GALLUP: Obama Administration Gets High Marks on Swine Flu So Far (66% approval)

[jefferson_dem]

Obama Administration Gets High Marks on Swine Flu So Far
Roughly two-thirds approve across all regions and levels of worry
by Lymari Morales

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans give the Obama administration high marks for its handling so far of the continuing spread of swine flu, or H1N1 virus, in the United States. In a Gallup Poll conducted Tuesday night, 66% of Americans say they approve of how the administration is handling the situation, while 16% disapprove and 17% have no opinion.



This 66% approval rating for the administration's handling of the swine flu outbreak is on par with President Barack Obama's 63% overall job approval rating in Gallup Poll Daily tracking conducted April 26-28, 2009, though the 16% disapproval is much lower than the president's 31% disapproval overall.

The April 28 poll regarding swine flu was conducted the same evening Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was sworn in as the new Health and Human Services secretary following reports, and some criticism, regarding several high-level vacancies within the department. For the most part, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Dr. Richard Besser, acting Director for the Centers for Disease Control, have been the administration's public face on the outbreak, in addition to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Today, President Obama, who is marking his 100th day in office, made more extensive public comments about the situation, stating he is being briefed constantly and will offer regular updates to the American people. On Tuesday, the president sent a letter to congressional leaders requesting $1.5 billion in funding to help the U.S. respond to the outbreak.

Wednesday morning the CDC confirmed 91 cases of swine flu in the United States, spanning 10 states, including a 23-month-old Mexican child who died in Houston, Texas. As of Tuesday night, Gallup found 22% of Americans reporting they personally worried about getting swine flu yesterday. Americans in this group are as likely to approve of the administration's handling of the issue as those who are not worried -- 64% to 67%.

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http://www.gallup.com/poll/118075/Obama-Administration-Gets-High-Marks-Swine-Flu-Far.aspx?CSTS=alert

[Ian David]

1. Obama personally came to my house, took my rectal temperature, and left me a vial of Tamiflu.

Somebitch TOOK MY GUNS though!

[jefferson_dem]

4. So you didn't get the hot stone massage too, huh?

Guess he likes me a tad bit more...

[PBS Poll-435]

5. I got chicken soup

and a latte.

[Connie_Corleone]

8. I got the tamiflu, but that was it.

Obama was in a hurry to get back to the White House for his press conference.

[tridim]

2. That's a good number, but what a strange poll.

I guess we have to get used to the fact that every single issue will be polled these days. :shrug:

[Ian David]

7. POLL: How is Obama Handling The Shortage of Live Mealworms for Pet Lizards? n/t

[bullimiami]

3. poor bushies. this is just the sort of event they really lived to take advantage of.

and it came too late for them.

obama is probably just going to waste the opportunity.

[msallied]

6. They'd better approve. Republican swine are just as susceptible to this as anyone.

[TimesSquareCowboy]

9. He'll always get good marks for it. Cuz t's a bad sample - the living.