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World News 01 20 2010
World News Headlines 01 20 2010
In poll, Obama gets unexceptional marks
WASHINGTON — As he nears the one-year point of his presidency, Barack Obama gets middling marks from most Americans but credit for governing in difficult times.
A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Jan. 8-9 shows President Obama with 50% or higher approval for handling foreign affairs and terrorism, but 50% or more disapproval on health care and the economy.
On handling the situation in Afghanistan there is an almost even divide: 48% approve-47% disapprove.
There is broad agreement, however, that the challenges he faces are more serious than those other new presidents have faced. Nearly two-thirds, 63%, agree with that. Just 6% say the problems are less serious.
USA TODAY asked these questions and others in a survey of 2,014 adults for an analysis of Obama's standing on the first anniversary of his inauguration Wednesday.
The results were used to sort Americans into five broad groups with like-minded attitudes, from those with the most positive views of Obama and the country's future to those with the direst ones.
The results of the USA TODAY analysis will be published online Monday night and in Tuesday's paper.
When it comes to the economy, three of 10 predict it will begin to recover within a year, and half see a turnaround within two years. But a significant group, 28%, says a recovery won't start for five years or longer.
Nearly everyone agrees that a president's policies affect the economy's course — 52% say by "a great deal" and 35% by a moderate amount.
Obama gets positive ratings on a series of personal characteristics. Six in 10 say he "cares about the needs of people like you" and "understands the problems Americans face in their daily lives." A 54% majority of people say he shares their values.
And what are Americans looking for in a president?
The largest number, 43%, say the most important characteristic in rating a president is his ability to manage the government, but there are other significant priorities. About one in four name his moral values or his position on issues.
The poll's margin of error is +/—3 percentage points
This web site information was culled from several sources by RadioZX from around the World including The New York Times
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