A Washington Post/Pew Research Center Poll released this afternoon shows President Obamas approval rating at 56 percent, reflecting a nine-point increase from Post polls conducted in April. Likewise, the poll reflects an increase in approval for Obamas handling of the war on terrorism.
Politico reports: “Approval of his handling of Afghanistan was at 44 percent last month, but in the new poll, conducted Monday, 60 percent of Americans said they approve of how hes dealing with the issue. On how hes managing the threat of terror, Obama does even better, with 69 percent of those surveyed saying they approve, up from 56 percent last month.”
Other polls reflect a more modest increase in approval of Obama, however. For example, a Monday CNN poll indicates that 52 percent of Americans approve of Obamas overall job performance, a one point increase from CNNs April 29-May 1 poll.
The same CNN poll indicates that 58 percent of Americans approve of Obamas handling of Afghanistan, an increase of seven points from 51 percent in January. On Obamas handling of terrorism, the CNN poll shows a 67 percent approval rating, up seven points from last month.
Likewise, a USA Today/Gallup Poll shows 32 percent of Americans feel a lot more confident about Obama, while 21 percent report that the announcement of bin Ladens killing has increased their confidence in the President.
Whether those polls are an accurate reflection of the American voters sentiments remains to be seen, but President Obama has been accredited for the killing of Osama bin Laden, at least to a degree, even by those who have been heavily critical of the Obama administration.
For example, on Monday afternoon, Fox News conservative pundit Glenn Beck congratulated and thanked the Obama administration for its role in the killing of the bin Laden, only after a lengthy and exuberant note of gratitude to the military servicemen involved.
Likewise, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney told a room full of New Hampshire business owners today that President Obama deserves credit for authorizing the military operation that ultimately resulted in bin Ladens death.
Not all of Obama’s critics are convinced of Obama’s role in killing Osama bin Laden, however. During her appearance in Colorado today, former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin announced, “We thank President Bush for having made the right calls to set up this victory.” She did not give any credit to President Obama.
While Rasmussen Reports polls have garnered a reputation for serving as the more accurate tracking system, the most recent Rasmussen poll was conducted prior to the release of news regarding the death of bin Laden and therefore cannot be referenced. Rasmussen Reports explains:
Daily updates are based upon nightly telephone interviews and reported on a three-day rolling average basis. As a result, two-thirds of the interviews for todays update were conducted before news was released about the death of Osama bin Laden. Thursday will be the first update based entirely upon interviews conducted after that event. Results from the single night of data collected on Monday shows a modest improvement in the presidents Approval Index rating. However, there was no improvement in the presidents overall approval rating. Caution should always be used when interpreting a single night sample from a tracking poll.
According to that Rasmussen poll, 49 percent of likely voters at least somewhat approve of Obamas performance, while 50 percent disapprove. Just 26 percent of likely voters strongly approve of President Obama, while 36 percent strongly disapprove.
President Obama has maintained relatively consistent approval ratings in the last 18 months hovering around 45 percent even during a series of major news events such as the British Petroleum oil spill and the Egyptian revolution.
One noteworthy change, however, is in the Rasmussen Reports poll on President Obamas signature healthcare bill. Since the laws passage in March of last year, support for the repeal of the healthcare law has been well over 50 percent, ranging from the low 50s to 63 percent. Mondays poll, however, is the first time support for the repeal has fallen below 50 percent. According to that poll, 47 percent of likely U.S. voters favor an appeal, while 42 percent are at least somewhat opposed to it.
