CNN Political Ticker
998 days ago

CNN Poll: Obama moving US in right direction

mug.steinhauser

WASHINGTON (CNN) - As the Republican Party condemns what they call the Democrats' 'march to socialism', a new national poll indicates that most Americans believe President Barack Obama's policies would move the country in the right direction.

Sixty-three percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Wednesday say they think the policies being proposed by the President would push the nation in the right direction, with 35 percent saying those policies would send the country in the wrong direction.

But the poll suggests that Americans don't feel the same way about the Republicans. Thirty-nine percent of those questioned say that the policies of GOP Congressional leaders would move the country in the right direction, with a slight majority, 53 percent, saying Republican proposals would move the nation in the wrong direction.

"The poll indicates that some of Obama's popularity is rubbing off on congressional Democrats," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Even though Nancy Pelosi has a low approval rating and Harry Reid is facing some low numbers in polls taken in his home state, 57 percent think that the policies of the Democratic leaders in Congress would move the country in the right direction. That's not good news for the GOP."

Four months into Obama's presidency, the country remains in a recession, but the poll indicates that Americans aren't blaming the new president or his party for the country's economic problems so far. Fifty-three percent of those surveyed say the Republicans are to blame, with only one in five saying the Democrats are more responsible for the country's economic conditions.

The poll also indicates that the jury is still out on Obama's actions to jump-start the economy. Thirty-seven percent of people questioned say that the President's policies have improved economic conditions, 23 percent say they have worsened things, and 40 percent say they have had no effect so far on the economy.

"Obama has four years to convince the public that his economic policies have worked, but the Democrats in Congress have less than two years to make that connection," says Holland. "Political junkies will be watching that 40 percent to see how they break between now and the midterms."

The poll's release came just two hours before members of the Republican National Committee approved a resolution calls on the Democratic party to "stop pushing our country towards socialism and governmental control."

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey was conducted May 14-17, with 1,010 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

(Updated at 6:45 p.m. with additional information)


Filed under: CNN Polls
soundoff (152 Responses)
  1. KC

    I always wonder who they poll. No one I know has ever received calls from these pollsters. Also, how do they word their questions? Do they do so in a leading manner? Yeah, I find polls very deceitful and really just plain stupid.

    May 20, 2009 04:08 pm at 4:08 pm |
  2. jm for sc

    Even if people begin to prosper under President Obama, many will still find a complaint.

    He will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents America has ever enjoyed.

    May 20, 2009 04:08 pm at 4:08 pm |
  3. Eileen

    This just proves again how out of touch the republicans are from "real America". With all the pressing issues, they actively work on proposals to brand the democratic party the Democrat Socialist party. Ridiculous. That's why voters are running away in droves. Of course the disasterous Bush admin didn't help, but the repub senators and representatives didn't help themselves by rubber stamping every horrible notion the bush admin came up with. They certainly did earn their irrelevancy.

    May 20, 2009 04:09 pm at 4:09 pm |
  4. Nick

    Obama is doing a GREAT job, especially considering the circumstances he inherited. I am expecting a continuing improvement in the economy, more increases in stock prices, and some foreign relations breakthoughs. It would not surprise me to see some positive action regarding the Israel / Palestinian problem.

    May 20, 2009 04:10 pm at 4:10 pm |
  5. Chris

    People can't really say what they think one side or the other is capable of. All we can do is judge the past. The future is up for grabs no matter what party is in power. They both have their pros and cons. At the end of the day, they both serve the same master. It won't matter for too much longer though, we'll be so poor and down trodden, politics will be the last thing on our minds.

    May 20, 2009 04:12 pm at 4:12 pm |
  6. Tulsa

    LOL.... this ought to INFURIATE a few of you out there.

    Mississippi Mike, Phony86, oops, Phoenix86, Fitz in Texas..... Sorry Dummys, the rest of the country.... or to use a Palinism, the "real" America, thinks you are WRONG.

    C'mon RNC, put the "march to socialism" out there and see how your poll numbers DROP some more!

    LOL.... I love being a Democrat.

    May 20, 2009 04:12 pm at 4:12 pm |
  7. Shari, NY

    Quote – But the poll suggests that Americans don't feel the same way about the Republicans – Unquote.

    Why? All one has to do is read the news and see who incessantly speaks on behalf of the GOP (e.g. Palin).

    May 20, 2009 04:13 pm at 4:13 pm |
  8. Claudia in Houson

    Of course Obama's approval rating on policies are higher than the GOP because they have none and want the country to allow them to resume with the past 8 years of failure. The Republicans left this country in a mess for Obama to cleanup and they aren't helping, just whinning.

    May 20, 2009 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |
  9. Bob

    Mr. President, Keep it up you are taking country in the right direction and I am sure GOP would not like to see this poll #. American people are behind you . GOP are loosing in every police issues................

    May 20, 2009 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |
  10. Mich

    No one asked me about a poll. His course for the country is not good. He has undermined the united states security. He is spending far to much of the United States future. (Just ask California they couldn't spend their way out of their problems.) And why all this is happening my state of Illinios is taxing us into a hole. Is Obama good for the country. lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

    May 20, 2009 04:16 pm at 4:16 pm |
  11. ANGIE IN PA

    Put that in you pipe And Smoke it Republicans President Obama is Doing a Great Job! 53 Percent Feel Republicans will Move the Country in the Wrong Direction RIP GOP BYE BYE SEE YA Wait until 2010 you will be Extinct!

