President Barack Obama’s job approval ratings have been falling for the last 3-4 weeks. On average, the President’s approval rating no stands at about 57-58 percent compared to about 60-62 percent about a month back.
There have been many theories floated to explain this decline in preference measurement and job approval rating. For example, some have argued that the President’s policy prescriptions are too liberal for the country. Others have argued that the President’s agenda is too ambitious for the country to absorb in such a short time (Secretary Colin Powell was the most recent proponent of this possibility.) Yet others have argued that the country is not supportive of President’s massive health care reform (though all the preference measurements suggest that a majority of Americans support and trust the President on the health care reform). Finally, some have even suggested that the nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court may not have been well received (though all the polls suggest that the facts are to the contrary).
However, all these theories appear to be misplaced. The President’s job approval rating simply appears to be tracking the state of the U.S. economy. The initial hope of quicker recovery of the economy has now faded. Americans are beginning to realize that the weakness in the economy will persist for sometime. The high unemployment rate is also likely to persist and even increase some.
So as the Americans come to grip with this new but disapponting reality. And that sentiment is closely reflected on President’s job approval rating. Given the realities about the economy, the President’s job approval rating is likely to stagnate and even decline further.
That’s the business of leadership. But the President should not forsake his ambitious agenda be it health care or immigration or budgetary reform. Further, the President and his advisers have to examine if additional stimulus for the economy is necessary for a more expedited recovery.
Pollster.com has the best analysis of the direct and simple relationship between the President’s job approval rating and the state of the economy. Pollster.com link: Perceptions of President Obama and Economy
Tags: Job Approval Rating, Pollster.com, President Barack Obama, Secretary Colin Powell, U.S. Economy, U.S. recession
