Does it seriously matter?

**Kal El** · 02-20-2009, 04:37 PM

A national poll indicates that two out of three Americans approve of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president of the United States.
A poll shows approval of President Obama slipping, but most of the loss of support is among Republicans.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey, released Friday, also suggests that six in 10 support the economic stimulus package that Obama signed into law Tuesday.

Obama's approval rating stands at 67 percent in the new poll. That's down 9 percentage points from the most recent CNN poll, which was conducted in early February. But a breakdown by party suggests that the drop doesn't mean that the new president is in serious trouble.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/...obama.stimulus

Here we are, with our first African-American president, who's only been in office a month now, and they are already making a big deal of his approval rating? Yes Obama did promise change, but change can't happen immediately. If anything, the amount of debate over the stimulus bill shows the amount of divide and hypocrisy amongst the American public. I overheard a conversation between my father and grandmother about his inauguration and why people would spend money to go see it when they don't have a job or anything. Well, I assume that most people wanted to view the inauguration ceremony first hand, because it is going to go down as one of the most historical inaugurations in history, why? Because Barack Obama is the first elected African American president. Yes he may end up being no better than Bush or any other previous presidents, but he'll end up being one of the most remembered presidents of our country, for the pure fact he was the first elected African American.

It's historical, and he has a lot on his plate to deal with, and the criticism from the American Public over how he is handling things just goes to show how much racism and negativity there is in the country towards people that aren't of Caucasian descent. I admit I am a hypocrite at times and think racist thoughts, but in the end, everybody is the same, just not in appearance or in actions. We all breathe the same air, drink the same water, and all share this planet, and I can't get my head around people who don't understand that fact.

**Killuminati** · 02-20-2009, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Kal El

It's historical, and he has a lot on his plate to deal with, and the criticism from the American Public over how he is handling things just goes to show how much racism and negativity there is in the country towards people that aren't of Caucasian descent. I admit I am a hypocrite at times and think racist thoughts, but in the end, everybody is the same, just not in appearance or in actions. We all breathe the same air, drink the same water, and all share this planet, and I can't get my head around people who don't understand that fact.

I don't understand what you are trying to say here. He has very high approval ratings and even better than that he is now the most respected world leader, he just passed the Dalai Lama. So what he is our first black president, that just showed the world that the US was ready for some change. I don't see the connection with the early talk about his approval ratings and him being the first black president. If a president's approval ratings are high or low, no matter what color they are, they are talked about.

**MBok** · 02-20-2009, 04:44 PM

When you have a country that was as heavily involved with the slavery of blacks nearly 150 years ago, it's not that hard to see why things are as bad as they are. Granted, it's nowhere near as bad as it was then or even fifty years ago but our country is pretty racist at heart.

I think a lot it has to do with the fact Obama set pretty high standards with that campaign of his and the fact that people are stupid and don't realize change doesn't come over night and that it takes time. Plus, I'm thinking because he's black, he's going to have to do a lot more than any other president might have just to show it wasn't a mistake electing him.

**MBok** · 02-20-2009, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Killuminati

I don't understand what you are trying to say here. He has very high approval ratings and even better than that he is now the most respected world leader, he just passed the Dalai Lama. So what he is our first black president, that just showed the world that the US was ready for some change. I don't see the connection with the early talk about his approval ratings and him being the first black president. If a president's approval ratings are high or low, no matter what color they are, they are talked about.

I think he was more concerned with the racist implications and not the actual approval ratings.

**Kal El** · 02-20-2009, 04:46 PM

I'm not saying in the media, just overhearing conversations with co-workers, family members, and first hand conversations with other people are my source. Granted I have always dealt with criticism of political figures all my life from family and friends, I still think it's just a little to early in his tenure to get your panties in a twist over what he does. I think people should wait 2 or 3 months before starting to get riled up.

**Space Cowboy** · 02-20-2009, 04:46 PM

The media is obsessed with approval ratings for ANY president, let alone Obama.

**Kal El** · 02-20-2009, 04:47 PM

Yes and I don't see why the media is obsessed with it. All I have to do is ask 3 or 4 random people what they think to get the general idea of public's view on things.

**Space Cowboy** · 02-20-2009, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Kal El

Yes and I don't see why the media is obsessed with it. All I have to do is ask 3 or 4 random people what they think to get the general idea of public's view on things.

They need to fill hours of cable news channel programming. Anything will do, really. Missing white child, presidential poll numbers, Paris Hilton's new perfume, whatever will fill time and sell ad space. It is retarded, but that's the way it goes.

