Another Poll Shows High Marks For Obama Speech
Another national poll is out testing the reaction to Obama's speech, with CNN showing that speech-watchers came away feeling optimistic and reassured.
The numbers: 68% of viewers said they had a very positive reaction, compared to 24% somewhat positive and only 8% negative. And an astonishing 85% said the speech made them feel more optimistic about the direction the country is headed in (though granted, feeling more optimistic than before might be a low bar), and only 11% said it made them more negative.
And 82% of speech-watchers say they support Obama's economic plans as outlined in the speech, with only 17% against.
A caveat from CNN polling director Keating Holland: "These are great numbers for Obama, but they are no better or worse that Bill Clinton or George W. Bush got after their first speeches to Congress."
The numbers are also distorted somewhat, in that CNN estimates the viewing audience was 8-10 points more Democratic than the general public. But even if we subtracted 10 points from all the positive numbers above, that's still more than pretty good.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Holy smokes. That's the bully pulpit.
Of course diehard Republicans will try and obfuscate and dimish the positive reaction over the coming weeks. At their own peril though. But hey, Jindal's their guy. More power to'em.
February 24, 2009 11:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Boy does that bring a smile to my face...
February 25, 2009 12:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I want the Jindal numbers!
February 25, 2009 1:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of Jindal, did anyone else notice this: he picked on volcano monitoring as wasteful spending. Before that, he brought up Katrina as an example of government failure. So first he criticized the government being unprepared for a natural disaster, and then criticized volcano monitoring which might let the government warn us about a coming natural disaster.
And does anyone else suspect the story about the sheriff and the boats is made up?
February 25, 2009 1:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
I could, but won't today, pick on specific issues where I disagree with Obama or at least am concerned. But overall, it's fantastic to have in the White House such an uncompromising and effective champion of a genuinely progressive approach to governance. We haven't seen anything quite like it since the pre-bogged-down-in-Vietnam phase of Lyndon Johnson. (Sorry, Clinton fans, "the era of big government is over" doesn't quite cut it.)
February 25, 2009 8:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama won the hearts and minds of the majority of Americans last night and he clearly set the tone for the future. Energy, Health Care and Education are his three priorities. It is going to happen this term and in spite of the GOP who will die a slow death of being irrelevant! May they rest in peace!
February 25, 2009 8:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
The speech was good, but I still don't feel optimistic. After watching this (hilarious) video about wall street executive air, I can't help but feel the tears coming... http://www.governmentalityblog.com/my_weblog/2009/02/fat-cat-airlines-still-bringing-laughs-tears.html
February 25, 2009 8:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
And speaking of Clinton fans, the PUMAs on TalkLeft have their heads even further up their asses than usual.
February 25, 2009 8:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
David Brooks for Obama's press secretary:
His take the Jindal response: "disaster for the Republican party," "form of nihilism," "not where the country is," "insane," "path to permanent minority status," "unmitigated disaster," etc. . .
from the Newhour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X27UIt0RuMw
from Charlie Rose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoKd9irM9dM
February 25, 2009 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the links. I always liked brooks. I may not agree with alot of his positions, but he really is a straight talker and he totally hit the nail on the head concerning the response. The republicans are looking more and more like a party disintegrating before our eyes.
February 25, 2009 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
But the market is tanking. It's all Obama's fault. The speech was a massive fail.
I jest but that's now becoming about the only argument the conservatives have at this point.
Maybe the markets are taking because they just saw the future of the GOP last night - in the form of Bobby Jindal - and it scared the hell out of them.
February 25, 2009 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
The markets are tanking because it's beginning to dawn on investors that maybe Obama actually ISN'T going to give a giant gift to bank stockholders at our expense, as they've been counting on all along.
February 25, 2009 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
It says something about the state of the union that actual leadership -- the President actually getting out front on issues -- seems stunning.
He seems to have spent his transition period doing more than picking out new carpet for the Oval Office.
Based on what I've seen thus far, in one month, I'm unconvinced that he has the moxey to pull it off. But, kudos for the try.
Thanks.
mp
February 25, 2009 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why?
Because he was able to pass the largest stimulus bill in history on the exact date that he wanted with the exact $ amount he wanted and with the exact priorities he wanted but without the 80+ senate votes he wanted?
You may have higher standards than me, but I have to say I'm impressed.
This man, it strikes me, means business.
February 25, 2009 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I tried watching Jindal, but I had to turn it off; the man was just unwatchable. He looked as though he were in fear that any moment he'd ne pulled off the air.
Thank you Republicans!
February 25, 2009 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
As much as I love Feingold, I hate Sensenbrenner
February 25, 2009 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
"A caveat from CNN polling director Keating Holland: "These are great numbers for Obama, but they are no better or worse that Bill Clinton or George W. Bush got after their first speeches to Congress.""
But Keating, you silly goose - neither Clinton nor Bush was President WHILE THE NATION WAS ON THE BRINK OF A NEW GREAT DEPRESSION!!!!
If you are going to draw comparisons, make sure you are comparing the same types of fruit, you blithering idiot.
February 25, 2009 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey!
Boys!
Regarding the current poll ratings for Obama, do you think that the idea-less Democrats will try and obfuscate and dimish the negative reaction over the coming weeks. Oh wait! They already have. Gibbs says the change was a result of 6 year olds with crayons. I rest my case about Democrats.
December 8, 2009 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink