Pew Poll Finds Mood of Optimism About Obama and High Expectations

November 13, 2008 11:55 AM | | Comments (0)

Despite the current grim economic straits in which Americans currently find themselves, poll after poll since the elections have captured a mood of optimism about things getting better in the first term of a Barack Obama administration.

The latest is a Pew Research Center survey conducted Nov. 6-9 that showed voters, including many Republicans, feeling a high sense of satisfaction about the election and the way it was conducted, believing Obama's first term will be successful and holding high expectations for him. Three-quarters of voters gave Obama a grade of "A" or "B" for the way he handled himself in the campaign.

Voters overall believe by 67 percent to 22 percent that Obama will have a successful first term. That view is held nearly universally by Democrats (92 percent) and by 39 percent of those who voted for John McCain. Forty-five percent of McCain supporters don't believe Obama will be successful, but still, that 39 percent who do hold a positive view is significantly higher than the 26 percent of John Kerry supporters in 2004 who thought George Bush would be successful.

Some other highlights of the poll:

Fifty-two percent say Obama's election will lead to better race relations, 35 percent say it will make no difference and 9 percent believe it will make race relations worse.

About three-quarters of voters, including a majority of Republicans, say GOP leaders should work with Obama to accomplish things.

Sixty percent say Obama should appoint Republicans to important posts in his administration.

rate parties.gifOverall, 70 percent of voters gave the Democratic Party good grades (an "A" or a "B"). That number was predictably bolstered by the 89 percent of Democrats who felt good about themselves, but that view was also supported by 68 percent of independents. In 2004, only 37 percent gave the Democrats high grades. By contrast, Republicans are at a low ebb, with only 28 percent of voters giving high grades to the GOP, compared to 51 percent in 2004. Only 44 percent of Republicans patted themselves on the backs and just 22 percent of independents joined them.

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Categories: Pew Research Center, Presidential

Tags: Obama McCain

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