The latest Reason-Rupe national poll finds president Obama's approval underwater with 43 percent who approve and 51 who disapprove of his job performance. Specifically regarding the president's handling of the situation in Ukraine, approval slides six points to 37 percent, while 40 percent disapprove and 21 percent don't know enough to say.
Presidential approval continued to slide throughout 2013 particularly in the wake of IRS political targeting, NSA surveillance revelations, and the inauspicious launch of the Affordable Care Act's federal health insurance exchange website. However, since December of 2013, attitudes have remained steady through the spring.
A particularly noticeable slide in presidential approval has occurred since 2013 among millennials (young Americans 18-29) a crucial Obama constituency. Last spring 62% of millennials approved of President Obama's job performance, a similar share who voted to reelect him in 2012. However, approval has slid 11 points to 51 percent today among millennials.
Continuing a long-term trend that began in the middle of the Bush administration, 60 percent of Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction, while 30 percent say the right direction. Briefly in 2009 when President Obama first took office, he assuaged concerns of the country's trajectory. However, concerns quickly ricochet back to levels found during the Bush administration.
Congressional approval remains dismal with 17 percent who approve and 74 percent disapprove. These low numbers can be explained in part by the fact that Americans think an overwhelming share of their elected officials use their power to hurt their enemies and help their friends and are corrupted by special interests.
Nationwide telephone poll conducted March 26-30 2014 interviewed 1003 adults on both mobile (503) and landline (500) phones, with a margin of error +/- 3.6%. Princeton Survey Research Associates International executed the nationwide Reason-Rupe survey. Columns may not add up to 100% due to rounding. Full poll results, detailed tables, and methodology found here. Sign up for notifications of new releases of the Reason-Rupe poll here.
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