Overall ratings remain stable near 50%

by Jeffrey M. Jones

PRINCETON, NJ — President Barack Obama’s approval ratings remain polarized by political party and race, and continue to show a significant gap between younger and older Americans.

Job Approval Ratings of Barack Obama, by Selected=

These party, race, and age gaps have been apparent throughout Obama’s presidency.

His first-year ratings were the most polarized for a president in Gallup history, with an average 65-point gap between Republicans and Democrats. Obama’s approval ratings have become slightly more polarized thus far in his second year in office, with an average 69-point gap between Democrats (83%) and Republicans (14%) since late January.
Obama’s approval ratings among non-Hispanic whites slid below the majority level in July 2009, and have not returned to that mark, generally hovering around 40% since mid-November. Meanwhile, his approval ratings among blacks have been stable throughout his presidency, right around 90%.
Though the latest 58% weekly approval average among 18- to 29-year-olds is among the lowest Obama has registered to date, it remains his highest current rating among the four age groups and is significantly better than his rating among senior citizens. Older Americans last gave Obama an approval rating above 50% last July. The gap in ratings between young adults and senior citizens has averaged 16 points during Obama’s presidency.

More broadly, Obama’s 50% approval average among all Americans for the week ending May 9 continues an extended run of stable ratings for him. Since mid-November, Obama’s approval ratings have narrowly ranged between 47% and 51%.

Weekly Average Job Approval Ratings for Barack Obama, November 2009-May 2010 Trend

Thus, little Obama has done in recent months — including his work to help pass landmark healthcare legislation — and little that has happened recently on his watch have caused a significant, lasting shift in the way Americans evaluate the job he is doing as president.

Although his second-year ratings have been highly stable, he is on pace to follow most other presidents in seeing a significant drop from his first-year to his second-year average. Obama averaged 57% approval his first year in office — mainly because his job approval scores during the initial months of his presidency were in the 60% range — and has averaged 49% thus far in his second year.

Explore Obama’s approval ratings in-depth and compare to past presidents in the Gallup Presidential Job Approval Center.

blog comment: After reading the article i would have to say … if you are a Democrat or an Independent and support President Obama … good news

82% approve of the job done by President Obama—Democrats

47% approve of the job done — Independents

89% Blacks approve of President Obama

43% Whites approve of President Obama

18-29yrs old 58% support Obama

39-49yrs old 50% support Obama

50-64yrs old 48% support Obama

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, and Nordstom resell used underwear—and there’s video evidence!

05/17/2010 Nativegrl77

editor

by Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff, on Wed Mar 3, 2010 12:41pm PST

Have you ever bought underwear at Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, or Nordstrom? Because we have. And we’re disgusted at the thought that some of the panties we purchased may have been used. In a new “Today Show” segment, Secret Filth Exposed, reporters uncovered these shops putting used garments back on the sales floor. And to prove it, they themselves purchased undies from these stores, cut out the tags, peeled out protective pantyliners, stained them with baby oil, and took them back to the store a week later. Not only were they issued refunds, “Today Show” cameras caught employees re-tagging the items and putting them back on the shelves to be resold at all of the above mentioned stores. Gross!

One woman who worked at three seperate Victoria’s Secret stores said it was regular practice to resell underwear that was returned and may have been used. She said if the items came back to them with an odor, they would “put it on a hanger, hang it up to dry overnight, re-tag it the next day, and put it back on the sales floor.”

Though items were also purchased and returned to J.Crew, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Express, reporters did not see their items go back to the sales floor. But we’re completely grossed out that five other major retailers did resell the underswear. Perhaps we all need to take some time to think about where and how you purchase your undergarments. Somehow it is not illegal to sell used underwear, despite the dangerous germs and diseases which may linger in the material. Consider us horrified.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Monday in Congress …

05/17/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes at 2pmET

The Senate will resume consideration of S.3217, Wall Street Reform.