    May 20, 2009 04:16 pm at 4:16 pm |
  12. MEL

    We walking with you President Barack Obama. Thank you. Lets roll up our sleeves and work for a better future. Let's go America!!!!!

    May 20, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |
  13. Jon in CA

    I sincerely hope CNN conducts this same type poll in 1 year after hyper-inflation, spiking interest rates, and continued high unemployment.

    Folks – California leads the way!

    Democrats have been wildly spending for YEARS here.... creating a myriad of social welfare plans putting us $21 Billion in the hole. Voters finally had enough and slapped-down the latest tax-and-spend offering.

    You libs just keep on believing America likes your approach....your day of reckoning in coming.

    May 20, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |
  14. greenfish

    I thank God every day Obama is our president.

    May 20, 2009 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |
  15. Jefe

    Well, Republican policy is to spend and inflate while helping corporations to eliminate American jobs, which really only benefits a small fraction of the nation. Its no wonder, when Democrats are more beneficial to 95%+ of the nation, that more Americans would support Democrats. The real shocker is that the GOP manages to hold more than 5% in polls.

    May 20, 2009 04:19 pm at 4:19 pm |
  16. SENSIBLE MIKE

    obviously they polled during work hours when all the right wingers are at work. Must've also done it on the day that the welfare lines were short.

    May 20, 2009 04:19 pm at 4:19 pm |
  17. Jackie

    The only thing I would like to say is look what happened in California. The people / voters had enough of spending and taxing. The same thing will happen at the National level. You'll see. How can anyone say he is taking us in the right direction when the government is getting larger and playing a bigger role in our lives.

    If we know that Europe is worse off than we are, why do we want to follow them off the cliff?

    May 20, 2009 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |
  18. RealityKing

    5 million people out of work since Nov.

    Great job dems, keep driving America in the "right direction"!!

    May 20, 2009 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |
  19. viking

    This President is spending money like there is no tomorrow. I hope that his girls get a good education because they are going to need good jobs to pay all of these taxes need to fund everything that he proposes! I just love here! What happened to a smaller government? We are getting "deep" into socialism and its starting to smell!!

    May 20, 2009 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |
  20. Rob

    He seems to be trying.Pelosi needs to resin her position as leader of the Democratic Party in Congress.She can't even keep track of her own lies.......

    May 20, 2009 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |
  21. SENSIBLE MIKE

    jm for sc,

    are you seroius? one of the greatest ever? He's been in office for 4 months. Can we stop the anointing please??? How many industries must he destroy?

    Most liberal president ever, YES. That's not a good thing though.

    May 20, 2009 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |
  22. Lynda/Minnesota

    I have not qualms with the poll, or it's results.

    May 20, 2009 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |
  23. Cowboy in West Texas

    Well first off I think it is a little early to say he will go donw in history as one of the greatest – we should at least wait a year.

    Second, I wish everyone would stop talking about the poor guy inherited this mess – He ran a darn hard campaign to WIN it – he wanted it. Remember?

    May 20, 2009 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |
  24. Simmy

    President Obama and Democrats YES.......Hannity/Limbaugh and Republicans NO......

    May 20, 2009 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |
  25. Bananarama Victim II: Electric Boogaloo

    Fringe-Americans showing their true colors once again, I see. No wonder they're so threatened by Obama's very existence; he's intelligent, well-spoken, emotinally mature, and worst of all his policies are moderate.

    What a crazy liberal, indeed.

    May 20, 2009 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |
  26. Hammer

    CNN is The Democratic Socialist Party offical public relations firm.Why would their polls show anything else?

    May 20, 2009 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |
  27. jeff

    CNN is biased towards DEMS.
    Ask Fox it would swing in favor the the REPUBS

    May 20, 2009 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |
  28. RealityKing

    I see CNN viewship is down again this quarter. Another 10 million down the drain, but keep up the good work. CNN is moving in the "right direction" as far as I'm concerned too.

    May 20, 2009 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |
  29. John in Ohio

    Obama and Congressional Democrats: They're Not Perfect, But They're Better Then The Alternative

    May 20, 2009 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |
  30. No More Incumbents

    Right over the edge...........

    May 20, 2009 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |
  31. RealityKing

    Nothing like a state run media working overtime to prop up thier straw suit..

    May 20, 2009 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  32. To SENSIBLE MIKE

    @SENSIBLE MIKE-
    How very sensible of you Mike! I wonder if you had the same sensible nature during the disaster that was the Bush years. You know, where we raped the middle class in order to pay for the wealth redistribution to the richest Americans amongst us. Sounds sensible right Mike?

    May 20, 2009 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  33. Melissa

    Sounds about right. The only place you hear the vocal minority of the Republicans is on the web.

    May 20, 2009 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |
  34. RealityKing

    Central bank now expects unemployment to rise to a range of 9.2% to 9.6% this year. Fed also predicts a sharper decline in GDP than it had forecast in January.

    The RIGHT direction as far as dems are concerned..

