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Politics News

Obama Job Approval Down to 49% NEW

November 20, 2009

Gallup Daily tracking from Nov. 17-19 shows President Barack Obama’s job approval slipping to 49% for the first time in his presidency. Among post-World War II presidents, only Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan dropped below the symbolic majority approval level faster than Obama did.

Greater Optimism About U.S. Health System Coverage, Costs

November 19, 2009

Substantially more Americans rate healthcare coverage in the country as excellent or good this year (38%) than did so a year ago (26%). Similarly, more Americans now say they are satisfied with the total cost of U.S. healthcare (26%) than said this a year ago (19%).

Views of U.S. Healthcare Edge Higher From '08 to '09
November 19, 2009
In the midst of the debate over healthcare reform, Americans are about as likely to rank the quality of healthcare in the U.S. as excellent or good (58%) as they were last year (57%). At the same time, they are slightly more likely to rate U.S. health coverage as excellent or good (38%) than they were last year (26%).
In U.S., Cost, Bureaucracy Top Healthcare Reform Concerns
November 18, 2009
Americans who favor the healthcare legislation are most concerned about the cost, while those who oppose the legislation are most concerned about bureaucracy.
Fewer In U.S. See Health Coverage as Gov’t Responsibility
November 13, 2009
For the first time this decade, more Americans (50%) say providing healthcare for all is not the government’s responsibility than say it is (47%).
Americans Split on What to Do in Afghanistan
November 12, 2009
While 42% of Americans would like to see President Obama send more troops to Afghanistan, 44% would prefer he begin to withdraw troops from the country.

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World News

Afghans Assess Roles for NATO, U.N., Regional Actors

November 20, 2009

Afghans surveyed in June see NATO, the United Nations, India, and Iran playing roles in reconstruction more than anything else -- in line with what Afghans say they should do. However, Afghans are as likely to see Pakistan’s role as supporting the Taliban as helping with reconstruction.

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Well-Being News

In U.S., More Would Like to Lose Weight Than Are Trying To

November 20, 2009

Many more Americans are heavier than their ideal weight (62%) or say they would like to lose weight (55%) than are seriously trying to lose weight at this time (27%).

Nonsmokers Top Smokers in Well-Being Across All Incomes

November 18, 2009

Smoking is strongly related to well-being regardless of income, according to Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data from 2008 and 2009. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers are less likely than non-smokers to be “thriving," report fewer positive emotions, and are more likely to report depression.

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Gallup Daily Averages

Business News

Lack of Money/Wages Top Family Financial Problem in U.S.

November 19, 2009

Reflecting an often-overlooked aspect of today’s job crisis, one in six Americans now mention lack of money or low wages as the most important financial problem facing their families today -- tying a five-year high for the question and more than name healthcare, unemployment, or any other financial issue.

Gallup Economic Weekly: Waiting for Holiday Cheer

November 17, 2009

There appears to be little holiday cheer on Main Street, according to Gallup’s key economic indicators, as consumer spending was down 23% last week from the same week last year. Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index and Job Creation Index remained essentially unchanged from the previous week.

Weekly Economic Insights: Spending Hardly Inspires
November 17, 2009
Americans reported spending an average of $62 per day last week, down from $65 the week prior and $81 a year ago -- not yet signaling a boost for the holiday spending season.
U.S. Christmas Spending Forecast Down From October
November 16, 2009
Americans in November say they plan to roughly spend $638 on Christmas gifts this year, down from the $740 they projected in October and nearly identical to the $639 they projected last December.
Weekly Economic Insights: Jobs Holding Constant
November 10, 2009
American workers last week reported similar job market conditions as during the prior week, while economic confidence declined.
Weekly Economic Insights: Hopeful Signs in Jobs Data
November 3, 2009
Gallup’s Job Creation Index increased to +3 last week, closing in on its high for the year. Gallup's Economic Confidence and Consumer Spending measures also improved compared with the prior week.

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Gallup Management Journal

Is Loyalty Dead?

November 19, 2009

Marketers can no longer take it for granted. And whether or not customer loyalty is actually a relic of the past, it shows all the signs of becoming an endangered species. A Gallup branding expert offers a deep dive into what the concept of loyalty really is.

Driving Engagement by Focusing on Strengths

November 12, 2009

Too many managers focus on fixing people’s weaknesses -- or worse, they simply ignore employees altogether. This doesn’t boost performance. But Gallup has found that if your manager focuses on your strengths, your chances of being actively disengaged at work are only 1 in 100.