Who Runs Gov

The Plum LineGreg Sargent's blog

CNN Poll: Majority Of Southerners Says Obama Has Done Better Job Than Bush

This finding from the new CNN poll is buried deep in CNN’s article, but it’s striking. According to the network’s polling director, Keating Holland, the internals show that a majority of southerners thinks Obama has done a better job than native son Bush:

Fifty-seven percent say Obama has been a better president than George W. Bush; only a third say Bush’s track record was better.

“Compared to Obama, Bush does fairly well among southerners and rural voters. But even in those categories, a majority still says Obama has done a better job than Bush,” says Holland.

Obama’s numbers have generally been far worse among southerners: A recent Research 2000 poll for Daily Kos found that Obama’s favorability rating in the south is a meager 28%. Another recent survey found that a majority of southerners either don’t believe Obama was born in the United States or are not sure.

According to CNN, though, a majority of southerners still prefers Obama’s performance to that of Bush — yet another measure of how abysmally unpopular the former president remains. I’m trying to get the internals with the exact numbers and will update if I get them.

This blog’s homepage is here. RSS feed here. Twitter feed here. Email me here.

Posted by Greg Sargent | 11/03/2009, 02:57 PM EST | Categories: Bush administration, President Obama, polling

65 Responses

  1. mike from Arlington | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:16 pm

    Did you catch this chart of white male voters for Obama. Many of the southern states was abysmal.

    http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/11/white-men-and-obama.html

    And take note of this. CNN has a story up about important races. Nothing about CA-10 special election.

    Fluffington Post also has a post up in big bold letters claiming GOP sweep, citing an AP story with no mention of CA-10.

    I can understand why Fluff Post is missing it, they aren’t really a news organization. But how could CNN not include it in the 10 important races going on?

    I guess it doesn’t fit their story.

  2. BBQ | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:16 pm

    George W. Bush was a plague of corruption, evil, and incompotence. We lived through a dark age for the last 8 years, fueled by the fear mongering war profiteers happily piggy backing off terrorists.

    History will not be kind to that a**hole, and it’s still better than he deserves.

  3. Greg Sargent | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:21 pm

    BBQ — tell us what you really think. ;)

  4. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:22 pm

    “A Harmer win would be a mega-earthquake that would make New Jersey look like a minor tremor. Really tough to see a Republican win. But having said that, it wouldn’t be surprising if Harmer made this race uncomfortably close for Garamendi.

    “Interestingly, moments ago on MSNBC, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who heads up the DCCC, saying he’s confident of a Garamendi win in CA-10, but emphasizing it’s not a “slam-dunk district.” Really? It’s not Pelosi’s, but it’s still pretty darn Democratic. How about an “easy-lay up district”?

    via The Campaign Spot (where you can also read anecdotal bits about turnout)

  5. mike from Arlington | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:28 pm

    So, you’ve got the NY district that’s gone Republican since what? The civil war? CA-10 first went Democratic in something like ‘96.

    I’d say if the NY district is any closer than the race in CA, that right there would tell you something about where this nation is headed.

    Republicans might be able to stop a few leaks but they can’t stop the wave that will wash over them in 2012.

    I guess enjoy it while it lasts.

  6. mike from Arlington | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:31 pm

    Scratch that regarding 96′. It’s flipped back and forth a few times.

  7. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:35 pm

    I’d say NY23 doesn’t tell us anything – read Jay Cost.

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2009/11/five_reasons_ny23_doesnt_tell.html

    And CA10 is a Democratic district that will go Democratic as expected. Doesn’t tell us much at all if Garamendi – with far better name recognition – wins.

  8. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:38 pm

    a majority of southerners thinks Obama has done a better job than native son Bush

    Wow….

  9. Gasman | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:39 pm

    Hmmm, the very heartland of GOP idiocy is seemingly not drinking the Kool-Aid as much as the party would like. Does this mean that, even in the South, that reason is beginning to filter through?

    The problem with the Limbaugh/quarterback brand of over-the-top, inflated hyperbole is that when your alarmist the-sky-is-falling rhetoric does not materialize, some folks will notice. Maybe such is the case in the South. It appears that some minds are not quite as tiny as they used to be.