    May 20, 2009 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |
  35. In Houston, TX

    I'm sure my conservative counterparts are going to love my comment. (or at least the first part ;) )
    ahem* YOUR POLLS MEAN NOTHING!
    I have never been polled. Nobody asked me!
    Having said that seeing polls like this does my heart good. I feel The President is doing very well. The only issue I feel that he has not addressed properly is the torture issue. We must bring the Bush administration to justice and Dick Cheney should be in jail.
    But, other than that, HE IS DOING A FANTASTIC JOB!

    May 20, 2009 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |
  36. TCM

    The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey was conducted May 14-17, with 1,010 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

    IT's always 1010 Americans...by phone...always liberal democrats...this is the most slanted, biased poll that occurs, and CNN splashs it up like it's the truth. Fact is, taking real polls would show the loss of confidence in Obama, and that Pelosi needs to go...by most obama supporters. CNN you should tell the truth.

    May 20, 2009 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |
  37. Gary SC

    Do a poll tomm after Cheney speaks, I bet the numbers get worse for the republicans.
    I'm sure they dropped after Steele spoke yesterday.
    It's funny that they can't figure it out.
    Maybe they play "Spin the bottle" each morning to see wich idiot gets to make a fool of themselves and their party each day. One day it's Rush, then Palin, then Boehner then the big Dick then Steele.

    May 20, 2009 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |
  38. Teknarik

    The interesting thing is that CNN polls are ALWAYS on democrat side of majority. I don't believe I've seen a single pole done by CNN (not grabbed results from other pollsters) that did not have "good" news for their comrades, the Democrats. Just an observation, that's all...

    May 20, 2009 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |
  39. Jeff

    Seems like the people being polled are already Socialists.

    May 20, 2009 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |
  40. Sniffit

    Still anxious to get to November 2010 GOPers? HAHAHA! The bst part is that the stats are starting to show some signs of economic improvement, and if the economy stabilizes in 2009 and starts to rebuild in 2010 like most experts are predicting, it's only going to get worse for you. But wait, there's more! You keep damaging yourselves with the idiot rhetoric and your party leaders' lack of substantive contributions to the effort to find more and better solutions. Yeah, 2010...can't wait.

    May 20, 2009 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |
  41. Randolph Carter

    Jackie wrote: May 20th, 2009 4:20 pm ET

    If we know that Europe is worse off than we are, why do we want to follow them off the cliff?

    How is Europe worse off than we are? Give examples.
    Have a nice day!

    May 20, 2009 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |
  42. Greg Smith, Clifton Heights PA

    Barack Obama is the worst President in history, he is the most dangerious person ever to get elected President. In four years when the economy is ten times worst then it is today and our security has been breached, then maybe the left liberal goons might get a brain and realize what they have done by voting for this guy. This is fact not fiction.

    May 20, 2009 04:28 pm at 4:28 pm |
  43. Analyze This

    Yeah... the 53% think Obama is doing a great job because he has the license to pick the pockets of those of us who earned our prosperity! It's that Marxist "spreading of the wealth" he loves so dearly!

    He will go down in history as the greatest president we ever had... the greatest threat to our freedom and security! I think the reality that the presidency is a harder job than he expected just hit him like a ton of bricks! Put THAT on your TelePrompTer and read it!

    May 20, 2009 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |
  44. Sniffit

    CNN, you should seriously consider publishing an article or something explaining how these national polls use sceintific sampling and statistical methodology, etc. The wilfull ignorance on the part of people who are willing to claim the polls are "biased" is pretty inane. You might actually be able to clear up some of the clutter of imbeciles in your articles about poll results.

    May 20, 2009 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |
  45. ANGIE IN PA

    SENSIBLE MIKE
    First off your name should be Senseless how is the President the Most Liberal last i Checked and The country Checked hes in the Middle please list how hes the Most Liberal we dont see it or is it a Republican Thing a Hannity or Limbaugh thing?

    May 20, 2009 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |
  46. ray ray

    greenfish says,

    "I thank God every day Obama is our president."

    --–

    You may have better luck thanking Buddah or Mohamed... as God doesn't much appreciate those who hurt children (ie aborting viable babies and/or refusing to provide medical care to babies surviving botched abortions).

    Obama's god resides in his mirror, not the church.

    May 20, 2009 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |
  47. Cesar

    Please, why do you bother with polls?!?!?! Obama does whatever he wants and you guys just nod.

    May 20, 2009 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |
  48. Chris from Baltimore

    KC (first post) You can easily go to pollingreport.com and see the exact questions asked (and those of many other polls as well). Why do you assume polls are "very deceitful if you don't even know the questions they ask? Is it because you don't like the results?

    May 20, 2009 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |
  49. Ryan

    It is interesting of how Republicans are getting fired up when the new national poll indicated that most Americans believe President Obama’s policies would move the country in the right direction. Bottom line, if the Republican Party needs to come up with some new ideas and etc. The problem is that the Republicans rather to use the same old policies that doesn’t work.

    May 20, 2009 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |
  50. Mario

    Sure he is,and what poll is it...a liberal of course! lying libs!

    May 20, 2009 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |
  51. CitizenJane

    "march to socialism" is working well for the GOP . . .

    May 20, 2009 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |
  52. Sniffit

    @ RealityKing, who said "5 million people out of work since Nov.
    Great job dems, keep driving America in the "right direction"!!"

