GALLUP: Analysis of Support for Barack Obama (He has highest net favorability of any candidate)

[jefferson_dem]

Analysis of Support for Barack Obama
Blacks, young are among strongest supporters
by Jeffrey M. Jones

Page:123PRINCETON, NJ -- About a year ago, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama made known his intentions to run for president in the 2008 election. His showing thus far has not met the high expectations many had held for the young and charismatic senator. Though he has consistently placed second in Democratic nomination test ballots, his levels of support have been pretty flat since he entered the race. Based on his favorable ratings among all Americans, he rates as one of the most (if not the most) popular presidential candidates. Blacks and young adults rank among his greatest supporters, both in the country at large and within Democratic ranks.

Over the past two months, Obama has averaged a 53% favorable rating and a 30% unfavorable rating across four Gallup Polls. Seventeen percent still are not familiar enough with Obama to offer an opinion of him. His favorable rating edges out those of Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani as the highest among the leading presidential candidates of both parties. But on a relative basis, his +23 net favorable rating (% favorable – % unfavorable) is the best.

Clinton -- currently the comfortable front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination -- has just a +5 net favorable score given that her relatively strong favorable is offset by the highest unfavorable ratings of any candidate.



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http://www.gallup.com/poll/102337/Analysis-Support-Barack-Obama.aspx

[IndianaJones]

1. unfav looks to be trending up. nt.

[jefferson_dem]

3. Good eye.

And you're correct. As the analysis indicates, the climbing unfavorability is mostly among Repugs. Still his net Fave-Unfav of +23 is easily the most impressive among any of the candidate in either party. Hillary's score is +5.

[IndianaJones]

5. the net diff is impressive. nt.

[Colobo]

2. Obama is the best hope this country has right now.

Let's give him a chance.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. I Think Obama And Clinton Would Be Strong Candidates

So if he can wrest the nomination from Ms. Clinton this is good news... How any Democrat can interpet good poll finding for any Democrat as bad news is beyond me...

[jefferson_dem]

6. I'm with you there, DSB.

...routinely giving a "hell yeah!" in threads showing Hillary up in head-to-heads with the Repugs.

I'm excited about this election cycle! Ready to re-claim the WH!!!

[Colobo]

7. Gobama!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. I Just Ask Folks To Be Careful In Interpreting These Polls

A DUer posted that John Kerry had a 13% negative rating in the Fall of 03...By the time Fall of 04 came around his negative rating was 44%...

If the Rethuglicans can turn Kerry's meritorious military service on its head ,I have no doubt they can dirty up any candidate...

I distinguish between campaigning and governance...To me campaigning is more like a blood sport...It's not a venue for anybody who is squeamish about getting bloody or dirty...

[rinsd]

9. Lots of poll goodies there

Did you see page 2 & 3?

[Colobo]

10. Obama/Rinsd 08!

[jefferson_dem]

11. Yes, I saw that...

Thanks for pointing that out, rinsd -- Hillary holds a decisive advantage among Dems-only...:bounce:

The subgroup breakdowns are fascinating. Much to work with there.