More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
GET UPDATES FROM HuffPost TV
 

Howard Fineman Discusses President Obama's Low Approval Numbers With Lawrence O'Donnell (VIDEO)

Posted: 09/07/11 02:25 AM ET

HuffPost's Howard Fineman, along with MSNBC Analyst Richard Wolffe, appeared Tuesday on MSNBC's 'The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell' to discuss President Obama's low approval numbers.

O'Donnell referenced a new NBC News / Wall Street Journal poll that shows Obama with "the lowest approval rating of his presidency." That particular poll showed 44% approval of Obama's job performance, and 51% disapproval of his job performance.

Speaking about Obama's strategy for the 2012 election, Fineman explained that "from having talked to Democrats both in the Obama camp and outside of it, I think it's clear that one thing the President has to do politically, aside from whatever he says in his jobs speech, is begin to make the case that the Republicans are just not the alternative, that they're too scary an alternative, that they in fact represent what's wrong with life in Washington D.C. more than he does."

Fineman said that a potential "silver lining" for Obama "is in the dismal numbers for Congress, half of which is run by the Republicans, and the fact that the Republicans don't seem to have much traction at all."

As reported earlier Tuesday, an Obama aide spoke with Fineman about the President's 2012 strategy. That story can be read here.

WATCH (via MSNBC):

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 
HuffPost's Howard Fineman, along with MSNBC Analyst Richard Wolffe, appeared Tuesday on MSNBC's 'The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell' to discuss President Obama's low approval numbers. O'Donnell re...
HuffPost's Howard Fineman, along with MSNBC Analyst Richard Wolffe, appeared Tuesday on MSNBC's 'The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell' to discuss President Obama's low approval numbers. O'Donnell re...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 420
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Highlights
Bloggers
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3 4 5  Next ›  Last »  (6 total)
photo
OGigi
It is NOT only about the Economy
08:12 AM on 09/09/2011
Odd? the president's polling numbers have been brought to the forefront but the approval rating of the congress is a side issue.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
CarlIII
Liberal Virginian living in Remlap Alabama
02:16 PM on 09/07/2011
I think Obama caving in to the radical right over the debt ceiling was almost the final straw for a lot of Americans. He has three more chances coming soon to take the Tea GOP on. I think he has to win all three battles to keep his job. The transportation bill is battle one. The Federal Budget comes do next month. That is battle two. And the 12 member Senate panel made up of 8 conservatives and 4 liberals is the third and most crucial battle. Reed has already screwed him by putting 2 bluedogs on the panel. So he is on his own. He needs to have that veto pen ready. If he caves this time he's done politically.
photo
Djay0252
American First, Second, and ALWAYS
02:08 PM on 09/07/2011
I believe in polls and approval ratings about as much as I believe in Republicans working for the good of the American people.
photo
OGigi
It is NOT only about the Economy
08:07 AM on 09/09/2011
especially this far out.
12:19 PM on 09/07/2011
It's easy to understand the low poll numbers at this point in time...There are 8 rabid Obama haters out there running for his job - not to mention all the GOP congressmen on vacation holding "Obama town mauls" - and collectivly all they have done for a month is bash, bash, bash. Throw in some zero sum employment numbers and BINGO!, Pres. Obama's poll numbers drop. Can't imagine why (snark snark).

Well the right better enjoy the buzz and do all their high-fivin' now because as you can sense from just the last few days Pres. Obama, the Dems and unions are not gonna go quietly into the night.

The gloves are coming off and by T-giving at the latest Pres. Obama's poll numbers will have rebounded big time and the (R)s will be takin' down their "Mission Accomplished" banners. Why you ask? Because their primary objective since 2008 to defeat Pres. Obama even if it means destroying the country to do it will have come home to roost and they will be payin' the price for it....
Americans are not stupid, just slow on the up take evry now and then...
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
LazarusRises
Tax The Rich, Feed The Poor!!
03:45 PM on 09/07/2011
No other Democrat in history ever entertained the thought, much less actually cut funding to Medicaid & considered cuts to Social Security to be on the table. As terrible as W. was, even he did not attempt to reduce Social Security benefits. The most he did was attempt to garner support to privatize Social Security to create a new revenue stream for Wall Street. 3 years ago, who would have envisioned that W. would so quickly be replaced as the worst president the Nation ever had to endure. Who would have believed that for the sake of the future of the Nation, O. must be a one & go president? O. MUST go.
11:52 AM on 09/07/2011
A president's approval ratings should only ever be mentioned if he is NOT doing what's right by the people. I am sure his corporate elitist and banking friends have little if any complaints.
A low approval rating should translate to a violent overthrow of government. You must realize that if we aren't living well under a president's administration someone else is, and that someone is actually plural and represents the wealthy.
photo
OGigi
It is NOT only about the Economy
08:10 AM on 09/09/2011
Using your rule, GW would have had a violent revolution on his hands in 2008. His banking friends and cronies have nothing but thank yous going to him.
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
Bluesue
11:44 AM on 09/07/2011
I have to wonder if we don't have a self-fulfilling prophecy going on here.

Added to the usual news is article after article of the Republican candidates, non-candidates, and pretend candidates attacking the President on everything.

It's impossible that this constant bombardment doesn't affect the polls.
12:36 PM on 09/07/2011
True from all sides.
The violent speak from Democrats, Unions, and the Right does have an audience.
One side calling the Prtesident a failure and the other side telling 'folks' to take
the sons o' b927ches down.

