Mission Accomplished: National Poll Reports Obama Speech Provoked "Inspiration" Across the Board

It was a hit pretty much across the board, except perhaps for the many GOP dead-enders in Congress (you know who you/they are). We are referring, of course, to last night's State of the Unionish speech by President Obama to Congress. Polls have revealed an uptick in Obama's approval ratings but one national independent survey focuses on an even more important reaction.

The national study among 1,600 Democrats, Republicans and Independents revealed that "inspiration" was the emotion felt most among viewers, including better than 1 in 4 Republicans. In fact, the poll results are headed: "President Obama's Speech to Congress Elicits Feelings of Inspiration among All Political Parties."

After the speech, Obama's approval ratings significantly increased among all parties, as well as his likability, believability and sincerity ratings, according to the pollsters, HCD Research.

Respondents were asked to choose from a list of emotions to indicate those that best reflected their feelings while viewing the speech. Democrats reported feeling inspiration (59%) and pride (21%) with Independents also naming inspiration (54%) with only 26% choosing skepticism. GOPers reported skepticism (47%) but also inspiration (29%).

Across the board, members of both parties and Indies had a more favorable view of Obama's handling of various issues, including the economy. On nearly every issue, the Republicans had given him "poor" ratings before the speech, which now shot up to at least "fair."

Before the speech, Obama's overall approval rating was 80% for Democrats, 22% for Republicans and 51% for Independents. After, they climbed sharply to 88%, 33% and 67%. This is confirmed by other survey.

So maybe the public, if the GOPers in Congress, are willing to shed partisan politics in this time of crisis -- sort of like post-9/11.

Greg Mitchell's new book, his ninth, is "Why Obama Won." He is editor of Editor & Publisher.

Comments

[tomjones44]

is it just me, or does the last paragraph make absolutely no sense?

[dsws]

Picking from a list can be expected to miss a lot. I might have chosen "inspiration" too, but if I had been giving a free-form response I would have sounded more like a nitpicking policy wonk. There are better measures of the effects of the speech.

[maddronn]

He is so far ahead of the curve and his message is right on the mark. We now have a 21st century President who can shepherd this country into the 21st century.

[wanttruth]

Good news! Go President Obama and the American people!

[AGarcia]

I wish Michael Steele had done the response. I can't wait to see his "Hammer-time" outfit! If Bobby Jindal was this BAD, I wonder if Steele could do worse. I'm betting he could!

[McBushMcSame]

I too am wondering how long before Steele shows up in a dated backwards baseball cap with gold medallions­... hip hopping it up on the GOP tip. If he calls out to find out who's down wit GOP, I will be felled due to laughter suffocation.

[BIG JOHN]

GREAT JOB MR. PRESIDENT. WE NEED JINDAL THE WANNA BE TO FOLLOW YOU EVERY TIME YOU SPEAK.

[vote-obama]

who are the 12% pretenders calling themselves democrats who disapprove of the president,

[rockyersocksoff]

I have a hunch they sound a LOT like this guy...

http://nonstick.com/sounds/Foghorn_Leghorn/ltfl_056.mp3

[sandals]

I believe that President Obama hit it out of the park, he was strong, firm, had a plan, how to get there.
Most upsetting was when he mentioned passing the S-Chip bill not one RETHUGLICAN stood up, now how can you not care about children, Oh, Yeah they don't have hearts, and we know they sold their souls to big business and the banks many years ago!

I am for the first time in a long time proud of my President and proud of my country, we can do this,the
8th grader from South Carolina had it right "We are not QUITTERS"!
For the first time in a long time it was nice to see a Democratic President with a Spine!

[TheSnarkingLot]

Inspirational, indeed, it was.

I commented to friends while watching the speech last night how much of a trip it was to look at that podium, only to see white guy (okay, no surprise there)-black guy-woman up there.

If this is the picture of the future of power and influence in America, I have no doubt that the President is correct and we can get ourselves out of this rut.

It's great to hear that some of this feeling of inspiration is cutting across party and ideological lines.

http://TheSnarkingLot.blogspot.com

[eden4barack08]

That was a great. Check out the before and after of that visual.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/2/24/205611/581/309/701423
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/2/24/211340/058/291/701433

[SteveMDFP]

You're right. The juxtaposition of images speaks volumes. The changes of the American political power structure have been noticed ("hey, a black man...a woman"), but not yet appreciated.

Women's suffrage ushered in progressive changes to society. This new, genuinely diverse ruling electorate will usher in astonishing changes.

[mcantwell]

My guess is that some of the Repubs were in utter dismay and shock, nearing stroke levels after watching their Golden Boy Jindal fail miserably immediately after President Obama's speech.

[SteveMDFP]

Jindal's performance was political suicide. Worse than being wrong, worse than being dumb, worse than being pigheaded, he was simply RIDICULOUS. He'll be fodder for satire for weeks.

Palin, Steele, and now Jindal are all dying deaths by ridicule. Huckabee isn't far behind. You know, Crist is the sort of pragmatist who I could tolerate in national politics. Otherwise, the Republican party seems to be doing its very best to self-immolate.

I'd cheer that, except sustained one-party rule is ultimately worse than putting up with some Republicans in power from time to time.

[TRCimino]

In the television show “The West Wing” the fictional president “Jed Bartlett” proclaimed during a national speech “We will cure cancer in the next ten years”. I was reminded of this last night when our freshman President Obama echoed the same sentiments during his first “State of the Union” address.

A few years ago, while collaborating for the ill-fated series “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” I had a chance to sit down with West Wing writer/ creator Aaron Sorkin and talk to him about this idea that we couldactually develop a sustainable cure to cancer. I was shocked to find out that forty-three of the top oncology researchers, great minds on the front lines of this win-able war, agree that with an infusion of fifty billion US dollars (67 Billion Euros) that we could cure cancer in the next decade.

