Polls

Is the Obama Honeymoon Over?

Americans remain optimistic about economy.

The 100 day marker is long gone, and not all of President Obama's constituents are still basking in the afterglow. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released today revealed skepticism about Obama’s policies, with the biggest drop in approval ratings among self-described political independents. “It’s not personal. It’s professional,” said NBC News chief White House correspondent and political director Chuck Todd. According to the poll, 69 percent of people are concerned about government intervention in the economy, with 53 percent of respondents saying they disapproved of the GM and Chrysler bailouts. Another 58 percent said the government should try to control the budget deficit rather than focus on boosting the economy, but 46 percent—the highest in four years—expressed optimism that the economy would improve in the next year. The presidential approval rating still stands strong at 56 percent, and a high percentage of people like Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. But Republicans aren't getting a boost from Obama skepticism: the image of the Republican Party is at an all-time low.