    We’ve been subjected to endless bleating about how Obama’s socialism will destroy our economy, yet the numbers – and the facts – do not support this. We’ve been warned that Obama is usurping our rights, but nobody can seem to identify any rights that have actually been lost or even infringed upon. Despite all of the dire predictions, the ACORN S.S. troops have not started rounding up conservatives to put them in the FEMA concentration camps. Indeed, FauxNews is still spewing forth their fetid bile – as are Limbaugh and Dobbs. So, when is Obama going to usher our nation straight into hell? A calendar specific date would be most helpful.

    Could it be that those on the right have no idea what they have been talking about? Could it all have been an amoral campaign to frighten us? Could they just be a bunch of loud mouthed clowns?

    I suppose they could still be right. Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my b*tt, too. Conservatives, the clock is ticking on your predictions. Your cause would be helped immeasurably if at least ONE of your screwball scenarios came true.

    I’m sure that the above statements brands me as the VILEST LIAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE AND VILE LIES! and a STALINIST! to boot. There, QB, I saved you the trouble. I even capitalized it for you, too.

  10. mike from Arlington | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:39 pm

    I’d argue NY23 speaks volumes about where this country is heading. A Democratic candidate is making a district that has gone Republican for decades competitive.

    Also, the shift in ideology in CA-10 is going way off to the left with Garamendi.

    As goes California, so goes the rest of the nation.

  11. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:41 pm

    I’d say NY23 doesn’t tell us anything

    If it tells us anything, it’s that under the right circumstances the conservative wing of the GOP is now strong enough to drive off a moderate GOP candidate even if the conservatives aren’t working on their home turf. I think whether that’s now true more generally than in the unusual circumstances of this particular contest remains to be seen.

  12. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:44 pm

    “As goes California, so goes the rest of the nation.”

    Speaking as a native Californian and out of concern for the rest of you, Please God No!

  13. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:49 pm

    “(1) Dede Scozzafava was selected by the Republican Party in an extraordinary way. This should pour a bucket of cold water on the idea that there is some internal revolution happening in the Republican Party. Most Republican nominees have to go through a primary process in which the “base” evaluates candidates. This did not happen, and that created two big problems: (a) a candidate too moderate for the Republican base was chosen (b) in a process that does not have the legitimacy that primary elections have. If Scozzafava had to compete in a primary, she either would have lost (most likely scenario) or, had she won (less likely), she would have been able to claim a legitimacy that she could not claim. Because most party nominees are chosen by primaries, it means you cannot extrapolate from NY-23 to the broader party.”

    The idea that DeDe is a moderate Republican is fairly laughable. Moderate only by NY Republican standards!

  14. nffcnnr | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:49 pm

    “Majority Of Southerners Says Obama Has Done Better Job Than Bush”
    i am breathlessly awaiting how FOXNews, Kristol, Goldfarb, Krauthammer, et al. spin this into how this is excellent news for the GOP.

  15. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:51 pm

    “Majority Of Southerners Says Obama Has Done Better Job Than Bush”

    I suppose if Bush II was running for something this might matter?

  16. mike from Arlington | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:51 pm

    REALITY CHECK!

  17. Gasman | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:52 pm

    If Hoffman wins, the wingnuts will see it as a sign from God that they can rise again from their own ashes. That would be a mistake. If Hoffman wins, it will be because of the massive amount of outside cash that came to him from conservative groups around the country. The only news that can be extrapolated from this race is how deadly it will be to the GOP as a party if they start repeating this scenario around the country.

    They can pull off such a campaign in a limited number of races, but they cannot do so on a national scale. I also suspect that if the campaign had been two weeks longer, Hoffman’s numbers would have augered in dramatically. When he opens his mouth, Hoffman is his own worst enemy. He is a candidate who fairs best when he is essentially anonymous.

    It’s all up the the voters in the 23rd district now.

  18. DownriverDem | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:53 pm

    Don’t forget that the conservatives are destroying the Repub Party. By driving out moderates they will be losing a lot of folks. I love what they are doing.

  19. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:53 pm

    Political scientist Boris Shor clarifies the idea that Scozzafava is a moderate Republican:

    “So, yes, Scozzafava’s a moderate conservative, relative to Albany Republicans, and to New York legislators in general. But that’s only because Albany Republicans are really liberal (relative to parties in other states), and because New York’s Legislature is really, really liberal…”

    via The Corner

  20. mike from Arlington | November 3rd, 2009 at 03:58 pm

    Huh so,

    “Half of Hoffman’s supporters (50%) say that Dede Scozzafava’s support for the legalization of same-*** marriage was a factor in their decision not to support her.

    NOM spent some $110,000 on mailers and calls informing voters of Scozzafava’s support for same-*** marriage.”

    http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1109/NOM_poll_Marriage_a_wedge_in_NY23.html?showall

    Guess social issues still dominate elections with Republicans huh.

  21. Bilgeman | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:03 pm

    Mr. Sargent:
    “This finding from the new CNN poll is buried deep in CNN’s article, but it’s striking. According to the network’s polling director, Keating Holland, the internals show that a majority of southerners thinks Obama has done a better job than native son Bush:”

    Mmmm-hmm! That should tell you that the polling sample was likely pretty heavily biased towards urban areas of high African-American residency.

    Besides, this being CNN, I don’t think they can afford telephone calls outside of metro Atlanta.

    But hey, if you just WANNA believe it…go on ahead.

    And as sbj pointed out…Bush is retired.

  22. CybScryb | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:06 pm

    Can someone please explain how being born in New Haven, Connecticut makes one a “native son”? Last time I checked, if you were born north of Virginia, you were considered a Yankee.

  23. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:09 pm

    “Can someone please explain how being born in New Haven, Connecticut makes one a “native son?”

    Guess even Greg was fooled by GDubs!

  24. Andy | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:11 pm

    I agree with Robert Gibbs on this one:

    “We don’t look at either of these gubernatorial races or the congressional race as something that portends a lot for our legislative efforts going forward or political prospects in 2010,” Gibbs said during Tuesday’s press briefing.

    But since the pundits have to have something to talk about and the 24/7 cable news monster needs to get fed, I am sure we will hear a lot about how this means ___ and doesn’t mean ____. Fill in the blanks for whichever side you’re on.

  25. rukidding | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:31 pm

    @Andy…”But since the pundits have to have something to talk about and the 24/7 cable news monster needs to get fed, I am sure we will hear a lot about how this means ___ and doesn’t mean ____. Fill in the blanks for whichever side you’re on.

    You have summed it up correctly. That is exactly what is going on!!! Talk about a tempest in a teapot.

  26. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:32 pm

    The idea that DeDe is a moderate Republican is fairly laughable. Moderate only by NY Republican standards!

    Well, given that this is a New York election that kinda matters.

    As long as the national GOP (& its wingnut base) continue to dismiss such people as unworthy they are going to continue to only be the Party of the Confederacy & the John Birchers.

  27. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:32 pm

    “We don’t look at either of these gubernatorial races or the congressional race as something that portends a lot for our legislative efforts going forward.”

    Hmm, odd – Gibbs and Obama appear to be on different pages:

    “In a final campaign swing on behalf of the only governor seeking re-election this fall, President Barack Obama on Sunday pitched Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine’s bid as a key component for the White House to make good on its political promises.”

  28. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:35 pm

    I suppose if Bush II was running for something this might matter?

    That’s one of the stupidest things you’ve ever written here.

    He’s retired, but his agenda is not. It’s the heart & soul of the Tea Party Brigade!

  29. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:37 pm

    “His agenda is not. It’s the heart & soul of the Tea Party Brigade!”

    Talk about stupid! You think tea partiers supported TARP and all of that increased spending under Bush II?

  30. Tena | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:37 pm

    George W Bush was the Worst President Ever.

    His Legacy: Death, Debt and Destruction

  31. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:39 pm

    You think tea partiers supported TARP and all of that increased spending under Bush II?

    The spending started long before TARP.

    Tell me, what Tea Partier have you heard discuss what spending cuts in the military and in Social Security and in Medicare must be made?

  32. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:40 pm

    What Tea Partiers have you heard decry the enormous increase in pharma spending Bush & Rove rammed through Congress as a new facet of Medicare, all of which was unpaid for?

  33. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:42 pm

    All of which was happily voted for by the Congressional GOP, the very people the Tea Partiers are looking to for salvation?

  34. J. Saxon | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:44 pm

    The poll is mostly irrelevant — Bush was President for eight years, Obama hasn’t even been President for one. Bush had two wars to deal with, and an economic melt down close to the end of second term.

