GALLUP: American divided on Geithner - Democrats approve; Republicans disapprove

[jefferson_dem]

Some strange bedfellows there. Krugman, his loyalists, and tons of Repugs disapprove of Geithner...

Americans Divided on Treasury Secretary Geithner
Democrats approve; Republicans disapprove
by Frank Newport

PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans are split essentially down the middle when asked to assess the job Tim Geithner is doing as Treasury secretary: 42% say they approve, 40% disapprove, and 18% have no opinion.

Geithner has become one of the most visible Treasury secretaries in decades. This reflects the extreme importance of government economic policy in the current recession, the expanded power given to the secretary of the Treasury in last year's economic bailout legislation, and the fact that Geithner has been one of the primary public faces on the Obama administration's extraordinary and massive intervention in the nation's economic and business life.

Some critics have assailed the way in which Geithner has handled his responsibilities, especially relative to the AIG bonus controversy, and there have been calls for his resignation. Republican Rep. Connie Mack, one of those calling for his resignation, was quoted as saying " has lost the confidence of the American people." Nevertheless, Obama has continued to stand publicly behind his Treasury secretary.

The new data are from a Gallup Poll conducted March 27-29. If the American public has "lost confidence" in Geithner, it might be expected that a majority would now disapprove of the job he is doing as Treasury secretary. That is not the case. At the same time, a majority does not approve of the job he is doing, either. The public remains divided, with no tilt in sentiments in either direction.

<SNIP>

Predictably, there are large partisan differences in Geithner's job approval rating.



Republicans' and Democrats' views on the Treasury secretary are virtual mirror images of each other. Sixty-three percent of the former disapprove, while 61% of the latter approve. Independents are about evenly split.

<SNIP>

http://www.gallup.com/poll/117175/Americans-Divided-Treasury-Secretary-Geithner.aspx

[Jennicut]

1. Sooooo....not going to say a word.

:hide:

[Xenotime]

2. i don't think pugs have a say in the matter.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. I figured that much out by reading DU.

[wyldwolf]

4. just another example...

of how the "real" Democrats on the internets are out of step with the Democratic party.

[jefferson_dem]

6. Right you are, wyldwolf.

I had dinner with extended family last night. They literally did not believe me when I said some on "the left" are actually attacking President Obama for being a "corporatist" (or whatever).

[Renew Deal]

5. Does that include the republicans posting on DU?

:evilgrin:

[specimenfred1984]

7. There's a lot of brainwashed and dumbed-down dems, that's for sure

I've been and will continue to be a dem for my entire life and I sure as hell know that paying criminals 100s of billions for their frauds is the biggest load of shit America has seen since the Iraq war.

Just because a person has a (D) next to their name doesn't mean 100 years of propaganda can't work on them, it does and quite effectively.

[jefferson_dem]

8. I agree with you on the propaganda part.

n/t

[Raineyb]

9. A lot of people are sheep.

And a good many don't pay attention. What's your point?

Regards

[ArchieStone1]

10. 42% approval overall. that's low

Hopefully he will recover soon.

[terisan]

11. It was the Dems in Congress who backed Bush on the Bailouts and got it rolling.

I notice Independents seem split.

Also not the poll followed a big run up of the Dow.


Hard to say what the future holds.

[mvd]

12. A lot of people don't understand Geithner's plan well

Even I am still learning. I don't think it makes the opponents here out of step with the party, then. I think it's typical partisan response in the poll.

[KittyWampus]

13. you have a problem if, at this point, you don't realize IT ISN'T JUST KRUGMAN.