    When you suddenly get handed the wheel of a bus careening towards the edge of a cliff, it's going to keep traveling several hundred feet before you can get it to stop, go in reverse, and back over the jacka$$ who was driving before you.

    May 20, 2009 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |
  53. ridosworld

    I'm writing all these comments from the Obama-Nation down and I will bring them up again after the 2012 Presidential Election. Oh Lord, so many of you are going to look like the people who said Ryan Leaf was going to be the best NFL quarterback ever!

    May 20, 2009 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |
  54. Bananarama Victim II: Electric Boogaloo

    TCM – is that from the scientific poll you conducted?

    May 20, 2009 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |
  55. Kelvin

    The republican party will lose time and time again,If they do not moderate there positions. You can not financially lynch the middle class of america and think everything is going to be okay. You can not have energy companies, mortgage companies, investment companies,etc. squeezing the middle class unregulated. There has to be SOME regulation not COMPLETE regulation or the well WILL run dry. REPUBLICANS WHAT IS YOUR PLAN!!!!!

    May 20, 2009 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |
  56. Fitz in Texas

    The Obama Sheeples believe this poll because I'm sure they were the only ones asked to take part in this CNN poll.

    May 20, 2009 04:35 pm at 4:35 pm |
  57. Romney2012

    @ SENSIBLE MIKE -

    Give up dude, you can't reason with these libs. The minute you prove to them the Obama administration is all wrong, they resort to name calling and attacking other areas away from the messiah. Trying to hold a meaningful discussion with liberals is like having a battle of wits with an unarmed man.

    May 20, 2009 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |
  58. alvino

    The American public is a lot smarter that the right wingnuts think they are. Most of us have figured out that Texas/Arizona Cowboy Diplomacy is not the answer. Whatever the repubs are doing, (by saying "NO!") I hope they keep it up.

    May 20, 2009 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |
  59. WIlly Brown

    Ok CNN who do you call or have call in for this poll? The White House maybe....

    May 20, 2009 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |
  60. itbeme

    to bad the half baked alaskan doesn't read what the people are saying......she's to worried about the ONE dealership in Alaska that was closed....in a town of 4000 people......

    course, you would have to know how to turn on a computer.....and connect to the inter net.....and be able to read........

    Well, I guess someone could alway read it TO her........

    May 20, 2009 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |
  61. CHOICE

    So called "Obama policies" are moving the country in the right direction? It's about time! In the last 5 decades, America really has sat on their duffs and got hog-tied greedy. It's about time Congress actually worked and please, please, please, get rid of some PROGRAMS our tax dollars are paying for that only makes lots of Americans lazy and co-dependent. With that, Americans need to get to work themselves and start paying for their own lifestyles, not the taxpayers!

    May 20, 2009 04:38 pm at 4:38 pm |
  62. truth

    democrats stand for the people. the republicans stands for their party. i will ever vote for republicans. they will go down in 2010.

    May 20, 2009 04:38 pm at 4:38 pm |
  63. Lynda/Minnesota

    @ray ray . . .

    You my friend are why I and many others have left your party. A word of caution: We are ALL on equal footing with God and HE doesn't play favorites.

    May 20, 2009 04:39 pm at 4:39 pm |
  64. Mr. President

    Mr. President,
    You are doing a great Job! You are not afraid of taking our country
    back from Big Business, extremists and Losers. Keep the fight in
    their faces.

    May 20, 2009 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |
  65. Kevin B

    I am glad to see the majority of americans have the political maturity to see through the shrill, empty and failed antics of the GOP.

    The only thing the GOP have left is name calling and the AM talk radio millionaire propagandist.

    May 20, 2009 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |
  66. FL voter

    Obama has my confidence and vote.

    ANYTHING but the previous administrations catastrophic leadership is a vast improvement!

    May 20, 2009 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |
  67. Simmy

    Right wingers are upset.......Life is sweet..........

    May 20, 2009 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |
  68. Mississippi Mike

    People are stupid. They don't even know what he's been up to yet. Expect that to change with the mid-term elections and his popularity will quickly decline.

    May 20, 2009 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |
  69. eric

    Let me guess the percentage of republicans vs democrats that were used in this poll. I am going to go out on a limb and guess 75% democrats and 25% republicans. Even the few democratic friends that I have think Barack is taking this country in the wrong direction. It is funny that CNN doesn't mention what party these people belong too!!!!!

    May 20, 2009 04:41 pm at 4:41 pm |
  70. J.P.

    If Obama's policies are good the economy and will create jobs and prosperity, then California should be a beacon of prosperity right now.

    May 20, 2009 04:41 pm at 4:41 pm |
  71. ben

    How about steele and limbaugh?

    May 20, 2009 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |
  72. Baze

    What most Republicans don't understand, or perhaps care about is that majority of the American people are no longer competitive against the world. This is unacceptable, which is why majority of Americans, Democrats and Republicans together support Obama's policies. We need to uplift a portion of the population into more positive regions of the serviceable percentile.

    May 20, 2009 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |
  73. Tulsa

    LOL... RealityKing.... that's a hoot. King of what? Who's reality?

    You nutjobs on the right just HATE it when you know the rest of the country sees you for the vermin you are.
    Or maybe you just hate.

    Either way, must SUCK to be you!

    May 20, 2009 04:43 pm at 4:43 pm |
  74. republicans hate america

    the rush limbaugh party lives in denial and will continue to do the same old non sense they always have borrow what we dont have to cut taxes for the rich.

    May 20, 2009 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |
  75. eric

    I love it there is a comment on this blog bashing Palin. Itbeme we realize that you crazies hate Palin but what is next a comment bashing Palin on a children story blog? You need some help on your anger problem

    May 20, 2009 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |
  76. Roger

    Wrong ! Wrong !! Wrong !!! CNN……. You are Absolutely Wrong. :|

    Cheney, Limbaugh and Gingrich are Right.

    Cheney, Limbaugh and Gingrich don’t agree that Obama is Moving US in Right Direction. :P

    Only what these 3 Learned, Intelligent and Genius Men say is Right.

    Hail Cheney, Hail Limbaugh and Hail Gingrich. :)

    May 20, 2009 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |
  77. republicans hate america

    I cant wait to vote for Obama again.

    May 20, 2009 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |
  78. KLK

    @Mississippi Mike May 20th, 2009 4:40 pm ET

    People are stupid. They don't even know what he's been up to yet. Expect that to change with the mid-term elections and his popularity will quickly decline.
    ____________________________________________________

    I'm sure when you say "people" you're including yourself. Ahh, the sanity of those in the deep south. Poor you.

    May 20, 2009 04:45 pm at 4:45 pm |
  79. Tulsa

    Awwww, isn't that cute! Republicans consoling one another.... SENSIBLE MIKE, sorry, the libs won't listen to us... Fitz wants someone to call HIM.... You guys are just ADORABLE!

    pansies.

    May 20, 2009 04:45 pm at 4:45 pm |
  80. walleye

    TO: RAY RAY who says: You may have better luck thanking Buddah or Mohamed… as God doesn't much appreciate those who hurt children (ie aborting viable babies and/or refusing to provide medical care to babies surviving botched abortions).

    Obama's god resides in his mirror, not the church.

    I suggest you shut up. Why the hell wern't you complaining when Bush was dropping bombs on Iraq and killing not only inocent Iraqis but 4000 (and counting) of our young men/women in a war he fabricated on LIES.

    May 20, 2009 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |
  81. ghost

    I will be the 1st to admit that if Obama's plans don't work, that we need to move in another direction. I am fine with having supported him and will take the heat for voting for him. However, it does go back to why the repubs ratings are so darn low. They have done absolutely nothing to help at all. The people aren't stupid. People realize that this mess came before Obama and are willing to give him a chance. At the very least, he's doing what he said he would do. No real surprises here. Not unlike the budget that we have yet to see or the cuts that we're supposed to have by this Friday.

    May 20, 2009 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |
  82. JHollis

    You would think that an article from a CNN Deputy Political Director would have been written better than this slant. Really, no need for an article here. You could have shown a pie chart with 2 columns: 1 for and 1 against. Not real hard.

    May 20, 2009 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |
  83. The Party of NO stood by calmly as the shrub raped and pillaged America, why should we listen to you now?

    Hell yeah! What about "small government " and "tax breaks" not working do you repubs NOT understand? Same old message which has been proven over the last 8 years not to work.

    That whole "party purity" is really working out for you 'christian' Taliban "limbaugh lemmings".

    Keep up the good work and continue to dismiss EVERY poll as a "liberal MSM conspiracy".

    Please!

    May 20, 2009 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |
  84. Laverne

    @ ray ray: So God condones innocent lives being taken because of a war based on lies. You are so misguided and so misinformed about the bible. God does not force us to do anything and gives us choices. Being pro-choice does not mean you are an abortion lover, but rather in favor of a woman having the right to choose what to do with her body. If it is a moral crime, then that will be between a woman, her doctor and her God. You repubs always holler no government in your life on any level, but it is okay for government to dictate to a woman what to do with her body. A woman's body does not belong to man, it belongs to her and God!

    May 20, 2009 04:49 pm at 4:49 pm |
  85. Sue

    WOW =- we're doing a hell of a BANG UP job in Baghdad, aren't we!!!
    Suicide bombers CONSTANTLY? Mr. Obama has NO control over anything he ever prom ised!!! This new REGIME is as destructive as the last one!!!!

    May 20, 2009 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |
  86. Linda

    Hammer May 20th, 2009 4:22 pm ET
    CNN is The Democratic Socialist Party offical public relations firm.Why would their polls show anything else?
    ****
    Right on! CNN should take a good look at their low ratings...

    May 20, 2009 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |
  87. TCM

    The previous administration is gone libs, stop looking in the rearview for GW to blame for all of the current administration's screw-ups.

    Look forward and take your punishment because you brainless twits elected a spineless waffle...and he's going to destroy this country, and you're responsible. Blame GW all you want...that's exactly what Obama wants you to concentrate on while he screws you.

    May 20, 2009 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |
  88. Tim

    I don't know who they are asking. Everyone I talk to thinks he is in way over his head and that he is taking us down a socialist path, and that his foreign policy decisions are dangerous. I work in a large office in Chicago, most people have this view.

    They need to stop polling their friends at the ACLU.

