Jill Lawrence
USA Today
November 10, 2008
Americans have soaring hopes for the incoming Obama administration and an even higher opinion of the man they just elected president, a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows.
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
Nearly seven in 10 adults, or 68%, say they have a favorable opinion of President-elect Barack Obama. Nearly that many — 65% — say they think the country will be better off four years from now.
A much lower level of optimism greeted President Bush and former president Bill Clinton when they were first elected. In both cases just slightly over 50% said they thought the country would be better off.
Bush’s job approval rating is a mirror image of Obama’s favorable rating — 68% say they disapprove of how the Republican is handling his job.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the man Obama defeated, has rebounded in the eyes of Americans. A few days before the election, 50% said they viewed him favorably. In the new poll, taken Friday through Sunday, McCain’s favorable rating is 64% — his highest since early 2000 during his first presidential bid.
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