Obama's numbers are downright terrible to the point its making me question the validity of this poll.
Say what you want about FoX News, but its polls in 2008 and 2012 were accurate. Fear of terrorism still tends to aid Republicans in the polls. Republicans love to bluster about it, and President Obama doesn't. Polls from since the November 15 terrorist acts in Paris show this.
If there are terrorist strikes within two months of Election Day, then the Democrats get a political smackdown in 2016. They lose the Presidency, they do not win back the House, and Republicans make gains in the House. People in fear follow those who offer those who offer the most decisive rhetoric. If Republicans could take political advantage of the fear of terror when they had full power in 2004, just think of what they can do when a Democrat is President.
Republicans have yet to show that they can deal competently with terrorism -- but they can certainly stir up anti-Muslim sentiments.
About President Obama:
Approve Disapprove (Don’t know)
Nov 15 40% 54 6
Nov 15 45% 50 5
Oct 15 42% 53 5
Sep 15 44% 50 6
Aug 15 42% 51 7
Aug 15 46% 46 7
Jul 15 47% 48 6
Jun 15 44% 50 6
Jun 15 45% 48 7
Polls will reflect events if they have any validity, and this one does. The most recent poll looks bad for President Obama -- but consider the changed political climate for now. The President does not know how to exploit fear of terrorists. He does far better at ordering military strikes that kill high-visibility terrorists and the chain of command, which may be far better for getting results than all the bluster about "Radical Islam".
Most recent polls show President Obama at or above the critical threshold of 44% approval that makes re-election likely for an incumbent seeking re-election. (He isn't seeking re-election, but any level of support below 44% is big trouble for a Democratic nominee for President. The current poll shows America in a climate of fear at the least for the moment. A Republican President can usually win support in such a situation even if incompetent. A Democrat is not so effective in having America rally around him quickly.
The terrorist strikes in Paris show no sign of any lapse of competence of the President of the United States. French law enforcement chased down surviving perpetrators who chose death to capture. This national poll is consistent with some of the most recent statewide polls showing support for Democrats down, so it is not out of line.
If the election were to be held in early December, then Democrats would take a political beating. I predict that Democrats should start faring better -- slowly, but in plenty of time for the 2016 election a little over eleven months from now. All in all there's nothing objectionable about President Obama in dealing with the terrorist menace -- unless one is a terrorist.
Another question:
Which one of the following is the most important issue facing the country today? [IF DON’T KNOW OR ALL OR OTHER, ASK: Well, if you had to pick…]
[RANDOMIZE LIST]
16-19 Nov 15 30 Jul-2 Aug 15
Terrorism 24% 11%
The economy and jobs 21 30
Health care 7 11
Can you see a good reason for "terrorism" to suddenly become more important than "the economy and jobs"? Of course concern about terrorism will abate, at least until the next outrage. How quickly? You tell me.
Recognize this poll for what it says now. If Americans fear a terrorist attack around Election Day next year, then Republicans will take advantage of such fear. President Obama has built upon the few things that Dubya did right to create a world much less safe... for terrorists.In the end that matters.