    May 20, 2009 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |
  89. Tim

    Roger, you forgot to hail Bush :)

    May 20, 2009 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |
  90. JT

    President Obama is doing a fantastic job. I have never known in my lifetime a president that was so 'of the people' and 'for the people'.

    The conservatives posts here are not making any real sense. As a former life-long conservative myself, I'm grateful to the Obama administration for the work they've already done to repair our country and the energy to go after the mess Bush and Cheney left us all.

    And just because over 80% of America (so far) has left the GOP does not make them "LIBS". But because the feeble 20% are shakily holding onto the GOP does make their party questionable.

    May 20, 2009 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |
  91. ghost

    Now the polls are rigged. CNN has posted the results of other's polls as well.

    Face it folks. You republicans are going in the right direction to Obama's 2nd term. especially if things turn around. The best you ahve to look forward to is some congressfolk doing something stupid to lose elections come 2010.

    May 20, 2009 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |
  92. J.P.

    Headline should read:
    "Looters, moochers say Obama moving country in right direction."

    May 20, 2009 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |
  93. steve

    @ Romney2012... Good luck, sir. You need it. Make sure to stay away from those swimming pools with the scratch-and-sniff stickers at the bottom.

    May 20, 2009 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |
  94. Linda

    republicans hate america May 20th, 2009 4:44 pm ET
    I cant wait to vote for Obama again.
    ****
    ACORN, ACLU, MSNBC and NBC are the ones who hate America...

    May 20, 2009 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |
  95. truth is liberal sort of

    Right....he's moving us in the right direction until the Treasury Department runs out of ink and then it will be 'O.K. I was over my pay grade", we just need to RE-change.

    May 20, 2009 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |
  96. Laverne

    @ eric. If more democrats are polled vs republicans that is because so few people identify themself as a republican. Repubs are the minority and even though you guys scream and yell and are very loud, but say nothing, you are sooo out numbered!

    May 20, 2009 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |
  97. chuck

    I don’t know why the numbers are not better for the Republicans. Did the county not see that they are “rebranding” the party? The problem is not with what the Republicans stand for but that people just don’t understand them.

    Thank god Cheney and Limbra will get the message out. :-)

    May 20, 2009 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |
  98. Mich

    I can't wait for the first time I will help who ever to run against Obama.
    I'm a true democrat not a democratic socialist. It's funny I bet most people don't even know what socialism is. Well if I could give you a example. Goverment +Banks =Socialism. Goveverment +Car Companies = Socialism.

    May 20, 2009 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |
  99. Diane Dagenais Turbide

    Obama moving US in right direction!

    Of course he is!

    May 20, 2009 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |
  100. Terry in Iowa

    By the rhetoric on this blog, I’d say the members of the Republican Fascist Party are getting might frustrated.

    Mr. President, you’re doing an exceptional job. Keep up the good work.

    May 20, 2009 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |
  101. Lesley Anne

    Seems to me that the Repubs should worry less about rebranding the Dems as socialists and instead concentrate on coming up with some viable ideas that actually help this country move forward. A real debate with substantive solutions would be a nice change. These tickers are getting way too repetitive.

    May 20, 2009 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |
  102. Gary Beckerman

    The poll numbers are not surprising especially when you look at the Republican agenda. Unless it comes down to tax cuts or torture, the Republican Party is bankrupt of ideas. All they can do is complain because they have nothing else to offer.

    May 20, 2009 04:58 pm at 4:58 pm |
  103. Better Easily

    Any direction would be an improvement over the old one led by Bootleg-Bush and Shootem-Up-Chainey. Actually, President Obama has a pretty easy job coming in after those morons.

    May 20, 2009 04:58 pm at 4:58 pm |
  104. Kevin Denver Colorado

    TCM, unlike you we are not retarded, we KNOW when someone is trying to screw us.... IT"S YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

    May 20, 2009 04:58 pm at 4:58 pm |
  105. b

    KC May 20th, 2009 4:08 pm ET

    I always wonder who they poll. No one I know has ever received calls from these pollsters. Also, how do they word their questions? Do they do so in a leading manner? Yeah, I find polls very deceitful and really just plain stupid.
    ------------------

    Now, you just confirmed to us that you’re an idiot and obtuse. Everybody knows that statistic and polling are based on sampling with a margin of error depending on the sample size. Sampling doesn’t mean that that you ask everybody, it is impossible to get everybody’s opinion.

    May 20, 2009 04:59 pm at 4:59 pm |
  106. JT

    Sue – Let me just say, you make your party look even more irrelevant.

    May 20, 2009 05:00 pm at 5:00 pm |
  107. Joe

    Nobody asked Me?

    May 20, 2009 05:00 pm at 5:00 pm |
  108. walleye

    TO ROGER – The Dems have nothing to fear if everyone in the RepubliKlan party thinks like you. Oh, and you forgot to annoint Bush.

    May 20, 2009 05:04 pm at 5:04 pm |
  109. ray ray

    @ Walleye says,

    "Why the hell wern't you complaining when Bush was dropping bombs on Iraq and killing not only inocent Iraqis but 4000 (and counting) of our young men/women in a war he fabricated on LIES."

    ____________

    I assume you're upset with Obama dropping bombs and killing innocent women and children in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, now??