    A better test will be what folks say, in the South or elsewhere, after Obama has completed at least a full term. So far, his accomplishments, much like his career in the Illinois and U.S. legislature, has been modest to be charitable.

    A more indicative poll are those that compare Obama and Bush at comparable times during their Presidencies — and in that one, Bush beats him.

  35. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:44 pm

    You won’t find them because they don’t exist. The Tea Party Brigade is nothing but a pointless temper tantrum. It has no coherent thoughts beyond wanting the GOP, the party of borrow and spend like no tomorrow, back in power.

  36. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:44 pm

    Bush had two wars to deal with, and an economic melt down close to the end of second term.

    All of which he either created or enabled.

  37. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:44 pm

    “Tell me, what Tea Partier have you heard discuss what spending cuts in the military and in Social Security and in Medicare must be made?”

    George – he lives in the apartment next door.

    Are you serious?

  38. ChuckinDenton | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:46 pm

    oddjob-

    You got it. That is grasping for straws defined. I guess sbj doesn’t have much confidence in Southern voters to be able to make a comparison between the last 8 years and a *totally different president and party*.

  39. Andy | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:46 pm

    sbj… I could not find the President saying that in his speech from Sunday. BUT that doesn’t mean he didn’t say it, I just can’t find it. I wonder if the quote you posted was more opinion then fact.

  40. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:46 pm

    And who does George expect to cut those programs? Republicans?

    LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!

  41. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:49 pm

    “According to USA Today, most protesters have the overall goal of pressuring the United States Congress and state governments to “reject government spending as a way out of the recession” and to “build an anti-spending coalition around regular taxpayers”. Aside from spending by the Obama administration, the paper stated that organizers were not pleased by former president George W. Bush’s performance on spending, either…Protest organizer and co-creator of dontGo Eric Odom has argued that “This is a protest that has been in government the last few years…Bush himself was guilty of socialist policies.” He also said of the Republican Party that “It’s obvious they’re trying to ride on the brand that we created… It’s somewhat insulting.” His group has turned down a request from Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele to speak at its Chicago protest.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_%22tea_party%22_protests

  42. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:50 pm

    And what does Mr. Odom propose as an alternative to the Democrats or Republicans?

    Again: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  43. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:51 pm

    “In a final campaign swing on behalf of the only governor seeking re-election this fall, President Barack Obama on Sunday pitched Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine’s bid as a key component for the White House to make good on its political promises.

    “He’s one of the best partners I have in the White House. We work together,” Obama said. “We know our work is far from over.”

    “Obama drew 6,500 people at a rally in Camden and another 11,000 later in Newark, according to campaign estimates. He urged supporters to work hard to give Corzine another term in office so he can work with Washington to help repair a brittle economy. A Corzine loss would be seen as a political embarrassment for the White House.”

    http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/01/politics/main5488537.shtml?source=related_story

  44. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:51 pm

    As I said before, the Tea Party Brigade is not serious.

    It’s a temper tantrum.

  45. John Dillinger | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:51 pm

    If sbj can’t comprehend the potency of a “are you better off than four years ago” reelection campaign, he might want to go back and read up on the history of the 1980s.

  46. oddjob | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:53 pm

    @John Dillinger:

    There you go again!

  47. Paul W. | November 3rd, 2009 at 04:59 pm

    Well this is my interesting fact for the day, good catch Greg! I haven’t kept up with the rumblings of the turnout at various races today, anyone got some good links?

  48. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:00 pm

    “If sbj can’t comprehend the potency of a “are you better off than four years ago”

    ?

    Folks there AREN’T better off. Doesn’t mean they’ll go with Christie but…?

  49. lmsinca | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:09 pm

    sbj

    It’s only been 9 1/2 months and everyone’s still worse off thanks to Bush and Buddies. When this thing turns around then we can say are you better off in 2012 than you were in 2008?

  50. rukidding | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:09 pm

    A bit OT..could Tena or somebody with a knowledge of Texas politics tell me why Hutchison left the Senate to challenge an incumbent Republican. Last U.T. Poll I read said she was trailing 52-40. Perry is certifiable but why would Hutchison take on a fellow incumbent Repub?

  51. Andy | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:11 pm

    sbj… you’re right the President did say those two sentences. I was bale to find the text of the whole speech and IMO it’s a bit of a stretch for CBS news to report…”President Barack Obama on Sunday pitched Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine’s bid as a key component for the White House to make good on its political promises.”