Great adult way of disagreeing.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
11:39 AM on 09/07/2011
With disparaging remarks and mistruthful critical statements by Teabaggers, Republicans, and TV & msm repeating them daily, anyone's poll numbers would drop. Wait until the real election campaign is taking place, a one on one, and take another poll. The GOP candidates should be taking each other on right now and leaving Obma for the real campaign.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
11:31 AM on 09/07/2011
The explanation is quite simple.

Low-information Americans have a one-word vocabulary when it comes to government.

Obama.

Simple as that.
11:52 AM on 09/07/2011
So true. Many low info people believe the president is like a king or somebody with a magic wand who could and should solve all problems. He can't, but is blamed anyhow. However, a president can make things worse over time by their policies. See 2000-2008.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
01:25 PM on 09/07/2011
Think you mean administration not President?

The previous administration took advantage of a bad situation and capitalized on it for their handlers through bending the truth, fear, uncertainty and doubt.

They completely changed our country.

And NOT for the better.
photo
OGigi
It is NOT only about the Economy
08:11 AM on 09/09/2011
yep, shocking the amount of low info folks. I had no idea.
11:15 AM on 09/07/2011
I'll tell ya why his numbers are low. He tries to make the republicans/teabaggers like him but in reality they'll never, ever ever voter for him. In the meanwhile he's pissing off his true supporters by being such a puss and trying to make the republicans/ teabaggers like him. Duh, it's pretty simple really. Stand with the working class 90% of Americans Mr. president and you'll be just fine. Let the republicans coddle the rich and watch em go down in flames.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
peanutsintexas
it's hard work being poor
12:18 PM on 09/07/2011
The real reason his numbers are so low is partly what you stated but the fundamental reason is that he has no principles by which he stands for. It's because of his lack of principles that makes him give half-hearted attempts at compromise while trying to placate those to the far left at the same time.

He knows now (it's taken him 2-1/2 years to learn) that unions either destroy a company at the end of the day or if it's the government, unions will bankrupt it. So if he truly stands with THESE working people, it only leads to problems.

Meanwhile, small business owners and non-union workers know they can take care of their own business and do not need the government to babysit their lives. This is where the vast majority of people in this country stand and 2012 will provide the answer. We have reached the point that we need an adult to manage this country and not a community organizer.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
LazarusRises
Tax The Rich, Feed The Poor!!
06:46 PM on 09/07/2011
Totally accurate except when one considers that unions were at their apex between 1945-1980, just as America was. Since that time both have fallen. I was in a union once 40 years ago. Thereafter­, much of my time I either Supervised or Managed union personal. It was not always pleasant, but I never questioned­, much less forgot that my own working conditions were much better because of the existence & accomplish­ments of unions.

As the future of the American worker continues to denigrate toward virtual or actual slavery, I will be prepared with the world's smallest violin for all of the TPot/Faux News Entertainm­ent worshipers who so succeeded in destroying their own interests.
11:13 AM on 09/07/2011
Maybe its time that when they talk about polls they show the questions asked and the demographic of the response sampling then people can start to see the accuracy of the polling numbers.
12:38 PM on 09/07/2011
Not polictically correct.
And besides, do you really think they will tell the truth?


Have a great day.
11:05 AM on 09/07/2011
What is next politics by Pixar.
10:58 AM on 09/07/2011
Polls aren't really news. I'm sick of these shows spending time covering polls. Cover the news. Cover the stories of people hurting from this economy. Cover the excess in the lives of those benefiting in this economy.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
hotbarb2614
proud military mother
11:23 AM on 09/07/2011
F&F if the polls were right in 2994 Bush never should have won a second term
photo
OGigi
It is NOT only about the Economy
08:25 AM on 09/09/2011
Correct, But along came the announcement of a possible terror threat
IreneNH
Please feel free to disagree
11:25 AM on 09/07/2011
Most importantly cover the lies being spewed by the GOP and Tea Party.
10:50 AM on 09/07/2011
All the Republicans need to do to win the Presidency is put up someone intelligent with a history of credibility (and honesty if such can be found). Strategically they shouldn't want the lead. The problems plaguing the country are very deep, most founded during the Bush administration albeit not improved much, if at all, by Obama. It would not be a good thing to be in office when the whole thing comes crashing down, especially if your guy started the ball rolling, so they put up poor candidates with no answers except the same old stuff that isn't working. Besides with Mr. Compromise in the hot seat the Republicans can run the Oval Office without taking on the blame. In fact having a weak field out there, making Obama a shoe-in is the best way to ensure the Democrats don't field another candidate who might just be strong enough to put the GOP in it place.
photo
knewsreply
PhD: International Educator and Marketer
10:36 AM on 09/07/2011
Why the focus on Obama's ratings? The ratings that should concern us the most are the Congressional ratings. They keep in the low, low, and lower regions of public trust.
11:40 AM on 09/07/2011
Congress' ratings are always low. The problem is - It's not my Congressman that's the problem it's yours. So, (s)he will get reelected- yours won't and there - problem solved.
photo
OGigi
It is NOT only about the Economy
08:16 AM on 09/09/2011
They are low and seems like the media only wants to bring O's to the talking heads.
10:34 AM on 09/07/2011
Beltway blather at its worst. I don't think these pundits have any idea what's happening in America. All they can talk about is the horse race and polls, as if nothing else in the world is going on.
photo
OGigi
It is NOT only about the Economy
08:16 AM on 09/09/2011
yep, and the "news" starts at the top with politics.