In a major sign of just how polarized American politics has again become, a new national survey from Public Policy Polling (D) asked Americans whether they would rather have President Obama in office, or former President George W. Bush — and it’s a close race.
The numbers: Obama 50%, Bush 44%, with a ±2.8% margin of error. Self-identified Democrats pick Obama by 83%-14%, Republicans pick Bush by 83%-10%, and independents go for Obama by 54%-39%. Obama’s approval rating in this poll is 49%, in a statistical dead heat with 47% disapproval.
Respondents were also asked whether they would support impeaching Obama for his actions in office so far. The numbers was 20% yes, 67% no, and 13% not sure. Among Republicans, the breakdown was 35%-48%-17%. PPP communications director Tom Jensen writes: “I’m not clear exactly what ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’ they are using to justify that position but there may be a certain segment of voters on both the right and the left these days that simply think the President doing things they don’t agree with is grounds for removal from office.”
On the Obama/Bush match-up, Jensen writes: “The closeness in the Obama/Bush numbers also has implications for the 2010 elections. Using the Bush card may not be particularly effective for Democrats anymore, which is good news generally for Republicans and especially ones like Rob Portman who are running for office and have close ties to the former President.”
