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American Voters Are Angrier Under Obama Than Under Bush

by Rory Cripps | September 26, 2009 at 04:29 pm

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No doubt about it! American Voters are angrier under Obama than under Bush.

The following polling data is from Rasmussen, a polling organization that specializes in polling voters and likely voters. Other polling organizations, such as Gallup, include both voters and non voters in their polls. As a result, President Obama's ratings are typically a few percentage points more favorable in polls such as Gallup which include non voters.

Overall, the Rasmussen poll has proved to be a reliable and accurate indicator of the American voter's political mood.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of U.S. voters believe that the current level of political anger in the country is higher than it was when George W. Bush was president.

Despite frequent Republican complaints about the vitriol leveled at President Bush, 69% of GOP voters say the level of anger is higher now, a view shared by 53% of Democrats and 56% of voters not affiliated with either party.

But just 12% of voters nationwide say that the opposition to President Obama’s health care plan and other initiatives is racist, as some prominent Democrats, including former President Jimmy Carter, have charged.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of all voters say they’re at least somewhat angry about the current policies of the federal government.

Forty-three percent (43%) of voters are at least somewhat concerned that the political anger will turn violent, with 22% who are Very Concerned. But 54% are not that worried about potential political violence.

Most voters (56%) continue to blame the nation’s current economic problems on the recession that started under Bush, but 37% blame the policies implemented by Obama.

Just before Bush left office in January, 57% of Americans said he was one of the five worst presidents in U.S. history.

Adding to the level of anger is the new finding that 75% of adults now say Americans are becoming ruder and less civilized.

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The_Cynic

at 20:21 on September 26th, 2009

And who is reporting these numbers, Rory?

Mary Richard

at 21:59 on September 26th, 2009

Here's the Gallop poll, of President Obama's time in office, as compared to past Presidents. Their poll says he's holding steady in the low fifties - pretty good, I'd say, considering the world economy. But, angry, sure people are angry, I don't think that's necessarily to do with the President. "Some folks don't remember just how bad things were, when I took office."