Has Confidence in Pres.-elect Obama Declined?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In 12 days Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. He has huge challenges in front of him starting with the crumbling economy and two wars.
Is the honeymoon already over?
Hopes are high for him to turn things around and indications are that he will. According to a new Gallup Poll 65% of Americans are confident in President-elect Obama's ability to be a good President. This is down slightly from the 70% approval rating he had a week ago.
Last month a CNN Opinion poll found that 82% of Americans approved of how Obama is handling his transition.
Since returning from his Hawaiian vacation, Mr. Obama has encountered a couple of bumps in the road. The situation in Gaza (which he's stayed away from by deferring to President Bush), criticism of Leon Panetta as his choice for CIA Director, Bill Richardson withdrawing his nomination for Commerce Secretary, and official stats that the deficit is projected at more than $1.2 Trillion this year. All this before he's even moved into the Oval Office.
Here’s my question to you: Has your confidence in President-elect Barack Obama declined any since the election?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Connor from Chicago, Illinois writes:
I don't think confidence has declined. I think that reality has set in and people who didn't like Obama are starting to see reasons to like him a little, people who worshipped Obama are finding that he is not really a messianic figure who is going to sort everything out, and those of us who were in the middle are simply seeing the reality of an Obama administration: A lot of good ideas, untested results, and uncertainty all around.
Joan from Canada writes:
I am seeing a lot of support for Obama on the blogs. Those that oppose his plan don't seem to have any better suggestions and are being shot down pretty quickly by the others. It looks like you've got a winner.
JD from New Hampshire writes:
Absolutely not! This must be the media scandal du jour. Poor Obama hasn't even been sworn in and apparently, according to the talking heads, he's made a mess of his chance to lead the country. Give it a rest. Let's be optimistic for a change and maybe we can turn this country around. Obama is probably the most intelligent being to inhabit the White House and could be one of our very best leaders.
Jack from Princeton, New Jersey writes:
This guy will have the toughest job on the planet cleaning up after the carnage of Bush and the Republicans. He's exceeding expectations.
Dave from Saint Louis, Missouri writes:
Absolutely not! I had no confidence in him at all to begin with. He has no where to go but up.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
My confidence hasn't gone up or down since the election. I know he has a ton of crises to deal with, and that he's expected to do the impossible.
But didn't he do the impossible by getting elected?
Absolutely not!!!
Yes, only because the situation has become more dire. Wait a minute, it just got worse!! If it gets any worse G-d may suffer a loss in confidence. So far Obama has been as good as its been in a long, long time.
Nope. Not a bit. If fact, I am more confident in him now.
absolutely NO....he is doing fine job so far....we need to fix economy, for this immidiately pass STIMULUS package....Health care to all americans...is a must and ought!!!
protect environment pass energy efficient laws....
I am glad, i voted for him.....
when someone asked about gaza war...he told it is imprudent to discuss right now...excellent answer....I have full trust in him....jack...god bless you and our great nation, the USA.
I would say No! He has not had a chance yet to establish his policies and place his people in their places yet. We all need to wait until he does that before we look for fault.
I think it is way too early to make a judgement, lets give him a chance, he won't be president till Jan. 20.
I know the "Right wing nuts" would like to shoot him down now, like they tried with Bill Clinton. They failed then and they will fail now. Americans can only be fooled so many times. I hope I am right.
Jack,
No as a matter of fact he's doing better than what I thought. Joe Biden was so right the world will test him and man they have! But the sad thing is Bush the world and the country don't even care what he thinks.
Not my confidence in him. I think he's doing a great job.
Mississippi
I never had any confidence in him. All he has done since winning the election is prove that I was right to not have any.
I haven't had the opportunity to experience him as President. Why even ask the question?? But I can say he is trying to begin his Presidency in the right direction by choosing people to work with him
to clean up the present admistrations mess. I do feel confident that
President-elect Barak Obama will fix some of the economic problems
we have today. I personally would suggest to lower all prices throughout the nation and freeze them!
No, we got more confidence and felt proud of him
First, congress should not get salary increases, they above all people should agree to bypass the salary increase that they voted for. We don't get to vote for a salary increase, that is if we have a job at all. They answer to we the people but I think they have all forgotten that.
Also, if we don't need it, don't spend money on it, (Whatever it may be)
Absolutely not! This must be the media scandal du jour. Poor Obama hasn't even been sworn in and apparently – according to the talking heads – he's made a mess of his chance to lead the country. Give it a rest. Let's be optimistic for a change and maybe we can turn this country around. Obama is probably the most intelligent being to inhabit the White House and could be one of our very best leaders whether the media likes a happy story or not.
Probably, since Americans, at heart, are spoiled and juvenile, chafing at having their ready money and good times, interrupted! Here's an "upstart"...and, a "minority", at that...who tells them that there will be things akin to "suffering, ahead", and that we must all share the burden! This is where Europeans and Asians have it over Americans: they know what "lean times" are...they know that they must tighten their belts, in order to make it...they realize that the world does NOT owe them a living...and they know that the good times don't roll, forever! Now the inate smugness of Americans, as well as their tendency to be crybabies when they don't get what they want...must be set-aside, and the tough job of fixing all that has been neglected for so long, must begin...or we will all perish...period!
My confidence in President-Elect Obama has been high since I saw his reaction to the New Hampshire primary and increases with each cabinet appointment. He's an incredibly intelligent man who is surrounding himself with incredibly intelligent people.
Once Congress re-establishes it's pecking order we'll see how intelligent and they are.
yes. with the rick warren outrage, and hawkish picks for national security, the CIA guy, Brennan back in the picture, bill richardson and howard dean getting the boot, the picture is not coming together for a progressive agenda. on the upside, he did pick leon panetta to clean up the CIA. do i still support President Barack? yes. Is my confidence waning? yes. i must be honest. i still have hope ,tho.
My confidence in our new president has increased. This dude is not gonna play games. After taking entering the Oval Office he will take charge and do what is necessary to bring the economy under control and the office of the presidency to a state of where it was before Jan. 20, 2001.
Absolutely not! I had no confidence in him at all to begin with. He has no where to go but up!
NO.
Jack, my confidence in President Obama has risen since the election. He has assembled smart people and put them into positions where they can do the best for the country. He has laid out his plans on economic stimulus and other important positions all while creating government transparency and accepting feedback from the American people. I cannot wait until he is calling the shots.
Absolutely not. He will be great President!!!!
No, it has not. Obama is not yet in office. It isn't his place, nor his responsibility, to be commenting on Gaza or on anything else that is still the responsibility of the sitting president.
The criticism will be falling on Obama's head soon enough. It doesn't see fair to create negatives before he has had a chance to positive moves.
Molly from Tama, IA
No! If anthing, my confidence in him has increased. I base this on
his choices of cabinet members and other critical positions. His
honest, thoughful speeches and replies to the press indicate to
me that he is working 24/7 to resolve the many problems of the
country and it's people. Many people say "Well, he can't solve many
of the problems". Perhaps this may prove to be true but with the
many highly intelligent, knowledgeable people he has chosen to "run with"
the many problems, he'll get much accomplished.
Not at all. In fact, as I have watched him fill his top level positions and go through the transition process, I am more confident than ever that we elected exactly the right person at the right time (something we haven't always done as a nation).
Jack,
I'm starting to believe what the far right is saying about you guys... Stop trying to create drama over nothing; I think it's somewhat comendable that Obama stepping on Bush's toes during these last few weeks. (Did I just stand up for Bush? what has my world come to...)
The point is: In 2000 we wanted George W to stay as far away from the limelight as possible, prior to innaguration. Just because we actually LIKE Obama does not mean that we can get him in to office any sooner.
What was that line my mother always told me about virtues?
Jack
Barack Obama should have stayed in Illinois, he would have gotten more accomplished. He has become bogged down in Washington DC politics.
Good grief! The man hasn't even been sworn in yet.Shouldn"t we wait ?
Not from me. It will be a breath of fresh air to get a president who will tell us the truth instead of lying for a year and then tell us oh we are now in a recession. Please leave now Mr Bush. You are useless and always have been. Go back to Texas and cut brush.
Come on! The guy is not even in office yet. Give the man a chance before you start "nit picking". Hey Jack I thought you were better than that.
Todd Jamieson
New Brunswick Canada
My confidence in the president elect has not gone up or down. President elect Obama has not been sworn in, is not able to affect any policy foreign or domestic, and has, in my opinion, selected competent people to be members of his cabinet. I admit to voting for McCain but from what I have seen of Obama I am gaining confidence and faith in him. Could President-Elect Obama order Senator Reid to have a brain transplant? That way the good Senator Reid would at least have a brain. Can a majority leader be removed from the position of being a majority leader. Are the stitches from Senator Reid's lobotomy still visible?
Jack, I didn't vote for him in the first place, as I had no confidence. That hasn't changed. The bungles over Richardson, Panetta and Burris just show that we, sorry, YOU have elected an amatuer. Hopefully he's a quick learner, because the stakes go up exponentially in 12 days.
When some people were enamered with CHANGE – undefined, I said electing Obam was a crap shoot because we really did not know what to expect – we still don't know. I supported him when he was nominated because the choice was more of the same.
Not at all Jack! I like everyone else are "still in love" with the idea of what the next four years can bring. People are always saying "be carefull what you wish for" but in this case............
Not at all. Even though things have gotten worse since he was elected, I believe he's just the person we need to pull this country together and start our ascent back to prosperity. He's smart and deliberate and his cabinet and advisory choices seem to be well thought out. He's the first president-elect that I can remember who is accessible and seems to care what the citizens think. He actually communicates through the internet and asks for suggestions. I have more hope than ever that if anyone can get us out of the recession and out of Iraq, he's the one. He has a lot of work to do, but he'll be on duty 24-7. No clearning brush at the ranch for Obama.
Obama is not yet the President. How can anyone rate the job he is doing when he hasn't done it yet?
Isn't it a little early to be asking this question? Most people are allowed to start work before they get their first appraisal.
Allen
How could we possibly lose confidence in President-Elect Barack Obama when he has not even taken the oath of office. If anyone in this country or around the world thinks that they still have confidence in George Bush how could you possibly think that we would not have confidence in a man who graduate from Harvard at the top of his class and Bush came out near the bottom.
Stephen Butler
Pittsburgh, PA
Jack, no. What has happened is that the media have been treating him as if he were already the president since the election and have ignored Bush since that time. No one can expect Obama to solve the country's domestic and foreign policy issues overnight given the disastrous mismanagement by the Bush administration.
Everyone that voted for OBAMA still has confidence and HOPE>
Those that didn't are racist and the usual whiners!!!!!
I don't think so. The first post-election euphoria has worn off a bit. Give him a break–he hasn't even taken office yet. He seems to be taking all the right steps to start out strong.
Troy, Ohio
I maintain the same level of confidence in Preident-elect Obama. I have never expected him to be superhuman or a messiah. He will soon be faced with heavier responsibility than perhaps any past president or that any of os could bear let alone fully comprehend. Obama has shown us intelligence, diligence, strentgh, and determination. He has shown good judgement in choosing his staff.
Let us pray he can show us atleast equally good leadership during the next years!
No. I expected the impossible, and I still expect the impossible! But I'll settle for steps in the right direction. We've been off course for quite a while now, and it will take time to turn this ship around! I just hope we don't hit an iceberg in the meantime!
I don't know that confidence in him has decreased; it just seems like such a looong time that we must wait for him to take office and be able to start "our" work! It's like waiting sooo long for the election – I just want to get started! I wish Bush could have left office on Nov. 5th!
Nope. I am as happy with him as I was in November. I realize there will be some bumpy roads ahead of us, but I feel optimism and hope that wasn't there for a long time. We just need to give him some time, let him get everything organized.
No. My confidence in you has- since you're asking these dandy questions!! By the way did Wolfe really mean you are the problem in the SR?
How? He's not even in office yet! I think it took George Bush 8 years to screw everything up. I think giving Obama a year or two to judge him is about adequate. He's got more on his plate than an all you can eat crab at Red Lobster.
Wildwood Crest, NJ
The ephoria of the election has evaporated, turning Obama back into a real person. You can't cause much excitement by standing around waiting to get sworn in. The confidence is still there, but not the excitement.
NO I( don;t thing so
I fell in love with Barack Obama about two years ago after reading his book THE AUDACITY OF HOPE. I was attracted to the way the man thinks and he continues to show a depth and breadth of thinking that is awesome. I think that we chose the right man at the right time. If anyone can get us out of this mess, Barack Obama can. I guess you could say my confidence hasn't wavered even a smidgen – it grows the more I see and hear from him.
He's getting a little centrist for my taste, but my confidence in his ability is actually growing. He appears to be a man who will not be intimidated and is dedicated to solving problems. A good combination of traits for anyone, and especially fortunate for a person with immense power facing immense problems.
No – but there are certainly a lot of loud-mouth blow-hards all over TV trying to kill the hope.
Not at all Jack. The more he talks, the more secure I feel knowing that intelligence has returned to the White House.
My confidence has not declkined – it was nver very high, but I am hopeful.
My confidence in Obama has remained. My lack of confidence in the useless Democratic congressional leadership is at an all time high though.
I had no confidence before the election, during the election, and not surprisingly currently. I guess the answer would be No. It has not declined or diminished, it was never there in the first place. It is and will be politics as usual, and little or no change other than the occupants in the White House.
Of course not. I voted for him to get this country moving again. He
has made some great Cabinet picks and will hit the ground running
on Jan. 20. My confidence in him has gone up even higher with the
people he is picking. It's going to be a long hard fight to get things
moving but he is the man who will get it done. He is surrounding
himself with some of the nation's smartest people and that's what
we need. A government that works smarter for a change.
Confidence in President-elect Obama has not declined, in my opinion.
I don't recall any other incoming president working as hard at the transition as he and his team are.
Being able to ask questions, and read/vote on issues on their web-site, http://www.change.gov is another example of their initiative.
If he ends torture and rendition, the US will have made significant gains, not to mention apparent transparency.
No, my opinion of Obama remains unchanged. I didn't like him before and still don't. So, no change at all.
I am more impressed with Obama every day. It's kind of like watching Luke Skywalker learn how to use "The Force." I think we will all be amazed of the things he can accomplish.
No it has not, I think it has went even higher, and the republicans had better be lisenting to the american people and don't do anything stupied to go agaisnt this new President.
I am more impressed with Obama every day. It’s kind of like watching Luke Skywalker learn how to use “The Force.” I think we will all be amazed by the things he can accomplish.
My confidence in Barack Obama could not be higher. I have watched this country decline for the last eight years and I am definitely looking forward to the changes he plans to implement.
I am also looking forward to seeing the rest of the world looking to us for leadership instead of looking down on us. I, for one, am tired of being thought of as "The Ugly American".
The President Elect, has refused to even comment on Gaza because "there is only one president", He has refused to comment on Burris because "it is the Senate's business" He has refused to commnet on Blagovanich because of "on going investigation"
Yet he is willing to consistently beat down economic hopes by telling us how dire it is, and selling us on yet another .8 Trillion in spending on top of a 1.2 Trillion dollar budget deficit.
The PEOTUS has shown zero ability to lead, substituting his name on Bush's economic stimulus package is a verdict on Obama's abject failure to provide a better plan.
Yes, my confidence in his leadership has waned, and his nomination to head the CIA broke his promise not to hire people outside of their area of expertise, something he campaigned on, and has a pledge on his web site. Something he criticized Bush for at FEMA........
Same Game, Different Day, Different Party......
No Jack it hasn't. He is at least addressing the issues head on and not ducking the shoes that the press and other groups are throwing at him. The real acid test will be how does he handle himself with the economy, Iraq, and other groups like the thieves on Wall Street.
The President Elect, has refused to even comment on Gaza because “there is only one president”, He has refused to comment on Burris because “it is the Senate’s business” He has refused to commnet on Blagovanich because of “on going investigation”
Yet he is willing to consistently beat down economic hopes by telling us how dire it is, and selling us on yet another .8 Trillion in spending on top of a 1.2 Trillion dollar budget deficit.
The PEOTUS has shown zero ability to lead, substituting his name on Bush’s economic stimulus package is a verdict on Obama’s abject failure to provide a better plan.
Yes, my confidence in his leadership has waned, and his nomination to head the CIA broke his promise not to hire people outside of their area of expertise, something he campaigned on, and has a pledge on his web site. Something he criticized Bush for at FEMA……..
Same Game, Different Day, Different Party……
Jeff
Suwanee, Georga
No – I thought he was an empty suit during the election and he has not disappointed me.
I am more confident today that I voted for the right man then I was yesterday. With the speech that he gave on the economy today and the way he explain things I found it to be very refreshing. I am not used to having a president talking intelligently on what he feels needs to be done. I feel that this man is on top of things. I haven't felt that way in eight years.
Come on Jack, the question should be, has the nation lost it' confidence in the news media. Fred Livingston, Al.
Some of the luster has worn a bit. Since Obama hasn't actually assumed office yet this is understandable. But it seems he has done more in the last month and a half than the Bush administration and congress has done in the last eight years. It remains to be seen if can institute the things he would like to get done because of obstrucionists from the Republicans and from those within his party. He has an admirable vision but little or no political capital to invest in it.
I believe it is declining some and people are now seeing him for what he is (all blow and no-go). Of course being sixty one , twenty years in the military and coming from a poor beginning and never asking for a handout or food stamps in my entire life and being responsible i did not ask for them. I never believed his crap in the first place. You had to be an idiot to believe that (Hope and Change in the first place. All politicians are crooks and a lot of people will always vote for you when you promise them the moon free. As I said when he ran his hope and change bull, hope is a four letter word and change is a six letter word. Both mean nothing if you expect free handouts and accept no responsibility. You liberals thought the last eight years were bad get ready for hell for the next two years.
The Obama team has asked for a delay in the switch from analog to digital, talk about proactive, since the government coupons are on hold, and those most in need with analog signals would be impacted.
Unlike Katrina, consideration for the masses, not just big business and the rich what a difference and administration makes, and no my confidence is in tact.
Some of the luster has worn a bit. Since Obama hasn't actually assumed office yet this is understandable. But it seems he has done more in the last month and a half than the Bush administration and congress has done in the last eight years. It remains to be seen if can institute the things he would like to get done because of obstructionists from the Republicans and from those within his party. He has an admirable vision but little or no political capital to invest in it.
Other than filling positions in his cabinet Barack is still pretty much warming the bench. Once he’s in the game then I’ll start paying more attention. It’s kind of hard to pass judgment on a player who is still suiting up.
nope!..i am counting the days when bush is out..i still believe that president elect obama will do fine for the country..obama has to deal with national debt, two wars,housing crisis,healthcare,economy etc..alot is too much on his plate but i believe that he will make it and do what is best for the country..all media outlets need to chill and let him do his job first instead of criticizing as well whiny...
How can confidence in him decline? He is not even in office yet. Sheesh, give the kid a chance.
No, if anything he is doing better than I expected
Has my confidence in Barack Obama declined? Come on, the poor man isn't even President yet. I do not expect him to be perfect after he takes office and neither should anyone else. But I think he will be much better than anyone who has held that office in a very, very long time. So no, my confidence has not declined (it is pretty strong, in fact) but I am realistic given the dire situations our new President will face.
No, he cannot act until he takes office so its kinda early to be judging him. Not everyone one will agree with his decisions but hey, can it get any worse for you folks down there in the good old US of A?
No, I am still confident that he is the best person for the job of President at this time. It is going to take him longer to accomplish his goals than first thought, but I am rooting for him.
Not really, but some of my faith in Bush has been restored. He seems to know he isn't popularly wanted any more, so he's trying to make things easy for a seamless transition of power.
No Jack, my confidence in Obama hasn't declined. Just like in the Tom Cruise movie, Obama so far has "All the Right Moves."
Jack: No it hasn't.........my confidence in Obama will be determined after he is sworn in........that is when the rubber will meet the road and campaign promises are no longer valid--–Big "O" will have to prove himself with "action" and not "words."
Not here. We believe in him, in ourselves, in the American people and the capacity of the world to forgive. Downunder the Kiwis say, "She'll be right, mate."
Keep Bush on his bike and away from the option of further screw ups for 13 more days and then we'll start the clean up.
Not one iota.
This guy will have the toughest job on the planet cleaning up after the carnage of Bush and the Republicans.
He's exceeding expectations.
Jack R
Princeton NJ
No I have not lost confience in President-Elect Obama I just think people are coming to grips that it is going to take more than a week for him to correct the mistake that we as americans have at this moment.
Nope ;
Only when government is going to get to work and fix this mess. It wasn't this administrations doing but there are many there beholding to special interests who will fight tooth & nail not to change things . There is so much money to let the problems fester and not address the problems at hand fighting the dirty PAC money insurance industrty control of congress is going to be very tuff and this problem no no party or idology.
How could anyone have confidence in a man who actually has done nothing;promises sound good but taste lousy compared to a real meal;
no not at all. it is growing everyday, so far. it all looks good, lets hope the implementation process is still looking as good as the planning and transition process.
No, I leave all of the declining optimism to the pundits, and the media. I remember something that my father once told me. "Not even Jesus Christ could win a National election unless he was either a Republican, or a Democrat". He also said that "the media can, and would always find something to question HIM about". What we should all do instead of questioning Obams loyalty, maybe we should just take a very good look at our own. I'm sure of one thing, and that is that Obama can, and will do a lot more good for our country, than any of us will. I know that is hard to believe after the last eight years, but lets give this man a chance before we bury him.
Yes, everytime I hear, "Obama sells his stimulus package." I think of Obama trying to sell a taxpayer crack. This "Stimulus Package" needs to be called exactly what it is. A "State Government Bailout Package" and the entire concept should be shelved, ASAP.
The first step to getting out of a hole is to STOP digging.
I haven`t geven up on him completly yet, but i am highly dissapointed. Useing his own words, i think we have been "bamboozeld". If you wan`t change, the "change we need" it can not possibly come from the center. Already, we are seeing rotten apples fall from the tree. Times are too dire to be picking players from the same old loosing team. I don`t wan`t this to sound raceist, but we needed to change more than just the color of the president`s skin.
I'm afraid that words being translated into action will leave us all thinking we just missed the bus. But, the best of luck to him.
NO Jack! My confidence in President-elect Barack Obama have gotten stronger.
Hubie Nelson Bartom, MS
Since I didn't have any confidence in him before the election, I don't think it could decline any further!
No, not at all. Obama's stuck between a rock and a hard place, damned if he does, damned if he doesn't say something. President's have Christmas lists, you'll never get all you want. On the 20th he'll begin to have the discretion to adjust the course of the country, not before.
I'm not sure about Obama, but I call tell you that my confidence in President Bush declined every since the economy fell in the toilet. And my confidence for him was already at about 0.1 percent, so that's saying something.
Jack,
The Republican naysayers are just warming up. Despite their current warm and fuzzy appearance of cooperation they have to drag him as low as they can before the elections in 2010 or they become an extinct irrelevant party. Stand by!
Only in one area: his decision to invite Rev. Warren to the inauguration makes me question Obama's commitment to equal rights for gays and lesbians. Otherwise, I still have the same confidence I had in Obama at the time I voted for him in November.
Not at all.
Everything he's done is precisely like he said he would do. We don't expect miracles–but we do expect: engagement, collaboration, compromise for the common good, and open government–and so far he's going out of his way to make sure he delivers.
Jack:
After the last eight years I am just glad we have a leader coming into the White House. I am still confident that Obama will do all he can to start turning the country in the right direction. Since he hasn't even taken the oath of office yet, I think we should give him at least three or four months in office before we talk about losing confidence. We didn't get in to the mess we find ourselves in overnight and we won't get out of it overnight either.
my personal confidence in President-elect Barack Obama is still high BUT with "Hands Up Harry" Reid running the Senate and "Citizen Nancy" Pelosi running the Congress, my confidence that he will actually be able to implement his programs has gone down substantially.
I fear we will see that same old partisan politics of the last two decades between the "RepubliCAN'Ts" and the "DUMBocrates".
How can you really have confidence in someone that really hasn't "done" anything yet. He said all the right things in the election. The amercian people may realize now he may not be able to "walk the walk"
Chaska, MN
not to me, I'm more affraid of congress,Harry Reid and Nancy are so arrogant,
Not in my house. He is the most grounded and rational person I have ever encountered. If he fails to accomplish his goals for this country it will be because of those who choose to obstruct his efforts.
Not at all Jack. For one thing he hasn't even taken the oath yet and beyond that he's doing what this administration hasn't and that is to make this country a priority and communicate to the people what the problems are and the steps needed to get this economy back on track.
As long as he makes this country and its citizens his priority and doesn't get lost in the land of reality he'll have my support because he's about to have four very bad years.
Mine has not! The poor man can't even sit still for a minute with all he has accomplished since winning the election! Plus trying hard to jump start the economy until he ran into the Congress!!!!!! No I trust and believe in him and I hope others do too!
Yes. And it has declined dramatically. He's appointing people to his administration who are responsible for a good portion of the economic mess we're in now. He wants to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He voted to give taxpayer money to filthy rich people. He's proposing tax cuts for filthy rich people. He's promising millions of jobs and stimulus money to millions of Americans without telling us where this money is coming from. And, he has not said one word about Isreal's annialation of Gaza. So, it looks like business as usual. Nothing will change. We're doomed.
I don't think so. If I am wrong, it would be like "putting the cart before the horse" or counting him out even before he has a chance to began the race.
No, my confidence has increased. I'm looking forward to Obama being an FDR like leader that we haven't seen, nor needed more, since the great depression.
I am more impressed with him now than I was when I voted for him. He is intelligent enough to know a real crisis from a media circus created crisis and, I might add that so are most Americans. The question is, is the media intelligent enough to realize that just because they are pushing for ratings, that we, the people are more interested in what is actually happening that will affect us? "It's the economy stupid !" If the media actually read the comments on some of the blogs of the rediculous postings they put up for us to respond to, they would note that they are being attacked for the stupidity of the post as much or more so than what the post is about. Not you, Jack, your posts are at least more relevant than most.
No, from where I sit, polls show his approval rating at 82%. I don't recall any past Pres. Elect with a comparable rating, not even JFK. Mr. Obama has not yet taken the oath of office and people are all over the place, jumping up and down already. Give him a break. He's doing a magnificent job with his transition teams. He's allowing the current idiot/occupant of the white house space to be the "one-presient-at-a-time. We should all take a lesson from Mr. Obama: stay cool, sit down, shut-up and listen.
he is being faced with realities now and he is now seeing the difference between campaign talk and realities. america will appreciate bush oneday. he kept us safe after 9/11.
Nope, we can't assess someone that hasn't had the reigns. Keep the faith Jack this man has good ideas and knows how to implement them
Well, Jack, from what I hear from family and friends, no. We are all waiting for President-elect Obama to take office and begin to lead. And no one who voted for Barack Obama believes it will be EASY..... no.
Thanks to George W. Bush, we are facing an enormous, nightmare of an economic problem! Not only the Bush...... double... our National debt, we are continuing to spend ...... $10 billion a month in Iraq!
We need to stop, and take care of our Nation first. This includes NO MORE AID TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
My confidence in the president elect hasn't wavered. However, I can understand how the deteriorating economy and his lack of any real power during the transition, as well as the sitting president's mishandling, has taken it's toll on some people. It's unavoidable because of the way the system is set up.