Call your Senator today ! end Republican stalling …time to get Wall Street,Bank and Insurance Industry Reform

The following amendments are pending to
Dodd-Lincoln #3739 (Substitute) to S.3217:
– Brownback #3789, as further modified (automobile manufacturers)
– Snowe-Pryor #3883 (small business)
– Specter #3776 (civil action)
– Leahy #3823 (antitrust laws)
– Whitehouse #3746 (States rights)
– Cardin #4050 (resource extraction issuers)

Senator Reid then filed cloture on the Dodd-Lincoln substitute amendment and S.3217, Wall Street Reform. Senator Reid said that he had a conversation with Senator McConnell and they agreed that they will continue to process amendments tomorrow and Tuesday. Under Rule 22, the cloture vote will occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Wednesday.

Senator Dodd then asked consent to set aside pending amendments in order to call up the Bond-Dodd amendment #4056. Senator Wyden asked to modify the request to allow Wyden to call up amendment #4019 (secret holds). Senator Risch objected to Wyden’s request and the original request was granted.

By unanimous consent, the following amendments are in order:

– Cardin-Lugar #4050;
– Corker re: preemption, and
– Carper side-by-side to Corker amendment re: preemption

Votes:
Rockefeller #3758, as modified (FTC) was agreed to by voice vote.

151: Crapo motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Crapo amendment #4020: (GSEs on Budget);
Not agreed to: 47-46

152: Cornyn amendment #3986: (IMF);
Agreed To: 94-0

– Udall (CO) #4016 (credit scores) was agreed to by voice vote.

– Bond amendnet #4056 (Angel Investors) was agreed to by voice vote

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted S.Res.533, a resolution recognizing National Foster Care Month.

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET on May 18th 2010

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Monday mashup

05/17/2010 Nativegrl77

It’s going to be a week of enlightenment for We the People … Super Tuesday is here and while primaries do matter what we all will definitely glean from it all is what side are Americans really on. The effort to educate recruit and mobilize Democrats for special and mid-term elections is still a work in progress. It’s hard to believe any true American is willing to put people into office that practice exclusion or do in fact state they want less government but ask for money and advice from Wall Street, Big Banks and the insurance industry. The Primaries will …or should help organizers see just who isn’t getting out there, who isn’t motivated to vote and this could be very important leading up to November elections.

FYI … people on the right are crafting a few falsehoods around the Elena Kagan appointment to the Supreme Court; please get the facts go to: White House site and read the information about Kagan; you will see this is another crazy show … a stalling tactic and effort to portray her in the worst light ever … remember the comments and strange behavior during the Sonia Sotomayer appointment? the mis-understanding of saying what was really meant by “a wise Latina” The questions will be just as strange the length probably as long but Kagan probably will be the next Justice; a woman justice.

BP’s only focus has been capping the oil dump leak with top hats, holders and tubes and while that has gone on they either have forgotten or have no idea how to deal with what is going on with the plumes they are dispersing … strange, because it just seems like someone should be trying to siphon those plumes … is that a novel idea or just common sense. It is also apparent that what was going on at MMS, other regulators as well as the EPA before President Obama was elected has to be reformed; this is another learning moment for what happens behind closed doors, handled by Republicans… the light has been turned on turbo style and while this oil dump, regulations and the Gulf Coast economy on his plate … who better than President Obama to reform the entire system. It’s obvious a lot of what has been going on was in the hands of Republicans including the winking and handshakes … it’s disgusting

Other News …

In a deal reached with Brazil and Turkey, Iran has agreed to ship most of its enriched uranium abroad and would receive medium-enriched fuel rods for its medical reactors in return. The agreement is nearly identical to the U.N.-drafted plan backed by the U.S. and its allies and could “deflate a U.S.-led push for tougher sanctions” on Iran.TP

**Hank Jones died at 91; Jazz pianist/composer-Grammy lifetime achievement award Winner

**The President signs the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act into law/protect the rights of journalists

**The President has issued an executive order to get an independent commission started

**A refinery has exploded in Huston,TX

**1.9million dart gun kits are being recalled as 2 children have died

Four Hispanic House Republicans told Roll Call that “the GOP must tread cautiously on immigration so as not to reverse the gains the party has begun to make with Hispanic voters on other issues.” “Part of the reason we have done so poorly with Hispanics was that there are a number of people who really went out of their way not to solve these issues but to stir them up,” Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) said.TP

