Netroots Straw Poll Shows Obama Still Strong, 80% of liberal activists approve or strongly approve.

[jefferson_dem]

Netroots Straw Poll Shows Obama Still Strong
By Christina Bellantoni
Roll Call Staff
June 19, 2011, 9:16 a.m.

MINNEAPOLIS — Despite their grousing about the administration during the Netroots Nation conference, liberal activists and bloggers are relatively happy with President Barack Obama's performance.

A straw poll conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research showed that 80 percent either approve or strongly approve of the president more than a year before voters head to the polls to decide whether he deserves a second term. The results broke down to 27 percent strongly approving of Obama and 53 percent approving “somewhat.” Thirteen percent said they “somewhat disapprove,” and 7 percent strongly disapprove of the president.

The poll of 519 people was conducted via iPad in the Minneapolis Convention Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Two-thirds of the respondents said they want Obama to focus on job growth. “Protecting health care” was the distant runner-up, with 9 percent of respondents saying that should be Obama’s top priority.

<SNIP>

http://www.rollcall.com/news/Netroots-Nation-Straw-Poll-Obama-206608-1.html?zkPrintable=true

[vi5]

1. "Poll of 519 people conducted via ipad"

While I don't doubt those overall numbers and percentages would hold up in a more rigorous poll (thanks to a horrifying Republican field that any self respecting left of center person fears more than anything), that line just made me laugh for some reason.

[jefferson_dem]

3. I hear you.

In any other forum, these results would be absolutely useless given the method employed. However, these are the liberal actvisit technorati who live on their iPads. And Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research is legit.

[vi5]

6. Definitely...

Like I said, I don't dispute those numbers. I'm sure most polls of the same demographic would yield similar results.

My issue is more when this information is used as some sort of proof for people trying to prove how much everyone in the Democratic base is happy with the administration. I don't think it's that at all. I think it's that the other side is so frightening and batshit crazy in every way that our fear overrides any sense of disappointment in Obama himself.

I think if the Republicans had someone who they could disguise nicely like they did with Bush in 2000, these numbers would be a lot different. But as long as we have a Republican field where Romney is the sane, normal one then there is just no way liberal fears aren't going to outweigh liberals disappointment.

[Hutzpa]

25. What are you suggesting? n/t

[vi5]

28. I'm not "suggesting" anything.

I'm point blank saying that Obama's 80% approval among liberals is probably as much or if anything less a result of us being happy with the job he's doing than it is a petrifying fear of the current GOP slate of lunatics.

[pschoeb]

18. There were over 2000 people in attendance

So a poll that only garners a quarter of those present is pretty meaningless and probably self selecting.

[Swede]

24. Polling 1/4 of any group is pretty rare.

That'd be like polling 75,0000,000 Americans to get what all 300,000,000 thought.

[Very_Boring_Name]

27. What "group" are you talking about? The OP says "Liberal activists"

So unless you think there are only 2000 "liberal activists" in the country, 500 people is not 1/4.

[Swede]

29. Read the story.

And don't get back to me.

[Very_Boring_Name]

30. I did read the story. That part I'm having trouble with is you comparing 500 people

polled on an ipad to 75000000 people being polled.

[jefferson_dem]

26. Actually a 25% response rate is totally acceptable.

If there's self-selection going on, and the whole population of NN attendees are within the sample, that's fine as well. There are much deeper weeds to wade into, relating the "science of polling" but we won't go there. Suffice it to say these results are valid for what they are. And I trust the firm that conducted the poll anyway.

[slay]

35. I know many liberals who can't afford an Ipad - i'm liberal and i do not support him

or his corporate republican-lite policies.

[Inuca]

37. So?

You are with the 20%. What's yoru point?

Incidentaly, I am another liberal that cannot afford an iPad and wish I could :-)

[slay]

38. No, my point is this is a faulty, inaccurate poll

taken of ipad users and is not indicative of how liberals really feel about Obama's lack of leadership and his embrace of Republican policies.

