"Obama's 26-pt avg lead in approval compared to Congress is high versus past presidents' margins"

"Obama Performing Well Relative to Congress' Low Ratings"

Obama's 26-point average lead in approval is high versus past presidents' margins

by Lydia Saad
PRINCETON, NJ -- Since he took office, President Barack Obama's job approval ratings have averaged 26 percentage points higher than Congress' approval ratings in surveys where both were measured at the same time. This is a greater presidential approval edge than what Gallup found for four of the previous five presidents, with the exception being the elder George Bush.



More specifically, across 21 polls conducted since Obama took office in which Gallup measured both presidential and congressional job approval, 52% of Americans approved of Obama and 26% approved of Congress -- a 26-point gap. George W. Bush's average lead in approval over Congress during his eight years in office was 11 points, 49% to 38%. Bill Clinton had an average 18-point edge and Ronald Reagan a 14-point edge. By contrast, the elder George Bush's average approval rating was 30 points higher than Congress' approval rating in seven contemporaneous readings of the two measures conducted between 1990 and 1992.

It should be noted that congressional approval was measured fairly infrequently prior to 1993, and thus, the average ratings calculated for presidents Carter, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush are based on relatively few cases. However, Gallup initiated more frequent updates of the measure in 1993 and implemented monthly updates in 2001 -- thus providing robust comparative statistics for the Clinton, G.W. Bush, and Obama presidencies.

Today and throughout his time in office, President Obama has received a substantially higher approval rating from the American people than has Congress. The average 26-point gap between the two thus far into Obama's term is substantially higher than Gallup has found during most recent administrations. Obama's approval ratings have also been running substantially higher than Americans' satisfaction with the direction of the country. Currently 21% of Americans are satisfied, identical to congressional approval.

Given all this, it appears that Obama is performing above par relative to the broader negative political climate, although the reason is not clear. His approval rating has been below 50% for most of this year -- not good for his party heading into midterm elections -- but given that Congress' ratings are hovering around 20%, it could be much worse.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/143690/Obama-Performing-Well-Relative-Congress-Low-Ratings.aspx?version=print