C-SPAN …

Today at 8pm (ET) on C-SPAN
Campaign Rallies for Pennsylvania 12th Congressional District Special Election Candidates

BP Exec. again Defends Containment Efforts to Congress

Nearly a month after the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, BP America, Inc. President Lamar McKay appears once more before Congress to explain the new techniques being tried to halt the spill. Also, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will provide the federal government’s response to the oil rig disaster.

Senate Hearing on C-SPAN at 2:30pm ET
Previous Hearings on Gulf Oil Spill

Candidates Prepare for State Primaries

On Tuesday, four state primaries will be held that may shape Congressional elections in November. In Pennsylvania, Mark Critz (D) and Tim Burns (R) are in a special election to fill the seat of the late Rep. John Murtha (D). Also, Incumbent Sen. Specter (D-PA) defends his seat from challenger U.S. Representative Joe Sestak (D). Kentucky holds a primary for the GOP U.S. Senate race with Trey Grayson, Rand Paul, Gurley L. Martin, John Stephenson and Jon J. Scribner. Lastly, challengers Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter and D.C. Morrison are up against incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln in the Arkansas U.S. Senate Democratic Primary.

Republicans continue to offer Amendments to Financial Reform Bill

Senators continue work on the financial reform bill this week with debate on Republican amendments, including an amendment by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) that would give the U.S. representative at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) the right to oppose future international rescue packages over repayment concerns. This and other amendments have been introduced by concerns over the Greek Financial Crisis. A cloture vote to end debate on the bill may happen as early as Wednesday.

Senate: 2pm ET on C-SPAN2

~ my 2cents ...

Weekend News/Reviews

05/16/2010 Nativegrl77

It’s Sunday and as most of us wake up, turn on the tv we see news of incredible turmoil and violence in Bangkok that appears to be all about control .. shouldn’t we all be able to protest without getting shot? i know, but i still wonder why can’t things be done differently.

Talkingheads are talking Primaries coming up this Tuesday ; we are at a time when people need to decide… the choice of taking Political sides… history shows that Republicans have questionable behavior; it also has to be understood what would happen if anyone from the Tea Party is voted into Political Office to represent We the People; when in fact the tea party people do not represent all the people only a select few and that does not include people of colour in my opinion. In some cases Republican Politicians have made comments that suggest women need to stay in the kitchen and off the floor of Congress. It’s an obvious choice to me because Republicans practice exclusion; say they want less govt but go to Wall Street, Big Banks, AIG and big Oil Corp for money to support them; even our Supreme Court has helped Republicans and that move to legally deem corporations and individuals equal

The idea of hearing Sarah Palin talking is bad enough but when she gets out there and gets paid… This woman is hardly qualified to be speaking for anyone … she is an ex-Gov of Alaska who apparently couldn’t finish out her job and some in Alaska do feel she abandoned them is now trying to tell the President what to do and campaigning for anti-abortion? it’s offensive to hear her talk, it’s offensive for her to be out there taking money to say negative things about other Politicians when she is a Political quitter herself; it’s offensive to think she honestly feels she is a supporter of Women or Family; because clearly she is not, WHY? includes all things effect by families: her inability to separate Church from State, a right to choose, English or else? marriage for all people, how did she do among blacks and 1st nation families in Alaska and immigration will affect women and their families.

Today the Gulf Coast Benefit is being held all day and headliners involved and performing include: Lenny Kravitz, Mos Def, Neville Brothers and more …

The BP effort to plug up a siphon tube is starting to work and is it just me or did anyone else feel strange watching all those fisherman standing in line getting pay checks? especially after the interviews, it definitely felt like some were getting better deals than others … pitting them against each other is just wrong and like some of them said… they? whoever can rectify the problem needs to start rotating boats … everyone should get a piece of the action … speaking of action … there should not be a small print clause about what happens … the people there still should and expect more … contracts with a no lawsuit clause are just wrong.

