NYT: As the Economy Falters, Obama’s Goodwill Grows

[Pirate Smile]

As the Economy Falters, Obama’s Goodwill Grows
By John Harwood


President-elect Barack Obama buying a Christmas tree in Chicago on Sunday. A recent poll found a 70 percent approval rate for his transition performance.

The six weeks after Election Day have produced an extraordinary juxtaposition: the worse things have become for the country, the better they’ve become for President-elect Barack Obama.

-snip-
Yet while Mr. Bush remains saddled with rock-bottom approval ratings, Mr. Obama floats above a bleak political landscape. Polls show his performance during the transition is receiving the approval of 7 in 10 Americans, including a majority of Republicans.
“People need to have hope,” said Bill McInturff, the Republican pollster who advised Mr. McCain’s campaign this fall. “They want this guy to succeed because they are so concerned with the direction of the country.”
That goodwill represents a formidable asset — so long as it lasts. But history suggests this fortunate phase for Mr. Obama will prove temporary.

-snip-
Peter Hart, a Democratic pollster, sees evidence of an economic version of that 9/11 response in the most recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey, which he conducted with Mr. McInturff. Nearly half of those polled called 2008 one of the worst years for the United States, 9 in 10 said the economy had deteriorated, and 7 in 10 criticized the federal government’s handling of the economic crisis.
Set against those harsh judgments are majority support for Mr. Obama’s appointments, values and ability to deliver change. “He speaks with confidence,” Mr. Steeper said. “You get a sense of confidence from him. He has a friendly smile. You like to watch him.”
Reagan displayed similar characteristics. Mr. Steeper sees a more fitting parallel with Kennedy, another charismatic Democrat who entered the White House with an attractive young family.

That goodwill will hardly vanish immediately once Mr. Obama moves into the White House and inherits an overstuffed briefcase of national problems from Mr. Bush. He can expect instant dividends when he raises his hand to take the oath of office on Jan. 20; by making history as the first black person to be elected president, he’ll alter perceptions of the nation’s highest office within the United States and around the world.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/us/politics/15caucus.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Of course

Most Americans realize Obama is our ONLY hope.

[Indiana_Dem]

2. Could you imagine that on your shoulders!? Ow, I feel for him...eom

[opihimoimoi]

3. He is the ONE HOPE we got at the MOMENT...THE MAN IN OUR TIME OF NEED

and them Pubs wanna still bash him whenever they can....

WTF is that?

[safeinOhio]

4. Deep fear of obsolescents

along with cognitive dissonance and relevance. Ouch!

[opihimoimoi]

7. Pathetically sad.....and ...alarming....

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. And we are his. He has stated this in other words but the basic

idea is there. He is relying on our ability to rise above adversity, division, unfounded prejudices and so forth. I only hope that most of America is ready for the task, ready to help him lead ourselves out of the mess that we have allowed ourselves to become a part of.

[Clio the Leo]

5. And everyone gets to keep their shoes on! :-) NT

[Pirate Smile]

8. kick