Americans have high hopes for Obama

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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