John Zogby: 'Is it all over for Obama?'
By Paul Bedard | July 2, 2014 | 9:44 am
Photo - President Obama is suffering from down in the dumps approval ratings. AP Photo
President Obama is suffering from down in the dumps approval ratings. AP Photo
President Obama's approval numbers are in the cellar, a new Quinnipiac University survey just dubbed him the worst president in six decades, so maybe it's no surprise that analyst and pollster John Zogby is asking: “Is it all over for him?”
Armed with new numbers that are depressing to an already deflated White House, Zogby on Wednesday found that most don't believe that Obama can lead the country and he compared the president to Bill Clinton following the Democrat's sweeping 1994 Congressional loss and when former White House Correspondent Brit Hume asked if Clinton was even relevant.
“Mr. Obama finds himself in the uncomfortable position where every age group, independents, and whites all agree that the public has given up on his ability to accomplish anything before the end of his term,” said Zogby in releasing his latest numbers.
“In short, we see a president in full salvage mode. He is not only racing for his legacy but for his relevancy,” Zogby added.
The analyst who pens a weekly report card on the president for Secrets, however, said that there is one positive in all of his polling: As much as Americans disapprove of Obama, they like Congress even less.
Some of his latest findings:
The President's support has dropped 2 points among men (44% to 42%); women 4 points (49% to 45%); 30-49 year olds (5 points, 51%-46%); Democrats (81% to 77%); independents 7 points (39% to 32%); liberals 7 points (83% to 76%); Hispanics 6 points (73% to 67%); African Americans 10 points (86% to 76%); and voters in union households 5 points (65% to 60%).
Those more likely to be ashamed of the president include Republicans (73%-11%) and conservatives (73%-11%); whites (46%-32%); both groups over 50 (50-64 year olds, 44%-39%, and those 65 and older (49%-36%).
We then presented respondents with the following statement:
Which statement comes closer to your view — Statement A or Statement B? Statement A: A recent poll showed that a majority of Americans think that President Obama is "unable to lead the country." One broadcast commentator said that the public is saying to the president that his presidency is over. Statement B: President Obama has been obstructed by Republicans on virtually every initiative he has supported, yet he has still accomplished a lot. He can continue to make progress on the environment, income inequality, foreign policy and job creation.
Almost half of voters nationwide agree with Statement A that the President currently "unable to lead" and that the "public is saying to the President that his presidency is over". Only 42% agree with Statement B that "still he has accomplished a lot… (and) can continue to make progress" on a number of initiatives. While the partisanship splits are predictable, Mr. Obama finds himself in the uncomfortable position where every age group, independents, and whites all agree that the public has given up on his ability to accomplish anything before the end of his term.