I am seeing a lot of support for Obama on the blogs. Those that oppose his plan don't seem to have any better suggestions and are being shot down pretty quickly by theothers. It looks like you've got a winner.
Joan
Canada
Of course not the question should be has things got worse a definite yes. Another question is do we have an alternative to Obama maybe we should turn to someone like our yes man Kyl I don't think so. I say just try to relax as much as possible and hold on for a bumpy ride.
L.M.,Arizona
How would we know, Jack? Its only fair to at least let him be sworn in
first.
Jack
I cast my independent vote for President Obama. His speeches and choices for his aides and cabinet members have confirmed my choice as the best possible. Yes We Can!
Jack Martin, Boynton Beach Florida
Never Never Never not after the 8 years we just had.....look at the numbers, Jack.
He's suffering from overexposure in the press as supply is exceeding demand. His economic master plan is being questioned: No catch word to describe it, like "Let's Rebuild America!" Too much reliance on government spending on maintenance intrastructure. Too little on re-industrilization. You need at least a $1 trillion dollar plan ($550 to $750 villion is too small). Too much on tax cuts that well end up buying Chinese goods. Too little on telling the Chinese you buy our stuff or we won't have the jobs and income to buy our stuff in the future. Ralph, Yakima, Wa.
Cut the guy some slack, Jack ... he's not even in yet! Jeez.
Obama is a brilliant, articulate, thoughtful and compassionate man, but he doesn't walk on water. I suspect the first two years of his administration will be rough, as he tries to undo the carnage of the last eight years. If Americans are willing to starting thinking in terms of "we" instead of "me," and show that we can work together and meet President Obama halfway for the greater good, then I feel he will go down in history as one of the most remarkable Presidents ever. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't have voted for him.
I don't believe that MY feelings have changed concerning Mr.Obama's qualitications, and intelligence. I believe he will tell us the "truth", unlike the past 8 years. I also hope all the 24 hour newsnetworks will give him a break and stop trying to second guess his intentions. We all have to realize that we now have a intelligent, qualified person who will lead us through the next 4 years. One who we can believe in and admire. What a change over the last 8 years of President Bush, and Cheney. We will all have to learn to trust again.
Jack,
I do not think confidence in President-Elect Obama has declined. I've seen more leadership from Obama since his election than I ever saw in eight years from President Bush. The big difference is that Obama is working on the "peoples agenda" not his own.
Robert
Forest, VA
I'm waiting for him to actually complete something before I judge him and I'm not holding my breath. This is the worst condition I or my parents have seen in our US history. Which goes back to before the great depression. We have always had scoundrel's running our country and big business but today there are to many to count.
My confidence in the President-elect continues to rise, while my confidence in Congress continues to diminish. It's starting to look like the captain has a mutiny on his hands, before the ship ever leaves the harbor. It is a real shame that such capable man will have to preside over such a dysfunctional government.
President-elect Barack Obama needs to do something before we can access his presidency. One can't lose confidence this early in the political game. He simply needs to match actions with his rhetoric.
My confidence in Obama is not eroded in the least. I'm still holding my breath in hopes we can survive the current bunch of dolts. They may have one more major screw-up left in them. And by the way, that whole notion that daddy Bush want his OTHER son to be president is horse manure. The Bushes have done our nation enormous damage. They should consider themselves lucky to leave office with whatever dignity they can and leave it at that. History is going to paint a very bleak Bush family legacy.
Gee Jack, would it be alright if he takes office before the press starts polling and slamming the guy? Do you think this mess took a few days to make? Far as I can see all that trickle down economics only trickled us into the toilet, hopfully Obama's going to bring a big plunger with him, until he does something as stupid as Bush, I'd say he's going to work out.
Obama has no experience. It's begining to show. The People got snookered by the liberal press. We need to give him a chance, we'll see how he does. After he screws up big time, we need to bring back Bush, Jeb Bush that is in 2012.
No my confidence in PE Obama has not gone down. Today's speech showed an accurate and courageous analysis of where the economy stands and how it got there. It is the total package of his stimulous plan, his close overhaul of the budget and his apt. of strong people to begin to implement reasonable oversight of fanancial institutions.
It is the press' and Congress' inability to see the big picture that perhaps going to bring his vision down. Congress on both sides of the aisle are now back to their partisan politics ignoring the fact that nothing gets done without compromise and that the American voters voted for bipartisan action.
Listening to President-elect Obama, today only reinforced my belief in this intelligent person and his ability to lead this country. He will lead this nation in the correct direction. The one thing he says is that it will not be easy; however with hard work and working together we as a nation will come back.
Well i think that he is being viewed as someone already in the oval office. What he says and dose effects everything and everyone. Lay off the dude!
If we constantly listen to the media harp on the pollsters numbers, we can only hear a noisy buzz instead of perspective. Obama's up 3 points, down 4 points, up 6 points ad nauseum. Understanding his proposals and goals, as in anything else, requires stepping back and observing over a period of time. My perspective shows he's doing great from campaigning through organizing his administaration. I plan to give him a few months at least before I make another judgement.
It hasn't declined any. From the moment he was elected it was obvious that Republicans would throw up as many roadblocks as possible to make his job more difficult. And, despite progress made in this country, there are still racists that will try any number of things to deter him. Ending slavery was one thing but it doesn't change the hysterical thinking and prejudice of some people.
No, I have every confidence in him. Obama is the one with the brains in the outfit. I have to say though that when it comes to some of the input he is getting from Pelosi, Feinstein, Reid, McConnell and others, he may want to wear the "I'm with Stupid" T-shirt instead of his customary silk and wool tailored suits.
No. Those who think that Obama has not done enough should remember that he is not yet president and that George Bush has nine days left and could do more than issue new regulations and pardons. Put the pressure where it belongs.
EJM Granville Ohio
No. While I don't agree with everything or everyone that he has done or appointed, I still feel that he can make a huge differenct in how things are done. The transition has gone very well and he has used sound judgement (Richardson and possibly Panetta not-withstanding). Besdies, as you say, he's not even president yet.
It has because of his choice of, CNN's favorite son, Dr. Sanjay Gupta as Surgeon General. He appears to be the status quo of the medical industry. He appears to oppose alternative medicine, vitamins, herbs and suppliments. He appears to approve of the pharmaceutical corporations, surgery, doctor power (including no-fault medical practice) eating any and all "food stuffs", including all of the chemicals used to produce these "food stuffs". It looks like more power for the medical industry and less for the consumer.
NO, you can not rate a person until he assumes his job. the rating system is just a way to create division among the people of this country.
Not at all, Jack – the president-elect is human like the majority of us & will not do everything perfect nor will he be able to please everyone. He hasn't even taken office yet & we're worried about his approval rating dropping????? Considering where the Current administration's approval numbers are, Obama's numbers look really good!
Nope, still confident but wary. I call it being realistic.
NO !!! The more I here PEO the more I'm impressed.
Hey Jack....his actual poll numbers aren't down.....the 5 % that he "lost" is actually because more middle class people lost their jobs and can't afford a phone.
The rich, white, old folks (the McCain Base) are still doing very well.
With all the problems our country faces now, especially with a declining economy, jobs, etc. and President-elect Obama still wants this job, makes me more confident he is the man for the job.
Not at all. What has happened is that our perception of how bad things really are is becoming more accurate. I don't know who could actually fix all our current problems. I believe he will rise to the challenges with grace and dignity, which is all we could ask of any president, and is less than we have had for the last eight years.
I have always been skeptical that Barack Obama can single-handedly take on a congress that overwhelmingly represents their corporate contributors over their constituents. Obama will need to come to the people regularly and often to build public support for his policies. And he will need to spotlight those who stand in his way. I hope he does. He will find us out here waiting and willing to help him help ourselves.
My confidence in Obama has NOT declined though the mess that Bush is leaving for us all keeps getting worse. It's hard to see how any mortal can dig us out.. Like Obama says, we'll have to all work together.
Too bad Bush is not required to clean up his mess before he leaves. There should be some punishment for Bush for all he has done to this great nation.
The way things have been going down the tubes for the past six months I'm not sure I'd have confidence in anyone turning this country around. It will be a long haul and a lot of work and the biggest hurdle will be petty politics as usual and Congress has already shown plenty of that since the election.
president elect should ask the american people to write, call or email there respective sen. and rep and let them know they want them to put there egos away and get to work on solving the big econ. problem. quit fighting and get busy.
Obama told us that, we might not like some of the things we hear but, he would be totally honest to the American people. I have full confidence with his vision, and this is part of the new politics that is going to take place in Washington and move America forward cautiously!
I was disappointed with president elect Obama's speech. I was hoping to hear more about the working class people. Such as unempolyment benefits and keeping american jobs in the USA.
I was just laid off from my job its going to INDIA (go figure). I can not collect unemployment benefits because I'm entiled to severence. This rule varies from state to state. This stinks. I guess I have to tell the bill collectors I can pay because I'm not entiled to my money I worked for.
Hi Jack,
my confidence has actually been confirmed because of his handling of the transition and the nominations!
Jack: Not only no, but hell no. The confidence is with the Obama Administration. There is no confidence in Congress or Wall Street has we move over the next couple of years. The people of this nation want a tax cut that will be large enough to move the economy, and jobs for themselves and their children. Business needs a 10% cut in the corporate tax. I believe anyone or any organization that gets in the way will be swept under the rug of history.
John
Alabama
Jack – How can you ask this question already? He is already using one word I like that I never heard out of the Bush Administration. Execution. Get er done!
not with me i trust him 1000 times more than DUBA. and he hasnt even took office. Glen,Ky
Nope.
I will try on this one.,.,. You have show the people.... Not just talk...
You have to get involved yourself, not tell other's.. Mr Bush Jnr did his best.... You show by doing..... I give you 20$ for aone Race at Arlington.... You come back with a Profit your a winner...
Hi Jack,
forgot to add..there will always be bumps on the road ahead but how we handle these bumps makes the difference in people having continued trust in their President!
No. Why don't we give him a chance to take office and settle in before we start the disapproval ratings. I think after giving Bush 8 years in office before we decided to disapprove of him we should give Obama at least a week.
Dear Jack,
I find your question disturbing. You will no doubt now have many people questioning their opinion of Mr. Obama. Why must the MSM always attempt to stir up controversy? Oh, I know – ratings and viewership.
The man isn't president yet, and he has to walk a very fine until he is.Give him a break, can't you? This question would be more relevant in a years time.
Allison Sloan
Vancouver, B.C.
Are you serious? No. It has not decreased.
Stop asking stupid questions and be thankful that after 8 long years we're about to get a President that doesn't need to go see the Wizard and get a brain.
Nope, he hasn't had the chance to do anything.... until he makes some decisions and we see if they work give him the benefit of the doubt... hell we gave Bush 8 years... how'd that go....
No, I'm more confident than ever being a former community organizer will give him the skills to help the country. President-elect knows about helping the disadvantaged and right about now that applies to most of the country.
Jack, not at all. My fear is the rest of government. He seems to have a realistic handle on what's going on. The republicans are still trying to sell the old policies that didn't work and got us in this mess and democrats still are afraid to take the big step to make things happen. Hopefully Obama can use all his great skills to wake all these guys up to start bringing this country back. Obama is our best hope so I'm giving him a wide berth. As far as mistakes, he is still human and as long as they are little mistakes I can live with them. So far they are.
Not yet. He's not President yet. So far he seems to still be saying all of the right things. But, until January 20 and there after, we won't know if he'll deliver. And let's not hold him to that stupid 'First 100 Days' model. Our problems are much more serious than any President and Congress have faced since the great depression. Anyone that thinks we'll get intelligent answers and responses to these problems in 100 days is full of BS.
NO if anything it has risen. When you look at what he has accomplished in the short time since he has been elected it is more than Congress did in the past 8 years! And the outgoing (thank god) president's accomplishments are shameful. He was silent about the economy he is leaving to Obama and the American people. Obama listens to people, plans his strategy, gets the necessary input and information he needs before he finalizes his plans. What a refreshing change and most americans I have talked to (including republicans) are very pleased with what he has done in such a short time.
I think everybody wants to have someone to blame if things dont work. However nobody wants to take the blame for the problem that made us need such an urgent solution in the first place.
The American public is being to realize that Obama is a creation of his handlers and the Mainstream Media.
Now that the luster is wearing off of Obama, Americans are now seeing that he's a typical politician that parses words and goes back on promises when they are no longer convenient.
At the end of four years, history will not be kind to Obama.
Ever sincer Obama turned up to vote on the Senate floor to let the telecommunications industry off the hook for illegal spying, my confidence in Obama has been diminished. That said, I do not have any confidence that there is any person better equipped to deal with the mess Bush/Cheney have left the American people. Obama is carrying all the hope of a nation on his shoulders. He deserves our full support and that of our congress and anyone who criticizes him or his ideas needs to first put forth a better one or shut up.
Jack from Broomfield, Colorado comments:
Yes, some of the confidence has declined. After reviewing Obama's appointees, the voting public now realizes that Obama's idea of CHANGE is really just a different adminstration, not a revoltionary new approach to governing the country. And the tone of Obama's speeches (like todays) smacks of lecturing, reprimands and doom's day phrophecy. Obama's salesmanship is less impressive than pitches overheard on Chrysler Showroom floors.
Not with me. I would rather base my opinion on what he does once he actually takes office and has some official power. Hopefully he can get enough egotistical politicians (republicans and democrats) to at least try to work together. Bush didn't even try – he was the "decider".
My confidence in Barack Obama hasn't declined: if anyone can solve it, he will.
It's my confidence that anyone can solve it that has declined.
As a Canadian, I like what I see and hear with Obama and I wish I could vote because it is soooo important for us Canadians also. If the USA is in a mess so are we. Obama cannot do it alone and he needs help from everyone even us people from the North.
The politicians should leave old dirty politics aside, for once, forget about their own gains and work with Obama and the rest of the Country in order to climb over the bumps he is encountering and will for a while still.
I think perhaps the public is awakening to the incredible difficulty of getting the Reid – Pelosi congress to do ANYTHING. The horrible stench of the leadership in congress is wasfting over to the Obama camp and the public is confusing the source. It will get worse.
A bit.
No. If anything it has gotten stronger. He witheld comment about the Gaza situation even when Reporters tryed pressuring him into making a comment. To me this shows respect for the Office of the President.
Congress, yes. Obama, no.
My confidence in Obama is as strong as when I placed a vote for him. He has everything I want in a chief executive – brains, education, common sense, truthfulness and good old horse-sense. After eight years of George Bush, Obama is a gift from heaven. If I learn that the Republican senator from my home state of North Carolina, Richard Burr, is in any way standing in the way of Obama's recovery plan, I will do everything in my power to be sure he is defeated in the 2010 election even standing with a sign on Raleigh's main street urging my fellow citizens to vote him out of the senate permanently.
Valerie
Although my election buzz has ebbed somewhat during this electio period, I am willing to hitchike to Washington DC and stay awake for 72 hours straight to see the inauguration if I must! I think this may mean that my confidence in Obama is at an all time high because each day that passes is a day closer to Obama actually being THE PRESIDENT!
Jack, President-Elect Obama was and still is the best possible person who will take America into the 21st century. Obama did'nt create this mess but he's committed to cleaning it up. I have all the confidence in the world in his ability to get the job done. We should all get behind the new Preident-Elect because America does not have the time to play games with it's future.
My confidence in Obama hasn't gone down, I think I have always had a realistic grasp of who he is. What I am losing confidence in is the American public. Why are we still building one-family homes with garages bigger than an entire ranch house? There are no more do-overs, no more bail-outs, it's time to suck it up and start living smart. This is one man, he can't save a sinking ship on his own. It is easy to jump ship with a life vest, but what about learning how to swim?
I don't know if it's a loss of confidence in President-elect Obama as much as a fear or loss of confidence in any one person being able to turn around this economic crisis any time soon. Every day that passes with Bush in office, doing nothing but whining about his legacy, we get further to the edge of the cliff and our anxiety is rising. Obama is a smart man, but he's not a magician or Superman.
No,absolutely not. Welcome back Jack! Just returned from visiting the grandchildren so, I'll be answering your questions every day again. Always look forward to you and Wolf.
Obama seems to be on the same page as Bush. Bailouts and big government spending. And i don't recall Obama speaking too much about trillion dollar deficits being the norm during his campaigning. Obama has only changed the faces of our leaders, not the ideas. Obama has been a real disappointment. He refuses to comment on the situation in the middle east, but has been fully weighing in on the economic crisis. Obama is teetering on a thin balance beam already and is almost falling off of it.
Obama has been handled the proverbial kettle of fish, almost dead fish in this case! Even FDR had many things going for himself before he took office such as a bottoming effect within the stock market and so forth. Things will get worse before things get better with Obama. Given that great names in investment have gone under certainly is no great honor for Bush nor something that Obama should have to inherit, but inherit it he must! You have to give him time before negativity enters into his assessment, given that Bush wouldn't even allow the president-elect to live in Blair House, maybe due to prejudices within the Bush administration that had Australia's ex-leader Howard staying there AFTER the original Obama request was made.
It has not declined because he isn't in office yet. You can't penalize a person when he hasn't authorized anything yet. He must have the authority alone with implementation before we can judge him.
No, he still has my complete confidence. He's only had about two months to fill his cabinet and other high-ranking positions, so there were bound to be a few snags. When he finally gets into the Oval Office, rolls up his sleeves, and starts to clean up Bush's mess, all of this will seem like ancient history.
Confidence in Obama hasn't declined. Its just that politicians and the media who have been so acquiescent to the Bush administration have finally decided to be as critical as they can.
I'm sure it'll be that way throughout his admimnistration, but voters –this time– will see through it again.
Jack,
Ridiculous! Only those who had unrealistic expectations from the beginning could be anything but impressed with the way he continues to handle himself. We don't need another snake oil salesman. We need a patient, hard-nosed leader who is capable of articulating a strategy for recovery and inspiring the nation to support that strategy. Obama continues to say the right things and hire the right people. My confidence in him increases by the day.
Jim
Reno, Nevada
If it has it isn't because of anything he has done as president-elect or president as he is not the president yet and is not in office. If it has declined it is because of ignorance and a racist attitude which we keep trying to deny exists in America.
Thom
Negaunee, MI
Jack, I’ve lost confidence in Obama actually being a democrat. Of course democrats are famously spineless, constantly caving in to republican hissy fits and bullying, so maybe I'm jumping too fast.
No, I decided I'd wait until Barack Obama is the president to decide whether or not I approve of how good a job he is doing as the president. I mean, my goodness.
My confidence has declined somewhat as a result of the appointment of Leon Panetta. Is this a political move to please the Clinton's? If not it is really a questionable selection. This is like taking someone who has flown as a passenger in a jet and making them the commander of the space shuttle. BAD BAD Move. The other issues are Bush leave behinds and we are finally getting the TRUTH.
Why should it? Barack has not been sworn in to the office of The President of the United States yet. Give the man a chance for God sake!
No
Personally I have more confidence in his judgement.
NO, but my distrust for the congress, and senate has gone off the map...
Too early to tell. He hasn't had the chance to really do anything yet. m Dubya hasn't finished with his envirionmental trashing yet.
Jeez, he's not even president yet! Everyone should stop criticizing and stop praising him for the work he hasn't done yet. Wait until he's in the white house!
Not in the least. He is doing just what he said he would do repeating more than once that it would not be easy nor would it happen quickly. Our country is in a very bad place & it is going to take someone with an awful lot of courage to fix things and it takes courage to request the enormous amounts of money that Barack is requesting.
I remain confident that Barack Obama is the best possible choice to lead our country through all the many challenges we face. I think too many people are judging him as if he were already president when he is in fact still locked into the November 4th to January 20th twilight zone.
H. E. Double tooth pick NO!! Every day I see Obama in action, I grow more confident in his ability to lead our country and to help us all as Americans to reach the true potential of this country. Wow. He's everything advertised and a bag of chips. Can he just start tomorrow?? Please??!!
No. I think President elect Obama is handling things properly. 1. He is right in deferring the Gaza situation to the present president (George W. Bush) until he is officially sworn. 2. He voiced his opinion over the Illinois senate seat, but he is leaving the matter at hand to the officials in charge of dealing with it. 3. Addressing his economic plan, is just that (an address). Nothing can take place until 01-21-2009 but at least the house and senate knows his plans and can gauge the expectations of the American People. Since he laid it out so well, it puts the ball in congress's court.
No. My confidence in the soon to be President Obama has not declined..at least not yet. He looks determined to do the right thing that said, the only thing that would disappoint me if he doesn't deliver and i doubt Obama would want to put himself in that type of situation. Obama will do great. I know it.
Hi Jack,
Barack Obama has a lot on his plate. He nor President Bush can do anything about the situation in Gaza. Bush is a lame duck, and Obama doesn't have control yet. Until Obama takes the rungs of power, no one can have the ground to distrust him anymore.
No. I still believe he is the only person who can pull off any kind of economic help for all of us. He seems to have approached this insurmountable task with much thought. He's not one to run around like Chicken Little crying that the sky is falling, rather he gives things their due consideration and then procedes with a plan. I can go for plans. Granted, plans don't always work out, but you can always see what went wrong and change the plan – something we didn't see much of in the last administration.
NO! If nothing else it has improved. Even the republicans are starting to look up to him for help!!
I hear Obama saying things that I've thought for years, but never heard a politician saying. Just one example, today he talked about the paradox of there being so many people who need good jobs, while there is so much in America that desperately needs to be done. I alway used to wonder if politicians knew things like this.............
No, its improved. He keeps showing how incompetent the current president is by not being incompetent and that is a plus in my book. He was always tops with me but he is even more so as time passes. It’s too bad he couldn’ have taken over about December 1.
No, He is only starting to get his plan put before the public. He won't be President until January 20, 2009 and people are thinking that he has not made anything happen yet. Wait until he can sign bills and ask Congress to act on his plans. I think he has one of the toughest acts to clean up after than anyone in the past has had to deal with. The Bush Administration is attempting to place all kinds of tricks in the parh of a successful Obama administration that they can by changing Regulations and Altering procedures in order to complicate the work of the next Administration. They are being disgraceful and how any Republican can take pride in that is more than I can understand.
Jack, are you nuts? The man hasn't even taken office yet.
The news is full of what President-elect Obama says, thinks, and does. Never in my 38 years since becoming a voter (21 way back then), do I remember any president-elect being such an important figure. Everyone is waiting for Barack Obama to be sworn in as president. Why would anyone think that our confidence had declined?
My confidence in our President Elect is growing every day. I am worried about if his confidence in the American people is warranted. I hope that the citizens of this country will take what he says to heart and start changing things that need to be changed from the ground up. We were on a collision course with this crash. Many things need to be changed at the grass roots level.
Not at all. The guy's not even President yet and people are already trying lay all the world's problems on his shoulders and measure his performance. I think he's done pretty well for a guy who hasn't even been sworn in yet.
No , actually it has gone up . I am a republican and did not vote for Obama. However I have been impressed with a lot of things he has said and the way he has conducted himself since the election. Now if he can just get the idiots Reid and Pelosi and the rest of congress to start working together like mature adults they just might be able to accomplish something.
I think Obama is doing a wonderful job as President-Elect. It's Congress that's all over the place giving Mr. Obama a hard time. Congress better get their act together and help Obama do what he was elected to do and that is clean up this mess left by Bush and the rest of the Washington croonies who sat around and did nothing.
I don't think so. He is confronting and soon will have responsibility for issues that are so huge and complex the average American's head would explode from the stress of dealing with them. It's going to take a long time to fix and that's if everything goes right.
Maybe some people are coming to the realization that Obama is not the miracle angel, or "the one", they thought he was.
No as a matter of fact it's grown when he speaks to the people you can see and hear that he has the intelligence to understand the problems that we face and he has a plan of action to solve our problems and most important he is being honest and sincere with us.
Absolutely not Jack. Running a tight and disciplined campaign is light years away from running a decimated government in which every sector has been devastated by the Bush Administration and shattered by partisan fighting, obstructionism and Abramoff-styled corruption.
Between two wars, the nightmare in Gaza, the busted economy and difficult, megalomaniacal Congress people, I would not be surprised if President Elect Obama sometimes wonders why on earth he signed on for the job. The pay grade certainly is not commensurate with the seven day a week, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year work load. Not to mention millions of bosses (we-the-voters) who want everything fixed yesterday.
If anything, President-Elect Obama has my sympathy, understanding and patience.
The euphoria of the successful campaign is yielding to the harsh light of day. Pres.-elect Obama has been honest regarding the economy. I appreciate his candor as his bipartisan team of experts work towards possible solutions and I remain confident that his team will find a reality-based path to a better economic future. People need to give Obama a chance and keep things in perspective. FDR is lauded for handling the Great Depression which lasted almost a decade!
Alex in Seattle
I would definitely say no. Obama has already began taking initiative, winning over supporters who prior to November 4th, did not support him. If anything, we have gained confidence. His stance on the economy, the nations most popular issue, has already begun to strike assurance in the president-elect's constituents. With that being said, Obama has a lot on the line with this plan. His credibility and popularity relies a lot on this issue, dictating his support in the future.
Willie Brewster
Mississippi State, MS
NO JACK! If any my confident has grown because Obama will be President on 1/20/09 and he's working his butt off NOW to get this country back on the right track!. He is doing more in the few weeks since the election then President Bush has done in his 8 years and its despicable for any sitting President to walk away free & clear after the lies about invading Iraq AND allowing this economy to fester for years culminating to the crisis America is in today & will be for years!!! I wish PE Obama ALL the blessings I because he sure is going to need it.
We are feed up with the same cynics that have either could the problems that we are currently in, or these who has remain silent why it were being done. Please forgive me for saying this Jack, but the hell with their opinion on this matter!
Jack,
Its like playing Boomer Sooner every day since November 4th. Everyday Obama scores a touchdown with his confidence, patience and diplomacy as he addresses the American people. His knowledge of the game is unbelievable!! He will bring a National Championship to our country. And you don't even have to be a Sooner fan to believe in this.
Go Sooners!!!
No, though my confidence in the congress has gotten even lower. The constant fight between parties is annoying at this time of his history. Noone has presented a plan from the Republican side, why complain?
Are you kidding, Jack? My confidence level was at Zero during the campaign and on Election Day because I took time to study the candidates, their positions, and the promises they broke so I don't see how my confidence level could drop any lower. The bright side is that it can only rise, that is, if President Obama does anything that is positive during his first administration.
Brownwood, Texas
NO! Now you guys quit pickin' at it, or it will never heal!!!
No but I wish he would remind the country that the Republicans got us into this Trilllion dollar mess whenever one whines about the Trillion $ rescue A Trillion dollars did not seem like much to them when they were spending it. And what's with John Kerry? Where is this idea of supporting our Democratic president gone? What is he doing, an upstage, sore grapes, ????? Peg
from Chocorua NH
No.
Jack As A Democrat My answer to this question is simple NO.it is stronger than ever.
Ronald Holst
San Antonio
TX.
No...he's not the president yet but he is obviously more refreshing than the present President!
I haven't really had a lot of confidence in him to begin with...so I can't really say it's declining. With the deficit at 1.2 trillion and he's still willing to cut taxes...? Where is the revenue going to come from?
Green Bay, WI
My confidence has actually INCREASED since the election–and to even ask this question is disengenuous and potentially fractional to the party and country.