The last count of the reported profits from private corporations aiding in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is now over 112 Billion. These are profits mind you, not gross payments for services.

To date the Bush years have given us a 62% decrease in cancer research funding. Having seen more action in the last 35 days as compared to the prior 8 years, I have hope again that we, as a nation, will step up to the plate and end this deadly foe we call cancer.

[Sportgurl]

I got a West Wing complete series box set for Christmas. It's freaky how many situations from that show have turned up in the real life Obama campaign and administration. Last week's administrative office fire comes to mind.

[watchingwaiting]

I watched the entire series of West Wing right after the elections (I was going through withdrawal - and I always liked the show) and I completely agree with you. It's like Sorkin had a time machine or something.

[edg1]

While it might only cost fifty billion to cure cancer, it would deprive drug companies and medical equipment manufacturers hundreds of billions if cancer were cured. You can bet they don't want that gravy train ended and that their bribes, er, "donations" to Congress keep the gravy flowing.

[MossyOak]

Is it pushing credibility to think they have no intention of allowing a cure? All the research done to date has been funded by drug companies hoping to find new drug "cures." Actually curing the disease is not the goal.

[OhioObamaVoter]

I guess the Republicans are a little slow in catching on. We all got his message months and months ago. That's why we voted for him!

[Doofus]

There is this, from David Brooks, NYT house conservative,
to Jim Lehrer, on Jindal's speech:

' I think it's insane. I think it's a disaster for the party. '

(Maybe Brooks didn't know the mike was on?)

LEHRER: How well did he (Jindal) do?

BROOKS: Not so well. You know, I think ... The idea that government is going to have no role in this...in a moment where only the Federal government is big enough to do stuff...to just ignore all that and say government's the problem...­corruption­, earmarks, wasteful spending - it's just a form of nihilism. It's just not where the country is, it's not where the future of the country is. There's an intra-Republican debate: some people say the Republican party lost its way because it got too moderate, some people say they got too weird or too conservative. He (Jindal) thinks they got too moderate, and he's making that case. I think it's insane. I think it's a disaster for the party. I just think it's unfortunate right now.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/25/jindal-response-nihilism_n_169806.html

[lvdragonlady]

Maybe so but it is GREAT for the American people.

[whyisthis]

President Obama, intelligent, realistic, balanced..­.the best Captain for our devastated Ship of State. The republicans displaying why/how we are where we are as they try to sink us under their "no" policies. Lemmings always lose.

[Cogitoe]

Yes, Obama gave an excellent speech and much needed shot of inspiration. But as a nation "not quiting" has to mean more than a willingness to wait for the government to come save us. We need a strong government on our side making wise investments in people and infrastructure for the future, but clearly our history has taught us it all starts with self reliance. We can't all be burdens on government just because we don't make $250,000. The term "it takes a village" means it takes a village of workers all contributing, not a village of dependents.

[smileatfear]

Please tell me how many of the millions of people who worked hard for years and are now out of work are just doing it to be "dependent­." I'm so sick of hearing that ridiculous mantra. People want to work. They also need to work for a decent wage. Capt. Sullenberg testified yesterday that his wages were cut by 40% and he lost his pension after 9/11. That, after 20+ years of loyal service to his company. It's happening all over. Stop with the inane idea that everyone is turning away good jobs while they sit in the dark and wait for the government to give them money. It's a lie and it is cruel.

[VMA]

Ditto. The logic is just so faulty for these arguments. If what this poster believes was the truth the country would have went bankrupt a long time ago. I personally don't know anyone that wants to be homeless, without a job, unable to buy food. Everyone I know goes to work everyday. People have worked hard, played by the rules yet they have literally been raped by the system.

[Cogitoe]

Of course people want to work and who said anything about people turning away good jobs. This is typical strawman rhetoric that cheapens any debate. Self reliance means you strive to not only pay your own way, but feel obliged to carry your fair share of the tax burden for the many benefits bestowed by our government. Dependence means your paycheck does not allow you to maintain the lifestyle you desire, so you agitate and vote for less taxes and more government benefits until you reach what you decide is a fair lifestyle. And I am not arguing against social safety nets or even the highly progressive tax system we have. I understand why they make sense for all of us as a nation, but clearly in times of severe economic turmoil we can't just assume the aswer is to make the tax code even more progressive and install even larger safety nets. Part of the solution has to be greater self reliance among all of our citizens.

[FernandoRuiz]

The problem with what youre saying is that right now, the people who are a burden on the government are the top 3 percent that are taking Americans' hard earned money and awarding themselves lavish lifestyles. You, me, and everyone else in the country is now paying for their greed

[Cogitoe]

Nonesense. It is easy to blame the rich, but most Americans are also guilty of greed through our excessive consumption, high debt, lack of savings life styes. Now instead of adjusting our life styles to a more realistic and sustainable level, we seek a transfer of wealth so we can avoid the pain. We seek more government subsidized healthcare, higher education funding, reduced mortgages, extended unemployment insurance and an even lower contribution to our government's funding all the while saying the top 3% can fund it for us. Don't fool yourself. The majority of the top 3% are small business owners and decent hard working Americans who think they earned their money. The Wall Street bad apples are a tiny minority. This 3% is tired of creating jobs through a maze of bureacracy only to be told they are still not paying their "fair" share. The rich are not trees, but they can leave.

[Doofus]

'not quitting' ... 'clearly our history has taught us it all starts with self reliance'

That's exactly what was meant. It's a challenge, people. Make it happen.