CNN/Opinion Research Political Survey on Barack Obama

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president?

• Approve 54% {55%} <58%> (53%) [56%]
• Disapprove 45% {43%} <40%> (45%) [40%]

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy?

• Approve 46% <54%> (49%)
• Disapprove 54% <45%> (51%)

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the federal budget deficit?

• Approve 39% <46%> (36%)
• Disapprove 60% <51%> (63%)

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling taxes?

• Approve 49% <52%> (45%)
• Disapprove 50% <43%> (52%)

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling health care policy?

• Approve 42% <51%> (44%)
• Disapprove 57% <47%> (53%)

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign affairs?

• Approve 51% <58%> (54%)
• Disapprove 47% <38%> (42%)

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Afghanistan?

• Approve 42% (49%)
• Disapprove 56% (46%)

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Iraq?

• Approve 44%
• Disapprove 53%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling environmental policy?

• Approve 62%
• Disapprove 33%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling helping the middle class?

• Approve 50%
• Disapprove 49%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling Medicare?

• Approve 47% (46%)
• Disapprove 48% (48%)

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling helping senior citizens?

• Approve 50%
• Disapprove 46%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the federal government’s response to swine flu?

• Approve 57%
• Disapprove 40%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling illegal immigration?

• Approve 36%
• Disapprove 58%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling unemployment?

• Approve 47%
• Disapprove 52%

All in all, do you think Barack Obama has been a better president than George W. Bush, or do you think Bush was a better president than Obama has been?

• Obama better 57%
• Bush better 34%
• No difference/both the same (vol.) 6%

And do you think Joe Biden has been a better vice president than Dick Cheney, or do you think Cheney was a better vice president than Biden has been?

• Biden better 54%
• Cheney better 38%
• No difference/both the same (vol.) 6%

Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think it applies or doesn’t apply to Barack Obama.

Will unite the country and not divide it

• Applies 51%
• Does not apply 48%

Has a clear plan for solving this country’s problems

• Applies 45%
• Does not apply 54%

Is a strong and decisive leader

• Applies 62%
• Does not apply 37%

Is an effective world leader

• Applies 53%
• Does not apply 46%

Inspires confidence

• Applies 63%
• Does not apply 37%

Can manage the government effectively

• Applies 58%
• Does not apply 42%

Can bring the kind of change the country needs

• Applies 54%
• Does not apply 46%

Is honest and trustworthy

• Applies 61%
• Does not apply 38%

Shares your values

• Applies 53%
• Does not apply 47%

Cares about people like you

• Applies 59%
• Does not apply 41%

Is a person you admire

• Applies 59%
• Does not apply 41%

Is not a typical politician

• Applies 63%
• Does not apply 36%

In general, would you say that President Obama’s views and proposed programs for the country are too liberal, not liberal enough, or just about right for the country?

• Too liberal 42% [40%]
• Just about right 44% [50%]
• Not liberal enough 14% [8%]

Do you think the election of Barack Obama has or has not created significant changes in the country? If so, do you think the country has changed for the better or changed for the worse?

• Change for the better 40%
• Change for the worse 27%
• No change 29%

Survey of 1,018 adults, including 952 registered voters, was conducted October 30 – November 1. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. Results from the poll conducted October 16-18 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted September 11-13 are in angle brackets. Results from the poll conducted August 28-31 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted July 31 – August 3 are in square brackets.