Obama was just elected and is not even in office. The media pushed for his election, and now they want to control him like a puppet–but that will not happen. That silly Campbell Brown, especially. She thinks she actually is intelligent. All for Obama and then coming down on the man.
My confidence for him has always been low. He is inexperienced.
Jack
The man has not taken the oath of office, this mess will take years not days or months. This is America we will be fine, we have a leader not a dictator!
My confidence in Obama is as strong as ever. My confidence in the democratic-controlled congress has greatly declined.
Jeff, Washington DC
My confidence has actually INCREASED since the election–and to even ask this question is disengenuous and potentially fractional to the party and country.
Tampa, Florida
The more rapid the climb, the faster they fall... we're already seeing the limits of PE Obama's capacity to enact change, and more amusingly, his own Democrats are turning against him on the tax cut plan (Kerry too!?)
And Jack, why is Obama bothering himself with the issue of the delaying the switch from analog TV to digital?? Some lobbyist must be on his cabinet
Makes the Republicans look pretty good right about now
I had none, so it's not "lessened."
Jack, what in the world are you talking about? Look at this paragraph from today's Rasmussen poll:
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Daily Presidential Approval Index
Thursday, January 08, 2009
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The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Approval Index for Thursday shows that 42% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way Barack Obama is handling the role of President-elect while 13% Strongly Disapprove. Those figures give Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of +29, matching his highest ratings to date (see trends, see Obama By the Numbers). Obama’s party has a six-point advantage on the Generic Congressional Ballot.
Of course our confidence has not been swayed nor has it dropped. We all know the monumental challenge facing his administration so let's get behind our president before immediately criticizing him. Of course he needs to defer to Bush concerning Gaza otherwise, it would be a diplomatic disaster.
a) The guy isn't even in office yet.
b) He is inheriting the worst possible situation in almost a hundred years.
c) He is going to be forced to make incredibly difficult decisions every day for the next 4 years and we are ALL going to pay the price for the last 2 decades of greed and complacency.
We need to ALL step up and support our leaders instead of criticizing their every move and comment.
Don't be ridiculous! He has to at least take over from the group of incompetent criminals who have been running things for the last 8 years before people can even think about whether he is up to the job. If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were working for Fox News.
Not one iota. That 5% simply represents the 5% of people who can be swayed by idiots trying to connect Obama to Blago or who listen to bitter whiners like Feinstein spout off at the mouth and other nonsensical garbage. Forest for the trees.
no..I am more confident than ever about Barack Obama!
I think it is a silly question Jack. In hindsight, it would have been tremendously useful to monitor Bush's actions so closely.
My confidence in Obama is firm. He is smart, thorough, inclusive, passionate, savvy and has integrity.
This confidence was based on all talk no substance to begin with... No wonder it is declining ...
Barack Obama has acted exactly how he should in deferring to the current President. Bush may be an inept, quickly-becoming-irrelevent leader, but he IS the President.
Obama has been steady, respectful, and has surrounded himself with people ready to hit the ground running – ON JANUARY 20th.
Until then, situations like Gaza are not his to meddle in. Yes, his opinions, views, etc are important, but until his hand is on the wheel, this is not his bus to drive.
Change we can believe in? He has hired a lot of Clinton's staff with him and he has hired lawyers that prosecuted for the RIAA. No more mention of Iraq withdrawal and wants to have bigger escalation of troops in Afghanistan. Thats no change its a small re-organization you see in corporate America everyday.
The main issue that concerns me with President-elect Obama is that he has not been forthcoming with where he stands on the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Understanding he is not yet President, he needs to signal to the world where he stands and what we can expect going ahead.
Danbury , Ct.
While not the biggest Obama fan. Maybe we should allow him to hold office for at least a couple of days before we start to decide if our confidence in him should be shaken.
ABSOLUTLY NOT. If anything it is accelerating...the sooner he can get in and start working the better. Too bad the inaguration isn't tommorrow !!!
jack: the man has not yet been sworn in. the old-guard obstructionists have already declared him a failure (and their own failed decisions our only hope).... and anyone's buying this? this is one stupid damn country, if so,
The initial shock of the historical election is over and the breaking of that particular glass ceiling is over. Everyone's 'good will' is still there, but the hype has gone down quite a bit as reality's problems start to come back.
Not at all. My expectations were never that high – a few of us actually understand that the hype which got him elected was exactly that – hype with a side of smoke and mirrors. American Idol could take lessons.
Mobi Tripp
Andrews AFB, MD
Questions like these, Mr. Cafferty, will serve to derail his attempts to securing our collective future. Instead you and the entire MEDIA community along with the rest of this nation should be thinking of ways to get the nation's support behind Obama. His success is OUR success. Never before have JFK's words rung more true than now: ask not what the country can do for you but what you can do for your country!!!!
I never had any confidence in him to begin with.
Denison, Texas
Our people have short memories and short term attitude; we want quick results and we have no patience. We all forget patience is the embodiment of trust and hope. We have to have patience and trust in Obama to deliver his promises.
Not at all, it has increased. He's not even in office yet, researching and trying to put his economic plan together. He's already working as president. Truly a great roll model for our youth. When you change anything significant, there will be reluctance. Even if a person changes their diet and sleep habits its not easy.
I suppose the confidence in his (Obama) ability to really change anything is where I have very little confidence in. I want to hear everything I heard during his campaign...health care reform, increase in taxes on the wealthy, so on and so on...I want to hear the drive and determination that I had so much hope in during the election.
I want to see the president that I voted for...where is he?
Lathrup Village, MI
Yes,
I've lost near total confidence in Mr. Obama, he continues the no questions asked idiotic relationship with Israel through Rahm Emanuel, who served in the Israeli Military. Mr. Obama has backtracked on leaving Iraq and Afghanistan, and supported the bailout for the banksters. He continues to show alegiance to the Federal Reserve system, which got our economy to the point it is now in the first place, NOT capitalism.
-Hans Z.
Branson, MO
nope!!! he hasn't got started yet!!!
not at all. he's still our best chance at having a democratically elected president for the next four years, with a mandate from whoever didn't vote for the other guys to do whatever he's going to do.
Are you kidding? He's going to be 1 Million times better than the bafoon in office today..
No way. He is great , Let it be known that no matter what ,so far all indications are showing he is doing great– much better than the outgoing one at this stage.
He promised the moon and new blood. All I see is the insider's still in place in new positions. As everyone else asks "Where is the money going to come from?" Clinton created jobs in Arkansas by building curbs and gutters on country roads. I know because I saw it personally and got caught in the road blocks. This is a waste of money even if it does create jobs. Obama is going first class all the way, including his vacation abode in Hawaii and now the big expensive hotel. I think Conde is right, we are going to realize just how good Bush was down the road. Obama is a typical democrat as they are the "give me" party. What happened to the good old hard work ethic. Kids sit on their rears and expect it to be done for them as their parents are teaching them. The baby boomers spoiled their kids rotten and now we pay.
NO!!! I listen and hear truth and ways to solve problems. Some are shocked that our new president shows truth good and bad need to be told to the American people so we can work together and solve the problems. What a breath of fresh air.
The man hasn't even been sworn into office and already people are expressing unhappiness with his performance. I really believe that we need to give this man a chance to do his job and hold off from passing judgment for a few years. The overall economic and foreign policy situations facing this country are huge and it could take years to turn things around. In all fairness, President-elect Obama deserves to be given time to confront these issues and hopefully they will be resolved in due time.
No, I didn't have much confidence in his ability to be a good president before the election, and the most recent problems (in a long line of his problems) have only confirmed my skepticism.
Give the guy a chance ... I think he's doing all the right things, including staying out of the Gaza mess. He'll inherit it soon enough. Besides, you're trying to judge from what you see and even you don't know everything that's going on. I'm sure President Elect Obama and his staff are not simply ignoring the situation but are we'll connected within the current administration and will be prepared to step into the fray day one.
John Ray
Phoenix, AZ
i never had confidence in any liberal's role in government and it cetainly won't change with Obama/Pelosi/Reid at the helm. They will drive the ship of the USA aground faster than it takes a liberal to whine about global warming (which is another liberal rouse) even though the arctic ice is already back to average levels.
No, my confidence in him is not shaken. However, the deterioration of the economic situation is tempering my expectations of what he can accomplish.
My impression is that Obama is still in the campaigning mentality. He continually plants blame on the administration of the past 8 years in his speeches. I think we have all gotten the picture and it's not doing any one any good to be pointing fingers at this time. Unless he wants to supplement the blame with a thoughtful analysis of how we can learn from what went wrong, I don't want to hear it any more. We need to move on.
If he continues to point fingers like this, my confidence in him will decline.
No my confidence has not declined. But then I never had confidence in him to begin with. It's not just Mr. Obama but Miss Pelosi and Mr. Reid. They SCARE me.
Not at all. The mess he is inheriting is getting worse by the day. It takes a special person to want to take on such a disaster.
Nope, however regarding the children in both Houses- If the condidence slips any more, it will be in the basement
For crying out loud let the guy get sworn in. You morons in the media love setting a guy up only to tear him down. I guess when you have nothing really interesting to talk about you have to invent drama for ratings, but at what expense?
No. Wait til he's in and give him about 2 years to make a dent in the catastrophe that's been assailed upon the American people for the last 8 years by Bush and the Republicans. If things are worse at that point then i'll lose a little confidence.
I have never had confidence in Obama. America still does not know who he is. When you start talking about giveaways to people, we are starting on the wrong road.
His experience is not coming through.
Not at all. He does right to defer comments about what's going on now. Don't forget we "only have one president at a time" and who in their right mind would want to take over this mess before s/he absolutely has to.
Nope... I didn't have confidence in him to begin with... he is all talk and told the people exactly what they wanted to hear. In the end however, he will probably end up being like every other modern day president. Hope he has the backbone to stick by his policies. – Jerry Mascoutah, IL.
Not at all. People need to give the Obama/Biden Administration
some space and some time to get things resolved. Don't do what the media always does – raise someone up to unnatural heigths and then try and tear them down. Please, for this nation's sanity and good health, don't put your ratings before what is actually good and productive for all us citizens. Obama didn't bring this Country to its'
knees – Bush did that. Now Obama has to clean up the mess. He will do that, but he's not even in office yet, and you're criticizing him already. STOP!
Its too early in the game!!! Can we all be patience and let this man start his presidency!!!! We are too impatience in this country. This guy is up to the task. Another thing I noticed is that people are expecting too much from this guy. He is human and he is bound to make mistakes. Give him a break and let him do his job
Not at all – We are, of course, relieved to be getting a president who values competence, and that relief brings both hope and high expectations. We elect mere mortals to this office and then hold them to a standard of perfection. I am finishing up The Audacity of Hope, and I am more confident now than when I cast my vote.
I never had a lot of confidence in this man based on his lack of any real accomplishments. He is a great at talking a great game but now is the time that he must deliver the goods. If you like socialism you should be very optimistic about the PRESIDENT ELECT. He will make Jimmy Carter look good when all is said and done. That in itself is scary
Jack , Let's not bury the guy before he died. I continue to be very hopeful despite the tremendous problems we face.
Of course not. However, I think the expectations are unreasonable. It seems people are holding Obama to a "super-human" standard, and I don't think that's fair. Given the fact that he is not in office yet, he hasn't even had the chance to really put anything into action. Yet people are constantly looking at him with a critical eye waiting to pounce. It's like he has to do every single thing perfect, or people are like "oh... you aren't doing what you said". Let's give this smart, intelligent man a chance. It's in our own best interest as a country and part of the human race.
Of course it has Jack.
There are still far too many of "us" out here who have not yet been personally affected by this economic crisis and are still far more content to continue the old "us versus them" political squabbling and bickering. Those who really need help and fast see the same old storm clouds brewing in Congress and on the talk shows and lose faith by the day that any new ground could be covered.
That the media machine has done nothing but chew on the bone since November 4th leaves us with endless speculation, "controversy" and what if thinking. When you get enough of that, even the most hopeful among us begins to question: "what really has changed". Very very sad, since I fear we get few more chances to fix this thing.
My confidence has not declined. My awareness of just how bad things are has reached new clarity, I knew it was bad, really bad, but it's worse than I knew so my worries are even greater now.
Yes. He is not prepared for the job.
I can't understand why Obama hasn't commented on the Israel/Gaza conflict. He's ok commenting on the economy before inauguration, but defers to President Bush on the Mideast conflict. I'm worried about this hesitation. He should make his position known soon.
If any one believes that Obama can pull a rabbit out of his hat, to fix this Econimy then they had better go to Disneyland, thats where dreams come true. Without the excess in congress cubbed and all this greedy ceo's and alot of prayer, were in for a big , big !!!!!! depression not just recession. God is upset with the way we live our lives in this country and we need a national day of prayer. I know no one wants to ere that, but until we ask for forgiveness arounfd the world were in for a tough time.
Absolutely not. The American people are realizing that the President-elect, while he has named his Cabinet, has not made any true accomplishments. How can you approve of the job of someone if they haven't done anything yet? Obama's honeymoon hasn't even started; he hasn't even been married yet. Just wait. After January 20, and the new Congress gets the ball rolling, and he starts signing bills and making decisions, his approval rating will shoot straight up again.
My confidence has declined slightly on the international affairs front. I see Obama's refusal to talk about the crisis in Gaza as unsettling, and more of a political stategy with Washington. Obama has been the symbol of hope and peace for both the US citizens and those abroad wanting the injustices of the failed American foreign policies to right themselves. His refusal to speak up on this topic has already broken the honeymoon amongst many in the international community, which is vital if we want to improve our image around the world.
My confidence in Barack Obama has not wavered, in fact it has increased since he seems to be getting together the right team to tackle the worst problems our country has ever seen. Our economy is terrible, we are in two wars, and our status in the world is the worst it has ever been. He isn't making excuses, he is looking for answers and getting the mechanisms in place to reverse the horrific damage the Friedman economic model and the Republican Party has done to the United States since 1980.
My confidence couldn't possibly decline. He's a democrat: I have zero confidence that anyone voluntarily sporting either a democrat or republican label can provide anything citizens might recognize as "change". We've flipped back and forth a few times from republican to democrat since Newt Gingrich first offered us change with the contract on America, and we haven't gotten any change from any of them.
I think President Obama will do just great. Just be patient and give him time and the American support.
Its crazy how much attention is payed to Obama for failing to act on things he isn't legally able to deal with. He is "President-Elect" of the United States of America. The job of "President" still lies with G. W. Bush.
Give him a break already. There will be plenty of time to judge his actions starting on Jan. 21, 2009.
Not at all. I didn't expect miracles, only leadership. And, he's showing good leadership.
Jack,
My confidence has not declined in Obama. It's declined in our government, our congress. What a mess we are in and it all happened before Obama got there. I feel like for the past 8 years, we have not had anyone in Washington working for us. It has all been about GREED. The rich get richer and thw poor, well to hell with them.
God Bless America!
How or why would confidence in "President Elect" Obama decline? He is not even president yet. He has 0 power to do anything about any of these issues until 1-20-09. Please stop trying to stir doubt in people's minds.
It kinda frightens me that you ran a campaign on change but yet you apparently needed the advice from the unchanged. Are you really ready for the job you ran for?
"...down slightly from the 70% approval rating he had a week ago". Wait a minute here. You have two points on the graph and you can somehow already see a trend?? Cafferty, it takes three points on the graph, minimum, before you may plot a trend, draw a "best fit" line.
Also, he's not president yet, and somehow, people want him to prove himself? Bush had 8 years to prove himself. Give Obama atleast his first 2 as President before you judge him.
Cheers!
If confidence in Pres.-Elect Obama has declined (which I doubt)it's because nothing less than the 2nd Coming (or first, if you're Jewish!) could cure the miss that W left behind. Thankfully, Barack Obama has the intellect, the organizational skill, and the drive to be one of our truly great Presidents in these difficult times.
My confidence was never high concerning his abilities. He is nothing more than a standard politician perpetuating his existence.
Hell no! Obama is a smart, honest and open leader.
For the past eight years we found out what a dumb, dishonest and secretive leader can do to us!!
All kidding aside, Obama (and a massive stimulus package) is exactly what we need right now....and quickly.
Wow, interesting that crap like this has surfaced already. While he is the President Elect, what could he have possibly done since the election to increase or decrease our confidence in him? Vacation in Hawaii? Clog up D.C. traffic with his motorcade? Send his daughters to (gasp) a private school? Not sure what we could possibly know about him that we didn't already know....
You are a poster child for all that is wrong with Politics. I would love for you and all the other "Political (pin head) Pundits" to get in the back of the unemployment line....
Happy New Years from Washington D.C.
See you at the Inauguration
No. Anything is better than Bush or any other Republican. Would you prefer we kept Bush in office or better yet John McCain or Sarah Palin? You think we are somewhat distracted with the Demorats and their petty crap, we would be talking about teenage pregnancy, high school dropouts, favortism for jobs, country frist political packs, the magic negro, legacy revisionist and on and on.
I never had any confidence in him in the first place.
How can you have confidence in the person with the least amount of experience to handle our most trying time. I can't believe that as a country we are that ignorant.
No, it hasn't, but my concern over what he is going to face as president has increased dramatically. People need to realize that things are going to get very tough and there is only so much our leaders are going to be able to do to help us.
Not one bit...give the guy a chance before writing him off.!!!
Having a falling approval rating before taking office... isn't that like shouting cattle calls at the pitcher before the game even starts?
My confidence in Obama hasn't declined but my fear of the problems he'll face have grown. It's not that he's gotten smaller, but the problems have gotten bigger.
No.
The shine is wearing off the new, and people are over the euphoria that immediately came after the election. People are looking at our current situation, listening to what Obama is saying now, and remembering all the high sounding phrases Obama used. And things ain't adding up. The term "flash in the pan" comes to mind. Cept if things dont change, we'll be left with nothing but a dirty pan.
Yes. I am not surprised one bit, either. He does not have the experience we need in a President right now and all the people that voted for him for voting for a "dream" and not a reality. They did not have the sense to think ahead and truly think about where this man would take us. It's disappointing to think that Americans could be so fooled.
How can we lose confidence in Obama as president when he's not even president yet? Patience is something more of us need.
Approval ratings are overrated. The ratings I give myself often hover little over 50%.
We're now throwing stones at people who haven't had a chance yet to screw things up?? Good heavens, if we're all convicted BEFORE we get the chance to make a mistake, then our children are the most guilty of all of us! Who are you kidding? Obama should be lauded for simply being able to remain coherent during the excision of the TRUE culprits – Bush, Cheney and the Republican Congress of the last eight years.
Obama reminds me very much of Lincoln or Kennedy – pensive, kind, and respectful of others. Obama, like these predecessors, will find the world a much better place after his service than before he assumed office. He had my vote on election day, and he's got my support today. I doubt that I am alone.
Hi Jack, Nope because my confidence is not in Obama but in the Lord. However, I do believe that God has granted Obama the wisdsom to tackle the things we face as far as the economy. As far as the things going on in Gaza I think that will always be a losing a battle because that will take a heart change and the respect of human life on both sides and both sides seem to be very stubborn in this area. M
My prayer is the Obama makes good choices and that we the people get behind our new president and do what we can in order to make our country better.
No. He is not even in office yet. The press seems to think that he should move Mr. Bush aside in some sort of coup. It took many years of concerted deceit and thievery to get us to where we are today. A good deal of time will be required to extricate ourselves from the self-serving habits of "the unregulated few" and the greedy many.
NO. He is not President yet and we have to give him a chance after he starts. Now is not the time to judge.
There is no doubt that Obama faces some very tough issues. The only frustration I have with the man is that his campaign keeps emailing me asking for more money! Wait? I thought elections were over!
Obama must stop ignoring the war between Israel and Hamas. He finds time to speak about everything else under the sun, including college football, but when it comes to Israel, he states that "we can only have one President at a time". It is time for Obama to take a stand on how he will treat one of America's top allies before they begin to lose faith in both him and our country.
My confidence has not declined in the least ... keep trying, Jack!
Absolutely Not! I am still proud of the Vote i cast for the President Elect. He is adressing the country and keeping us aware of his intentions. Much more than President Bush is doing currently. it is very easy to look and see that he is doing nothing right now, but what can he do when he doesn't have the power to do so yet. Come January 20, ask how many more people will be sleeping better that night.
This is the type of report that have people up in arms about drive by media and the emergence of 24-hour news sources with not enough to talk about. Obama is not even the President yet and has done more to aid this nation as the President Elect than the current President has during the entire election cycle, yet we are already bombarded with criticisms. Can we at least give the usual 100 days to see where he's going before we start battling against our own interests in saving the economy?
Well Jack,
The things that you've listed have not discouraged me any... the one thing that HAS discouraged me though is his appointment of who he wanted to have swear him in. To have a pastor that openly supported Proposition 8... it seems almost un-American. It doesn't give me high hopes for where GLBT Rights rank among the Obama-Biden administration's priorities; other than that, I think he is living up to expectations, no man can be expected to make 0 mistakes.
YES !!!
Give the guy a chance.....
Give the guy a break. Don't try to tear him down before he has even taken the oath of office. Anything is better than the outgoing chief!
I think the rating are due to nerves more than anything else. As 01/20 draws near, we all have high hopes, but reality must rear it's ugly head. A week after he takes office the numbers will prob. go right back up, as hope again takes hold......
Not at all. Mr. Obama is facing very though circumstances for sure, politics of it all aside. Of course he will face criticism from all angles, no intelligent person expects him to please everyone at all times, and no intelligent person expects him never to make mistakes. I still believe Barack Obama is in the best place to lead this country. (Note: I said "Lead" not "Fix") My confidence is high and my expectations are reasonable.
I think that our confidence (in one man) is suffering from the same uncertainties that we are dealing with on and increasing basis with the economy and other world matters. There are just too many unknowns that are going to take more luck to solve than knowledge.
Chicago, IL
I definitely stand behind Barack Obama, but the odds are stacked against him already. Many people seem to have unrealistically high hopes of Barack Obama riding in on a white horse to rescue this country. This country's mess is too big to fix in a month, a year, or possibly year(s) from now, and people need to understand that he faces possibly the largest challenge than any incoming president in our nation's history has. He's a great man, but he isn't magical and there is no quick fix.
lose confidence in barry? never.
Jack,
President Elect Obama is doing an excellent job during the transition
because he has gathered a team of individuals that have the expertise
to handle the economic crisis starting on day one. Jack, Barak Obama is not the President so he can not comment on international problems because President Bush is still in power. We can not have two Presidents at the same time during a international crisis. President Bush needs to wake up from his nap and deal with the crisis because he is the President until noon on January 20, 2009.
David L. Davila
He hasn't taken office yet! My God, get out of the situation room once in awhile!
Seriously, though, you're right, Obama is over, frankly. Collectively, the nation has grown weary of his policies, his ineffectual leadership and his repeated protests of, "I'm not President yet." and, "You are aware that Bush is still the President?" What a whiner! The only thing more disappointing than Obama's presidency is Joe Biden's second term as President that starts in 2020. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we've had enough of Biden dodging Presidential accountability by complaining that, "That's eleven years away," and "Are you serious? What are you, nuts?" and of course, "Can someone get this idiot away from me?"
Sheesh...
No, my confidence hasn't declined, and is this really a quality question to pose?- It sounds like you're just killing time, waiting for him to take office. Commenting on his choices is fair game, for sure, but talking about the honeymoon ending is fairly unreasonable and perhaps inflammatory.
Mat Zucker, New York, NY
Jack,
I still have faith in President elect Obama, having said that, i feel there is still to many old time political leeches hanging around that will be pulling his strings. I feel our government has to gone to hell in a hand basket in the last 8 years. At this point in my life, it's very hard to trust any political figure.
Carl in Illinois
My conficence in Obama was not very high to begin with. It has declined since the election. I do not think he has a clue.
He hasn't even entered the White House, and already you are insinuating he is losing the confidence of the American people?
He is stuck with enormous challenges. We should be doing what we can to support the man.
Give him a break.
Just thank the good Lord we are finally getting rid of Bush!
Of course not, I am extreamelly excited about the inaguration and realising what a diffrence one person in the right place can make!!
Sherwood, Arkansas
For crying out loud, the guy hasn't even taken office yet. Why would my confidence in him have changed one way or another??
No it hasn't, and I think that other people need to be realistic, and realize that this man is being handed one of the biggest messes you could imagine. It's going to take a lot of time, effort, and intelligence to even get things turned in the right direction. It's not going to happen over night, and people should not expect that it will.
With the brains behind him and his own, plus his methodical way of getting things done, he will do great!!
He needs time, american system is the same only head is being switched. i think there is no course for alarm
How can anyone judge President-Elect Obama so soon? He hasn't even gotten his feet wet (or in the door to the White House) and there are already questions about what he and his administration are or aren't doing? What's the matter...no one else to pick on these days? It took years for the challenges we face today to finally reach the surface for all of us to see and deal with and it is not going to be fixed overnight and anyone who thinks it can be – or should be for that matter – is a fool. President-Elect Obama is going to need our input and we are going to have to gather as one America to get this worked out.
Congress: This childish game of "I don't like this or that" has got to stop, and we need to put forth true adult decision making ideas on the table and make them work!!!
No, at least not for me. He isn't even in the office yet, so you can't expect miracles (can we let Bush get early retirement?:). I'm sure Obama will do things I don't agree with, but you can't expect 100% agreement with anyone.
I think he'll do a great job and don't envy him not one bit... people expect a fix for something that took years to break down. Stil has my support!
I remain confident in Obama's pragmatic approach to governing and am counting the days until he is sworn in and can officially begin his presidency.
My confidence in Barack Obama is still as high as the night he was elected. The reason? #1...he is NOT George Bush...and by comparison, any semi-literate individual could do much better. #2....Obama appears to be both articulate (how refreshing is that)....smart and focused on addressing America's problems instead of promoting any personal ideology on the rest of the country. Certainly there will be a few bumps in the road. Not everyone will share his views about how to change the problems we face. But, he truly does appear to be one who will not invoke the tired refrain we have heard for 8 years "if you don't agree with me you are not a patriot". Let's face it, after 8 years of Bush/Cheny/Rumsfeld, we have a lot of cleaning up to do. Obama can get it done...and he'll get it done faster if the Republicans don't fight him every step of the way just because he's a democrat.
Maybe, but I think that is unavoidable right now since everyone is chomping at the bit to get this ship righted. After November 4th, everyone was ready for Obama to take over the next day. Instead, we're reminded that he can't do anything until January 20th. Once he gets in office and we can actually start working on solving things instead of waiting for Bush to get out of the way, I hope we'll see the numbers go back up.
Has your confidence in President-elect Barack Obama declined any since the election?
The so-called bumps you refer to are commonplace, not newsworthy in any new administration, however, the primary concern in this ongoing period of economic uncertainty is "spending"...indeed spending proposals thus far suggested by Obama seem unrealistic at best, there is no doubt the nation's economy will get much worse before it gets better, whether or not Obama will weather the consequences of his policies at the conclusion of his his first term remains to be seen...
People who blindly voted for "that one" just because he is black, are in for a big surprise! He is not the "promised savior" as thought to be by so many.
Has my confidence decreased? Not at all. ANYONE is an improvement over that idiot in the oval office now. Mr. Obama has my full support and desire for success. Best wishes to him, and my thanks for sending the village idiot back to Crawford where he belongs.