I get why they are using dispersants but the definition doesn’t get lost on me either …where will the oil plus poison go after being dispersed … EPA?

immigration … Gov Brewer has made a choice to go after the President and we all must remember how Brewer got her job and after looking at her FB page the idea of the ole bait and switch came to mind; not only was she considered sane at some point she was appointed to Obama’s federal council of governor’s panel, had many ideas that seem good in writing yet one has to wonder …is it power, politics and control that is making Arizona an example of how not to act if you truly are an American? or is it

Other News …

**Banks cut Emergency lending from Fed

**44thou Military Helmets recalled due to design problems

**California’s bleak financial outlook has deep cuts coming to social programs

**PBuchanan has it out for Jews? very offensive

**BP efforts to plug siphon tube is starting to work at this time

**All those near Oklahoma need to stay away as a tornado headed or is there… if you are near underground facility get there now

**UK is going to be closing airports again as the Volcano spews ash

**NCarolina… Republican territory has about a $788mil deficit,will be slashing teachers

**Feds approve of dispersals

**Former Mexican Senator is missing

C-SPAN

Monday at 2:30pm (ET) on C-SPAN
Senate Hearing on the Response to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Gregg: GOP Not Trying to Stop Financial Reform

On C‑SPAN’s Newsmakers, Budget Committee Ranking Member Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) clarified that Republicans were not interested in stopping financial reform but hoped their amendments could improve the bill. In particular, he went over Republican efforts to change the bill’s language regarding derivatives, saying the current bill will hamper the “nation’s ability to be resilient and economically competitive.”

Newsmakers: On C-SPAN at 10am and 6pm ET

Entire Interview Now on c-span.org

It’s Saturday … and as the weather heats up so does the political climate all over the country; what with primaries, laws that legalize racial profiling, Arizona is out of control … laws like the birther, the shoes please and now a ban on Ethnic Studies, reports of American troops leaving Haiti completely; troop numbers dropped to 900 and will drop again to 500 in June, a group of national business lobbyists in Florida want to take away health care from fellow Americans have joined in a suit against the new law of the land, capping that oil dump on the Gulf Coast, which, if you watched the hearings last week; it was the other guys fault show and continues to play itself out on national tv like the 3 stooges, only it wasn’t funny at all; it was offensive.

The President stated that watching them fall all over each other to blame and or point fingers at the other was offensive. We the People got the impression there was a whole lot of bad acting going on; 3 huge Corporations pretending to care but in the end seem to be standing firm on the liability cap amount and willing to waive the costs to taxpayers with the help of Republicans and some conserva-dems… how much more can Americans take. This oil dump will take a toll on every aspect of life on the Gulf Coast and includes oil drilling as well so … alternatives need to be started asap.

Other News …

**Striking at a lucrative bank business, the Senate on Thursday voted to force credit card companies to reduce fees for debit card transactions and permit merchants to offer customer discounts based on their payment method. The 64-33 vote inserted the fee requirement in a package of new financial rules the Senate is considering to ward off a repeat of the financial crisis.cbsnews

**Npr is reporting that McFarlane and her drains/bridges have helped save Haiti

**A joint lawsuit led by Florida, now 20 states was filed on March 23 by mostly Republican attorneys general.

Congress close to deal to pay for tax cutsCongress is finally getting around to extending more than 50 popular tax breaks that expired at the end of last year, including money savers for homeowners, businesses and shoppers in states with no income tax. Lawmakers want to raise taxes on investment fund managers to help cover the cost.

**The ban on Ethnic Studies could force Arizona int losing 10% in federal funds;Arizona plans to force schools to comply or be punished? State or Fed funds should be withheld immediately

**Feds/Justice Dept opens up criminal investigation regarding WVA underground mine

C-SPAN …

Today at 7pm (ET) on C-SPAN
America and the Courts: Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference Panel Moderated by U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan

President Obama Police Ceremony

Pres. Obama on Oil Spill

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar

Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address