Are likeable Presidents more effective?

[Pat Coyle]

The chart below from Pew Research shows our last few Presidents and their respective approval ratings after 100 days office. While President Obama is clearly drawing favorable sentiment, so did other Presidents in their first 100 days. Interestingly, the numbers for Reagan and Obama, two very charasmatic and well liked men, are almost identical, and in Reagan's case a full 10 points higher than Bush and Clinton. Still, the majority of Americans approved of each of our last 5 Presidents at the 100 day mark, just as with Obama today.

So why do we even do these polls? Are these polls simply to give the news media something to talk about? Given the complexity of being leader of the free world, does public opinion of a President have any bearing on his or her past or future effectiveness in office? Share your thoughts here

[Theresia Whitfield]

I find these "polls" interesting. As someone already pointed out, the polls are more about approval of his accomplishments, etc. than his likability factor. We already know Obama's a rock star. I have been on several other web sites (such as AOL, etc.) where they have had polls about Obama's first 100 days. There are THOUSANDS of people who "vote" that they're completely disgusted with Obama's tactics, policies, and efficacy as leader of the free world and defender of our Constitution. But somehow the media shows approval ratings off the roof for him. What they don't tell you is that they only interview a few hundred people (maybe a thousand) and they're mostly in democrat-heavy areas. We don't know the back-story to these polls so we can't put a lot of weight on them.

From the likability standpoint, it is obvious that Obama is likable and VERY effective. I don't buy that he was elected on his "Change" mantra. He got elected because people liked him.

[Kyle Capron]

There is an old saying "You will catch more flies with sugar then vinager." Sure he is effective. If I walked down a city street passing out $20.00 bills to pan handlers and Budswisers to alcholics, niddles to junkies, and Big Mac's to over weight people do you think I would be effictive too in getting peoples attention and making them happy for a short time? But what happens when I come back next week and ask everyone two blocks over to give me $50.00 each so I can pay for the party I threw last week. Well folks, thats what is coming down the pike.

[Theresia Whitfield]

Excellent analogy!

[Cissi Sherlock]

We know. the problem is that only we know. There is a vast land out there called America where there are a lot of people who just DON'T GET IT.

[Anita Martin]

Not necessarily.

Great charisma hides a lot.

I believe that people are more inclined to overlook certain policy decisions just because they like him, whether or not they agree with those decisions. I disagree with several of them.

How many people have taken a good look at government spending during the "first 100 days"?

[Cissi Sherlock]

It's like Eddie haskell on "Leave it to Beaver"! When he was around the Cleavers, he was and angel. June would always say "He's such a nice guy!" Ind, in truth, Eddie Haskell was a rascal!

[Kirk Booher]

We'll see how popular he is when he leads the economy into a depression and the US Government into bancruptcy or worse. Hopefully some policticians with a the best interest of this country and a spine with halt this man's ideas. He is the most cavalier politician I have ever seen. Spending money we dont have (like drunken sailors) is in NO WAY going to solve the problems, it is going to make them worse. Tell me, if your budget is tight and limited can you spend yourself into prosperity?

Can someone answer a few more questions for me?

How much money is (or will) the treasury be printing? Has (will) it increase under the Obama rein?

Has there ever been a President to spend as much as Obama in his 1st 100 days?

Is our national debt higher than ever? Is it going higher next year, next, next?

Has unemployment increased since Obama took over?

Has the goverment taken over more private business since Obama? How many GM (Government Motor) cars are you going to buy?

Can the goverment run a business profitably and effeciently?

Are your taxes going to increase or decrease under Obama? (only answer if you pay income taxes, no freeloaders)

Was that a bow to the Saudi king?

Was the flight of AIr Force One over NY wise?

[Justin Brady]

Following basic economic principles, economic growth will only take place when spending occurs. Employment = Spending = Business Prosperity = Individual Prosperity.

During times of recession, governments should spend more. During times of prosperity, governments should tax more.

Unfortunately, not all of our government leaders nor the public know these economic principles or listen when told.

[Steve Stuck]

Does this knowledge of economic wisdom you have also show you that when you print money it leads too inflation and devalues your currency?

[Theresia Whitfield]

Oh, wow! Please tell me you're being facetious here! See, there's this little thing called History. And history has proven that spending more during economic difficulty is the worst thing you can do. Let's personalize the analogy.

You've got a job so you're spending more, right? That means businesses are prospering and then all the citizens of the US are prospering. Flawed because (a) how much money are you making? Is it enough to sustain you and your family? (b) How much personal debt are you accumulating? Just because you have a job doesn't mean you get to throw money out the window. If times are tough for you personally, then you aren't going to spend more. You seek ways to SAVE money and STOP spending money so you can get yourself out of this whole. The same is true for businesses. If they're spending wildly, then down goes their revenue and they have to lay off people and before you know, shut the doors. So much for employment = spending = business prosperity = individual prosperity.

[Genie Goykhberg]

I am traveling through the Old World now and I was asked many times "Why does your President needs to be liked so much?"
I guess its THAT obvious to the World...

Being liked and being respected are two different things...