**Shinysides** · 02-20-2009, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

They need to fill hours of cable news channel programming. Anything will do, really. Missing white child, presidential poll numbers, Paris Hilton's new perfume, whatever will fill time and sell ad space. It is retarded, but that's the way it goes.

Waterskiing squirrels...

**MBok** · 02-20-2009, 04:55 PM

That's exactly why I don't watch the news much and when I do, it's on for about 5 minutes before changing the channel depending on what story is on.

**Space Cowboy** · 02-20-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by Shinysides

Waterskiing squirrels...

Hey, some of us want to know what's going on in the world of Rodent Watersports.

**Killuminati** · 02-20-2009, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by MBok

I think a lot it has to do with the fact Obama set pretty high standards with that campaign of his and the fact that people are stupid and don't realize change doesn't come over night and that it takes time. .

I agree with this, people got their hopes up too high and didn't realize that as soon as bush was out our country wouldn't just recover.

Originally Posted by MBok

Plus, I'm thinking because he's black, he's going to have to do a lot more than any other president might have just to show it wasn't a mistake electing him.

I disagree with that.

Originally Posted by MBok

I think he was more concerned with the racist implications and not the actual approval ratings.

What racist implications? I genuinely think that the percentage of people who actually care that he is black(in a racist kind of caring) is extremely small. Everyone knows he is well educated, he speaks very well, he seems to be this hope for working people trying to feel like they mean something.

Originally Posted by Kal El

I'm not saying in the media, just overhearing conversations with co-workers, family members, and first hand conversations with other people are my source. Granted I have always dealt with criticism of political figures all my life from family and friends, I still think it's just a little to early in his tenure to get your panties in a twist over what he does. I think people should wait 2 or 3 months before starting to get riled up.

Obama came to be the president at a very peculiar time in our countries history. Not only was he our first black president, but it also happened to be the same time we were having our biggest economic crisis since the great depression. I mean those are shitty circumstances and you have to expect the public to be alllllll over him. I mean his actions are determining the fate of our country right now. People will examine every detail of everything he says and supports and criticize it until he is out of office or the US controls the entire world.

In my personal experience, no one I have talked to is more judgemental or harsher on obama because he is black. I mean not 1 person. I'm not sure if you just happen to be around racist people but be assured that is not how it is everywhere.

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

The media is obsessed with approval ratings for ANY president, let alone Obama.

This.

**ozzy** · 02-20-2009, 05:22 PM

This issue has been discussed a thousand times before (obviously not on this site) and doesn't need to be brought up here. You're beating a dead horse. That's life. Deal with it. Quit bitching.

**Pepsi** · 02-20-2009, 05:44 PM

He's black.

Enough said.

**Kal El** · 02-20-2009, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Killuminati

I

In my personal experience, no one I have talked to is more judgemental or harsher on obama because he is black. I mean not 1 person. I'm not sure if you just happen to be around racist people but be assured that is not how it is everywhere.

I think it's the latter, my family is largely racist, and everybody else I know just seems to expect him to be a failure. I can't even remember what I was on about when I created this thread, I think it just general annoyance with people being ever so watchful and critical of him only a month into the game, and that, and annoyance that CNN would make it such a large story.

**Kal El** · 02-20-2009, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

They need to fill hours of cable news channel programming. Anything will do, really. Missing white child, presidential poll numbers, Paris Hilton's new perfume, whatever will fill time and sell ad space. It is retarded, but that's the way it goes.

Truthfully I'd rather there be hours of paid programming than the news stations playing hours of the same old crap. But yes I understand what you are saying, I guess I am just overtly bitchy today.

**Mr. E** · 02-20-2009, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by MBok

When you have a country that was as heavily involved with the slavery of blacks nearly 150 years ago, it's not that hard to see why things are as bad as they are. Granted, it's nowhere near as bad as it was then or even fifty years ago but our country is pretty racist at heart.

I think a lot it has to do with the fact Obama set pretty high standards with that campaign of his and the fact that people are stupid and don't realize change doesn't come over night and that it takes time. Plus, I'm thinking because he's black, he's going to have to do a lot more than any other president might have just to show it wasn't a mistake electing him.

Oh. My. God.

**clownsocs** · 02-21-2009, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Kal El

I think it's the latter, my family is largely racist, and everybody else I know just seems to expect him to be a failure. I can't even remember what I was on about when I created this thread, I think it just general annoyance with people being ever so watchful and critical of him only a month into the game, and that, and annoyance that CNN would make it such a large story.

well you are from Arkansas