President Barack Obama’s approval rating is positive in a new CBS News/New York Times national poll, showing Obama with a 47 percent approval rating versus a 45 percent disapproval. The President’s numbers suffered over the summer of dysfunction in Washington, but rebounded slightly in December as he fought Congressional Republicans on the payroll tax cut and eventually won a battle to extend them in the short term. From CBSnews.com:
Mr. Obama’s approval rating is highly subject to partisanship, with 78 percent of Democrats voicing approval while an overwhelming 83 percent of Republicans disapprove. Independents are more divided, with 47 percent saying they disapprove and 45 percent saying they approve. However, the poll does suggest Americans are happier with Mr. Obama’s attempts to reach across the aisle and work with his political opponents. Most – six in 10 – said the president is trying to work with Republicans in Congress in order to get things done, and many say that effort is not reciprocated.
