NY Times poll has great news for Barack Obama and the Democratic Party, horrible news for the Rush Republican Party. Here are a few highlights:*"President Obama’s approval rating is 66% in this poll, a new high for his young presidency. 24% of Americans disapprove of the way the president is handling his job."
*By a 56%-34% margin, Americans have a "favorable" view of the Democratic Party. This compares to a 56%-40% "favorable" rating in October 2008.
*By a 58%-31% margin, Americans have an "UNFAVORABLE" view of the Republican Party. This is actually slightly worse than the October 2008 poll results, when 36% of Americans held a "favorable" rating of Republicans.
*By a 57%-22% margin, Americans believe that Democrats are more concerned than Republicans with "people like you."
*"...by more than three to one, most trust the President (63%), not Republicans in Congress (20%) to guide the country’s economy."
*By a 56%-32% margin, Americans believe that the "Obama budget set the right priorities."
*By a 74%-23% margin, Americans believe that taxes should be increased on those who make $250,000 per year or more.
*Americans believe that Obama administration policies "treat all equally" (40%) or "favor middle class" (25%). Only 12% say that Obama's policies "favor the rich," while just 15% say they "favor the poor."
*Americans overwhelmingly (71%-17%) believe that President Obama cares more about "ordinary people" than "corporations."
All of this at a time of deep economic anxiety in the country. Perhaps the fact that only 2% of Americans blame the Obama administration for our economic problems (33% blame Bush, 21% blame Wall Street, 11% blame Congress) helps explain this?
In short, these are great numbers for Barack Obama and the Democrats, horrible numbers for the Republicans. I'm sure that Eric "Party of No" Cantor has a plan to turn things around. Heh.
P.S. If the numbers continue to look like this by late summer/early fall, it's gonna be kind of hard for Bob McDonnell et al. to run against "Democrats in Washington." But good luck with THAT strategy! :)