[RBInMaine]

2. Everyone on this board might as well get used to it: Obama is the most liberal candidate you are

going to get, so count your blessings and don't waste your time on pipe dreams. The likes of Sanders, Kucinic, etc. EVER becoming President of the ENTIRE United States of America will NEVER happen. This is a MODERATE country on balance, like it or not, for better or worse. (Now, I like Kucinich, and I really like Sanders, but people with that kind of far left ideology simply can not win NATIONALLY. So no use on wasting time and energy on NATIONAL campaigns for people who are that pure ideologically. Same with Ron Paul on the other side. He would NEVER, EVER win NATIONALLY. NEVER.)

Obama is a center-left pragmatist and one hell of a decent counter-weight to the RePUKES which have gone very far to the right. On balance, I'm pleased with him, and I believe he should be re-elected and WILL be re-elected.

[Dawgs]

4. Right. We should all just bend over and accept that our politicians are moving more to the right.

Nixon was more to the left of Obama in many ways.

[DCBob]

7. No, work to get more liberal congressman elected then Obama can move left.

without congress there isnt much he can do... legislative wise.

[great white snark]

15. Meh, it's easier to bitch and moan.

They go right in direct proportion to the left's laziness.

[CakeGrrl]

19. Exactly. Change the LEGISLATIVE makeup.

What does anyone expect to happen with the House we have now?

And we're fighting to hold the Senate.

Get the R's and Blue Dogs out of Congress and the legislation won't be watered down or outright quashed.

[TheWraith]

20. No, we should sit around making up ludicrous false realities in our heads.

Where we can make absurd, obviously false statements like "Nixon was to the left of Obama."

[Dawgs]

36. Except I didn't say that.

Not absurd and not false.

[RBInMaine]

33. No, you should get real and educated and understand the American political landscape.

[Harmony Blue]

13. Disagree completely

our country is extremely liberal on multiple issues. We let the vocal minority control the debate.

[polichick]

16. Taken without labels, this country is LIBERAL in its stated positions...

Nice try.

[jaxx]

5. President Obama has done well.

Can he do better? Yes. The next 5.5 years will be good for this country, as have the last 2.5. The seeds have been planted, let them grow.

K&R

[DCBob]

8. Reading stuff here on DU would make you think this number would be reversed..

guess our group here are more in line with that 20 percenter bunch.

[jaxx]

9. I'm more in line with the 80%.

;-)

[DCBob]

10. me too.. for sure.

:fistbump:

[Indykatie]

21. The 80% is No Doubt Correct but that 20% are the Most Vocal

Unfortunately some of that 20% will not give the president credit for doing a decent job regardless of his performance. In their minds there will always be something he hasn't done that prevents them from approving of his performance.

[Tarheel_Dem]

32. For that 20%, bitching and moaning is "job security". Nothing more.

If anyone thinks it's about "activism", I've got a bridge....... ;)

[Kaleva]

11. I think it's more like 50/50 overall and it varies considerably depending on the issue.

[DCBob]

17. Definitey varies on the issue.. in fact some here swing abrubtly on a single issue..

not much big picture/long term thinking on their part.

[Kind of Blue]

12. Exactly! Good point.

And I accepted that a while ago.

[Kind of Blue]

14. KnR. n/t

[AtomicKitten]

22. I'm working on voter registration now.

Admittedly SF is a liberal mecca but still most people I've encountered are enthusiastic in their support of the president.

[zalinda]

23. I think his approval rating has a lot to do with age

Those who can't remember a more liberal government thinks that Obama is doing great. Those of us who remember what it was like back in the day, thinks he can do much, much better. And then there are some of us, who think the dem party has just left us.

I can actually remember back in the 70's when Carter was President, how hopeful I was that we would be seeing a brighter future, with our country and our planet. I was ready for the green revolution way back then.

zalinda

[progressoid]

31. Yep,

and don't forget the "well, it could be worse" attitude. I've been working for a more progressive government, but (unfortunately) this is all we've got so this seems to be our only option for the next few years.

[Scurrilous]

34. K & R

:thumbsup: