Healthcare Debate Weighing Obama Down
Pollster John Zogby regularly updates our ObamaMeter. Each week, Zogby uses his polling, expert analysis, and interaction with major players to come up with a rating of between 1 and 100. The ObamaMeter, however, is not simply a poll-generated job approval number. Instead, the Washington Whispers ObamaMeter is Zogby's judgment on the performance of the president based on multiple factors.
"All in all, it was a bad week on the ObamaMeter. The White House created confusion on the public health insurance option with mixed signals on its plans. That has hurt him in a number of ways. Obama looks weak and not in control of the healthcare debate and has set himself up to appear beholden to the liberal base. He may get a healthcare reform bill, but whatever passes will be partisan, something Obama wanted to avoid. It seems clear now that Democrats and Republicans were never going to reach consensus. The most hopeful event this week is New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's meeting with two North Korean diplomats and the possibility that this could be a sign of new dialogue with North Korea."
This week: Drops to 73.
Last week's rating: 78
John Zogby is president and CEO of Zogby International, a public opinion, research, and business solutions firm with experience in more than 70 countries. Founded and led by Zogby since 1984, Zogby International specializes in telephone, Internet, and face-to-face survey research and analysis for corporate, political, nonprofit, and governmental clients. The firm is headquartered in Utica, N.Y. John Zogby is also the author of The Way We'll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream (Random House).
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Tags: healthcare | Barack Obama | John Zogby
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Reader Comments
Barrack O'bama--is he Irish?
His wife is kind of ugly. He was elected by brainless idiots. The stupid people that elected him will now get what they deserve.
Get Real
I am sure that everyone who is against health care reform that includes a public option will never use a VA hospital again and turn in their Medicare cards immediately. Oh, and return your social security checks because that is a government run program, too.
While you're at it, don't dare visit a govt. run national park or wilderness area, get off those interstate highways, and avoid the post office at all costs. No? Don't want to do that? Oh, I see now that it's just about Obama and not about the mean old government after all. Jeez!!
Obama and the Elderly
I see that the AARP is backing the President and his health care reform. I can't understand that. No Social Security cost of living increase for the next two years, he is going to increase the cost of thier Medicare perscriptions. These costs would be even higher under his reform program. What is wrong with my fellow seniors? Are they all becomming senile? I for one am not renewing my membership, although I do like other thing they do, I am not a Socialist and don't want my dues being used to bankrupt this country.
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