Politics http://www.gallup.com/ http://backend.userland.com/rss Gallup WebTeam 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. http://www.gallup.com/poll/122627/Obama-Job-Approval-Down-49.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/122627/Obama-Job-Approval-Down-49.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT 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%). http://www.gallup.com/poll/124415/Greater-Optimism-U.S.-Health-System-Coverage-Costs.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124415/Greater-Optimism-U.S.-Health-System-Coverage-Costs.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT If a new healthcare bill is passed into law, Americans would be most concerned about its costs, increased government involvement in healthcare, how a new law would affect their personal healthcare situations, and that a new bill would not do enough to expand healthcare access. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124331/Costs-Gov't-Involvement-Top-Healthcare-Reform-Concerns.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124331/Costs-Gov't-Involvement-Top-Healthcare-Reform-Concerns.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Americans who favor the healthcare legislation are most concerned about the cost, while those who oppose the legislation are most concerned about bureaucracy. http://www.gallup.com/video/124292/Cost-Bureaucracy-Top-Healthcare-Reform-Concerns.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124292/Cost-Bureaucracy-Top-Healthcare-Reform-Concerns.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT After several months of decreased concern, Americans in November are more likely than last month to cite economic concerns as the most important problem facing the country. Now, 31% mention the economy in general and 20% mention unemployment as the top problem. Healthcare (22%) also figures prominently. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124298/Economy-Picks-Up-Again-Most-Important-Problem.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124298/Economy-Picks-Up-Again-Most-Important-Problem.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:45:00 GMT Americans express slightly greater approval of Congress this month after last month’s decline, but the current 26% rating is still down from this summer. While Democrats’ and Republicans’ approval is up from last month, the percentage of independents approving is the lowest it has been all year. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124277/Congress-Approval-Recovers-Independents-Buck-Trend.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124277/Congress-Approval-Recovers-Independents-Buck-Trend.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:45:00 GMT 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%). http://www.gallup.com/video/124256/government-responsibility-healthcare.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124256/government-responsibility-healthcare.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT More Americans now believe it is not the government’s responsibility to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage (50%) than think it is (47%). This marks the first time this decade when a plurality has not favored the “government responsibility” viewpoint. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124253/Say-Health-Coverage-Not-Gov-Responsibility.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124253/Say-Health-Coverage-Not-Gov-Responsibility.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Forty-two percent of Americans believe President Barack Obama should increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan, either by the roughly 40,000 Gen. Stanley McChrystal recommended (35%) or by a smaller amount (7%). However, slightly more Americans, 44%, favor a reduction of U.S. troops in that country. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124238/Americans-Split-Afghanistan-Troop-Increase-Decrease.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124238/Americans-Split-Afghanistan-Troop-Increase-Decrease.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT 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. http://www.gallup.com/video/124241/Americans-Split-Afghanistan.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124241/Americans-Split-Afghanistan.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Republicans have moved ahead of Democrats, 48% to 44%, in Gallup’s latest update on registered-voter preferences for the 2010 midterm congressional elections. Over the course of the year, independents have grown increasingly likely to vote Republican on this measure. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124226/Republicans-Edge-Ahead-Democrats-2010-Vote.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124226/Republicans-Edge-Ahead-Democrats-2010-Vote.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT For the first time this year, more registered voters said they would vote for the Republican candidate than said they would vote for the Democratic candidate if elections for Congress were held today. http://www.gallup.com/video/124223/Republicans-Lead-2010-Generic-Ballot.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124223/Republicans-Lead-2010-Generic-Ballot.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Americans are evenly split on the potential long-term impact of a new healthcare bill on the U.S. healthcare system: 41% say it would make the system better; 40% say it would make it worse. They are more negative than positive on the bill’s potential impact on their personal healthcare situations. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124202/No-Clear-Mandate-Americans-Healthcare-Reform.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124202/No-Clear-Mandate-Americans-Healthcare-Reform.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:45:00 GMT Forty-one percent of Americans say race relations have gotten at least a little better under Barack Obama; about half as many say they have worsened. Last November, 70% expected race relations to improve as a result of his election, and 61% still hold out hope that this will happen in the long run. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124181/U.S.-Waiting-Race-Relations-Improve-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124181/U.S.-Waiting-Race-Relations-Improve-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Americans view Secretary of Defense Robert Gates positively to the extent they are familiar with him. Forty-nine percent have a favorable opinion of Gates, with 19% unfavorable and 33% unsure. Though Gates is a Republican, Democrats view him more favorably than Republicans. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124175/Americans-Mostly-Favorable-Defense-Secretary-Gates.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124175/Americans-Mostly-Favorable-Defense-Secretary-Gates.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:15:00 GMT Republicans give Mike Huckabee (71%) an edge over Mitt Romney (65%) and Sarah Palin (65%) when asked if they would seriously consider voting for each as president. Huckabee and Romney have greater appeal to the broader public, though only 4 in 10 Americans say they would consider voting for either. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124097/Huckabee-Romney-Palin-See-Most-Republican-Support-12.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124097/Huckabee-Romney-Palin-See-Most-Republican-Support-12.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT About 7 out of 10 Republicans (71%) say they would seriously consider supporting Mike Huckabee for president in 2012, putting him tops on the list of likely contenders though just slightly ahead of Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin. http://www.gallup.com/video/124100/GOP-candidates-2012.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124100/GOP-candidates-2012.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT More Americans now say President Barack Obama is governing from the left (54%) than expected him to do so just after the election (43%). Less than half (48%) currently think he is keeping his promises -- down from two-thirds (65%) in April. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124094/Majority-Say-Obama-Policies-Mostly-Liberal.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124094/Majority-Say-Obama-Policies-Mostly-Liberal.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:45:00 GMT One year after electing Barack Obama president, Americans are less optimistic he can achieve eight key goals measured by Gallup. However, majorities are still hopeful about four of the eight goals. http://www.gallup.com/video/124091/Americans-Less-Optimistic-Obama-Achieve-Key-Goals.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124091/Americans-Less-Optimistic-Obama-Achieve-Key-Goals.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:15:00 GMT The U.S. political climate heading into 2010 is not as favorable to the Democratic Party as it was in 2006 and 2008. Though Democrats continue to have an edge in party affiliation and President Obama retains majority approval, congressional approval and satisfaction with the U.S. are low. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124076/Political-Climate-2010-Not-Favorable-Democrats.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124076/Political-Climate-2010-Not-Favorable-Democrats.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Americans are much less sure than they were a year ago at the time of his election that President Barack Obama will be able to accomplish a number of challenges facing his administration. In particular, far fewer Americans believe he will be able to heal political divisions and control federal spending. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124085/One-Year-Election-Americans-Less-Sure-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124085/One-Year-Election-Americans-Less-Sure-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:30:00 GMT Close to half of black adults nationwide, 47%, say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S., up from 10% in mid-2008. There has been a much smaller increase among whites -- now 22%, up from 15%. Even among Democrats, blacks show a greater increase than whites in satisfaction. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124037/Blacks-Far-More-Satisfied-U.S.-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124037/Blacks-Far-More-Satisfied-U.S.-Obama.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:30:00 GMT With the 2010 congressional elections now one year way, Gallup Editor in Chief Frank Newport discusses the key indicators to watch. http://www.gallup.com/video/124007/Editor-Chief-Insights-Watch-2010.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/video/124007/Editor-Chief-Insights-Watch-2010.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT The Democrats’ 46% to 44% advantage on the generic ballot suggests a solid Republican showing if the midterm elections were held today, assuming a typical GOP advantage in turnout. Even far in advance of the elections, the generic ballot has proven to yield reasonable insight into the U.S. House vote. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124010/Generic-Ballot-Provides-Clues-2010-Vote.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/124010/Generic-Ballot-Provides-Clues-2010-Vote.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT Americans are closely divided on healthcare reform, meaning that public opinion offers no real political advantage to either champions or opponents of the idea. That said, a review of Gallup polls conducted throughout the debate reveals five realities crucial to understanding public opinion on this issue. http://www.gallup.com/poll/123989/Americans-Healthcare-Reform-Five-Key-Realities.aspx?CSTS=tagrss http://www.gallup.com/poll/123989/Americans-Healthcare-Reform-Five-Key-Realities.aspx?CSTS=tagrss Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT