UTICA, NY - President-elect Barack Obama enjoys a favorable rating from 60% of likely voters, as well as modest expectations for how quickly the economy will improve under his Administration, a new Zogby Interactive poll shows.
"Obama was elected with 53% of the vote and in a few weeks he's raised that to 58%. That's a positive sign," said Pollster John Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International. "And to see that positive sign as the crises actually worsen before he's even president means that he's swimming upstream. And thus far he's swimming upstream pretty successfully."
The Zogby Interactive survey of 3,498 likely voters was conducted Jan. 6-8, 2009 and carries a margin of error of +/- 1.6%.
Rating Obama
Obama is rated very or somewhat favorably by 60% of likely voters, and 58% rate his job performance during the transition positively.
| | Very Favorable | Somewhat Favorable | Somewhat Unfavorable | Very Unfavorable | Not Sure |
| Obama | 41% | 19% | 15% | 22% | 4% |
| Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding |
| | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | Not Sure |
| Obama Transition | 32% | 26% | 21% | 15% | 6% |
| Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding |
Voter confidence in Obama's ability to handle various issues draws similarly positive marks, with taxes rated somewhat lower than others, the survey shows.
| Issues | Very/Somewhat Confident | Not Very/Not at All Confident | Not Sure |
| Economy | 59% | 39% | 2% |
| Health Care | 55% | 43% | 2% |
| Taxes | 50% | 46% | 4% |
| Foreign Affairs | 57% | 41% | 2% |
| Environment | 64% | 32% | 4% |
| Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding |
Voters Not Expecting End to Recession
Voters are split on whether Obama will be able to move the U.S. out of recession, with 35% saying yes, 31% no and 34% not sure.
Looking at their expectations for Obama's first year as President, 50% expect the economy will continue to decline, but at a slower rate. Twenty-seven percent say the economy will stay the same, and only 12% expect the economy to grow. Eleven percent said they are not sure.
As for their own economic expectations in the next year, 20% expect to be worse off, 49% expect it to be unchanged and 24% anticipate improvement. Seven percent are not sure.
Obama Seen Favorably by Independents & Investors
Two groups whose opinions may hold particular importance for Obama are independent voters, who are the best gauge of his political standing, and investors, whose confidence is likely to play a big role in the economy. According to our survey, Obama is seen favorably by both groups.
Among independents, more than 50% express positive opinions in their ratings and confidence in Obama, his transition and every issue we asked about, with the exception of taxes. Regarding taxes, only 47% are very or somewhat confident in Obama's ability to handle tax issues.
Our poll asked likely voters to identify whether they consider themselves a member of the investor class. Those voters account for 39% of our sample. Among investors, positive opinions about Obama and his transition are both 54%, slightly lower than for non-investors. Less than half express confidence in Obama's ability to handle taxes (41%), health care (47%) and foreign affairs (49%).
Their economic expectations for the nation are only marginally lower than those of non-investors.
| Will Obama Be Able to Move U.S. Out of Recession? | Investors | Non-Investors |
| Yes | 32% | 37% |
| No | 38% | 27% |
| Not Sure | 30% | 36% |
| Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding |
| What Are Your Economic Expectations for First Year of Obama Administration? | Investors | Non-Investors |
| Continue Decline, But At Slower Rate | 51% | 50% |
| Will Stay the Same | 28% | 26% |
| Will Grow | 12% | 12% |
| Not Sure | 9% | 13% |
| Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding |
For a methodology statement on this poll, please visit:
http://www.zogby.com/methodology/readmeth.cfm?ID=1384
For John Zogby Video Commentary, please click here.
(1/13/2009)