Two new polls: President Obama approval at 51% (Pew); 52% (PPP)

[Becky72]

"The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted Aug. 11-17 in English and Spanish among 2,010 adults reached on landlines and cell phones, finds that 51% now approve of Obama’s job performance while 37% disapprove. While that is largely unchanged from July (54%), it is down 10 points from June (61%)."

http://people-press.org/report/536/white-house-gop-leaders-at-odds

A separate PPP (D) poll was released today showing Obama with a 52% approval, slightly up from mid-july (50%): http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_National_819513.pdf

Gallup tracking should be out in a few minutes.

[DrToast]

1. PPP Poll: Do you think the government should stay out of Medicare? 39% - Yes

The question could be misleading in that people might think it means should the government make changes to medicare, but no doubt there still a lot of people who don't realize Medicare is a government program.

[Becky72]

2. If PPP really asked that question, they should abandon the polling business

Medicare is by definition a government program. WTF is wrong with them.

[DrToast]

3. Umm...that's the point. People don't realize that

But I agree that question could be misinterpreted.

[Drunken Irishman]

4. I bet you at least half of those 39% don't believe medicare is a government program.

There are people out there who really do exist!

[elocs]

5. I have been at DU long enough to know that polls that agree with what we believe are lauded,

while those that do not are declared biased or invalid. It is a simple, dependable, and foolproof system.

[timeforpeace]

6. As long as it's over 50%, we're good to go on health care reform.

[Teaser]

8. only need about a month more

and we'll have two bills. Then they get conferenced, hopefully the good shit stays in, and we're done.

[Teaser]

7. This is expected. This is called spending political capital.

.

[liberalpragmatist]

9. Yeah, and it'll shoot up if something passes

This is how major legislative battles work. Right now, people are confused and are only hearing the bad stuff. If something passes, support will shoot up, especially given the publicity and given how the coverage will shift to how this is a "milestone" and a "landmark," etc.