If confidence in the President-elect has declined (which I doubt), it's because nothing short of the Second Coming (or First, if you're Jewish!) could cure the mess we find ourselves in!Thankfully, Barack Obama has the wisdom, the organizational skill, and the drive to become one of our truly great Presidents. Give him a chance–he hasn't even been sworn in yet!
My confidence in the President-Elect has not changed much. I think the dip in confidence for some people comes from people looking more closely at the issues before us and realizing these issues are daunting for any President.
I do find hope, however, in Mr. Obama's talks about true bipartisan participation being needed to fix the issues.
No.
He hasn't even taken office yet. Can't you think of any better questions?!
Give him a break. He hasn't even started yet. Obama should be careful not to promise too much. The current economic situation is not his doing and economy may not improve for a couple of years. However, I do agree that the selection of Panetta (however great a manager he is) does not look a good decision. IMHO, you cannot put a round peg in a square hole.
No!
Mr. Obama's start up looks promising. He is facing major problems right now and will face others that will complicate things in the future. Not the least of these problems will be the extreme right wing mentality that they know it all when in reality they know nothing. I pray for him for wisdom to face these problems. As a retired history teacher I know we will have to wait to see what the results are.
My confidence in President-Elect Obama remains high. I don't know of any person who displays more talent and inclination to bring disparate groups and individuals together to solve the massive challenges before us, or anyone else with the mental toughness and equanimity to withstand the stresses of the job. I am touched by Obama's reported reluctance to give up his blackberry. He does not want to find himself trapped by the splendid isolation he knows to be a pitfall of the Presidency. He wants to remain in touch and responsive to real people. I applaud him for his high standards, and I wish him and his family the very best.
Hell no, Jack. Stop the drama. Confidence is starting to wane in CNN.
Absolutely not, my confidence in Obama is growing. We need change and he is the change we need. The people in this country need to trust in him and support him. He is focused on the country which hasn't happened in the last 8 years. Change is not easy but it's necessary.
I am from Granite City, Illinois
Hey Jack,
My confidence in Mr.Obama's ability hasn't changed at all since the election, however, as intelligent as he is and as much as he surrounds himself with brilliant people, let's not be foolish or blissfully ignorant of the fact that he has to be near a miracle worker to turn all of these gigantic problems around quickly. Hey, maybe the conservatives were right, maybe he is the Messiah! Let's HOPE!!!!!!
Happy New Year!!!!!
Jack,
Actually, my confidence in Obama has risen even though I didn't vote for him – I think he has handled the transition admirably. My hopes are high that he will lead this country into an era of peace and prosperity – so far he seems to be headed in that direction.
Mell, Phoenix, Arizona, where it is sunny and warm every day.
I am still supremely confident Obama will have a positive impact when it comes to getting the economy back on its feet.
*yawn. My confidence in finding quality news articles has declined 23.7% since the invention of the pencil.
I am still confident in Obama. Why, because he hasn't done anything to shake my confidence in him. What has happened is the situation in the U.S. has not gotten any brighter. I am confident he will do everything to the best of his abilities, but I am not niave in the fact that he has a long, steep and yes, bumpy, road ahead of him. If anyone thinks that the instant he takes office, everything will get better, they need to get their head out of the sand. Anyways, if we didn't critique our president, we wouldn't be doing our job as citizens.
Chapel Hill, NC
Completely, I mean .. think about, he is not even yet in the White House, he has not had the opportunity to actually do anything and things already are going bad.
Man, at least the current President waited to be in the office before screwing the country ...
Oh, just to make sure: you know what sarcasm is, right?
One thing though I think should change: news people should start asking decent questions ... will this happen in 2009?
No, my confidence in Orak Obama remains steady. The problem that I'm having living in Europe now, is that I'm obtaining more unfiltered information, than I would be getting living in the U.S.A. Is it true that war is liked by the superpowers of the world, like the United States, Russia. England, France, i.e. the winning nations of W.W. II since production of military weapontry, arms, bullets.rockets, missles, provides a lucrative business for many, ruthless people! Am I too naiive to have thought that that capitalist quest had disappeared, due to social evolution. and increase in man's self-consciousness? Could it tragically be possible, that the reason that the superpowers mentioned above have in the past, allowed more time for Israel to "overkill", first in 2006, when clearly the fighting and bloodshed could have been stopped weeks earlier, but wasn't. And presently, where Hamas stupidly ended their ceasefire with Israel, and started again sending missles int o southern Israel again! Anything could be deemed or construed as a provocation by Israel and it's friendly superpowers! Well. then this becomes a rational of cruelty, mercilessness, of deplorable lack of a human conscince, and blatant Evil! The fear that comes to mind is that Barak Obama cannot put up even a flimsy fight with these evil people, and they will eventually dictate, what the next president will ne allowed to do! "The road to hell is filled with good intentions."
What do people expect ? Now that the tarnish is off The Messiah, everyone is going to see what a huge mistake they've just made. He is unqualified, and is not going to be able to fake it any longer.
Mr. Cafferty, Please, Mr. Obama isn't even sworn into office yet. Why do you want to stir the pot of discontent before he even has any power? Why aren't you asking why President Bush isn't doing anything about the situation. Let's put the blame where it needs to be. After January 20th you have the right to question his actions, but until then, we only have Mr Bush to blame.
Yeah...I'm a little wary now considering that many of the people who supported him, have been shocked, sickened and insulted by his choice of rick warren to give the invocation at the inauguration. You gotta wonder, why would we do that? Why wouldn't he pick someone who hasn't called gay people child molesters and called women who've had abortions nazis? There are plenty of ministers who are far more compassionate and less right-wing wacko than warren. So what else is he off-base on? No doubt, he'll be better than bush...hell, I'm better than bush! But stil...what was he thinking?
Are you kidding me???? The poor guy hasn't even been sworn in, and you're already asking this question???? Good grief, at least let him have one day on the job before you start trashing him.
And no, I have even more confidence in him, because it appears he will be fully prepared on day one.
My confidence in Obama is not flagging in the least – I was impressed with him as a candidate, and I am even more impressed with the effectiveness of his transition. Compare this to the transition of almost every other newly elected President – his has been exceptionally well thought out and extraordinarily well executed. Clinton took months to get organized, and Bush, well.... never mind. I never expected perfection – the only people who never make a mistake have never done anything. I continue to be amazed at this man's leadership skills and effectiveness.
First I will say, WHY would anyone want this job??? Second, when his 82% existed, P-E Obama did not have 2 more worldly matters on his platter! Now 65%. When it get below 25%, like someone we know, I'll start worrying. The way I look at it. P-E Obama will handle our Nation the way he handled his campaign. Looks where he's at NOW!
To Jack, smooches. I love your commentaries!
Nope. Mister Obama will do just fine. The indication that he'll be a great leader is simply the rush to attack him by the right wing pundits. They are trying to create issues where none exist.
Obama is not a king....he needs congress to get things done. Thus, since I have little confidence in our federal government the outcome will not be good for BO. Like a person who gets sucked down in the ocean waters when a big ship sinks, BO will be sucked down by this congress and world events he cannot control.
Cypress, Texas
Give the man a chance, it took the Republicans 8 years to dump us in this hole while the Democrats stood by and watched.
I think that any elected official should work in good faith with this administration to get us out of this mess and anyone that uses any issues for political gain should be immediately recalled by their constituents.
We cannot afford even one more day of patrician politics and any Democratic or Republican caught not working for the best interest of this country should be gone immediately.
No, in fact, I'm liking the guy (though McCain was my favorite) he is raising the prospect of a serious and realistic president, contrary to that of just idealistic. Perhaps, the most worried people are those in the liberal side, who thought that Mr. Obama would please all their most avid desires. It seems to me that he is moving into the center and that the man, in fact, wants be a good president for all, which of course would cost him to displease some, but specially those in liberal wing that pushed for his election.
To keep it simple....NO
My confidence in Obama has not declined at all, it only increases as I see him inching closer to being a true leader for all of America. Nobody's perfect, and he will make mistakes, but I still think he is the leader we need.
No. Because he has not really started. Before watching the polls on the confidence the american people have of him, let's wait for his presidency to really start.
he isn't president yet.
Why doesn't Obama just push the Fair Tax, and solve a boat load of the problem. Jobs would come back to the states for once!
Nate
Sioux Falls, SD
No drop in confidence. If anything it has increased as a result of his swift, decisive and refreshingly informed actions and decisions. He is the breath of fresh air and fact based "decider" for which this nation is long overdue. Finally, a leader that seeks varied, objective opinions and decides based on facts and empirical evidience and not faith and idealology. We've had enough of that and the accompanying "pseudo" values used to rationalize them.
Jack,
I am having difficulty with the "Change We Can Believe In" part.
How can we have change with the same people in power for most of the last 20 years – only now they are sitting in different chairs?
And the dissing of Howard Dean has really left a bad taste in my mouth.
My confidence in him wasn't very high when he won the election in November!
If he'd stop hiding behind lawyers & produce a valid birth certificate – proving once & for all he's a citizen of the United States of America – my confidence in him might improve. Until then the only meaning "confidence" has for me, with reference to BHO, is "confidence man."
My confidence in him has not declined mainly because he was right in saying that there is only one president at a time. He has not been given a true chance to do anything. Why not wait till he actually gets to be president before we blame him for the past. This is the biggest mess this country has been in for many years and the old school politicians are the cause and center of blame. If anyone else has a better plan why don't they step up instead of hammering his ideas.
Oh, Laura Kiselevach, New York, New York and proud of it!
Not at all, Jack. My confidence in him has been reaffirmed by some of his recent decisions. He is showing that he is strong enough to take on the tasks ahead and stand up to those who try to stand in his way – including members of his own party. I think there are those in the established Washington crowd that are shocked that he is in fact doing exactly what he said. He is appointing people who are up to the task because they are up to the task – not because they are suggested by the establishment. I am very proud of the job he is doing and cannot wait until his presidency begins!
My confidence has not changed at all in President Elect Obama. Bush and his administration have dragged us a long ways down so it's going to take Obama a while to turn it all around. He doesn't have a magic wand but he will make us proud.
Tucker in Saint Paul, MN
I have a great confidence in him, and it hasn't dwindled. Must we forget that you know who is responsible for the way things are now? Why was this even written? Of course lots of money is going to have to be spent to get us out of the hole that Bush got us in to. Alas, we must forgive Bush and what he has done. And I know he isn't ever going to be arrested and tried like he should be, we can at least Tivo Bush leaving office and watch it over and over and over and over again!
11 days, 17 hours. 24 minutes, 10 seconds....
Oh yes! The people are counting. Nah nah nah nah! Nah nah nah nah! Hey hey heyyyyy, Gooodd byeeeee
Geez, Cafferty. Get a life.
I don't think it's confidence in Obama that's declining, it's confidence in everything. Despite Obama's impressive job of handling the transition, it seems that with every passing day things get worse. Middle east conflicts escalate, economic outlooks become bleaker, and unnecessary controversies in Washington continue. Obama hasn't gotten worse, our countries problems have.
-Lee, Nashville TN
I still have great confidence in Obama. The problem I have is with Congress. Imagine how good the country could do if congress put aside all the petty party crap and worked together for a change.
the man said that things would get worse before it got better. I like Obama, but sometimes he comes off as just another politician. People are still losing his jobs and the problem is that the jobs he is talking about creating rebuilding the country's infrastructure are great for some. The only mention is about roads and bridges. What about the jobs that were lost in the financial and IT sectors in this country. I have not heard much of plan about getting some of those jobs back. I think that he will do a better job than BUSH, but so far his plans seem a little short sighted.
No. Get off his back....Bush did this not Obama!
No. My confidence has stayed the same. I voted for him but I dont think I have unrealistic expectations. He is not Superman. The problem is that the Bush administration left this country's economy and standing in the word in shambles. We have more enemies than allies, we have ballooning unemployment, and 2 wars without a way to define victory. I think Obama is the most likely person to solve some of these problems, but how can my confidence in him decline before he has started the job? He is not president yet. And for the record i think Leon Panetta is an excellent choice. You cant let anyone from withtin the CIA lead that discredited dinosaur. You need someone to come in with outside experience to lay down the law and make them accountable, somehting Bush had no interest in.
It is news titles like these which do not help American morale.
I am not saying propaganda and censorship of media is good, but the media needs to stop scaring the American people with bold headlines and apocalyptic news stories filled with "what if's" and theoretic scenarios.
The man isn't even in office yet, let's keep stories that suggest a downfall, for more meaningful and less skeptical analysis.
Please.
how could anyone's confidence in obama declined? he hasn't even been able to have a day in office yet. he is at least trying to put out ideas that could potentially save us from this huge economic disaster that we are facing. maybe we can spend another few years talking about making changes and not do anything to push them. it is truly sad to see how much greed has destroyed our finanical institution. and what is more terrible, the people who allowed us to get here are getting bailouts and the average american is failing to even be able to take care of their own families.
My God!!! Give the man a break. He hasn't even been sworn in as the next president. Please report on something a little more pressing!!!
Not at all. Transition periods are not meant to go perfectly, that's why they exist: to give incoming administrations the opportunity to work out the kinks. Obama is not yet President, but I have every confidence that, once in office, he will take immediate action to confront the challenges we face at home and abroad.
No Jack, it has not. We have to remember that Rome was not built in a day. We are funny human beings. If we don't see a quick fix, we tend to become impatient and bitter. I truly believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just give him a chance. And this is coming from someone who is hurting financially.
No ,my confidence has not declined because I did not have it from the beginning. He will be business as usual like other politicians before him.
If we were to pre-judge Barak Obama before he even took control of the oval office, it would be a preemptive action on the part of the American people, and Lord knows, we don't need any more preemptive actions.
No, my confidence in him hasn't declined at all. If he doesn't make any mistakes, he isn't doing enough, period! Give him some breathing room and quit micro-analyzing his every move.
Nope.
He's not even president yet!!! Give him room for error. He is only human.
No, it's the Democratic Congress that is the issue. He has been on track, clear and precise with his choices and plans. My concern is not about his ability, but rather Congress staying with their same old process of petty bickering. They criticize his plans, and yet they haven't been able to pull together on anything significant without seemingly like a grade school yard fight.
I think he needs to come out boldly with a speech directly to the American people asking us to step-up, get involved and contact our representatives to tell them we are sick of their nonsense and we won't re-elect them if they don't come together, stop the division and work as a whole. His greatest power of support is in the same people of elected him...namely us!
Uhh no. The man has taken on the nation's issues effectively and decisively – and he's not yet the President. It took Bush 8 years to get us into this mess so give Obama at least ONE term to do his job. Be FAIR.
I do not understand why Mr. Obama is getting slammed already when he is not even in a position of power to do a darn thing. Hearing about al-zawahiri saying Obama is at fault for what is presently going on in Gaza is even more infuriating. Barack has had nothing to do with the current battle between Israel and Palestine, yet he is being pointed out as the cause by Al Qaeda. Utter garbage if you ask me.
Mr. Obama has been diligently putting together a powerhouse of a cabinet with extremely qualified individuals from both sides of the isle. He is not even in office and is already speaking to the country, finalizing plans for the economy and putting his attention where it needs to be. In regard to his claim that he will not allow earmarks in the financial stimulus package he proposes is in my mind not only brave but also the right thing to do. It seems lately the only way to get things passed through Congress is to allow everyone get their little piece of the pie. Seems more like they are buying votes instead of focusing on doing what is right. I say we all need to sit back, relax and let the man do his job for at least a year before we can say whether or not he is doing a good job.
I have not lost any confidence in Barack Obama however the mess he is inheriting will take superhuman effort from all of his team and then it will be a long time to reverse the Bush disasters.
This is insane. The guy isn't even president yet, and the media has already celebrated the honeymoon and is now fabricated grounds for divorce. Can we all just slow down?
Confidence in Obama has not declined. His ability to assess and articulate the current and ever changing situation, and his determination to select quality people to work in his administration continue to be a source of confidence. You may be seeing a lack of confidence in the Congress and concern that other politicians may try to derail the incoming administration.
John in Rockville, Maryland
Not an iota.
I did not vote for Mr. Obama, but watching him in action these past weeks has left me very much in support of the president-elect.
I have every confidence that there will be some severe bumps and bruises along the way, but the man has the potential to be a great president.
Are you kidding? The guy hasn't even been sworn in yet! For that matter, ask this question the year after he stops being President. That's when I, or anyone for that matter, will have an informed opinion.
No. I still have faith in his abilities. I'm just not sure how much he can accomplish with the current Senate/Congress. In the end, his plans often succeed or fail based on the Senate/Congress. Shouldn't the question then be – has your confidence in the Sentate/Congress declined any since the election?? YES!
Dear Mr.Cafferty,
Please stop raising such questions and subsequently plant doubts on people's minds. We need to throw our support behind Mr.Obama and give him the time and patience to do his job. Instead ask questions like.. what should we do stimulate the economy etc....
Your questions like this is meaningless, non-value add and absurd.
Sorry!!
MJ
I think he appears panicked and in over his head.
Not at all. Come on he hasn't even taken office yet – give him a break. So far he has been performing in the transition period very admirably. The gloom and doom scenario point out the seriousness of our situation and President elect Obama offers real hope for a better country.
I think he will honored greatly we are allowed once agin to deduct intrest for our auto loans, credit cards, student loans. This will spur the economy, consumers will begin buying. The robust economic musle will begin to flex in America again.
My confidence in Mr. Obama is still high. Maybe it's now tempered with a little reality, though. Things are pretty bad here in St. Joseph, Missouri. And, like the fat guy going on a diet, it didn't get bad all at once and it's not going to get better all at once. I think it's important that we all understand that we aren't going to see the stock market highs of 2007 any time soon. We probably aren't going to see no-money-down mortgages ever again. We'll get through this, but it will be through incremental change and we'll all be the better for it.
Paul Branson
St. Joseph, MO
Frankly, this is the most ridiculous question. First allow him to be sworn in as president, let one year pass, and then ask again.
My confidence is no higher or lower than it was. Perhaps part of the problem is that things just keep looking more and more grim. Economy is getting worse. Now tensions are heating up in Isreal again.
I'm not worried about Bill Richardson. I would have been more worried if he would have NOT withdrawn.
The critism of Leon Panetta as CIA director is not unexpected. It is an ideological difference. Obama is using the strong manager approach whereas others want the expert in the field approach. Either can work, as long as you have the right people on the team.
I have full confidence in President Elect Obama's Ability to turn around the economy as well as the way Americans are viewed around the world since Bush came into power.
I wonder the timing of Israel attacking Gaza, the Israeli Election and the Transition of Power in America.
Bush has totally put Obama in a very awkward position by Approving the Israeli attack at this time just before he takes power.
Thank you,
Thomas Mathews
Toronto, Ontario
It seem that the news media is going to be the death of this country. Obama has not been sworn in as president yet and already you people are taking votes on his performance. Give the guy a break. Bush has been in office for 8 years and have destroyed this country – our security has been destroyed and economically we are in the toilet. People have lost their jobs, their homes, their retirement and investments – he should be impeached for all the ills he has caused this country. I don't hear anyone trying to make him accountable for what he has done. But it seem as if you guys need a scape goat and are ready to attach Obama. At least give him a chance to try and salvage what left of our country. Have some hope that things can be turned around by a black, intelligent person. Or is that too hard to swallow.
It was low and is sinking. He has made some very questionable cabinet choices and has not come across well on the economic issues facing us.
I have to say that I am less than thrilled with his plan to give us more money in our paychecks. You have to give consumers a big lump and make them "feel" rich so they spend more. I am not trilled with his package to help "Joe America: and his family.
Jack: This is why I objected to all the fanfare surrounding his candidacy.
No one is going to be able to do everything all at once.
It's crazy to make a judgement (good or bad) before the guy is sworn in. The people elected him, he is getting his staff in place and doing what he must do at this time and deferring to others what isn't his gig to take on just yet.
He is being briefed on pertinent issues by the President, the transition is going smoothly and from all accounts the current Administration has been gracious and accommodating.
What's the problem?
Not as much as my confidence in the media to shut up and give the guy a chance to actually be president. He hasn't even been inaugurated yet. Why don't you media people give him at least one full day in the Oval office before you start nailing him to the cross? (No disrespect personally intended toward you, Jack.)
Roland
St. George, UT
Absolutely not!! But the Republicans and critics of Obama from
day one would like you to think so. The man has not even been
sworn in as President!
Things are just horrible all over...and you can thank 8 years of
Bush and 12 years of the Republican controlled congress for
that.
I have alot of confidence in Obama, his cabinet and the democratic congress...there is so much to be done to right alot of wrongs that
have happened and it won't happen quickly.
no he is still an empty suit
Obama has a tremendous amount of work ahead of him. During the campaign, he blamed Bush for a failed domestic policy. Bush increased goverment spending and increased goverment involvement in the private sector. Obama is doing the exact, same thing. If/when the bailouts start to work, he will take credit. If they do not work, he will blame the "failed" Bush policy. Once his positions are finally heard, his popularity will plumit. His inexperience will begin to show shortly. He does not handle adversity well and he blames others for his shortcomings.
While I was not an Obama supporter I am hopeful that he will do well, and put my support behind him. That said, give the guy a break. We are already polling the guy on confidence and he's not even in office. Yes he has made some picks that we don't agree with, but if anyone thinks he is superman and will solve all of the worlds problems then they need to get their expectations in order. It is after all a team effort.
Fascinating that we have a president that has been such a failure for so long that no expects anything good from him – and he still is, in fact, our president. Contrast with Obama, swept into power on a wave of hope (and disgust and desperation with Bush) – not yet president, and we are already asking if he is a disappointment? Come on, Jack! The media refused to lay blame for anything on Bush – now they are willing to lay blame on Obama before he has had any power to actually do anything yet? What's wrong with this picture?
Absoluetly not! I have more faith in him now than I have ever had for any leader. This will be hard, but he will pull us through.
No, it hasn't. If people have been paying attention and have realistic expectations (hard to do, I know), the appearance of new hurdles shouldn't be enough to lower their opinion.
No, I have more faith in him than ever. I don't expect him to perform any miracles. He only a man, not God. But I believe he will put us on the right path that will eventually get us out of the hole Bush put us in.
Please give him a chance. The polls can drive you crazy. These set backs are not of his making.
It's not so much that my confidence in Obama has declined, as it is the reality of what we're facing has kicked in. We are in for some tough times.
I never had faith in this man. I did have faith in his ability to rally Americans because of the over whelming support. I think people will be disappointed!
President elect has lot of stars in his cabinet and hence he would need to elevate his focus and voice to get his promises to a common folks fullfilled. His Success would surely embark success of common people electing a common man, else everything is a big waste...About confidence, if it is increasing or decreasing, there is no other way than becoming succesful infront of President elect. All the best!
Obama hasn't even been inaugurated yet. The bumps in the road you refer to are just a few of the large complicated problems that the President-ELECT is well aware of and has acknowledged with a sober outlook in his numerous press conferences. As for the supposed decline in public approval, any political scientist will tell you this is artifactual-not real- because public opinion simply does not change that much. Encouraging CNN readers to put too much stock in the polls is trying to make something out of nothing, and a lame excuse for journalism.
correction, sorry.
This is insane. The guy isn't even president yet, and the media has already celebrated the honeymoon and is now fabricating grounds for divorce. Can we all just slow down?
I have differing opinions from Barack Obama on most issues. That said, He was elected and he should be given the chance to do what he can for the country. I do think he will get some of the things done he has said but.... Congress will be the deciding factor as always and how he works and interacts with Congress will be the deciding factor. As long as he works with both parties I think he has the potential to do some good. On the other hand, if he starts with extreme liberal policies, he will be stalled, even by his own party. Congress still has voters to please.
My confidence in Obama is still high. I believe he will one day, be remembered as one of the great presidents of this country.However, with daily reports of an ever-worsening economy and reports of violence worldwide, it is difficult for me to have faith in anything. It is hard to have hope when people are losing jobs, and I see more foreclosures for sale daily. I hear of budget cuts at work, and family members getting laid off from their jobs. I, like many around me have just about run out of hope . . .
The answer is no. My confidence actual has improved in the President elect. He is inheriting a huge mess which did not just happened over night. This current administration dug us deep in the hole and it's going to take the American people to rally behind the new president and hope we bring this country to back what it was in the Clinton admin or even better.
Frederick Washington, DC
No, for me my confidence in him has not declined. I find it funny that we are already measuring the public confidence in a man who hasn't even been sworn in as President yet. I say we let him be in office before we start polling.
My confidence in him remains very high. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he isn’t doing enough. We need to give him some breathing room and stop micro-analyzing his every move.
Jack, my confidence in Obama has not declined. It's almost impossible to please everybody in this country in the best of times. Given the choices we face today, the best leader cannot help but upset someone with every decision. The fact that Obama has only alienated a few people, and that those people have come from both sides of the aisle, tells me he's still on the right track. He said he'd be a pragmatic, thoughtful, and inclusive leader who would consider people and ideas on merit instead of by ideology. Guess what–this is what that looks like! It's been so long that I think most of us have forgotten.
Joe
Boston, MA
None of the problems listed above has anything to do with Obama. He is not responsible for it. Our current executive branch should carry the responsibility. I think Obama is making some good moves, of course I do not like all of them. I do not think than anyone likes all the decissions that a president makes. I still have hope that he can do a lot of fixing and changing. He will not be able to fix a good precentage of the shelfishness of the rich and powerfull.
No. He hasn't taken office yet and is still finishing up putting his administration together. Why would any of that cause my confidence to decline?
I had no confidence in this faux president elect in the first place. My expectations couldn't go lower than where they began. The Messiah can't be helped even with the brilliant support of Nancy, Barney, and Harry. Sorry for being so negative.
Not really–I didnt have false expectations to begin with. The talk comes easy but we have yet to see if he can work miracles.
Give him a break ~ he's not even our official president yet! Let's give him a chance to actually implement some new policies. Please remember ~ the Mideast conflict, the economy, and the national deficit are all things he is inheriting, not things he created. He has my utmost confidence and I can not wait until January 20th!
Anjum from Newport Beach, CA
His recent "bumps" don't bother me at all, they're to be expected, but I'm not wowed by a single appointment he's made. I think we'll see a lot of Clinton-era solutions recycled, but it would be great if he could just undo the entire bush presidency. The measure of his success will be whether we actually see fundamental change or just hear about it. My confidence has declined a bit, but I'm reserving judgment.
again, sorry, I'm in San Francisco, California
I sincereoly hope that he does well and succeeds for our country sake and for our SAFETY. However, I doubt that he really knows what he got himself into. We are headed back to the "Jimmy Carter" era and worst. May God help us all.
None at all. In fact, my confidence in him has increased. He has worked towards consensus on issues, reached out to the Republicans, put together a bi-partisan heavyweight cabinet, and has ideas and a direction that he wants to take the country. And he has one clear distinct quality - he looks the American people in the eye and tells them the stark truth about our circumstances...Better for us than the last eight years!!!
No – not at all.
Absolutely Not! I am still proud of the Vote i cast for the President Elect. He is adressing the country and keeping us aware of his intentions. Much more than President Bush is doing currently. it is very easy to look and see what he is not doing, but what can he do when he doesn’t have the power to do so yet. A power struggle within would make us look even weaker then we do under Bush. Come January 20, ask how many more people will be sleeping better that night.
Confidance in Obama before he is inagurated is irrelevant. Bush is the president now, and will be for a couple more weeks. Ask this question again after Obama's first 100 days after he has the authority for real action, not just preparations...
Jack are you kidding me? These polls were all over the map in the run up to the elections ranging from 11 points Obama lead to 1 point Cain lead. maybe we are just tired of answering these annoying poll questions every time the sun sets. Obama is doing a phenomenal job. It's just like when you don't feel like having sex sometimes. It does not mean it ceases to be any good.
My confidence in President elect Obama grows more and more each day especially when you hear the things that are still coming out of the mouths of Bush and Cheney.
I think President elect Obama is doing the right thing by waiting til Jan 20th before he makes statesments about our country. It shows the respect he has for the office of the sitting president even if he doesn't agree with him. What message would it send to the world if he was playing back seat driver.
C'mon Jack give the guy a break, he hasn't even moved into the White House yet! Why don't we let the guy get sworn in and actually begin doing the job before we start talking about declining approval ratings and the such. Where is the current president and his Treasury Secretary? They have all but checked out and are turning this shotty economy over to the new guys two weeks ahead of schedule!
Its my confidence has actually increased since election day . We need smart and deliberate action by our commander in chief and hes shown that .
from Chambersburg, PA
My confidence in Barack Obama has not declined as I have had absolutely no confidence in him since he announced his intentions to run for the presidency....
Nope. What else is Barack supposed to do? My disappointment is in the powers that are currently setting in Washington. Please flush the toilet on Bush era before he can do more harm. If not them then I'm asking Mr. Chenney, "take your boss hunting", please!
I just will never fully understand the "media". Why is it that these provocative questions are posed when we are in the midst of a national economic crisis? Do you just want to stir the pot a bit more to raise our anxiety to maximum levels? The man has yet to be sworn in – give him a chance! And by the way – where the hell is our current president – out to lunch as usual?
No. My confidence is up! Sure, every president will hit bumps and make some questionable moves, however, in the grand scheme of the economy, I believe Obama is surrounded by the right people to clean up George Bush's Garbage.
First of all Jack, I love watching you when you read public opinion. To tell you the truth, my confidence in President-elect Barack Obama did not changed. I knew that he will not get done everything he said during his campangin. But I believe on hime he will be better then BUsh.
fayyisaa oromo, Oromia. for more information please visit http://www.oromia.com and see where I came from.
I am waiting to see if I will have confidence in Obama. I am a moderate conservative. I did not vote for Obama. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, both make my skin crawl. I do not care for some of the people he has chosen for important positions, but do find some acceptable. But first and foremost, I am an American that wants our country to get back on a solid foundation, and hope that the President-elect succeeds in a positive direction. I will not be disrespectful and vile like the liberals were toward President Bush. I just hope that should Mr. Obama make some confusing choices, the attack dogs keep their big mouths shut.
Obama's silence about the carnage going on in Gaza, giving the green light to the Israeli govt to hinder outside humanitarian efforts and journalist coverage of those events signals there will be no changes in this area from his administration.
NOT AT ALL...I wish he could have taken office back in November...anyone with overly high expectations will be disappointed because they have put him on a pedastal...
Yew, we can!
In all honesty, I'm anxious to see what Mr. Obama can really do; It's not so much that I'm losing confidence in him and his ability to run our nation, but rather I'm on edge about whether Obama will be able to follow through with his legislative proposals given the crises overseas and our own economic crisis.
Astoria, Queens
Yes, my confidence in him has greatly declined. I am in the energy business and was quite disappointed in his appointment of a physicist to head the Energy Department - our challenge is business/economic inertia, not technology. And I don't like his fear-mongering about the economy - it smacks of GB and his "mushroom cloud" rush to the Iraq war. Frankly, I'd rather the government help the economy through smart policy/regulation - they are incredibly inefficient spenders of money.
I think that your question highlights a major defect in how many in the news media see the world.
Can we really make accurate measurements of very subjective matters such as "confidence" on a daily or weekly basis. And after taking these readings does this really pass for news.
We have elected a man who shows tremendous promise in his leadership abilities. He hasn't even taken office yet. Our next vote on his abilities is about three years and ten months from now.
Although I realize that nature abhors a vacuum and that website such as this one must find something to fluff itself out with, I think that a vote of confidence on Mr Obama's abilities is a tad premature.
John Jordan, New York City
He's doing more than Bush has done in the past 8 years, and he hasn't even started yet... give the guy a chgance, for crying out loud.
My confidence in Obama remains strong. He is giving several years of his life to ensure a prosperous future for the American people. In return we owe him more than to second guess his decisions and waiver in our support. It is precisely that type of behavior that needs to be changedy. He was elected to restore a belief that the system works. The only way Obama can properly lead is to rebuild something to be proud of. Of course he will make mistakes, as everyone does. The key is being confident that he is going in the right direction no matter how long it takes to get there. He has done nothing to make me feel that way.
Sorry I'm from Kimberly, Idaho.
I think the American public needs to wait and see what Obama does after he gets into office. How can he be judged when he hasn't even been sworn in yet? Let's be realistic, its going to take a very long time before we start to see significant improvements - were talking a couple of years. By the way, why are you polling people about Obama's approval when he hasn't even taken office yet? Once again, another unfair assessment.
Anyone who has been around politics will agree the President-elect is handling the transition superbly. He is not perfect and we are dealing with subjective judgement on cabinet selections, etc. Confidence is not slipping however it is startling to me just how much the media tried to tie Obama et al to tainted Gov. Blago–that was disturbing. Mr. Obama is the best suited for the job and America is behind him full force. Time to run this country the right way.
Bowie Maryland
I think the shrinking statistics in public confidence reflect more on the worsening economic forecast than they do on the President-elect. It's not that people feel Mr. Obama is less capable than he was a few weeks ago, it is that the challenges themselves have become more daunting and more people may feel that they are simply too large for one man to surmount. The post-election euphoria may be giving way to a stark realization that one man cannot solve our problems. And that would not be a bad thing, so long as that means Congress would put politics aside and work together for once.
Jersey City, NJ
Well, i guess it should not matter. Whatever he does or does not do – things will take its course.
No. I have been very impressed with the team he has assembled. It would be unrealistic to assume that all of his choices for cabinet picks will skate through confirmation without any "bumps" in the road.
May I remind everyone that he hasn't even been sworn in, yet. The situation between the Israeli and Palestinian people is not new and would be happening no matter who we elected on Nov. 4th.
No, not at all. My confidence in our next president Obama is stronger than before!
Could he be president for 2-3 minutes before you crown him a failure?
I'm sorry I wasted the time to even click on your byline and won't again.
The guy hasn't even taken office yet. People need to settle down. Nothing is going to be instantaneous. A little patience will be required.
Of course not Jack, The man hasn't even been in office yet, so let's give him a chance to make some changes. And anyone who thinks this mess were facing can be corrected in a year is on something Bush has been on for the last 8 years.
Marcus
Michigan
Buena Park, California
With rahm emanuel in there you bet!
I have nothing but optimism regarding Pres. elect Obama but I also realize that we are talking about politics in Wash.D.C.
Democrats have a habit of making damned fools of themselves at the most critical time. Blagojevich, Richardson, Feinstein, etc. make it abundantly clear that once Bush is gone, any change will be relative.
Jack,
Barack Obama is faced with a daunting task. Two years into his presidency no one will remember the the fact that Senator Feinstein was not notifed of Obama's pick of Panetta. The US Government is a huge beast that Obama and his staff are postioning themselves to handle. As for the issue in Gaza, Obama has said that it's best adhere to the idea that there is one adminstration at a time. He is however taking the right steps to address the domestic economy with his periodic assessments. To this point I believe he has shown good judgement, so to answer your question – no. My confidence in him remains high until I have a reason to feel otherwise.
My confidence in Barack Obama's leadership has not declined since the election. He is proactive in all his actions and decisions which is what we need from a leader. We need someone who is willing to take an objective look at the problems that face him. Circumstances will come his way. The road will not be pretty. A man is not measured by the amount of trials he faces. A man is measured by how he responds to the trials he faces. The role of the President of the United States is an enormous responsibility and task to undertake and I believe he will do well at it. Let's face it anything is better than what we have had to deal with for the last 8 years.
It is ridiculous to measure Mr. Obama's approval in tea spoons: let the man get to work and let the little experts here and there be silent for awhile. We don't need a miracle-worker, we don't need a saint. We need a tough, reflective, intelligent, eloquent man who thinks before he speaks, considers possibilities and then acts with decision and firmness. This is my take on Mr. Obama, and nothing he has said or done makes me reconsider. Read his acceptance speech: they are ideas from a grown-up, not a man in a boy's cowboy suit.
It does'nt matter, Jack ! Let the guy come and do something. In a world where nobody has a clue of what is going on with the economy, any step would be better. At least when you look at him it gives you some kind of reassurance. Even that is some kind of relief amid this horrific gloom.
Edinburgh, UK.
No way Jack. This guy is rock solid. He showed it during the election process, and he is steadfastly standing behind his principle that he is not the president yet. He is showing respect for his predecessor. The man is effectively and deliberately plotting his course, and when he begins, come innauguration day; he will astound us all with his logic and reasoning abilities. (he's not a miracle worker, but i'm sure he'll be close) People are expecting him to be the president already, and he's just NOT yet. Doesn't seem that hard a concept to grasp to me.
He's not perfect, but Obama is a thoughtful leader who is willing to work with anyone who has good ideas for addressing our many challenges. There will be ups and downs along the way, but my confidence in him will remain solid. I am so very thankful we have such a calm, rational leader during these turbulent times.
Logic would dictate that his absence from public view during the transition compared to the nightly speeches on the campaign trail would result is a slight drop in his ratings.
Obama is the best man for the job without any doubt. Starting Jan. 20 the world will see the American people got it right this time. I'm a grown man 46 years of age, 6'1, 200 pounds. I can only hope on Jan 20th I won't cry like a baby the way I did the night of Nov. 4th 2008.
GO OBAMA
I still have 100% confidence in the President-Elect. I think that people should let him get in office before we start passing judgement on what he is doing. Right now it is just talk as he is not the president yet.
I have complete confidence in how he is handling the transition and his plans moving forward. How he handles our economic situation assessment is about 12 months premature. It will not be fixed overnight as it took over ten years to teardown.How his approval rating can drop makes the rating system suspect as he hasnt taken over yet.Results should affect his rating not personal feelings or moods.
Not a bit. It would be difficult to imagine a decline in my confidence in this man as I have absolutely none in his ability to solve a problems. His ideas are old liberalism at the worst. They have failed before and will again.
Possibly a little – if my confidence has declined it is not because of anything Obama has or hasn't done - it's because all these messes that Bush is leaving seem to become worse and worse with each passing day.
i think the reality of what we are faced with has sunken in. and thank god obama is telling us straight what that is. and thank god it is obama that is telling us and not someone else.
No, just give the guy a shot.....I have no idea of how our lovely government , who got us in this jam, can think they can get us out...why would I place faith in an attorney? they are the scum of teh earth...Lets see how Obama works this..i wish him all the luck...but the media an dthe politicians can't blaim Bush forever....I predict we'll have a 1 yr honeymoon with Obama and then its all over....we are in for a long and bumpy road...
Jack
Give the man a break! he isn't in office as yet and you're losing confidence already. What should he do? Kicking GWB out of office will not work, unless you have a better idea.
My confidence hasn't changed, because he hasn't gotten into office yet. Approval ratings dropping at this stage isn't losing confidence in him, it's losing confidence that *anyone* can fix things.
Not at all, I just wish it was the 20th already. It took us 8 years to get to where we are, it will not be fixed overnight. I applaud his choice for CIA, they need a new set of non torturing eyes. I applaud Gov Richardson, unlike Blago, he is getting out of the way of the process. No one is perfect including Obama, but his 'bumps' are just that bumps, while Bush's 'bumps' were like craters in the road.
No; my confidence has not diminished at all. But then I've never been giddy with this euphoric optimism that a lot of people seem to have. Optimism is good, don't get me wrong. But Obama is a human being and just one politician immersed in a sea of politicians. He's smart, informed, determined and, I believe, dedicated to solving this nation's problems to the very best of his (considerable) ability. But at the end of the day, he's still just one man who puts his pants on one leg at a time. To me, the real question is whether he will prove to be a good leader (he's already proving that) or a truly great leader. So far, I'm betting on the latter...
No, my confidence in President-elect Obama has not declined. We should wait, at least, until he has taken office before we decide what sort of President he will be.
I never had confidence in this man!!! I did not vote for him. I did not think he was the right man for the job and my thoughts are becoming more obvious.
No. I had no confidence in BHO to begin with and anyone who believed all those promises was a fool to do so. This man promised the world to everyone in America and 54 million Americans bought into it. NewsFlash: Santa Obama is not coming.
Give the man a break. He's not even in office yet. Instead of focusing on Obama, you should look at decider who has already abdicated his throne, and he is still getting paid. That is the outrage!!
No because I never had any confidence in him. And I have no confidence in Jack Cafferty, "Garbage" is how I describe your writing. All I see from you is biased nonsense.
I feel he will do what he said he would do. The bump in the road have not altered my opinion. I applaude Governor Richardson for withdrawing his name and being honest. Mr Obama is righ to stand back and let President Bush leave office before making decisions and statment in regards to Gaza before he is sworn in. I'm proud of him, proud of and to be an American.
I'm from Jackson, MS.
I don't know about people losing confidence in Obama, but have people lost confidence in you since you ran over that bike messenger in NY awhile back? The man's not even in office yet and you can't wait to start the digs. The truth is, this country has gone to hell in a handbasket in the last 8 years and NOBODY can fix it. However, we're lucky enough to have commentators like yourself to remind us that it's all our fault and Bush/Cheney can skate away with no remorse.
No Jack, my confidence in President Elect Obama has not declined. Can we at least wait for him to actually be in office before we start asking questions like this? Good lord man, Obama is inheriting the biggest mess this country has faced since God knows when, give him a chance!
Definitely not, we are in very capable hands. I hope he goes back and reviews what that hack Paulsen did with that Bailout money. Obama seems like a pragmatist using every mechanism possible to resolve a very complex mess left by GWB. I have great confidence in Obama's decision making skills and his team. And for crying out loud – where is George Bush anyway?
Is our confidence level really affected by Obama or by what's going on in the world? It seems like every day there is something tragic going on. Maybe we are losing confidence in America.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. In fact, all that he has done, and how he's doing it has done nothing but increase my confidence. He has made good appointments, displayed calm, is following correct procedure by not impinging on the current president's areas, and it is obvious his team is already hard at work developing plans for a number of issues.
I can't wait for him to get into office.
Dawn
Hawaii
My confidence in the PE has not waned.
My confidence in the media their portrayal of the PE wanes daily. CNN's picture of Obama earlier today was not flattering. And it is difficuIt to take a bad picture of this photogenic, charismatic person. It appears as if the media would like to control public opinion.
I also find it strange that CNN published a poll on public opinion early Wednesday AM showing that Roland Burris should'nt be seated and the that poll just disappeared.
I believe we are fortunate to have Obama as PE and resent the coverage being given by John Kass and Eric Zorn. It is sad.
Jack, I have always liked your segments, but this is one of the dumbest questions ever. Obama hasn't even taken office yet and we're evaluating his performance. Let the man be sworn in before we start trashing him. However, if I must answer this question, I believe the country's confidence in Obama is growing by leaps and bounds!
No, Obama is inheriting an incredible mess from Bush – he's not even President yet!!!
I expected change from Obama, however, he is appointing re-treads from the Clinton administration. Most of these are moderate to conservative in their leanings.
Also, he is proposing another bailout. This is just a carbon copy of what the Bush administration has been doing.
I am disappointed.
Are you serious........the man isn't even in office yet and your polling to see if people are disssatisfied with his performance...give me a break. I can see judging him after his first week but let the man get actually take the job first!!
He has not yet start driving the car and want to give him a ticket ....please . Let him at least get at the drivers seat and run for a few miles. I have same confidence as on voting day.
Come on folks, are Americans so wishy washy that they can "disapprove" of a man that hasen't even been sworn in yet!!!! Give me a break! Let the man do his job & maybe give him a year or 2 before you start jumping all over him. After all look at the messes he is left with to clean up after the last 8 years. God help him he will need it.
Jack, Americans have an aversion to politicians who tell uncomfortable truths. Had we listened to Jimmy Carter and not turned on re the use of energy, how much better off would we be today? Hope we don't force Obama to choose between popularity and laying the truth on the line. No, his popularity is not declining among those of us who see him doing what we voted for him to do!
Jack, i'm stanch supporter of Obama from day One. My confidence in him handling crisis is not only declining, I no longer have confidence in him. He's just another politician who can't keep his promises. I'm really outraged at fear mongering speech he made today. I don't think the mega bailout money he's asking congress will solve the crisis.
Jack,
For me, no, it has not. My confidence that the rest of the team will be able to stay focused on improving life for the United States and its citizens is faltering a little. No one person can do it all. What Obama has attempted to do before being installed as President seems to me to be more than I can remember most previous presidents trying to do. It seems to me that he knows it is not all about him and he seems to be trying to collect a wide range of people to get buy in and collective skills to solve the nation's growing challenges.
Even when he is the president, he still cannot do it all and it will take a lot of people, both politicians and naysayers to make the efforts to pull together as a people and help our country return to greatness.
I look forward to "uniting" with the rest of America to better serve us all and not serve just myself. I think Obama has a larger vision than I've heard in some time – now if only more citizens can contribute to the solutions, I think we will have a great future.
My confidence in President-elect Barack Obama has actually increased, with the way he's handling all the controversy surrounding Chicago. Can you imagine what a circus things would be if the other person got elected, he probably would have found a way to blame it on Obama.
It's hard to lose confidence in any politician in America today. That's because I and many Americans I associate with have none to begin with. Today in American politics you are almost assured that whatever a politician says while trying to get elected will be exactly the opposite of what happens after he or she is elected. For instance, Barack Obama repeatadly promised not to appoiont nor allow the influence of lobbyists and "washington insiders" within his adminstration. Well, in fact, all he has are former lobbyists and washington insiders within his administration, mostly from the Clinton adminstration.
Anyone's who's lost confidence in a president that hasn't even taken office yet is not very realistic. I think the initial euphoria of his victory, and the novelty of the man, has worn off somewhat as we wait for George Bush to ride off into the sunset. During that time we've been bombarded with a ton of bad news, with no-one to lead us. We're stuck in between a man who wants to act, but can't, and a lame duck who could, but won't.
It was zero to begin with. I live in the Chicago area. Obama got elected to the Senate by having his opponents removed from the ballot. He distinguished himself by taking up space in the Senate and running for President.
While he inherits a lot, the economy is the responsibility of the people in this country. Buy cars and the automakers are solvent. Buy houses and mortgage companies and builders will be solvent. Put your money in real accounts in banks and they will be solvent. Bush didn't cause it, and couldn't fix it.
Do not expect a miracle from Obama. He already performed the only miracle he could.
I haven't lost confidence in him one bit. But also anything he wants done has to go through congress and senate for anything to be done. I feel for him because he is under scrutiny, we as a country are at one of our worst times ever, also the world is at it's worst with all the problems going on, and he has to come in and try to fix all this. I feel sorry for the guy, cause i don't know any one man can fix all these problems we have.
some of us have always thought he was more talk than actions. I hope he does well, than we all do well, but I'm not impressed. He seems like a typical politician to me
Too early to judge, let's give the President elect a few weeks to settle in. There're some bright people he's picked. There will always be bumps along the way.
Let's get the youth of this country energized into policy and planning by drawing some energized young (minded) people who will actually be around a few decades from now when the Nasdaq will be back at 5040!
Jack, I voted for the other guy. But how is it possibly fair that we are already beginning to judge Mr. Obama's presidency before he has taken the oath of office! Our instant-gratification-I-expect-it-right-now culture has completely lost track of the length of time it takes for somethings to work themselves out. The current crisis traces its beginnings back to the mid 1990's. It took us about 15 years to get in this situation, it's going to take several years (and probably at least a couple more) to get us out!
Not one bit. In fact, the actions taken by the President-elect during the transition have made me more confident in his ability to lead. When faced with a bump in the road, he's applied the ABS on his brakes when others would have skidded into disaster (e.g. deftly getting Richardson to 'wihdraw' and deferring to Bush to avoid entanglement in the insolvable Mid-East crisis). Before November 4 we knew he was an efficient cool-headed campaigner, now we know he'll be a skilled cool-headed leader.
I am fully confident in Barrack Obama's abilities to handle what he will be inheriting on Day 1 of his term. He has shown his abilities time and again.
Jack, I'm not losing confidence but the daily reality of our economic situation is my dampening expectations. I do believe that Obama is the right man at the right time to deal with this.
Anyway, it'll be great having not having that guy that said "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job" during Katrina trying to navigate this crisis.
Simply put in a complex time...no.
Jack,
Definitely not. I dont think there is anything this president can do to take the country lower than where it stands currently in the world right now.
I don't believe my confidence is better or worse. More and more people are getting away from the excitement of the election and perhaps some are looking at Gaza and the failing economy. I'm not as excited as I was when he won the election but his choices for his cabinet look very exciting.
Predicting how well Barack Obama will do at this point is tantamount to predicting what the stock market will do in the next 12 months. As opposed to predictions we as American's should focus our attention to what we can do to help ourselves. If you voted for Barack Obama or any president for that matter because you felt he was going to save you from your own bad habits then you have a distorted view of the Presidency. Support our tropps no matter what you think of the wars..our troops didn't start the wars but they have to fight them..so support them and stop sending the message to our enemies that we are weak and only support wars against weak enemies that don't put up much of a fight. Take responsibility for our own financial well being. No matter what you think of Bush and his adminstration he didn't run up your credit cards and didn't force you to buy more house than you could afford. It is time to stop the finger pointing and take responsibility of our own lifes. If we can't do that then we are truly weak as a nation and our enemies will win and our future is not bright. Barack Obama is not the savior..he will soon be our president and deserves our support but he cannot improve each individual life in America. Only us as individuals can make a difference in our own lifes.
Obama’s silence about the carnage going on in Gaza, giving the green light to the Israeli govt to hinder outside humanitarian efforts and journalist coverage of those events signals there will be no changes in this area from his administration.
Jack, with all due respect, the guy hasn't even been sworn in yet! But, no, my confidence in President-Elect Obama has not declined since the election. To the contrary, my confidence in him is stronger than ever, and I am looking forward to January 20th, when he can begin steering our country back in the right direction.
Pam
Atlanta, GA
What frosts me is....all the good old boy blogs that constantly and everlastingly panned and flamed Hillary...AND GUESS WHAT, obama has appointed more members to his committees, his cabinets that were in Bill Clinton's administration that ever....Guess again, those good old boys and their blogs were women haters.
How can my confidence in President-ELECT Obama decline if he has not even become president yet?
I believe Mr. Obama Will Become one of the greatest president .
Oh hell no!
The road to the "Whitehouse" is booby trapped by quicksand thanks to GWB and the current reigning dictatorship.
It will take time and patience to maneuver around or get out of them.
Our PE is not a miracle worker. I don't believe that anyone who voted for him thought he was. The word "messiah" was coined by the republicans not the Democrats. They, the Reps threw the party and the Dems are left with the cleanup.
My confidence in Mr Obama is as high as ever. Actually, it is higher than when I voted for him. He's not officially the President yet and already is doing his job, his clean up job that W is just walking away from.
He has clearly shown his leadership skills and his steadfast passion for his work.
For all of you that do not have any solutions to offer, quite whining. Let the man do his job.
President-elect Obama may have made an historic campaign largely based on implicit promises of hope and change, but he did not let the public in on the fact he has discovered a time machine and used it to staff his administration.
There is a pressing question I believe may soon be asked by citizens, "Who is John Galt?"
Each day Obama is looking more like a single A player, faking his way through a major league game. As Joe Biden said last year- "America cannot afford Obama's on the job training"- well, we are getting a first hand look at a President elect with training wheels- and it is not good.
E. Jonathon Kelly
Spring House, PA
Not at all. I think every small detail is over-analyzed by the media and no one can make so many decisions in a short time and please everyone. If the media would just report the facts and not use headlines that distort the story, we would all be in a better position. Just because a senator in the democratic party does not agree with everything Barak wants does not mean "even members in his own party are breaking ranks with him". It means they are not clones and do not agree on everything, duh. Isn't that what we want? No more W agreeing with Dick about everything!
This country is, and always has been, bigger than just one man. "We the people" determine the course of this great nation, and we can all start by just living our normal lives and ignore all the recession hysteria thrown at us by the mass media. Remember, when we consumers spend our money, we are helping other people earn theirs. SPEND MONEY people, it's really not that bad!
Well the numbers tell the story and that would be yes. And I'm willing to bet they will go down quit a bit more when he can't deliver on all his promises that got him elected. He's already been backsliding on them and he's not even been sworn in yet.
I am reserving judgment on Mr. Obama. he will not be our president until January 20, 2009. I hope that people do not think President -elect Obama can wave his magic wand when he becomes President and fix the years of problems immediately.
No, not at all. He's proactively addressing every problem in his typical no panic , pragmatic, goodnatured fashion. Unfortunately, there's just a hell of a lot of problems out there right now.
I never had much confidence in him since day one. That being said most of this has nothing to do with him. In fact if anything, my confidence in him has improved because he has stuck to his guns, and defended Panetta (if Panetta is an effective leader, who cares where his experience is), which is something George Bush would have done.
I'll never be a big fan of Obama's, but if he sticks to his guns you can't help but have some confidence and respect in/for that. On one level it shows he has a good foundation and strong values, on another level I want to be able to wake up every day through his 4 (or God forbid 8) years and know what his position is.
I was a little disappointed in some of Obama's appointments–too many people who had not spoken out clearly against the war in Iraq and the use of torture. I was heartened again by his appointment of Panetta. Has my confidence declined? Perhaps a little, but not much.
Can't decline when it was never there. I can't believe that everyone fell for the ole "Promise the Moon" line.
i haven’t lost confidence in him one bit. But also anything he wants done has to go through congress and senate for anything to be done. I feel for him because he is under scrutiny, we as a country are at one of our worst times ever, also the world is at it’s worst with all the problems going on, and he has to come in and try to fix all this. I feel sorry for the guy, cause i don’t know any one man can fix all these problems we have.
sorry forgot city and state.
sacramento, ca
Not one bit.
My confidence in Senate Democrats, however ... well, let's just say that it can't get any lower.
No, Nada, None, not any, not one single iota!
Obama has been riding on a cloud for sometime now, so some return to earth was inevitable. Its also a good early lesson for Obama that other Presidents have had to learn, often the hard way. The lesson is that despite the best of initial intentions, events in the real world often blow policy off course and in the end the Presidency can be shaped by these events. The mark of quality is how well a President handles these events and recovers.
I never had confidence in Barack Obama. He's turning to the very people that got us into this mess and ignoring the ones who predicted it (Peter Schiff, Ron Paul). The Ignorant American public who elected this sham into office will suffer the consequences.
The country is going down the tubes, not Obama, he hasn't even been sworn in yet! Even if he cures some of our ills, we will be better off than we have been in the last eight years after the stooge brothers. phyllis p. mendham nj
I think confidence is still high in the man, but confidence is much lower because of the policies. It's just plain unprecedented to have a newly elected president setting policy, acting as president and submitting legislation long before he's sworn into office, and the policies that are being announced–like a plainly brain-dead economic stimulus plan–makes you wonder if there are any brains among the economic team assembled. Going into massive debt to "cure" problems caused by massive debt is insane, stark raving lunacy. So already I've gone from 90% confidence in Obama's economy team to–zero percent (and it would be a minus percentage if that were possible). Zero confidence. This administration may be at an end before it's even begun.
