Obama, Stimulus Proposals Enjoy Broad Backing in Poll

[Pirate Smile]

Source: The Wall Street Journal

By LAURA MECKLER

WASHINGTON -- Americans support the economic-stimulus plan being pushed by President-elect Barack Obama but worry the government will spend too much money and widen the budget deficit, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found.
Overall, the poll found strong public backing for the stimulus plan and its major planks, particularly proposals to spend more federal money to create jobs.

As Mr. Obama prepares to take office next week, he enjoys enormous good will and higher approval ratings than his predecessors enjoyed upon entering the White House.
The poll found that the handful of problems Mr. Obama's transition has encountered have had little, if any, effect on his standing with the public. And even before the Illinois Democrat is sworn in as the nation's first African-American president, the poll found a large increase in the number of Americans who view race relations positively.

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Even Republicans and independents think GOP lawmakers should work to move the legislation forward. Asked whether Republicans in Congress should do everything to stand firm for their party's principles and oppose the legislation, or look to compromise with the Obama administration, 68% of Republicans and independents chose compromise, with 20% picking standing firm.

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Less than a week before taking office, Mr. Obama himself also enjoys high ratings, with 71% approving of the way he is handling the transition.

On a series of measures -- from being seen as easygoing and likable to being perceived as a good commander-in-chief -- Mr. Obama rated higher than President George W. Bush or former President Bill Clinton did shortly before they took office.
Mr. Obama already appears to be affecting the public's perception of race relations. Nearly eight in 10 said race relations in the U.S. are very or fairly good, higher than the proportion in past polls. The pollsters said it typically takes a long time for these numbers to move, so the finding was striking. The poll found improvement among all racial groups.



Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123196999580982953.html

[elocs]

1. How can this be Latest Breaking News at 11:37 p.m.

when I read it here (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8089676) at just after 8 p.m.?