The first round of exit polls come to us courtesy of my friends at CBS News. Please be sure to visit their website first! First things first: even in a year when the composition of the electorate is dramatically different than the 2008 presidential election, President Obama's approval rating in Virginia is 51% among voters surveyed. In New Jersey, it's 57%. Fewer than half of voters for Bob McDonnell, the Republican gubernatorial candidate in VA, say they voted to send a message to Obama. About 38% of voters for Chris Christie, the New Jersey GOPer, tried to send a message, too. 38% of CreighDeeds voters said their vote for the Democrat was to support Obama.
The big issues: the economy, to 46% of voters in Virginia. In New Jersey, it was the economy -- 31% , followed by property taxes (25%). 25% of voters in Virginia said health care was their top issue compared to 18% who said the same in New Jersey.
"President Obama's approval rating in Virginia is 51% among voters surveyed. In New Jersey, it's 57%. "
However, lets not forget all the recent polls that show that somehow President Obama's approval rating is significantly higher than the answer to the questions "do you approve of President Obama's stance on issue X," for basically all issues.
Apparently people personally like President Obama but not his policies.
Valid point John, except for the conclusion. The polls mentioned above say nothing about liking Obama, that percentage is significantly higher, they mention approving of the job Obama is doing.
I agree that the majority like Obama but don't agree with him on all of the issues - if that's possible. Actually, it is possible because that's the way I feel.
Whether voters say their vote was about Obama or not, it will be perceived that way. And, I think the perception will be basically correct, even if people say it's about the economy.
In any poll with the question "would you support health care reform as contemplated by congress" votes an overwhelming no. Not "do you support reform"-most agree there is broad support. Why is it so hard to understand most do not support THIS., which the WSJ went so far as to label the worst legislation in history".
Obama still has a lot of supporters, but there is no question in my mind that it is moresupoort for HIM than his policies. His program is divisie and unpopular. Not to say it does not have alot of support, but for his programs I think overall accross the country there is solid and growing dislike of what he is selling.
Some of the methods of these polls are horrid...taking two dems to one repub. Yuk. I like the rassmusssion method of likely voters in proportion to overall 2008 voting..dem rep and indie. Also the extreme like/extrme dislike measure is very telling in terms of strong support or dtrong dislike of his policies.