No. The man isn't President yet. Give him the opportunity to present himself with our flag flying beside him 100% when he becomes our President. If he defers to our current President, it shows his honor of not only the man, but the office. It is more than most of us would do. It is more than I would do. I have all the faith in the world that once Barack Obama becomes President, the term, "Yes We Can", will become, "Yes We Did!" Port Angeles, WA
Jack, i was stanch supporter of Obama from day One. My confidence in him handling crisis is not only declining, I no longer have confidence in him. He’s just another politician who can’t keep his promises. I’m really outraged at fear mongering speech he made today. I don’t think the mega bailout money he’s asking congress will solve the crisis
Minneapolis, MN
Give the president elect enough time. Too soon to judge. So far I am impressed with his moves except CIA cheif selection.
Jack,
No. Our confidence has not declined. We have an urgent situation dealing with economy. The current president is not doing anything and January 20th seems so long away. People are frustrated.
Sean, San Jose, CA
We all have to hope for the best,no matter who you voted for.
He is our President.God bless him for wanting to take on this
Mount Everest of a job! We are all Americans and we are all in this together.
My confidence in President-Elect Obama has not faded at all. All he is doing is trying to clean up the mess that the dog left behind! Just give him a chance! The man has a lot on his plate. Don't degrade him before he's even sworn in. Every choice he is making right now is because of the idiots that were before him! He is making great changes for those that NEED it! The rich have had lived for a long time! Can't the Middle Class live a little?
My confidence hasn't waned in Obama, but my fears for the future have sure grown in the last month or so. Everything seems to be sliding south faster and faster. Every month that goes by its becoming harder for our family to make ends meet and there are times when I'm beginning to feel a panicky. While I believe Obama and his team are the BEST team we have to face the challenges, I'm just not sure ANY team can solve the problems our country faces now.
People have said he needs to take action. But the fact is that he is still the president-elect. We can doubt all we want now, but we have to wait until he takes office. Give him time and a month after he's been sworn in let's reassess and see if we can hold him accountable for all the campaign promises he made.
Nope. And I never expected him to swoop in and solve all our problems for us. If you listened to what he said, he knew it wouldn't be that easy. We all need to work and sacrifice and it will be a struggle to turn things around. But that is a reflection on the size of the mess we have created, not a lack of faith in Obama. Obama is the right leadership at the right time, and that is all we can expect of a president.
who cares not me..... i'm doing good and dnt need the government.
Yes, Obama is already starting to get unpopular...
Approval still high here. Give him a chance, he is not even in office yet.
Goldthwaite, TX
Personally Jack, I think he's doing better than I originally expected . He is up against some real big problems, so I think it natural that he won't always triumph. Regardless, he's still better than the fool we have now!
No, my confidence in President-elect Obama has not decreased. I am still very much impressed with the way he has handled his transition. As for the political scandals if they can be called that most of them do not personally involve him. The actions of Blagovisch, the Illinois Governor cannot be blamed on Obama and he shouldn't be expected to have somehow prevented corrupt politicians from their vices. As for the Richardson withadrawal, politicians are always under investigation of some sort, I think it is being given more attention than necessary and I will guess attempts by the Obama team from possible embarrassment has resulted in agreeing to drop Richardson. This is where Bush differed by the fact that he stood behind his people to the last minute. I believe Obama should a lesson from the Bush chapter as in politics you cannot always drop political aides for possible investigations as sometime those investigations maybe politically charged and always distancing from those aides may end up hurting the efficiency of your administration. As for nominating a newbie at CIA, this doesn't mean that he is replacing the entire agency with newbies but an outsider can be good to see what needs to be done as career professionals are often aghast to change. The same reason why the Secretary of Defense is not a former general or admiral. No one seems to complain that placing a civilian in charge of our military is a problem.
I never had any confidence in him anyway, he has no knowledge and no experience.
Mr. Obama is still in the "on deck" cirlce and is making some nice practice swings. We should look at his record after 90 days in the real game to see if his confidence numbers are rising or falling...
Not a chance. The world is hanging on by a thread until January 20, 2009.
Sandra
Victoria, BC, Canada
The problems that our country faces surpass any one living's past experiences. While most of us are very hopeful that our new president and his team can be successful, it is inevitable that there will be problems and failures along the way.
I personally thinks it has been positive that these issues have arisen as it will add a degree of humbleness and reality to the chosen policies and implementation in the years ahead. Sure, the events of the past few weeks have been disappointing, but, heck, he's human.
How could anyones confidence have declined? He's not even the President yet!! You finally have a president that is straight up and telling it like it is Jack and your asking questions about confidence? I would expect that of a Glen Beck or Rush whats his name but I thought you had more on the ball.
Obama hasn't even been sworn in as President and he is already doing more to help Americans than Bush did in 8 years. I think he's going to do a great job. Our expectations need to be realistic – he can't walk on water. I'm 100% behind him.
No.
Its way to early to form an opinion
Come on. If this isn't an attempt to generate news, nothing is.
The 'he'll walk on water" types needed their bubble burst anyway. The realists always knew the mess Obama has inheriteted will take a lot longer to clean up than it took for Bush to create it.
Try the same story in a year, or six months at least. Give him a change to enact some policy before you judge anything.
Barack Obama's great ability to inspire hope allowed him to win the election. I never had, and I think I share this with many Americans, strong confidence that Barack Obama could do the job effectively. Confidence (unlike hope) is earned by a proven track record and Barack Obama does not have that. Confidence that is earned through accomplishments over time can sustain minor setbacks, whereas confidence that is based largely on hope can falter more easily. I think the recent trend is reflecting the difference between hope that is inspiring and confidence that has been earned.
Jack, I think the decline could be, in part, because some people feel the way you do regarding Obama's "silence" on the Gaza situation. But, what you and others obviously do not realize is, Obama is not in any position to make any decisions regarding this situation. Bush IS the president and I haven't heard nearly as many people (in the media) inquire about what will he do.
I don't understand, what was all the hype over Mr. Obama about in the first place. A messiah he is not, yes, confidence has declined. Americans are waking up, (I hope for good this time) and understand that for one man to fix everything, would in fact have to be a dictator. This is still capitolism, I think we are moving into uncharted waters. Mr. Bush, thank you for being a stand up American, I appreciate what you stood for. Jeff in New Jersey.
I'm tired of judging Obama. He won the election. Now we need to let him lead (which means, he need to be sworn in, and have a real period of time within which to accomplish something). Then I'll start judging again (hopefully favorably).
Palm Springs, CA
Obama has been riding on a cloud for sometime now, so some return to earth was inevitable. Its also a good early lesson for Obama that other Presidents have had to learn, often the hard way. The lesson is that despite the best of initial intentions, events in the real world often blow policy off course and in the end the Presidency can be shaped by these events. The mark of quality is how well a President handles these events and recovers.
London, England
It is rather early to loose confidence. The Richardson mess was mostly due to bad info from Richardson. Penneta is a choice; one out of many that people have approved of. The new estimate of the size of the mess is only the first of many ever-growing estimates of that mess. Grow up, people. He's not doing anything drastically wrong, like Bush did almost every chance he got. Nobody's going to make this nightmare go away over night.
You guys do these polls and maybe ask 1000 people. We have 300 plus million people here and I can promise you that we all didn't have a say in any of this. Same as with Pres. Bush's approval rating.Whom do you'll ask these questions to and where do you'll get your numbers from. A big headline for a something you'll cooked up.
An Army Paratrooper
My confidence that one person can fix anything as complex as a country has never been high. Obama is not a God, he is just a man. Saying that, I do have confidence that Obama will approach the crisis with intelligence, and hopefully he will listen to the people that he is appointing to his cabinet as well as other experts, and I do have confidence in his ability to do that.
We had eight years of the current president, to try and fairly judge our incoming president who has not been sworn in may be a bit of the case of jumping the gun. wether he will be able to cut the mustard only time will tell. Iam willing to wait and see
The long and the short: I never had any to begin with, so no.
Jack: No my confidence in Obama isn't waning. This guy is inheriting the worst presidential situation in decades. He has to clean up after the worst president in decades. He's got the unenviable job of having to fix everything the Republicans broke. Considering all the work Obama has already put in, before he even starts, is pretty darn amazing to me. I wish him the best of luck!
Jack, indeed,Obama's confidence is shattered. This is puzzling...
With mediocre pick after mediocre pick, and filling his cabinet with so many establishment and career politicians(like Hillary), I'm starting to wonder if any "change" will be happening in Washington.
This is the kind of question that does no good when we look at the current state of affairs. I cannot understand why you are wasting time on this when there are more important questions you could address. But it is your show.
Could we PULLEEZZE wait until Obama is sworn in before we begin judging him.
Don't you think polls done before any of his appointments have done anything at all is just a little 'hyperventalative', and perhaps not fair to them? Give them a little chance to screw up, then start picking on 'em.
No, I knew he wasn't a miracle maker to begin with, as did most people who supported him. We knew he was really smart and competent, evidenced by his well-thought-out picks for cabinet positions and proposed policies that accommodate both sides of the proverbial aisle. The truth is, he's not the president yet, so the least the country could do is give him a chance to get sworn in before burning him at the stake for media-generated non-issues like Richardson and Panetta.
Can you give the man a chance to be sworn in , at least? Dear dooomsday naysayers! He will proceed in a deliberate and organized fashion, and some of the results will not be so good. But, I can guarantee you, that at least he will be HONEST with us. NO LIES or DECEIT as was the rule with the previous administration! Jack, you disappoint me at times because you almost sound like your sole wish is for failure and for there to be an on-going crisis in this country! GET OVER IT!
I am writing from Rio Grande City, Texas (home of the 3rd poorest county in the United States and we are still surviving!)
Mr. Obama is still in the “on deck” cirlce and is making some nice practice swings. We should look at his record after 90 days in the real game to see if his confidence numbers are rising or falling…
Nope. Not in the least. How can we risk slacking off when we're all so near the brink?
Cafferty, don't be a pin-head... Why are you failing to address the War on Drugs?
I voted for McCain and for Bush both times. That being said, even I find this a ridiculous question. The man is 12-days away from even taking office. Let’s wait and judge him on his actions once he takes office. A better question would be – Has my confidence in journalists declined recently? You betcha it has!
Give the guy a break! He hasn't even officially taken the job yet.
No. Or rather, our confidence shouldn't fall. The people voted for change... but what many of us didn't count on was that change can sometimes be frightening. Despite great clamouring for change, there are many of us who'd just prefer it if we had a president that didn't rock the boat, ie brings us more of the same.
But Mr. Obama will bring us something better in the end... Perhaps it's overstating, but I like to think of this time as the time when Moses was leading the Hebrews in the wilderness. And we are about to enter the promised land (of course, there were many would-be mutinys put down by Moses, folks saying "we had it better in slavery!"
I think his choice of Panetta is an excellent deviation from the status quo. Rest assured Jack, America will be better off four years from now.
This question is ridiculous. The President-elect has not even taken office yet. When Barack promised change, I don't think he meant overnight. He's the president elect, not God. Let's not expect miracles out the guy - just intelligence, hard work, thoughtful decisions, and transparency. So far he's delivered that and more.
"Here’s my question to you: Has your confidence in President-elect Barack Obama declined any since the election?"
Absolutely Not! But my level of hope and optimism for our country continues to grow! I am excited about this new administration and hope everyone will give The President -elect the chance to be The President before judging his performance.
From my understanding, Obama will put a 50 cent tax raise on gasoline and instead of using the monies to pay toward the deficit, Obama is going to spend, spend, spend.
No Jack
I never had high opinion of Obama to begin with so there was very far for him to fall.
During the campaign Barack Obama infuriated Progressives by proclaiming he was against Single Payer Health Care except if he was starting over.
After he was elected Obama declared war on the grass roots by appointing a Health and Human Services Secretary who sees himself as the guardian of the health insurance industry in their quest to confiscate money from the American Citizenry.
Then finally to top it all off Obama appoints Sanjay Gupta as Chief White House Propagandist for Health Issues. This is the man whose chief claim to fame is accusing Michael Moore of cooking the facts in Sicko.
So lets recap Jack, Obama infuriated us in October, declared war on us in December and then flipped us off in January. And you want to know how we feel about him ?
I say my vote for Ralph Nader is looking better and better every day !
I wonder if Michael Moore thinks we are "crazy Nader voters" now ?
Jack, the trend is starting as the American people realize he will not be able to keep his promises. We are already broke and beaten and the dollars they want to spend will ensure my children and their children will live the "New American Dream", broke and depressed needing an 800 credit score to buy a $40 loaf of bread.
NO WAY
he hasn't even stepped into office yet!
No it has not gone down; since it never was that hight to begin with.
It was not high for McCain or Bush either. We need true leadership-You, Mr Cafferty and/or Mr. Dobbs.
We need leaders that are "us".
Frank
Please, confidence in what? The time period that someone is the President-elect? It's just like Obama says almost dailey, you can only have ONE President at a time. He can only pave the way so much before that magic day. Let's not creat a confidence CRISIS before he has actually served as THE PRESIDENT. I know things must be slow right now, just give it time you'll have plenty to HYPE up in two weeks.
So what are the indications that he will be able to turn things around? Is it based on a Gallup Poll? Of course people want to believe that things will get better, but right now all that is going on is a continuation of the ever growing bailout.
Mr. Obama has a very heavy burden, he is tasked with turning this country around, he has defined his cabinet, which from where I sit shows considerable intelligence, of all the people he has named, the nay-sayers have only griped about one! That's pretty impressive all things considered. With regards to the 1.2 Trillion deficit, wasn't it already close to a trillion thanks to the Bush Administration. Give him a chance, Rome wasn't built in a day and Washington will not be rebuilt any faster.
Not at all. Hiring people populate a government is going to create a few snags. I am enjoying the fact that he seems to be able to deliver bad news and tell people what they don't want to hear.
This is a lot different from what we have had to get used to over the last eight years.
Digging out of the mess left behind by Geo. Bush will be very difficult and a lot of people will be calling for Obama's head very soon.
For now it's enough that the President Elect can speak without mauling the English language and appear to have thoughts on his remakes prior to getting in front of the microphone.
The problems stated within this article are problems under the BUSH administration. Like Obama has already stated, he is "not the president", therefore, he does not have the authority to step in and delegate domestic or foreign affairs. As far as the Bill Richardson nomination, would America rather Obama act like Bush and turn a blind eye to corruption and scandal? Richardson withdrew due to prior investigations that he is involved in at the moment. Obama knows that his administration is going to be under a microscope and has to ensure everyone is qualified and focused on their duties. Richardson cannot focus on his duties with issues still lingering in his state.
Also, people have to stop viewing Obama as this SUPERNATURAL being. He chosen as president to LEAD this nation in the right direction, but not to perform miracles. This nation has been in a recession for a over a year (and some say longer than that), and only an idiot will believe that as soon as Obama takes oath our nation will miraculously be out of the debt. That is not how it works. Obama is doing what a lot of Americans are not accustom to in the past 8 years, he is telling the truth. He is not sugar-coating things, lying, deceiving the American public and the world... He is telling the truth. As the saying goes, "the truth hurts", but get used to it for the next 4 years.
So with the Gallup Polls declining, it just reminds me of the famous words of Jack Nicholson, some people "can't handle the truth"
I would say my confidence in Barack Obama to get the job done is waivering at best, but at worst my confidence in him is about as much as my confidence in the term "bailout" used by our government will actually do just that. Both are packaged in glittery wrapping paper and decorated with a bow, but unwrap them and you might get a surprise you didn't want.
My confidence that one person can fix anything as complex as a country has never been high. Obama is not a God, he is just a man. Saying that, I do have confidence that Obama will approach the crisis with intelligence, and hopefully he will listen to the people that he is appointing to his cabinet as well as other experts, and I do have confidence in his ability to do that!!
Perhaps people don't understand what the word "Elect" means in the title, "President Elect" Barack Obama. His election made me happy too, but it didn't empower me with the powers of clairvoyance.
Let's give him a chance to actually take the office before tracking our confidence in his presidency, k?
No....because I never had any confidence in his "abilities" to begin with. Obama gettig elected doesn't change the fact that he has little to no understanding of the economy.
Anyone who says "Only the Government can break the cycle of recession" clearly doesn't understand the situation. Confidence to invest and to spend is what will start the recovery..not another stimulus package.
I suspect in a few months his approval rating will be less than 50% and this time he won't be able to use Bush as his scapegoat.
My confidence has not lessened, but the problems keep getting bigger. Hes just one man, with a good head and seems to be making wise decisions, but what one person can fix this mess.
Barack Obama will be a bit of an adjustment for Americans accustomed to George W. Bush. We got used to an incurious president flying by the seat of his pants; someone who doesn't care for nuance. Barack Obama is different. Not only does he care, he doesn't need words piped into his ear in order to respond to the press. We'll get used to caring competence once again America, I promise!
No, my confidence in Obama has not waned–but I do think we are all coming off the sugar-high of his acceptance speech in Chicago and facing the fact that this is going to be a long, uphill struggle–not only for Obama, but for all of us, as well. No president could assume office in times like these and just immediately whip things into shape, but I firmly believe that Obama's unique combination of intelligence, vision, integrity, and bipartisanship will give him a unique working perspective and a rare degree of support in congress and among ordinary US citizens that will aid him in turning our country around.
WTF? Why are we writing about Obama's approval ratings? HE HAS NOT OFFICIALLY BEGUN HIS TERM YET?
What a stupid subject....please write about something different, or at least allow him one week on the job before we start writing about his ratings.
My confidence in him has not declined at all. He himself has said that he is not a perfect man and he will not be a perfect president. "Bumps in the road" are an inevitable part of the position he is moving into, and there will be more. But in times as distressing as these, those bumps in the road are minor issues. My confidence in Mr. Obama stems from my belief that he recognizes and understands the major issues and is determined to do something about them.
Malcolm Hudson
St. Louis, MO
no. i still maintain high confidence in Obama. however, i wonder about the democrats in congress.
We finally, (after 8 years), have an eloquent and intelligent president who has surrounded himself with among the very best that this country has to offer....There are so many problems that we as a nation face. It is absolutely absurd to think that anyone could be making critical judgments prior to the beginning of Obama's administration...In the weeks ahead, I hope that the politicians in Washington will look beyond their self interests and put partisan issues aside and give this new administration a chance to succeed!...So, losing confidence, No Way, I am optimistic and very hopeful!!!
How can I judge a man when he hasn't taken office yet. What a dumb question. Why don't you substitute the word Bush for Obama. As a matter of fact I'm looking for a breath of fresh air. Hurry up January 20th.
absolutely not!! give the man a chance! I depend on Cnn–please spoil our relationship with these leading questions. I expect
better from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no.
Yes. Sometimes he tries to be so politically correct that he really does not say very much.
I do not like his "side-stepping" on the Israel issue at all!
I am afraid that all the forecasts that he would do that in the future may come true.
Israel needs us and we need them.
The man isn't even president yet. How on earth could it be declining?
C'mon Jack. What kind of question is this?
Oh come on, for crying out loud.... this question is ridiculous ! The man hasn't even taken office and people have already began throwing stones? Based on what exactly? It's amazing how the media has to stir things up !
It's WAY to early to gauge confidence one way or another.... Wait until he's been in the office long enough to have answered impromptu questions about HIS ideas and policies that DON'T allow him to deflect to the 'failings of the previous administration'. We'll see how long it takes him to make another 'seances with Nancy Reagan' gaff...how long it takes him to talk in a big circle that goes nowhere... because he's not following a script, because no one is there to pull his strings, and because – unlike in Oz – it will all too soon be apparent that there truly is NOTHING behind the curtain. THEN, sir...ask your question about confidence....
No, my confidence in President-elect Obama has not waned. How could it? He hasn't even taken office yet! It is not fair to judge a man when he hasn't even started his job yet.
I will say this, however .. I am very disappointed in his choice of Evangelical Minister Rick Warren to give the inaugural invocation. That decision sent a very sad message to the G.L.B.T. community, and only bolsters the hate mongering that so often occurs within the religious right.
I also question his choice of Leon Panetta as CIA Director. I am hoping that this is not another case of cronism .. something the Bush Administration was famous for. But all we can do is wait and see, and Hope. By the way, I still have my Obama "Hope" poster in my front window. I'll keep it up until the Hope disappears.
Alicia
My confidence in Obama remains the same: very high. I think what we're seeing now is a realization that the country's problems won't magically evaporate just because he comes into office; from reading the blogs, I'm afraid a lot of people had that fantasy.
In fact, the country is facing a lot of challenges, from the economy and our global responsibilities all the way down to the snittiness among high profile individuals who should know better. Obama can't always dictate the situations, but he can control how he deals with them, and so far, I've been impressed. His actions, and the speed and transparency with which he has taken them, continue to give me hope. A few of his decisions have annoyed me as an individual, but I've appreciated his consideration of situations in total.
He hasn't even started yet! How can people disapprove of him when he isn't even President?
I think he's going to be brilliant. He certainly has his work cut out for him, and it won't happen overnight, but I think he has the strength and conviction to turn this country around. He needs all the support he can get. For those of us who work 70+ hours/week, it's refreshing to see a man who not only believes in hard work, but is also a leading example of what that means.
No, my confidence has not declined in President Elect Obama, goodness gracious he hasn't even been sworn in yet and some people are trying to blame him for all of our country's ills and evils. We need to show & voice our support for him if we want our country to heal and prosper!
I would suggest that it is not so much that people doubt Obama, as much as it that the gravity of the situation is starting to fully hit people. Obama may be viewed as the "White Knight" of the American people, but the White Knight only had the Black Knight to deal with. Whereas Obama has so many fronts that to address that it people feel he is capable but unsure if any single person is capable of quelling all the fires that appear to be in front of him. He is a smart man and the country needs smart people with smart ideas to tackle the issues in front of it. The ability to just handle and turn things around, while perhaps not being defined as "good" given the lofty standards of past presidents, may be a more convincing testament to his ability to lead then any president before him.
My confidence in Obama has not gone down, because it has never been very high to begin with. Too many starry promises, a lack of firm details, and rolling over to the status quo at every opportunity are not the qualities of a President that I can support. Real change would be great, but I am certain we will not get much of it from Obama, which is the only thing I am confident about when it comes to the new President.
Jack,
Please step back, and give the man some room to breath.
1) He is NOT president yet.
2) With approval ratings that begin in the stratosphere, the only direction to go is down.
3) ANYTHING will be better than the last 8 years of President Cheney and his stooge W.
Does anyone really believe that Obama will maintain the god like aura of "The One" after inauguration? True fact; Barack Obama is a human being, and mistakes will be made.
Keep up the good work Jack!
Hell No.......
NO! He has not even become president yet! We have to give the guy a chance. He's inheriting alot of baggage from President Bush and it's not like he can make a speech on 20 January and all will be well with the world. It's going to take alot of sacrifice from us the people to make the changes that he has in store and bring this country back from the brink!
Allenhurst, GA
I very little confindence but I never did because he's the wrong man for the job. However, I will have to say that some of the choices of people he's made (cabinet, econ team etc...) have exceeded my low expectations. I guess it could be worse and overall I'm optimistic because this is America and we can weather anything.
President Elect Obama in my view has done a good job so far, he has kept the American people aware of his plans to get us back on track economically on a regular basis and he has not even been sworn in yet, how can you lose confidence when he has not even been inaugurated, I do not recall these kinds of questions about Bush back in 2001 during his transition.
I never had any confidence in him any way
We finally, (after 8 years), have an eloquent and intelligent president who has surrounded himself with among the very best that this country has to offer….There are so many problems that we as a nation face. It is absolutely absurd to think that anyone could be making critical judgments prior to the beginning of Obama’s administration…In the weeks ahead, I hope that the politicians in Washington will look beyond their self interests and put partisan issues aside and give this new administration a chance to succeed!…So, losing confidence, No Way, I am optimistic and very hopeful!!!
I think it's a bit premature to critize Obama's performance when he's not yet taken office. Give the man at least a few months to get some things done before we start talking about approval ratings and his ability to lead this country. Minneapolis, Mn
i have a lot of confidence in our new president. but I dont like recent comments like "it will get worse before it gets better" - not even the best economists can guarantee that. it only jawbones the market lower, ultimately getting a self-fulfilling prophecy. if its a political move to ensure no recovery takes place before he takes office so he gets credit for the upturn, that's a sad and cynical strategy. and costs jobs for innocent americans.
No, my confidence in Obama hasn't wavered, and considering he's not even the president yet I find the question inappropriate at this time. Trawling for fickle opinions for the sake of entertaining commentary isn't going to help Mr. Obama or the country at large, Mr. Cafferty – please keep the cynicism to a minimum until there's time to see results. It's the least we can all do, considering someone as foolish as President Bush had two terms to wreak his havoc – you can't really expect Obama to clean up this mess in the two-and-a-half month period before he's actually sworn in! Rally the troops, people, we've only just begun and there's a lot of work to do!
What I cannot stand is the fact that all of these so called stimulus packages don't just target those that need the stimulus. There are many industries that aren't on the verge of laying off or shutting down operations. But, whenever one hears of a stimulus plan, it has to do with rebates to all or tax breaks for all. Granted, I guess the government has act like they're being fair to all. Of course that never happens. It just seems to me that our deficit projection wouldn't be near 1.2 T if the congress focussed on the specific areas that actual need the help. Why else do you think even the Porno industry is standing in line for a piece of the pie? Heck, if you really think about it, the oil business (that is often a target for extra taxing) should be considered a candidate for part of the stimulus package dollars with the price of oil in the 40s.
I didn't vote for him, but he is our President ,so I am behind him and sincerely hope he can get it done.
I have high hopes for him but I think leon panetta as cia head is wrong, he's a poltiical hack. I'd rather have seen someone with a lot more cia experience. That being said, I have much more confidence in him than in our dumb congress. Does congress ever actually do anything except either 1) rubber stamp Bush, the worst dumbest president of all time 2) hold hearings and squabble about stupid things
Boston
Ma
My confidence in President-Elect Obama has neither declined nor risen since the election. Notheing he has done has surprised me. I consider myself informed enough to not be surprised by him. However, the delicining numbers are an indication that more and more people are realizing that he is NOT what they thought he was. However, it is too late to do anything about it, so whatever he really is, it is all we have for the next four years.....
I have great confidence in President-elect Obama. As he has stated earlier, there can only be one President at a time. If he makes any strong comments on Gaza or any other situation he will be taken to task for speaking out of turn and stepping on Bush's toes. Right now he is in a no-win situation. He has made all the politically correct comments. I feel until Jan. 20th he is doing the right thing. You can not judge someone for a position that he does not hold yet nor has any control of . President Bush holds the floor right now, NOT the President-elect. We are all so hungry for change that we need to remind ourselves, that change can not begin until the swearing in of our new President and not a minute before.
Ginger
Easton, Maryland
My confidence in the Democrats as a whole hasn't changed... I never was very confident in them at all. They have come off of their "high" they experienced in November, and they are being served a big dose of reality and they're not taking it very well.
Oh please, so the blush is off the rose....from the elections. This is just point noise. As the real world of work start getting done, then take some polls, not right after a revolutionary election where even republican right wing wack jobs (or is that redundant) were in awe.