    Awww... was that too much hypocrisy for you to process?

    May 20, 2009 05:05 pm at 5:05 pm |
  110. annie s

    President Obama is doing an outstanding job to date. But I'm furious
    at Congress for slapping this President in the face with their idiotic ruling on Gitmo. What a disgrace.

    May 20, 2009 05:06 pm at 5:06 pm |
  111. special kay

    I believe the President is doing an wonderful job considering......

    May 20, 2009 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |
  112. Sniffit

    @ Tim, who said "Everyone I talk to thinks he is in way over his head and that he is taking us down a socialist path"

    You need to talk to more than just the 3 dudes in stained wife-beaters you met at the weekend pseudo-militia daycamp.

    May 20, 2009 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |
  113. SENSIBLE MIKE

    the only thing longer in Obama's america than the unemployment lines is going to be the welfare lines.

    Line us all up. We've already got a lot of sheep on this site already.

    May 20, 2009 05:09 pm at 5:09 pm |
  114. JHEARD, SURPRISE, AZ

    Yes! President Obama is taking this country in the right direction and I wish him GODSPEED.

    May 20, 2009 05:11 pm at 5:11 pm |
  115. Terry in Iowa

    It’s amazing how so many of these Repubs, know what God thinks and what God wants and have the ability to see the future. One would think that with this intimate relationship the have with God and their capacity to prognosticate, that surely their prayers for divine intervention would have had all of us good liberal Americans, burning in hell, long before the Nov election.

    Just perhaps, they don’t have the relationship they think they do and their vision is a bit blurred by their own hate, greed and bias.

    Only time will tell.

    For me, I see a great man, doing a great work, under great pressure and thus far doing a great job.

    May 20, 2009 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |
  116. Osama B Laden

    I give high praise to Obama! He is doing to Amerika what I could not achieve.

    Allah Akbar!!

    May 20, 2009 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |
  117. phoenix86

    Obama is the great magician, the hand is quicker than the eye. Unfortunately, by the time Americans realize the emperor has no clothes, inflation and unemployment will both be in double digits.

    May 20, 2009 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |
  118. SENSIBLE MIKE

    Hey CNN, how bout taking a poll on Nancy Pe LIE si?

    May 20, 2009 05:16 pm at 5:16 pm |
  119. JML

    At least the "truth" is slllllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww coming out. Guess we should be thankful for the small begining. Thanks President Obama, keep up the good work. The GOP'ers need to find something else to do.

    May 20, 2009 05:16 pm at 5:16 pm |
  120. Patty in the CA mountains

    Forward vs. backward....can only be the right direction )

    May 20, 2009 05:16 pm at 5:16 pm |
  121. phoenix86

    Dear Annie S:

    Please send your address to your congressional representative and tell him/her that you are more than willing to house the Gitmo detainees with your family.

    Thanks.

    May 20, 2009 05:17 pm at 5:17 pm |
  122. Bitter Republican, party of no I mean one, your table is ready!

    To SENSIBLE MIKE,

    I love your comments, it makes me happy to see you suffering.

    Side Note: Are you one of the unemployed standing in that line, because you seem to do nothing but post comments all day. Back to work facist!

    May 20, 2009 05:17 pm at 5:17 pm |
  123. Roger

    King Limbaugh and his Republican Kingdom :|

    Long Live the King. Hail King Limbaugh :)

    Limbaugh's Kingdom has Great Hunters

    1. Cheney the Quail Hunter. :P

    2. Palin the Helicopter Wolf Hunter. :P

    May 20, 2009 05:18 pm at 5:18 pm |
  124. Sniffit

    C'mon now GOPers...admit it...it's not everyone's potential unemployment you're worried about...it's the just the inevitable unemployment of your members of Congress that has you all a twitter lol

    May 20, 2009 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |
  125. SENSIBLE MIKE

    Bitter,

    no I'm in one of the industries that Obama is looking to destroy. Pick one. There's a lot to choose from. Again when unemployment is at 11-12% I'll be the one next to you in the unemployment line saying I told you so.

    May 20, 2009 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |
  126. Jean

    The transition from Candidate Obama to President Obama has been as predictable as Alaska's winter snow. – Governor Sarah Palin

    May 20, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |
  127. The Broker.

    By the Left! Quick march?

    May 20, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |
  128. No Incumbents 2010

    Isn't it great to live in a country where right and wrong is determined by public opinion polls?

    May 20, 2009 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |
  129. No Hillary = No Obama

    Would CNN or the public admit that Obama is not moving this country in the right direction? This guy is so over rated it's laughable. Better to start treating him with a critical eye than a free pass, spinning everything in his favor. What a joke.

    May 20, 2009 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |
  130. Joe D

    Thank God, these idiot Republicans are led by imbeciles like Limbaugh and Cheney. With people like this the Democrats will never have to worry. Now Colin Powell is a different story. He is a brilliant leader and orator, to bad the Republicans don't have him as their speaker. But what can you expect from the backward party of no, that got America into the situation it now is in. Our only hope is Obama!

    Joe D.

    May 20, 2009 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |
  131. Randolph Carter

    Ray Ray wrote:
    I assume you're upset with Obama dropping bombs and killing innocent women and children in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, now??
    Awww… was that too much hypocrisy for you to process?

