President Obama 'Worst President' Since World War II, Ronald Reagan Ranked Best, Says Quinnipiac National Poll
Polling data revealed respondents believe President Barack Obama is "the worst president since World War II."
The Quinnipiac University National Poll surveyed 1,446 registered voters, 33 percent of whom said out of every president since Harry Truman, Obama is the "worst president." Former president George W. Bush ranked second with 28 percent, and Richard Nixon was third with 13 percent. The previous Quinnipiac poll asking registered voters about the worst president in the U.S. was in June 2006, and George W. Bush easily led the poll with 34 percent.
"Over the span of 69 years of American history and 12 presidencies, President Barack Obama finds himself with President George W. Bush at the bottom of the popularity barrel," said Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Tim Malloy.
The most popular president, according to the poll, was Ronald Reagan with 35 percent. Obama was ranked the fourth "best" president with 8 percent, behind Clinton (18 percent) and Kennedy (15 percent). Reagan was easily popular among Republican respondents with 66 percent while the other presidents received single-digit figures. Among Democrats, the most popular president was Bill Clinton, with 34 percent. John F. Kennedy and Obama tied for second place with 18 percent. Among independents, Reagan was once again popular with 36 percent, ahead of Kennedy's 17 percent and Clinton's 16 percent.
Respondents almost tied when asked if Obama has been a better president than George W. Bush. Thirty-nine percent of registered voters said Obama was better, but 40 percent viewed him worse than his predecessor. Republicans viewed the second Bush better than Obama, as 79 percent stated the latter fared worse. Democrats viewed Obama better than Bush with 78 percent while 16 percent viewed both the same. The statistics among independents were closer. Independents, at 31 percent, stated Obama has been a better president than Bush. At 41 percent, independents viewed Obama worse than Bush while 27 percent thought both presidents are "about the same."
The poll also asked registered voters about Obama's current performance as president. The majority of respondents disapproved of Obama's performance with 53 percent while 40 percent approved. He was especially unpopular with Republicans, with 88 percent, while only 10 percent approved. Democrats approved of Obama's handling as president with 79 percent, but 13 percent disapproved. Among independents, 59 percent disapproved and 31 percent approved. Ten percent of independents were unsure.
In comparison to Quinnipiac University's previous job approval poll, Obama's disapproval rating was at 50 percent, while 42 percent approved. The highest disapproval rating was in December 2013 with 57 percent while the latest peak approval rating was 59 percent in June 2009.
Trust in Obama was tied at 48 percent while 4 percent were unsure. When it comes to leadership, Obama received 51 percent "no" responses while 47 percent approved.
For the registered voters in the survey, the most important problems in the U.S. are the economy and employment (35 percent) ahead of politicians (12 percent), health care (6 percent), and immigration (4 percent).
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