Mitchell in CT
President Elect Obama is now finding out that the world is a tad more complex than his campaign slogans made things out to be.
He will have a compliant congress & senate, but that only means he and the democrats have sole responsibility when they fail to fix the economy and fail to withdraw the troops from Iraq as people expect him to do.
I find his deference to President Bush amusing.
"Only one President at a time...", eh?
He is a man who made a political carrer out of voting "present";
now, he will be a man with whom the buck stop.
Enjoy your time to pass the buck while it lasts.
When he takes office on January 20, 2009 at noon, that time will come to an end.
He will have to offer real, substantial solutions to the problems facing America. He will have to make decissions...
Something his history shows he has avoided thus far.
Welcome to the real world, President Elect Obama.
I still have confidence in him. It's the other idiots in Washington that I've lost confidence in.
Jeff
Denver, CO
I find it hard to be confident in any politician after the last 8 years of being "Bush"whacked but at least let Obama get into office before we start judging his actions.
No. Obama has made clear that we only have one president at a time, and that is the reason for his silence on Gaza. People are always going to be critical of the people one chooses for specific positions. The deficit has nothing to do with his administration. Give the man a chance to get into office Jack.
To the question "Has your confidence in President-elect Barack Obama declined any since the election?", here is my answer.
America has to grow up. Obama is not president yet and has not executed any of his policies yet and we are talking about "our confidence in" him? Based on what? Charisma? Impressino without facts? Or is he the guy you'd like to have a beer with?
As they say, "Rome is not built in one day", nor is the George W Bush mess. So give the Obama some time before raising the question again.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
I guess I would need to have some confidence for it to be lost.....but I suppose the answer would be no, my confidence in him has not declined at all.
I have not had any confidence in him from the start and believe he has bit off more than he can chew.
The worse is yet to come.
Absolutely not. But then I don't see the president as some god who is above making mistakes. I'm also not a part of the "instant gratification" conciousness that so many Americans wallow in.
No – he still walks on water!
no not at all i think he will go down in history as one of our greatest presidents he is going to have a lot on his plate but i think with the people he has around him he will solve most of our problems in his first term
I haven"t lost confidence, but I have been surprised by two items.
The Richardson bumble suggests poor staff work,
Tne Panetta sppointment seems like poor judgment, which means only a judgment different from my own.
I don't think so, I think people are just realizing how bad it is out there
Absolutely not. When I think of the alternative, I almost wet my pants in fear.
With all due respect to moderator of this survey, I think, people need to
understand that Obama has not yet sworned in! Besides, the problem that he (president elect) has been gifted to him by previous president of US are not mammoth. It is not task that can be solved in a day or week by any length of imagination.
Let Mr. President elect take charge of the office, implement his ideas and then we can judge whether he is sucessful in handling the issues or not. I think common man has a lot confidence in what Mr. President elect can do and what his plans are.
My confidence has been declining for about 4 months now. I would like to think that I am intelligent enough to know that all the promises he has made can't possibly come true. It would take an absolute miracle to fix everything during one term. After all the knowledge I have of Illinois politics, I fail to see how anyone who comes from there will be able to fix anything. The people of the U.S. have just elected a senator from the Highest-Crime, Highest-Tax, Shadiest political arena in the world, and those who elected him still believe him to be some sort of saviour. I am scared wondering what will happen to the country I served for 8 years in the Navy. I have no choice at this point, but to sit and pray.
Give the man a chance. This world lives so to the second-it does not let anybody have chance to do anything. This man is stepping into the worst situation this country has ever seen. i do not know how bush can even put himself in front of a camera as he has taken this country to the depths of -–.
Slow down press--you tangle everything up!!
AGAIN-HE'S NOT EVEN PREDIDENT YET-GIVE–THE–MAN–A–CHANCE!!!!
Can't we even get the man inaugurated before we start checking his ratings? No, my confidence in him hasn't declined. What has declined is my confidence in our great (?) nation.
No, he has almost insurmountable hills to climb. What I am losing faith in is the Congress where I see the inevitable "politics" being played. I realize that Congress is the second branch of our government, but it has been ineffectual in this crisis. Don't sabotage Pres.-elect Obama's attempts before he has a chance to try his solutions. I'm frightened by the huge deficits, but what choice do we have but to "spend" ourselves out of this mess. Many people in the Bush administration should have to answer for their mismanagement in a court of law. In spite of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, and any number of international crises since the Depression, NO ADMINISTRATION leaving office has left the country in worse shape! Will we learn our lessons?
Not even remotely. Ask me in six months.
Not at all. My confidence in him is about where it should be, effectively making me hopeful with a skeptic eye. Anyone who thought he'd have a seamless transition without a few bumps in the road is living in a delusional state of existence.
Chance
Atlanta, GA
My confidence in Barack Obama is very high !
He didn't get us into this mess, and it's going to take a combined effort to get us out of it. Now we'll see if the american people have what our ancestors had, the will and the fortitude to face the challenges and to come out more united and less divided!
Jack, no my confidence has not declined in President-Elect Obama. President Elect Obama is showing that he will do what it takes to get our economy moving again. It wil take drastic measures to get us out of the whole President Bush and the Republicans have left us in. Eight years of giving the richest people in the world tax breaks and no oversight will take quite a bit to fix. I am behind the President Elect and we all should be. IF HE FAILS WE ALL FAIL!!! Hopefully his critics and the Republicans can see that.
I think that President Elect Obama has a terrible job facing him and I think everyone should get behind him and not worry about which party is doing what....Our country is at stake and it should not all be on his shoulders. I have confidence he will bring us around as long as he gets the support from all sides....He is a very smart man and will use his intelligence to the countrys benefit... The mess we are in we have no time to be small minded........
Whoa...
It's shows the odds he's up against by this question being asked before he's even in office! After 8 years of incompetence, let's at least give the man a chance.
No dear, my confidence in President-Elect Obama has not gone down one iota. People attempting to insert divisiveness into Americans are what's making his backers support him even more.
The situation in Gaza? Should have been addressed by the current president, Bush, which he has dont quite poorly. Obama is only the President-Elect dear.
President-Elect Obama has inherited so very, very, very much from the money hungry Bush administration, and yes, he has a HUGE job cut out for him. But know this Mr. Cafferty – we will NOT give up on President-Elect Obama, we will NOT lose faith in President-Elect Obama, and we will NOT allow a few points on a poll that God knows WHO was polled changed our minds.
Try another tactic.
Heck NO, I can't wait for Obama and his staff to take over! Society needs to learn patience with this new administration as they have lots of roadkill to get rid of. The age of consumerism is gone and quite frankly, good riddance, because a lot of companies and people went haywire for too long. We now have a chance to get on track, even if it takes us years.
I don't know where everyone's confidence in this man comes from. He has absolutely no business experience at all. Let's face it... He hasn't so much as run a donut shop, never employed anyone, never built a business... Nothing. His experience is beyond minimal... What? He was a community organizer for a couple years and barely a senator for less than a year before deciding he could run the world?
Yes, he has a nice, deep voice and is a solid speaker, but trust me... As this year rolls on, those confidence poll numbers are going to sink fast.
I predict he leaves office in four with approval ratings the same as Bush if not worse.
The problem during the election was we had nobody of substance and experience running against him. Hillary is nothing but the wife of an ex-president and a political monster and McCain did not have the temperment or political skills to win (The Palin fiasco showed just what a moron he really was)
It's a shame we don't have Mitt Romney right now. A great business man with tremendous experience and a solid ex-governor.
Jack,
Cofidence......didn't he just tell us today that this thing (recession )could last for years, he campaingned on optimism, change, Yes We Can, hope........ I don't see much of any of these coming from our President -Elect . I think its time he and his team starting talking good stuff even if they after put their fingers up to their lips and force them to say " Tjhere is a chicken in every pot and 2 cars in every garage.........We got good times ahead, Halleluah! Halleluah!
Each day my confidence in Obama grows, he has done more during his transition than the Bush administration has done in 8 years. I hope Obama is able to remain open and forthcoming as he inherits this abysmal cesspool of problems.
JT, Fairfield, CT
The downgrade is not due to Obama's direct action or suggestions but increasing despair at our own deteriorating economic circumstances and the associated feeling of helplessness. Obama has wisely stated that it may take his entire term before an economic recovery is entrenched so the american people have no right to expect a return to "high times" in 6 months to a year. Lets not pull punches, this is going to be a long hard struggle that will strengthen all of us and, if the right decisions are made, create a true economic recovery unlike the pseudo one based on credit we have had over the last 8 years.
I hope the American people have a lot of patience for this is what is needed during these challenging times. Since Pres. Obama knows that not every Democrat in the House or Senate considers him a friend, and might be interested in their own agenda, I hope he will listen to good counsel instead of swaying in the wind with every poll that is released by CNN. The Congress and Senate would be wise to do some homework by first starting to read the proposal set given to them rather than making assumptions to/in the media before they do their homework. Much is at stake here – it is time to stop talking/gossiping so much and getting down to business.
Absolutely not. In fact, it has increased after viewing his speech earlier today.
No, my confidence in Obama hasn't declined. The reason for this, however, is that I never had any to begin with. I have always viewed him as intelligent but devastatingly inesperienced. He has already violated several promises he made to hoodwink the American people to vote for him. I continue to believe he is extremely dangerous for people everywhere, but especially America.
The only thing that worries me about Obama is that he is backsliding on taxing big oil and convicting bush and cheney on war crimes and oil price fixing.
No, my confidence in President-elect Obama has not declined. Folks are already bashing him and he hasn't taken office yet. If he does nothing but drool he'll be an improvement on the previous president.
My confidence in Obama has not declined and has, in fact, increased since he became President-Elect. I see nothing but a man with a good head on his shoulders and an eagerness to better our country, and to make it ours once again.
I don't expect him to do us much real good. Just massive spending and further burdening us down with ever larger government until we break some day.
So even though it's going to be very easy for him to exceed my expectations, I doubt he will.
How can anyone have confidence in someone who hasn't done anything yet? Wait for him to be in office 6 months, ask the same question and I'll let you know.
This is a stupid question. Give the guy a chance to move in before you start assessing his performance.
I feel even more confident that President elect Obama will move this country in the right direction. It has taken 8 years (+/-) for this country to get into the shape that it is in. The American people need to give President Obama some time to get things going.
i hope not,do we want or need to go back to that awful administration of the soon to be out of office that put us in the mess we are in.we need to give soon to be president obama and his administration a chance,no one could be as bad as the previous administration the worst ever
Absolutely not! In a recent interview with Larry King, Bishop T. D. Jakes said that a president's biggest problem occurs when people have too much hope in him or too little hope in him. what we have to remember is that Obama is not a messiah, so he will make mistakes, and he will have problems that are out of his control. The most important thing is that Obama is thinking of a way to steer the economy in the right direction. isn't that what we need during these troubled times?
I think Barack Obama is amazing. I've never seen a president-elect with so much pressure put on him before he is even sworn in; it's remarkable that he remains so calm with all the problems he is inheriting, with new ones popping up everyday. We all knew Republicans were waiting to pounce on him, but frankly, I'm a little surprised at how the Democrats always seem to eat their own (response from some key Dem's to his speech today) I guess some of the Democrats with their own agendas and big egos don't mind if their grandstanding loses a few seats in 2010, and perhaps brings the Republicans back to power in 2012.
Confidence to run the US government should be based on more than the ability of one man- I am confident that he wants change, but not confident about the ability of the government to work together for the common good of the people without working in a little bonus for themselves. So sad-
Jenna
Dallas, TX
I did not support Barack Obama in the election, but I have been greatly impressed with his preformance so far. The country is in a mess greater than it can imagine, and it's not fair to judge Mr. Obama on ideas he has only laid out. Americans must remember that our government has three branches, and some burdens do rest on Congress to take action to restore our economy. As far as the minor situations that have come up like Bill Richardson or Leon Panetta, I'm more than confident that Mr. Obama will be able to deal with these issues in an effective manner.
Time reveals all things.
If confidence has changed, it is not because of anythign Obama has done or failed to do. It is the relsut of the difference between needing and desiting a new proesident, and the fervor that surrounds the quest for that, and the cetaintly that he can bring about change, and the reality that face sus. I have no less confidence in him, but the party is over, and now we must face the hard facts. That Obama faces these soverl and seriously, I am very bery happy for, This in itself is the change I sought in voting for him. That this does not feel as good as the electio night elation – this is not because I now doubt his ability. The question begs the tendancy of our culture – and especially our news media – toward instant gratification.
Jack, my confidence in PE Obama has not diminished. He has shown intelligence, center of the road, and committed to changing the day to day antics in Washington. We did not get here overnight, so why do we think we will return to pre-Bush era overnight. GIVE HIM A CHANCE. At least the people he has chosen had sense enough to get out before any damage could come to the administration. Maybe if some of President Bush's subjects cared more about our country than their greed and lining the pockets of his elite establishments, they would have bowed out before they took office.
I do not believe ANYONE Jack, can get us out of the mess we are in overnight. But I can say this, I have more confidence in the magical powers of 'Puff the Magic NEGRO, than a bunch of old, rich, greedy, racist republicans.
Except for the unfortunate choice of Rick Warren to deliver the Inaugural Invocation, not a bit. Feinstein is the only one making a really big fuss about Panetta; the choice of Richardson was made in good faith; the deficit is hardly Obama's fault, and Bush IS, unfortunately, still President, so it's not fair to criticize Obama for not taking action, or even a stance, on the situation in Gaza–he will be criticized either way– He will address that when appropriate - after he is sworn in as President.
It's certainly looking like he's in over his head now. The vetting of his most recent choices (including Richardson) seems subpar at best.
How can our new president that routinely criticized George Bush for increasing the deficit, announce that he will double it right out of the gate, with really no new policies that require it.
I fear Jimmy Carter inflation coming !!!
No, if anything it has grown. He is choosing top-notch, intelligent people for his team and really seems serious about solving our problems as a nation (and not just playing to his base as Bush did).
Franklin, MA
The ratings are going to go up and down throughout his term. Let him get in office and see what happens. I wish him the best...if he succeeds...America succeeds! God bless the USA!
Not really since he has not done anything yet.
His pre election mantra of "Hope and Change" seems to be replaced with "Gloom and Doom"
unless you do it my way..............
He has to out perform his rhetoric and expectations if he expects to be successful.
We will see...........
Len
Oceanside, CA
No my confidence in Obama hasn't changed, i think he will do great
Impeach Obama!
Ahhhh, now I get to be the one to whine for the next four years.
My confidence in President Elect Obama increases whenever I hear him speak. Mr. Obama radiates confidence. He had me at "Hello"!
No Jack! These questions are customarily posed AFTER the new President takes office, interacts with Congress, makes a few executive decisions, has a few international diplomatic encounters. Concentrate for now on some of the scoundrels found in "It's Getting Ugly Out There". There will be plenty of opportunities to critique Obama's performance afetr he is sworn in.
I'm still confident Barack Obama will be a very good president. Deferring to Pres. Bush on the Gaza situation is the correct position for the President elect to take on a foreign policy issue. Anyone he chooses for CIA director is going to be criticized. And regardless of what happens with the economy in the first year of President Obama's term, he has already demonstrated that his administration will be more open and much less guided by party ideology than was his predecessor.
It can't possibly decline any further!! it started out a minus when I first heard his name and its been declining ever since. I absolutely never could find anything about him that gave me confidence.
My confidence is still high but grounded in reality. Obama's success may become his undoing. People expect him to walk on water, sorry it ain't going to happen. It took about a decade to get out the the mess in the 30s, that sound like 2 terms to me. If he can stabilize our sinking ship by mid term, he would have done a fantastic job....after then we can realistically talk about recovery.
Can we please kill the 24 hour news cycle? Are we really analyzing and worrying about weekly approval ratings for a guy who isn't even in office yet? Does anyone else see a problem with this?
no
Absolutely not! Obama's press conference the other day was completely reassuring that he is the right man for the job he has not yet assumed. He is extremely intelligent, his statements competely measured and precise; I can't wait to have him in charge. My confidence is waning considerably in my congressional representatives however. Insider, status quo egos have no place in this time of crisis and those who dare stand in the way of an economic recovery will sew their own political demise.
How can you even ask that question? Must be a slow news day...
He has not lost my confidence one bit. In fact, my confidence in him is even moreso than before. it's a pleasure to hear our leader speak in complete sentences and make sense. That's reasurring in itself.
No, confidence in Obama has not declined, as a poll conducted pretty recently by your own network (CNN!)-showed Obama having the highest approval ratings for any President-elect in the past 20 years!
Where do you people come up with this garbage?
RNC got your tongue?
Well to be honest and not a pushover yes. I only say yes due to Obamas decision to push forward a stimulus package that is so huge and expensive it will make Bush's stimulus plan last year look small. It would also make history as the most expensive stimulus plan in our nations history and add to the debt we seem to be already pilling on while at the same time other countries like China seem less interested in investing in. However this lowered confidence could be wiped it just depends on whether Pres. Obama does well in the months ahead.
By the way, Jacko, call yourself a card carrying enabler in the current fix we and the rest of the world are in. You did vote for "W" 2 times didn't you? Nice job.
my opinion has not changed a bit since not voting for him.
Everyone has confidence in someone that promises them the world. As most all politicians do. Now the people are thinking "exactly how is he going to be able to do that?" and "where is this money coming from?" these are the critical "second" questions that Obama is facing now. Biden stated not long after the election that "the economy is worse than we thought".........no a cofindence boosting statement. Very much a political statement
The scandals that are distracting from Obama's transition are unfortunate, but my confidence in him is not diminished.
I have 100% faith in Barack Obama, I don’t know if he can pull us out of this situation, but I do know that he is committed to trying. This is more then I can say for most politicians out there. Barack and his economic advisors are very bright people if anyone is going to be able to do it, it would be these folks. I’ll tell you one thing if these seasoned House and Senate members try and hold up his plans your going to see some very angry American people.
Mr. Obama is definitely a very smooth talker. However, contrary to what many believe, he is only a human being and doesn't walk on water. He also has to "play" according to the rules that were put in place for the President – you know the "checks and balances" in the U.S. government.
Mr. Obama will be faced with many tough challenges, and the quality of the men and women around him will ultimately determine how successful he (and the U.S.) will be, regardless of how "smoooooth" he is.
My confidence is as high. Obama has incredible emotional intelligence. We are fortunate to have him as our next President. I trust his judgement. But some of our problems are so intractable that even his skill may not mean it will be easy or quick. But he is by far the best one for these perilous times. Also, the Panetta pick is a good one- I get the logic in having a skilled manager to head the CIA. And he moved extremely quickly when Richardson had a problem. Obama is both practical and a visionary- good combination.
What a stupid question! The man hasn't even got his feet behind the desk! After the idiot who now occupies the "desk" (and has for the last eight years) your question begs another one: what do you expect, miracles? I think Madoff and Cheney really ran the country; they followed the same very, very dishonest, swindle-the-country script.
Not at all. My confidence in him is about where it should be, effectively making me hopeful with a skeptic eye. Anyone who thought he’d have a seamless transition without a few bumps in the road is living in a delusional state of existence.
I've never had much confidence in Obama. I've never felt he was ready to be president, and every time he contradicts himself, I see that he is proving me correct.
No way. My confidence in Obama is still at an all time high. The man just knows how to inspire and use words cautiously but more graceful than Bill Clinton; but he also has the persuasion to go along with it.
It is still too early to tell. I think the media maybe overhyping things before Obama takes office. we cannot make assumptions so soon like this. it's like we're not giving him a chance before he is given the reigns. i'd go back to the saying "don't count your chickens before they hatch."
– Phong Le
San Francisco, CA
My confidence ended when Obama selected the bigoted Rick Warren for the inauguration. I was truly excited about the new administration, but now couldn't care less. Just more of the same ole, same ole.
No, my confidence in President Elect Obama has not declined. I am carefully watching everything that is going on and making a mental assessment. However, I will not begin to really comment on his performance or lack thereof until he officially takes office.
he is not a magician but he is working and i think it will be done in some time
Why would my confidence wane? Given that the junior Senator from Illinois never accomplished anything in his four years as Senator other than campaigning for president for two years, I never had any confidence in him in the first place.
Give the guy a chance...he isn't even in office yet!
No. My confidence in the Obama's administration has not declined. He is taking on a bigger mess perhaps. The Obama administration have to figure things out and yet hope that the choices they are making is for the good.
My confidence had declined from the previous administration which has declined tremendously, an most importantly Americans can not believe the last days of George Bush, Jr who seemingly avoided in helping to posture concerns of the American people better. At least attempting to make us feel somewhat better about the mess he has left.
I think some American people are too impatient. Please, let him sworn in and make some decisions and see what happens. At least he needs couple of months to get things going. The problem we are facing is the results of years of neglect and bad policies. How can anybody expect to fix everything within few days.
Please give him a chance....
let the man get into office first...we have to many issues that need his attention after jan 20.if we did not feel confident when we voted for him...its to late now..
My confidence in PE Obama increases with each day as we come closer to the gardner clearing out all the BUshes from in and around the White House
Get my drift?
Jack,
we had all better hope that Obama's plans work....if not the alternative is bleak.I'm 53..I have never see the corruption and greed and classism so prevalent as it is in our great country as today.I'm sure a lot of good people went to Washington with great ideas.....and then either corruption took hold of them......or they decided to do the best they could do for their constituents.......and follow the lead of the majority at times to get that done....where are our leaders?I honestly believe President-elect Obama's heart and mind are in the right place to take this task on.I am beginning to wonder if the rest of us are.Thanks and keep up the good work.
John in Ohio
Jack, you seem to have too much time on your hands! Why don't you wait until Obama takes office before you start evaluating him? If you spent as much time worrying about the actions of George W. you might have uncovered some of his mistakes while there was still time to do something about them.
You need to get a life or take some time off or both!
Why would my confidence in him decline because of events which aren't his fault (besides the Panetta choice)? Just imagine what we would be doing if McCain and his diva were going to go into the White House. Obama has had a near perfect transition, his ideas to save this country don't only come from him and his economic team, but from the people. He is the first president in my lifetime that has actually cared about making people's lives better, not just pleasing them so that they will vote for him in the next election. Everything in his administration is transparent and the public can see almost every document he sees. Why would I become disappointed in him? I'm not to the least bit disappointed, but I'm actually happier about him as being president than I was when I voted for him. We finally have a government for the people by the people.
Absolutely not, give the guy a chance.
Can we give the guy a chance here? With meaningless questions like this, however, my confidence in you, Jack, has declined!
My confidence isn't declining, but then I never thought he would walk on water. He's going to have ups and downs like everyone else, but at least he'll be thoughtful and hopefully not so arrogant he can't solicit and take good advise.
Hey Cafferty,how about we wait until the man is in office before we get our underwear in a wad about his approval rating. He is not the president yet. And let's leave Israel-Gaza off of his plate until he is sworn in. That tragedy is for the current Crook in Chief to deal with.
No Jack. He was elected to change things. Anything that goes against the political norm is what we have asked him to do. So far So good. Bill Richardson did the noble thing, Defferring to Bush the current about a situation that is happening on his watch, for shame, and Panetta is on the outside looking in, a great place to be if your looking to shake things up.
Rockford, Illinois
I had no confidence in Barry then, and I still don't. He is going to destroy this country. Mark my words.
I think the title of this article is misleading – it seems to suggest the presence of polls indicating a loss of confidence – if there are/were and you were talking about them here, that would be fine, but you're not.
As a 57 year old mother of 5, step-mom to 2 and grandmother of 5. President Elect Obama has given me hope for my children and grandchildren. I have been and still am in the Real Estate Industry for the last 30 years. My hope comes from a President that wants regulation and a President that truly does seem to care about middle class America. I see so many in such fear, I believe given the chance President Elect Obama will deliver. My confidence has only grown, not diminished. I am a middle-aged white female from Hillsboro, Oregon.
The sad fact is that those ratings are going to continue to decline because most people, in this society of instant gratification, cannot comprehend that this crisis will take many years to recover from. If it cannot be fixed now, now, now...someone must shoulder the blame. Unfortunately, I'm afraid Pres.-elect Obama may be doomed before he even gets started.
No because it was not that high to begin with as he he was and still is a politician.
No still think he is the best choice
It's not that my confidence has declined, but President Elect Obama being silent on the situation in Israel/Gaza has been disappointing. Whether in the office yet or not, Mr. Obama has made comments on the bombings in Mumbai, the situation in Afghanistan and in Iraq. For him to defer to President Bush who has done nothing but fan the flames of religious fundamentalism that is at the root of much of conflict in the Middle East is a political move that may have grave effects. Please speak up President Obama! People are dying on both sides of the conflict there, like all wars... but until the Israel/Palestine issue is resolved nowhere will there be peace in the Middle East.
Jack,
There is a scientific (statistically speaking) problem with your implied thesis that the seemingly declining polls for President-elect Obama are somehow a result of the recent events related to Gaza, Panetta, Richardson and the fiscal deficit. Statisticians have useful distinctions for your question: the purported decline in Mr. Obama's popularity may be 'correlated' with the factors you mention, but in no way a 'causation' effect between the variables.
Nope
What do people expect, miracles before the fact? How can any well-reasoned confidence decline when the man has yet to take the oath of office and to initiate some policies? And even then, as he is heading into the perfect storm, shouldn't the electorate give him and his policies a chance to have some effect? Talk about prejudice, as in "to judge beforehand, and without basis in fact"!
No, not at all. The 44th President is taking office during a time that I am sure history will describe as the worst in the nations long history.
Let's not make too much out of the Richardson withdrawal or the initial reaction Leon Panetta. For a while he will have to ignore the deficit but eventually he will have to bring order out of this chaos. He first needs to be President.. Many in the press seem to think he should just take over, but unfortunately our Constiution does not allow this to happen, we truly do have one President at a time. Let's take a deep breath and let the man get to work, before we criticize him.
Wow. The guy hasn't even been sworn in. A more interesting question to have asked would be if the survey respondents have lost confidence in Obama, rather than comparing confidence ratings from two different surveys. I doubt many people would actually admit that they had lost confidence in someone before they had actually had the opportunity to do anything.
Is this the first time anyone's asked for an approval rating of a transitioning president? Isn't the question itself reveal more about the questioner than the actual answer? You should really step back and look at what cnn is doing to the country. Asking questions, does more than reveal pre-existing answers, it forms previously non existant ones. So, if America is becoming more vapid, less patient, with less and less of an attention span, we know who to thank. I think I'm going to cancel cable and ban myself from cnn.com. See, before I came here, I wasn't going to do that. Now I am.
I never had any confidence in this scoundrel to begin with. If you think the current corruption in Chicago that is beginning to come to light seems bad, wait until everything that the "kingpin" was into comes out!
Jeeze! Give the President-elect a break! Can't you at least let him get sworn in before you start trying to break him down? One of the things I like least about 24-hour news stations is the constant need to invent controversy so there'll be something to talk about on the air. How about backing off for a bit? That would be change we could live with!
My confidence remains extremely high and hopeful for Obama, Biden and the teams they have assembled.
After all...who or what else can we believe in at this point?
Hurrah and Hurry for January 20, 2009 !!!
No,
My confidence and expectations in President-elect Barack Obaman has been non-existant from the start.
Jim Lefebvre
Champlain, NY
How can you even ask the question about my confidence in Barack Obama? He hasn't even taken office. For the record, my confidence has not declined, and I am willing to wait and see what happens once he has. After all, no other president has taken office in this particular situation.
Bush has done a great job of destroying our economy and the image of the United States as a role model for the rest of the world, and he's had eight years to do so. Shouldn't we give Barack a chance before deciding whether or not we are to give him a vote of no confidence?
Portsmouth, NH
Never had much. He's a baby Senator from the most corrupt state in the Union. You get what you vote for!
Yes it has Jack. Getting up in front of the cameras and telling everyone how bad things are and how much worse they are going to be isn't exactly the leadership attitude I want to hear. I would rather hear some positive feedback from our leader, not all the doom and gloom. We get that from you guys!!
Not at all – he isn't even President yet – how can you even start to doubt him after all the years we suffered through Bush. Give President Elect Obama a chance to get into office and make some decisions before you turn negative. My hope for an excellent Obama Presidency is sky high!
He has not even been sworn into office, calm down. Concentrate on issues and stories and concerns that are happening now. "Don't wag the dog", there is no need.
my confidence in him did not decline. it was not there in the first place. the change he promised was very obvious from day one and the first decision that he made, that it was just a cosmetic change with no substance.
Don't you think it's a little too early to judge? Really, let the man be sworn in as president first. I have a feeling Obama will be the most scrutinized president in our history. Too bad no one, especially the media, scrutinized Bush half as much. Then maybe we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place.
No.
I think you're asking this question as part of a media stunt to shake things up. Not enough news out there for you so you have to try and shake fear into people who actually want to believe in something beyond themselves? it's a hard world out there, he's preparing us for that and he hasn't even started his job yet.
Jack,
Let's give the man a chance!! I am a die hard Rebublican, but agree we need to work together as a nation. We see that one day we are on top of the world and the next day we burn the person to the stake. We can not change the past but we can change the future and that is what President Elect Obama has said all along in his run for President. It will not happen over night!
I don't think that confidence in him can be challenged at this point. The rules of the game may be changing faster than anticipated, and that may shake the confidence of some. But until he stumbles, and badly at that, he is entitled to the benefit of the doubt.
Of Course Not!
We all knew what was head of this President, the wars are not new, the economy has been in the toilet for over a year and nominations are just that NOMINATIONS which require review and confirmation; the system is designed to perform and this President will use those systems of review and make the corrective action required to support our ability to attain our country's goals for everyone. I understand why he could not step onto the World stage, Bush is president and our County will not be bullied by terrorist or you to disrespect our system of government where we have one President at a time, and there will be an orderly transition of Power as defined by our Constitution.
My confidence in President Elect Obama increases whenever I hear him speak. Mr. Obama radiates confidence. He had me at "Hello"!
Jenny Robinson – New Berlin, WI
The downgrade is not due to Obama's direct action or suggestions but increasing despair at our own deteriorating economic circumstances and the associated feeling of helplessness. Obama has wisely stated that it may take his entire term before an economic recovery is entrenched so the american people have no right to expect a return to "high times" in 6 months to a year. Lets not pull punches, this is going to be a long hard struggle that will strengthen all of us and, if the right decisions are made, create a true economic recovery unlike the pseudo one based on credit we have had over the last 8 years. So no, my confidence in Obama has not been reduced (though I remain skeptical as I would of any politician).
I believe his approval rating is starting to level out to the level it should be, especially after coming off strong from the elections. Once he laid out his plans for the economy and his Administration, his ratings started to adjust to the appropriate ratios to the people and choices he picked to lead this country. The 82% rating he had last month was, in my opinion, just fan-driven praise he got after a historic victory in the elections.
No, we must let him get in office and have time to put programs into action before we start judging his performance. This is not a game, its real life/serious stuff and we can't have a testimony without a test. Lets let him take the exams before we start passing out grades!
The man hasn't even been sworn in. Bush is doing him no favors since it seems that he has checked out and has been coasting to the finish line. (Except to open more pristine acreage to mining and drilling.) Let him and his team be in place for a week or two before we start judging him. Who are you, one of the right-wing radio whackos?
Other than the mindless adulation that the main-stream media and the blind devotion of the liberal left in this country have had for this empty suit,
no one believed any of the drivel Nobama was pouring out in his admittedly good campaign speeches. You in the media (especially, you, Cafferty) have been duped all along.
Welcome to reality and thanks for your misguided effort to help install what will no doubt be a very difficult time for the USA.
Reagan
Rochelle, TX
Obama has my full confidence. He is focusing on the critical issues, collaborating broadly, communicating frequently and clearly and positioning for action when his term begins. His mandate is broad and the people want results: go man, go!
President-elect Obama has already shown himself to be one of the most active president-elects ever. If that were not true, he would never have been criticized on his silence over the Gaza situation, though staying silent is most likely a good decision by him. While his choice for Panetta hasn't gone over too well, Obama has been praised for previous administration choices, so I will hold judgement until the job actually starts. Bill Richardson withdrawing his nomination on his own accord shows his nomination was based off qualities we can all respect, no matter what situation for which he withdrew. So no, my confidence in the President-elect has not declined. If anything, it has increased.
The sad fact is that those ratings are going to continue to decline because most people, in this society of instant gratification, cannot comprehend that this crisis will take many years to recover from. If it cannot be fixed now, now, now…someone must shoulder the blame. Unfortunately, I’m afraid Pres.-elect Obama may be doomed before he even gets started.
Jeremy in Lancaster, PA
Not at all. It sounds like wishful thinking on the part of those who like raining in parades. The question itself is absurd.
Give the man a break. He's inheriting a wars, terrorism threats and a very broken economy. A 65% approval rating is a vote in confidence all things considered.
Jack, anything he does will be a major improvement over the past 8 years. That's already guaranteed. My concern is the powers-that-be in Congress. If Congress votes against Change, then all our hopes will be dashed.
"The pebble only becomes the snowball when the snow agrees to go along for the ride."
I think people are in for a rude awakening when they realize that their savior is just another man who has to deal with the same Washington D.C. that exists on January 19th. Even the best president without support from congress is going to have a very hard time getting any real change to take place. From all indications, orchestrating our goverment to actually work together may be a more mamoth task that even the great Obama can handle.
No, my confidence in President Elect Obama hasn't changed, but my confidence in the Congress has fallen at least by a few points. Between Reid "I don't work for anybody" and Pelosi "Work, what's that?", we have no leadership in either house.
I guess the reason why my confidence in Obama hasn't changed is that I never expected him to perform miracles. Even before the economy crashed, I knew that he would have major issues to deal with considering the wars. What I have confidence in is that he will use a rather impressive intelligence to look at our problems, and propose workable solutions. They may not match campaign promises, but then, what President ever does? I expect him to be responsible, intelligent, and thoughtful, and to show true leadership. That includes, as he said in his Election Night speech, being the President for the United States, not just the Democrats or the Republicans - that he will listen to all sides of the issues then actually make a decision. That will be a welcome change after the last 8 years!
Hey Jack . How relevant is your question? What is the margin of error of your study? And besides what is you motive? This guy hasn't been sworn in yet and you are trying to stir up a lack of confidence in him.Easy Jack.
America still trusts and believes in Obama. It's the state of the world that has people freaked out. Obama will do many good things, but no one can fix all of the problems in this world, and that's a hard pill for some people to swallow. Anyone who has lost confidence in Obama, obviously wasn't paying attention to what he said throughout his campaign, because so far he has stuck to his guns on every issue. He is under more pressure and scrutiny than any POTUS....EVER.
I don't think this reflects on a declining view of Obama so much as an increase in fear regarding the economy. Since the only news we hear anymore is that the economy is collapsing, why would we be confident that anyone can handle it? I have more confidence in Obama than I did before the election, I think he's handling the transition well, but in some ways it seems like he's taking the wheel just as the bus reaches the precipice.
Las Vegas, Nevada
He's not even president yet! I hate when people jump the gun!
Federal Spending:
It is well known that in many cases the federal government pays much more for items than if they just went to Wal-Mart (where I have to shop).
I think imposing stiff fines, and the possibility of loss of license for doctors who milk the system. I also think congress should vote themselves a pay decrease. They voted for increases several times over before they even considered raising the national minimum wage.
Start at the top with those that are getting 75% of the pie.
Maybe we could actully let him get INTO the office before we criticize his job performance. You know, any bad government we are currently experiencing is STILL the fault of this guy named Bush. Sort of interesting the fact that Bush got his highest approval ratings AFTER allowing the worst attack on America, and people say they are tired of Obama BEFORE he served a day in office.
That said, we are going from crazy expectations to reality, so what?
Obama is meeting all of my expectations. Mind you, that's not necessarily a good thing.
I just wish the Dems start realizing who put them in a position of power in the first place, stop carping like a bunch of schoolkids who love to hear themselves speak, and start saying "yes we can" vs. finding a million reasons to not do something – these guys need to be fired and Barack should be given a free hand to get things done!! Wake up people – the country is in a crisis – shut up and get in line with Barack or get out!
He sounds like Bush to me... cut taxes, spend more. Just another 4 years of the same.
come on he is not even president and confidence is going down!!
I think press has no business or work but make such stupid polls every week for no reason.
You have to give Obama so months or couple of years because situation we are in are so tough that only god can turn them around with magic stick. He is human not superman that he can change everything from day one or before he becomes president....
Please Jack stop posting such article it is below standard of good journalist
HE IS WHAT HE ALWAYS HAS BEEN – A JOKE.
About the only bright spot in this very depressing time is the thought that someone as intelligent, focused and calm as Pres-Elect Obama will be President in just 12 days. I do wonder why so many people are questioning why the President-ELECT hasn't spoken out on the MIddle East crisis but have no problem with our current President saying nothing.
Give the guy a break for pete's sake. He isn't even in office yet and he's accomplished more than some presidents have done in their first month or two in office. I will agree that i think all this saviour talk is a bit too high a bar for anyone to reach. But so far I see no reason for confidence to decline. I fact if anything it keeps going up every time I see things like Jim Wales' column about Obama and technology. This is the first president of the 21st Century and he has a lot of work to do to get America caught up with many other parts of the world after 8 years of stagnation.
I think we as democrats are beginning to see what it is like to have our party in the White House. Get use to the criticism, fair or unfair.... it comes with the territory.
Ah c'mon Jack what's this an evangelical poll courtesy of Dobsen et al?
The guy is still twelve days out and the landscape he's presented with ain't exactly getting rosier so let's not saddle the President -Elect with the outgoing moron's sins of omission....
You gotta be kidding me !!!! The man hasn't even taken office yet !!!
He's a man, not a magician...Bush has given this country herpes and as far as I know...there ain't no cure for that one yet!
Will you people give me a BREAK???! The man isn't even technically in office yet !!!
His approval is Great, he hasn't even taken the job yet and already you are trying to sabotage his record. The job will be the toughest taken on in a long time by a new president, I think our support and not negative comments should be the norm, let's Unite.
The guy isn't in office yet, and here we go again thinking negative. He told the American people that it may not be fixed until a second term. It took us 8yrs to get in this mess and it may take us 8yrs to get out. Alot of greed is to blame for the massive mess we in!
Los Angeles, CA
I never had any confidence in Obama. And it's starting to decline even further. His choices have been very inane and predictable. He's done nothing to keep his promise of change. He's surrounding himself with only the base of his party. His CIA pick is a joke, Richardson is out, Daschle who was out four years ago is back, and Clinton is in the fold now. His association with Rezko and Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich only hurt his reputation.
He's not even in office yet. Let's ask that question in 112 days.
Absolutely not.
Obama has continued to look and act Presidential, as opposed to Bush who has dropped the ball over and over again (which comes as no surprise). Obama simply can't BE the president yet – his turn comes in 12 days.
What happened to the supposed 'honeymoon period'?? I'm disappointed in you, Jack – rather than backing our soon-to-be President, you seem to be backing away from him.
I have never had confidence in Mr. Obama. I thought that he elections were a sham and we are headed into a crash with a huge train
I have the utmost confidence in Obama and my opinion of his presidency has not changed. However, I just hope the Congress will support him and his endeavors to change our country. He has filled his cabinet with the most knowledgeable people available and they all will be trying to do the best job that they possibly can. He needs the support of all of the other elected officials and if they fail to stand with him to change our country, the blame will rest with them, not Obama. If any of them have better ideas to bring our country out of this mess, they should have run for President. It is now their job to support him!
I agree that you're jumping the gun on this one. Give the man a chance. he's dealing with the worst situations we've seen in a century and he's got to wait for the inept person ahead of him to clear the decks. I do think he's made some masterful choices; anyone who thinks that bringing in completely new people is a smart thing doesn't really understand the government process. Got to have some people who have been there, done that - but he's working very hard at staying close to his own guidelines and goals – and I do think he'll do well in managing the team. He's been handed a pit of snakes......it's going to take time and the American people HAVE to do some of the work. Start being smart, friends - and clean up your credit cards!!!!
Rosanne Cohn, REdmond Washington
No, he is strong and resolute. His big hurdle is the congress and the idiot "nit pickers" that only have comments and no solutions. They should be helping Obama and supporting his efforts. We need all the help we can get!!
It was zero before it is zero now. Bottom feeding toilet dwelling liberasd are the problem not the answer.
Today, I would vote for him again! His cabinet selections have been examples of "thinking outside the box". President-Elect Obama is still our expression of hope. He may not be the second coming but I hope he will remind us of the one that came first. The distance he has kept from President Bush is respectful. Once our 44th President takes office, I hope that we all will work together for the good of this great country and present ourselves as States – United!
Although Mr. Obama is now certified by Congress as President-elect, he has yet to be sworn in, and already we have him on the decline? Give him credit, he is closely examining the economy and stating the facts, which are not pretty,as opposed to the misinformation given by Republicans during the election. This economy is not going to turn around overnight, but only by honest, exacting examination and action, regardless of how politically safe it is, will we get out of this mess. Thankfully, we have someone like Mr. Obama leading the way.
My confidence in President-elect Obama remains very high because I see him taking on the major issues of the day and trying to find solutions. Not everyone in all of America is going to be happy with the choices that he will make. My suggestion is that these people give President-elect Obama a chance to govern for a while before they become critical of the choices he is making. I do not pretend to understand every part of every problem that President-elect Obama will be dealing with in the next few years. But, I have every confidence in him that he will do what needs to be done and will do it with as much speed as is possible.
Haffa Adai from Guam Wolf and Jack.
Well I would say no. I NEVER had ANY confidence in him so my confidence in Obama hasn't changed. There never was any confidence. How can you have confidence in a man who hangs out with questionable people like Rev. Wright, Ayers, Phleger, Farrakhan?
So my confidence was and is zilch, I believe John McCain should have been president.
No and not at all.
However, I do think this kind of questions really depress George Bush a big time. Please stop beating up the Bush....Mercy.
One simple Chinese's Mind in Plano, TX
You will see , soon, that Obama cannot change the course of US economy. More federal debt, more in personal debt... Less manufacturing. If you read the comments from some republicans on his plan to cover everyone with affordable healthcare – You will understand that it will never happen.
My daddy is "right on". I think he will be a good president for our country. He has a pretty wife.
Olivia Nash
Second Grade St Gabriels
Charlotte, NC
Not at all. If anything, my confidence in him only gets stronger as we near Inauguration Day. I personally can't wait for Obama to take office so he can "hit the ground running" as they say. I believe he's been great so far throughout his transition and getting prepared for the hardest job in the world. The only bone I have to pick is about his choice to head the CIA. Leon Panetta is not qualified for an intelligence position, plain and simple. Appointing the wrong person for such a job is unacceptable at the least. It can have catastrophic ramifications at this point in our history and I hope Obama realizes this. Other than that, I am very hopeful for 2009 and Obama's first crack at being President.
My confidence in President Obama has nothing but increased since the election. Obama has set in motion and has spoken to the PEOPLE what his plans are for the economy. The current administration has done nothing for the average American person in the eight years, except put us in a multi-trillion dollor deficit. I am also ashamed that he is not getting the support he deserves from his Dems. He is trying to be pro-active on this economic situation that the Bush administration got us into in the first place! I trust he will do a great job.
Jack, Obama will do just fine as long as the Senate and Congress start listening to the will of the people and stop voting to statisfy their own agenda. Obama is the man everyone believes is listening to the will of the people.
I voted for Obama because he convinced me with his words. But I am very curious for his real actions since time of the words fingerpointing to Bush is over soon.
I hope he is not only a good preacher and will be able to step up to lead this country out of this deep s...
Actually not at all Jack. I didn't expect much from him in the first place.
Jack – Absolutely Not! It is interesting that this question is raised at this point, since the President -Elect has not even taken office yet. Aren't we rushing things a little bit? Is it really that slow of a news day that we have to invent controversy? Give him his 100 days in office then depending on the outcome, praise him or blast him.
He deserves at least that much.
George Crown, Mesa, Arizona.
Keith from Fairfield Bay, Ar
My confidence in President-elect Obama has soared because he has obviously hit a nerve with the bandits in Congress. He said, “no earmarks” and the spoiled boys and girls on the Hill have responded like all brats around the globe. They will kick, scream and whine hoping to get their way. The only way “change” might happen is if we stand firmly with Obama and tell those bums to go take a time out.
Can Obama be a little more optimistic? Why not tell the American public that although we have an economic situation we will get through as we have other economic situations.Life goes on and dwelling on the positive light at the end of the tunnel approach will get us through this. His overtones vibrate negativity not positivity.
Has my confidence in Obama declined? Jack, you know once upon a time the press actually waited until a man was IN office before asking such questions. Why does the press (and the Republicans) seem so eager to find fault with Obama before he even lays his hand down to take the oath?
Tell you what: let's just label him a complete failure right now, cancel the inauguration, and have those oh so successful Republicans keep the reins. Maybe then you'll inanely ask if my confidence in the Republicans has increased in the last few weeks? You'd get the same answer either way: no.
Everyone is saying how can we judge him because he hasn't even taken office yet....well look at all the scandel that has already come up with him. Too young and too inexperienced...I have no confidence in him and that scares me. What will happen when the terrorist decide to test him?
Jack,
Why don't we let Mr. Obama become President Obama before we start judging his performance and our confidence in him as President? He has given prepared speaches, taken an over-due vacation, and moved into an apartment. He sounds great, but no results have even been provided so how can one judge? I'd like to see how the President and his appointed cabinet resolve issues once they are in office. Until then, I consider the parade in-front of the media as simply window-dressing. I'd rather see what the store has to offer than to judge based on a window display.
Can ? and will Obama use his 'executive order' powers to reign in, or override Congress, ........ unlike Nero who partied while Rome burned ?
No Jack. The President-elect has been extremely assertive before even waiting for the upcoming inaugural. This is virtually unseen in the world of historical presidential politics. Many people misperceive collaboration for fresh ideas of alternatives among key figures in politics, as opposition from criticism. Our country has become cynical and pragmatic after the last 8 years. We're going to have to "rise" above that disabling mentality for new innovative ideas, and approaches. Because obviously, the economic approaches from the past have ultimately never worked to date. Just because some ideas have never historically faced other suggestions for alternatives throughout certain times in history does not mean those ideas later succeeded as good decisions. The world is much more complex than that...........
I'm not sure if my comment was put on the blog, I noticed it said it was awaiting moderation??? So I'll try to shorten it.
My confidence in the President elect is stronger than ever. I think his every move has been done with a great deal of thought and listening to the great cabinet and other leaders. He is trying to pull the nation back together during the worse time of crisis on many fronts that the United States has faced since the Civil war! Let's all try to pull together and help him to hopefully be able to hand our Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren a Nation they can be proud of!
Sharon Davenport
yellville, Arkansas
No, my confidence in him has not declined, never had any in the liar. He does not have a clue of what to do and he is dragging in all the Clinton retreads, guess the Clintons will have Washington anyway.
Prez-elect Obama can not do anything of Pesidential substance
while Bush still is on watch. We've unfortunately got to wait until he is actually the Prez, to see any results however excited we are to see any alleviation to our communal/national problems. I, as well, can't wait to see the tail end of Bush running off to whatever refuge the criminal thinks he has.
It would seem that people are acting as they always do. It has been weeks since the election and it is a little like out of sight out of mind they have forgotten about why this man has been elected. As soon as he takes office, and we see him in the everyday actions as president, I feel confident that his approval rating will rise.
The world will go on and the same problems will arise. No matter which candidate got elected, there would have been a drop in their approval rating. My confidence in either candidate was not great. My belief is that the people of our nation will anticipate positive because of the change in the oval office, thus helping the economy/markets start a more positive movement. I am investing in our nation's future, not based on a man, but rather the hope of the people.
It is clear we have elected an inexperienced egocentric movie
star. He is not qualified to be Commander-In-Chief, he just
wants to play one on TV. He is clueless to the economy and
foreign affairs as well. We can all wish that he simply does
nothing and at the end we'll call him a success!
I suppose its too early to tell if Obama will actually be the Great Saviour of the American Empire, but from the actions he has put forth so far, it appears America has once again simply replaced a hammer with a wrench. Obama will be just another tool of the corpratocracy. A different tool, with a different purpose to be sure, but a tool nonetheless.
America is placing a great deal of faith in Obama which gives me pause because he cannot do it alone and if he and the American public are relying on a Democratic House and Senate to act in the best interests of all Americans, then the game is over before it's begun. That being said, I have hope that the Obama administration will be a success if he plays to his strength as a community organizer and is able to mobilize the public to get the houses of Congress to act responsibly. It would be an especially fitting turn for those who mocked his C.V. during the election campaign.
Actually it is just the opposite with me. I have not been so excited about the future of my country in a very, very long time. With the exception of Richardson's withdrawal (a very selfless act on Richardson's part, and the right thing to do at this point) I am very impressed with President Elect Obama and his Transition team. I expect to see Richardson back on board in the future.
We are in deep trouble, but I believe with our help, President Elect Obama is going to put it all back together. I honestly believe that he is having a positive impact on President Bush. The hatefulness, the partisan divisive arrogance is gone. Sure Bush let us down, but I believe that he was sincere when he said he wanted Obama to succeed for the country's sake. I think that if we are smart, and there are many who are not, we learned over the last eight years that when the American people are pitted against each other, when we are lied to, when we cater to the wealthy at the expense of the middle class, we all lose.
May God continue bless our beloved America and our brave Military personnel past, and present who have given so much in order to keep us all free.
I have more confidence in Obama because of the manner in which he has conducted himself during this transition period. I'm not a damn candle in the wind. Jack, sometimes you and Wolf act like he has been President for 3 months. Let's wait for him to become President, and give him a little time to clean up this Republican / Bush mess. After all, it took them about 10 years to make it as bad as it is!
I like his plans but I feel many of them need to be scaled up around 10 fold in order to accomplish what is expected. Adding just 3 million jobs in the 40k range will just barely keep the nation from collapsing if nothing else happens. Shutting down the iraq war and discharging all those men back into the rust belt is a recipe for disaster. Not to mention the number of people that will loose their jobs once those defense contracts stop unless there is something to keep them bizzy. Oh, wait they will just fill the 3 million jobs that the plan will create netting zero forward motion.
Also the current method for fixing infrastructure requires that the same step be repeated in 5-10 years. We cannot afford that. The infrastructure fix has to hold because we will need that money in order to stave off the collapse of the fed and the treasury during the boomer retirement. It is sickening that by that time we will be spending more on interest payments than on social security and defense combined. Talk about collective suicide. meh... I would like other options.
As a Republican, I see Obama with organizational skills and creating a plan that affects all of us. To at least come in with a plan is a positive note to the total mess that Bush has left us in. My confidence is rising.
Carl – Piqua Ohio
My confidenence was never there for this guy and never will be, here this guy promised change and all he did was go backwards. so far he has picked people that have helped to put us in this mess and I am talking about all the clowns from the Clinton Mess "Some move forward to Change". Now we will have NO SECRATARY OF STATE and NO ONE TO HEAD THE CIA GOD PLEASE HELP US FOR WHAT WE ARE IN FOR. DENVER CO.
Listening to Wolf Blitzer reporting the disarray in the Democratic camp concerning the Stimulus Plan it seems that we need more decision-oriented than ego-oriented decision makers.
It's difficult to erode confidence that was never there. Hope, perhaps. Confidence NO. Obama talks a good game, but continues to be light on specifics. Hearing Obama's "feel good" words is like attending a Tent Revival Meeting and Ice Cream Social.
Obama has distanced himself from the major problems in the world by stuffing them on Bush, be it the Palestinian problem, Blagojevich or the details of his free spending Trillion Dollar stimulus package. Truth is, he's been around for the past couple of years doing nothing to help in any of these areas. Truth is he spent more time as a Senator campaigning for President than serving the American people. Truth is, Obama's hands have never been clean...and starting Jan. 21st we'll all get to see just how inept Obama may be with a cabinet of experts from the Clinton years...what kind of change is that? With help from the unholy trinity of Reid, Pelosi and Franks...watch your wallet.
No . . . I can't say my confidence in him has declined. I had no confidence in him to begin with . . . and didn't vote for him. Unfortunately, like many others in the same position, I have to live with the decisions of the "majority" who voted him in. I don't think he is anywhere near qualified to be the President of this country. Many people were so anxious for "change", or someone that could "fix" everything, that they would have put anyone in the white house who wasn't a Republican. I'm waiting to see if those same people feel the same way come this time next year. I wasn't 100% in favor of John McCain; but one thing I am sure of, he and Sarah Palin have actually DONE more for this country than Obama. And I think after a year or two in the white house, there are going to be many people who will realize that President Bush was one of the best presidents this country has ever had. And maybe finally take a look at the decisions that have or have not been made in Congress for several years that have led to the mess this country is in; not the President. But they, like me, unfortunately will find out the hard way. Let's see how great and wonderful they think he still is next year. It astounds me how the same people who voted for Obama, still think Bill Clinton was a great President. He made this country the laughing stalk of this world with his adultery in the oval office. And now his wife is in Obama's cabinet. Did it ever occur to any of you what she was doing all the years he was playing around on her? This country is the land of the free because of the brave, and because God has blessed us. The morality and mentality of the people in this nation is pathetic, and getting worse everyday. America you are about to get a wake up call. I hope all of you are ready for it.
I would like to say that I am 19 years old. I have put off culinary school to help my family because of the mess that President Bush made of the economy. I struggle to get by just like everyone else and for the Bushs' to spend 485K dollars on China instead of putting money into the economy. I think instead of people complaining who the new President is or the fact that he is half black or Muslim, I think people should stop the senseless bickering and stand together and get our great country back to what it stands for, "United States of America Home of the Free."
I wonder if you same people were telling CNN to shut up when it ever criticized Bush. Quite honestly, that's hypocritical. But don't you realize that the media will always attack the person in power, no matter which party he comes from? It's very annoying and in most cases highly unnecessary. CNN, your job is to report the news, not sway public opinion one way or the other.
No, it hasn't declined one bit. Just think what we could have had if Mr. Obama had not won. Failin Palin in there telling Mccain what to say and do after Todd decided what he wanted them to do. Just like the fortune teller telling Reagan how to run the Presidency. Come on Jack are you a Repub or what?
When the EMPEROR spoke the masses were blinded even to the fact that he was not wearing any clothes, or experience, or record to stand on, just talk. Only the children not so transfixed by the hysteria of the moment could see the naked truth. There is very little room at the bottom for expectiations to decline.