    Actually, we're realists. Obama inherited the war. Killing people is a part of war. To just irresponsibly pull all of our troops out of the middle east would result in a bloodbath we can't even imagine. So, thanks to Bush and his oil buddies we must go on killing for a little while longer. Besides, we're so good at it. Have a nice day!

    May 20, 2009 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |
  132. Proud Member..Party of No

    I certainly don't put much faith in CNN polls but if they are accurate then we, as a nation, have lost the battle because it means that the entitlement mentality has taken hold and the country is on it's death spiral.

    May 20, 2009 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |
  133. Roger

    G.W.Bush is a Great Hunter too.....

    Unfortunately, Bush became Prey to Iraqi Shoe Hunter (Journalist) :) :P

    May 20, 2009 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |
  134. A. D.

    Look considering the mess G.W. and Cheney left this country in, I think the President is doing a good job, trying to get this economy back on the right track won't be easy, and it will not happen over night. Fair is fair, G.W. had eight years to put us in this mess, Obama isn't a miracle worker, but I do believe he is working hard to try to get this economy going again. The party of NO have sat on the sideline with no answers, but attacking people left and right. Cheney, Limbaugh, Newt, Boehner, McConnell, Canter, the same old white faces , who help put us in this mess.

    May 20, 2009 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |
  135. SENSIBLE MIKE

    oh and bitter,

    I'll be fine. I'm not suffering. I'll survive. Its my two employees as a small business owner that I'll have to lay off because your great President is destroying small business in America.

    May 20, 2009 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |
  136. WhoCares?

    Keep on talking Rush, Cheney and Steele.

    See how much you are accomplishing!!!

    May 20, 2009 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |
  137. WhoCares?

    You think average, hard-working Americans aren't over-joyed by just his latest Credit Card Bill?

    Who hasn't been screwed by the Credit Card companies a few times in their life?

    THIS is why alot of Americans love him....he is handling stuff WE NEED that the conservatives thought were just too tough to tackle.

    May 20, 2009 05:31 pm at 5:31 pm |
  138. ray ray

    @ Lynda / Minn says,

    "You my friend are why I and many others have left your party."

    ----

    Good riddance to bad rubbish, sweetheart.

    You'll fit quite nicely with the abortion-loving, terrorist-defending, socialist-spending democrats. Arlene Specter is proud of you!

    May 20, 2009 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |
  139. stormerF

    Mr President one question,How will you pay for all the freebies you want to give away?

    May 20, 2009 05:36 pm at 5:36 pm |
  140. Independant in Indiana

    eric May 20th, 2009 4:41 pm ET

    Let me guess the percentage of republicans vs democrats that were used in this poll. I am going to go out on a limb and guess 75% democrats and 25% republicans. Even the few democratic friends that I have think Barack is taking this country in the wrong direction. It is funny that CNN doesn't mention what party these people belong too!!!!!

    ——————————————————————————–

    You of course realize that only a little over 20% of people call themselves Republicans? If they only have 25% repubs in their poll then that reflects the country accurately.

    May 20, 2009 05:37 pm at 5:37 pm |
  141. Robin in Tampa, FL

    The GOP can condemn the Democrats march to socialism all they want ... it doesn't change the fact that we are now living through a depression thanks to the Republican's careless "Hands off the Wheel" approach to everything from running the country to regulating the Banks, Wall Street and Big Business.

    May 20, 2009 05:37 pm at 5:37 pm |
  142. Jean

    It is a CNN poll, did you expect anything different.

    CNN is in the tank, they help put ObeTheTeleprompter in office.

    This admin from day one has been a walking disaster. But CNN is reporting everything sunny side up.

    The country is being run by four stooges:

    Obama
    Biden
    Reid
    Pelosi

    May 20, 2009 05:37 pm at 5:37 pm |
  143. Ted Tartaglia

    At least President Obama is trying to clean up the mess of the previous administration. The obstructionist Republic rejects are doing nothing but criticizing without offering any solutions.

    May 20, 2009 05:38 pm at 5:38 pm |
  144. Roger

    Mr. President Bill Clinton,

    Why ? Why ?? Why ??? on Earth did you Advise Cheney, to have more Target Practice? :)

    Don't you Know?

    If Cheney goes to the Shooting Range. All the Maintenance Guys are at risk there. :|

    Cheney is Quite Capable of Shooting a Maintenance Guy there instead of the Target....... :P

    May 20, 2009 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |
  145. JT

    Moving away from the Party of 'No' led by an AM Radio talk show host, leading less than 20% of America that still admit to be associated with the mess Bush/Cheney built - Yes, definitely, we are heading in the right direction.

    May 20, 2009 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |
  146. Steve M

    Anyway that is opposite of the Bush and Cheney direction is the right direction for this country.

    May 20, 2009 05:43 pm at 5:43 pm |
  147. pam Eugene OR

    Jon in CA 4:17
    Hey Jon, I believe the Gov of CA is a Republican not a Democrat.
    President Obama is doing an amazing job restoring Americas image and the economy will turn around in time. My 401K made money in the last 2 months and things a re improving under Obama's leadership.
    The Party of NO will continue to wander in the dark until their leaders make serious changes and it does not appear that will happen.

    May 20, 2009 05:43 pm at 5:43 pm |