    Most of his speech had to do with why Corzine is the right candidate for NJ. But it sure makes juicier headlines if you can make it sound like the President needs to win in NJ to make good on his campaign promises.

  52. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:18 pm

    @lmsinca: “It’s only been 9 1/2 months and everyone’s still worse off thanks to Bush and Buddies. When this thing turns around then we can say are you better off in 2012 than you were in 2008?”

    Agree (in part). But surely Corzine can’t blame all of his state’s woes on Bush? Corzine failed to keep promises that had nothing to do with Bush policies.

  53. Tena | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:19 pm

    Know how I’m always getting ‘punk’d by the facts’? Saturday I ended a stupid argument over the H1N1 vaccine by saying I was pretty sure active duty personnel would get theirs first and I was punk’d again – because according to the post above,they are.

    Isn’t it awful how the trolls continually destroy me with their facts, alas alack?

  54. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:20 pm

    “It’s a bit of a stretch for CBS news to report…”

    Perhaps – I haven’t read the speech. But it’s not only CBS – multiple outlets used this characterization – lemmings.

  55. BBQ | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:20 pm

    @Greg

    You’re just lucky this blog has a swear filter!

    :-P

  56. Andy | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:37 pm

    sbj… you’re right again! From the NYT to Fox News and almost everyone in between, tonight’s elections are a referendum on the President’s performance. So, stay tuned tonight and tomorrow when we will finally know how this administration is doing and where it goes from here knowing that the people of NY-23, CA-10, NJ and Virginia have finally weighed in!

  57. quarterback | November 3rd, 2009 at 05:39 pm

    Since the entire country knows Bush is Satan, is this really a meaningful measure of success for the One?

  58. sbj | November 3rd, 2009 at 06:34 pm

    “So, stay tuned tonight and tomorrow when we will finally know how this administration is doing and where it goes from here knowing that the people of NY-23, CA-10, NJ and Virginia have finally weighed in!”

    Verily. Whatever happened to, “All politics is local?”

  59. Greg Sargent | November 3rd, 2009 at 06:38 pm

    all, happy hour roundup posted:

    http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/happy-hour-roundup-107/

  60. Andy | November 3rd, 2009 at 06:41 pm

    sbj… good question what did happen to all politics is local?

    It’s official A.B. Stoddard just declared a Corzine loss would be painful for the WH. I guess if the President calls in sick tomorrow we know why.

  61. Texas Aggie | November 3rd, 2009 at 07:45 pm

    “native son Bush”

    Now hold your horses, boy. Bush is a Maniac and the last I saw, Maine was about as far north as you can go and still be in the US. The only reason that Bush is considered by the ignorant to be a Texan is that he played one on TV, and no one bothered to correct his misstatement until it was too late.

  62. JohnJay60 | November 3rd, 2009 at 09:46 pm

    NY-23 will be a referendum AGAINST conservatives.

    How? More people will vote Democratic in NY-23 this year than in the prior election. Sounds like a trend to me.

  63. Gasman | November 4th, 2009 at 12:34 am

    This just in…

    “Hoffman Throw In the Towel”

    http://watertowndailytimes.com/article/20091103/NEWS09/911039947

    Hoffman conceded down by 4,337 votes.

    If the Palinistas and wingnuts can’t buy a single seat, even with about 95% of Hoffman’s money coming from outside the district, they won’t ever be able to gain many – or even any – seats in congress.

    They have shot their wad and they lost. Maybe there is hope after all.

  64. oddjob | November 4th, 2009 at 09:21 pm

    Now hold your horses, boy. Bush is a Maniac

    Dubya spends the absolute bare minimum of time required in Maine in order not to piss off his parents by being rude and not showing up at all, even when they’re there.

    Not exactly a Mainiac, and from what I’ve read, while his daddy is well liked in Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Dubya isn’t.

  65. indi | November 9th, 2009 at 05:48 pm

    its fact that the stupicest, least educated folks come from the south. led by lousisna and missisipi. go from the the bottom up on a list of the brainiest cities and you have your RED STATES. LOL.

Leave a Reply


Please email us at profiles@whorunsgov.com to bring to our attention any content or conduct that you believe violates our Discussion and Submission Policy.