Americans are becoming increasingly skeptical that President
Obama's trademark stimulus package will prove effective,
according to a new Washington Post/ABC news poll released today
(see
article/full
poll results). The poll found that 71 percent of respondents
either thought the stimulus package had made no difference or was
actually hurting the economy; looking ahead, just 52 percent say
the package has helped or will help the economy, down from 59
percent in an April poll.
As President Obama embarks on the boldest expansion of government
since the Great Society, 48 percent disapprove of his handling of
the deficit, the same as the number who say they approve.
Meanwhile, Americans expressed support for a smaller government
with fewer services over a larger government with more services
by a 54 percent to 41 percent margin.
While these numbers suggest problems for Obama down the road, for
now he still enjoys a 65 percent approval rating, and 58 percent
see him as a new-style Democrat compared with just 36 percent who
view him as a tax and spend liberal. At the same time, opinion of
Republicans remains in the toilet, with just 36 percent saying
they had a favorable opinion of the GOP.
