# Obama's Gallup approval up to over 51%. Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 4, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952 "2016-03-04T19:29:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/61 "2016-03-08T22:00:44Z")
> [@GreenElf](#): > > Obama has been almost invisible, keeping a very low profile, the last couple years. This isn’t necessarily a bad leadership trait: > [@](#): > > The quiet leader is not a modern invention and Lao Tzu, who, in the classic Taoist text Tao Te Ching, was discussing the same characteristic around 500 BC: > > ``` > The very highest is barely known by men, > > Then comes that which they know and love, > > Then that which is feared, > > Then that which is despised. > > He who does not trust enough will not be trusted. > > When actions are performed > > Without unnecessary speech, > > People say “We did it!” > > ``` > > Here again, the highest level of leadership is virtually invisible. > **[The Quiet Leader](http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/styles/quiet_leader.htm)** > > The Quiet Leader succeeds by acting rather than talking. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/62 "2016-03-08T22:28:18Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Brooks’s intention with that column was to relegate the Obama presidency to history and pin the “lame duck” sign on him early. > > His passive-aggressive way of enforcing the Senate Republicans SCOTUS dog-whistle mantra of “Let ‘real Americans’ decide! No nomination until the Kenyan is out of office!” > > David Brooks is a slimy, shitty little sneak. Always has been. Always will be. > [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Oh, crap…I thought for a minute I was in the Pit. Change that to: > > “David Brooks is a devious, pusillanimous prevaricator.” David Brooks is a DOPER???!!!??? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/63 "2016-03-08T23:14:07Z")
Did you see this morning’s column? > **[Sad Drunk David Brooks Doesn't Have To Go Home, But He Can't Stay Here](https://www.wonkette.com/sad-drunk-david-brooks-doesnt-have-to-go-home-but-he-cant-stay-here)** > > Sorry, but you missed the last callPoor deeply depressed David Brooks. The New York Times columnist continues his embarrassing public display of utter despair at the decline of his beloved Republican Party, with this drunken rant from a bar: > It’s 2... “…a campaign with such a deep bench of talented candidates…” I mean…Perry…Paul…Fiorina…Carson…Bush…Pataki…and those are just the also-rans. Clearly, Brooks is on SOME sort of dope. Strong, strong dope. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/64 "2016-03-08T23:30:11Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > What Constitutional duty are you referring to? Obama needs to find a nominee. Tick, tick, tick. The U.S. Senate doesn’t have to hold hearings. > > The voters can voice their opinions of the situation at the polls. There is still plenty of time to hold hearings and a vote before the next term starts in October. I predict a nomination before the end of March, but as long as it’s before July 1st we should have ample time to get the nominee approved. ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/65 "2016-03-09T02:35:21Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Obama needs to find a nominee. Tick, tick, tick. Yes, yes, you already said that before. I replied and you’ve ignored it. What do you hope to accomplish by just repeating yourself over and over? > [@doorhinge](#): > > The voters can voice their opinions of the situation at the polls. They already did. Obama was elected to another four year term. Not three. Four. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/66 "2016-03-09T02:54:58Z")
Yes no question that Obama will nominate a candidate for the court and odds are high that he will do it this month before his Cuba trip. It is also highly likely to be a moderate with impeccable credentials. And it appears that the Senate is within their constitutional rights to do nothing. And if they do then yes voters will voice their opinion on election day. In polls they [overwhelmingly](http://hartresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/E-Supreme-Court-Vacancy-Press.pdf) - 69 to 28 - believe that the Senate should consider an Obama nominee. So yes Senate, please stand your ground on this! Let the voters express their thoughts about your actions! The Democrats can use every Senate seat they can get. ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/67 "2016-03-09T05:25:14Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > And it appears that the Senate is within their constitutional rights to do nothing. I thought there was a loose time frame mentioned, like “in due time” or “expeditiously”, something like that, but maybe I was wrong. If there isn’t, it’s probably because the FF’s never envisioned a situation where Congress would deliberately keep a seat vacant for a full year or more. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/68 "2016-03-09T06:10:29Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I saw one guy recently asserting unemployment was _really_ at **40%** , which requires a spectacular amount of ignorance at what a country with 40% unemployment would look like. Guess who that guy was: [Trump: Unemployment Rate As High As 40% | Video | RealClearPolitics](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/09/28/trump_unemployment_rate_as_high_as_40.html#)! ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/69 "2016-03-09T06:26:45Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Guess who that guy was: > > [Trump: Unemployment Rate As High As 40% | Video | RealClearPolitics](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/09/28/trump_unemployment_rate_as_high_as_40.html#)! Heh, although Trump just says he heard it from some other guy (also unsourced). Well, _I_ heard a guy say that there’s 793% unemployment! Beat that. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/70 "2016-03-09T09:25:27Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Did you see this morning’s column? > > [Sad Drunk David Brooks Doesn't Have To Go Home, But He Can't Stay Here](http://wonkette.com/599412/sad-drunk-david-brooks-doesnt-have-to-go-home-but-he-cant-stay-here) > > “…a campaign with such a deep bench of talented candidates…” > > I mean…Perry…Paul…Fiorina…Carson…Bush…Pataki…and those are just the also-rans. > > Clearly, Brooks is on SOME sort of dope. Strong, strong dope. He said they were “talented”; he did not use capable, qualified, mature, awake, responsible… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/71 "2016-03-09T09:53:22Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Guess who that guy was: > > [Trump: Unemployment Rate As High As 40% | Video | RealClearPolitics](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/09/28/trump_unemployment_rate_as_high_as_40.html#)! Well, the guy I read wasn’t him but was obviously channeling him. On SCOTUS nominees, I’m guessing it’s a bit more challenging to find a qualified nominee willing to wait around for eleven months while the Senate have their little temper tantrum, so it may take more time. But I’m sure **doorhinge** will be along to explain why it’s all Obama’s fault and not the fault of the “party of personal responsibility”. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/72 "2016-03-09T14:41:57Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > [Gallup](http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Job-Approval.aspx)has him up over 50% for the first time in 3 years. He’s approve over disapprove by 7 (51 to 44) while he’s spent most of the last two and a half years in the negatives, often by 10 the other way. > > Why? And if it persists will it have impact on the margin of Clinton’s victory? 🙂 > > Honestly I am not sure how much is chicken vs egg with the politics. Is this the improving jobs numbers ([“real unemployment”](http://www.gallup.com/poll/189068/bls-unemployment-seasonally-adjusted.aspx) having peaked during his first two years at over 17% now down to 9.7%) and how much is Clinton’s singing of his praises and the compare contrast with the much focused upon GOP alternatives (who do of course repeat the mantra of how horrible Obama is but who of course tear at each other more). > > One? The other? Something else? For much the same reason Republican don’t call this the Obama economy any more. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/73 "2016-03-09T18:29:45Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > There is still plenty of time to hold hearings and a vote before the next term starts in October. I predict a nomination before the end of March, but as long as it’s before July 1st we should have ample time to get the nominee approved. Ample time, indeed. \*Attorney General Loretta Lynch has asked not to be nominated to the Supreme Court, a Department of Justice spokeswoman said Tuesday. …Lynch’s decision marked another person ruling themselves out for an opening on the high court created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. \* > **[Attorney General Loretta Lynch pulls herself from SCOTUS consideration | CNN...](https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/08/politics/loretta-lynch-supreme-court-nomination/index.html)** > > Attorney General Loretta Lynch has asked not to be nominated to the Supreme Court, a Department of Justice spokeswoman said Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/74 "2016-03-10T17:06:07Z")
Who the heck would WANT to go through that shitstorm and effectively end their public career knowing that you won’t get confirmed by a majority Republican held senate. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/75 "2016-03-10T19:06:17Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Who the heck would WANT to go through that shitstorm and effectively end their public career knowing that you won’t get confirmed by a majority Republican held senate. Especially since Sen. John Cornyn, the #2 guy in the GOP Senate leadership, [just promised to turn the nominee into a piñata](http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/07/politics/john-cornyn-supreme-court-pinata/index.html). We know it regularly _happens_ to nominees nowadays, but until now the pretense has always been that the nominee was flawed, had scandals, was too radical, etc., and if the President had only picked a better-quality nominee, it wouldn’t have gone this way. This is an open promise that no matter how good a nominee Obama sends up there, the GOP is gonna thoroughly fuck him/her over, simply because they _can_. They’re pre-emptively threatening potential nominees, hoping to scare away anyone with good qualifications from accepting a nomination. I think describing this as ‘terrorism’ might go a bit too far, since no physical weapons are involved, but it’s certainly the same idea. This is your GOP, Republicans. Cherish it. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/76 "2016-03-10T19:08:16Z")
Oh, and getting back to the OP, Obama’s approval has averaged 50% for the past week. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2016, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/77 "2016-03-26T18:35:29Z")
And following up … today the Gallup number hit 53%. (With a +9 spread.) ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/78 "2016-03-26T18:45:28Z")
He is on is way out, and the majority of those polled approve of that. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2016, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/79 "2016-03-26T18:48:28Z")
So now that Obama has nominated a SCOTUS candidate, and in a timely fashion, what do the anti-Obama forces have to say that’s relevant in the slightest? Nothing but heads and feet in the sand. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952/80 "2016-04-02T23:57:24Z")
It’s up to 53%. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952.md?page=5)