The Big Q: "Yes We Can" - Public Optimism

[Lunar]

Take it with a grain of salt and strong sampling bias post-election and soft questions, but if you want some random semi-irrelevant polling data, here you go.

American voters believe President-elect Barack Obama when he says, "Yes we can," and say 70 - 11 percent that the economy will get better in Obama's first term, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Even 50 percent of Republicans say things will get better. Voters also say 56 - 28 percent that Obama will restore public trust in government, and believe 69 - 22 percent that his election will lead to improved race relations, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

But voters say 54 - 34 percent that Obama will not cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans. Their own taxes will go up, 45 percent say, while 15 percent say they will go down and 35 percent say they won't change.

Obama will be a great president, 28 percent of American voters say, while 34 percent say he will be a good president. Another 14 percent say he will be so-so and 8 percent say he will be a bad president.

"Americans have exceptionally high hopes for President-elect Barack Obama. More than one fourth of Americans think he'll be a great president and more than a third say he'll at least be good," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"But we're not optimistic that Obama can keep his core campaign promise to cut income taxes for 95 percent of Americans. More than half doubt he'll be able to do it.

"In the aftermath of electing the nation's first black President, Americans think race relations are pretty good and that, with Obama in the White House, they'll get better."

In an open-ended question, where voters can give any answer, 68 percent of Americans identify the economy, or related issues such as unemployment, as the single most important problem in the nation today. No other issue rises to double digits.

By a 67 - 19 percent margin, voters have a favorable opinion of Obama. Voters give Michelle Obama a 50 - 17 percent favorability, with 31 percent who haven't heard enough to form an opinion. Vice President-elect Joe Biden gets a 50 - 23 percent favorability.

Looking at some specific steps for Obama, American voters say:
60 - 36 percent that it's the government's responsibility to make sure everyone in the U.S. has adequate health care;
44 - 29 percent, with 27 percent undecided, that he should not close the prison at Guantanamo;
62 - 28 percent that he should negotiate personally with Iranian leaders to limit their nuclear program. Republicans split 46 - 47 percent on this issue;
56 - 38 percent that the U.S. should keep troops in Iraq until the situation is stable, with no fixed withdrawal timetable.
"It's not all smooth sailing for the President-elect. Closing the Guantanamo Bay prison comes up negative," Carroll said. "And the party-line split that showed in the campaign persists on two big issues. Democrats want to get out of Iraq promptly; Republicans want to stay until the country is stabilized. Democrats think the government should provide health care for everyone; Republicans disagree."

In other expressions of the "Yes we can" spirit, American voters believe:
62 - 27 percent that Obama will make the U.S. more energy independent;
55 - 34 percent that he will be able to significantly improve education;
50 - 40 percent that he will be able to provide health care coverage for most Americans who don't have it now;
70 - 23 percent that he will be able to reach across party lines to get things done.
"Americans believe, 'Yes we can,' or at least 'Yes he can,'" Carroll said.

"Voters believe Obama will get America closer to energy independence; improve education; provide health care for the uninsured and, even in Washington's politically poisonous climate, be able to work successfully across party lines. Did anyone ask if he can part the waters?"

From November 6 -10, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,210 registered voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 2.1 percentage points.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1295.xml?ReleaseID=1228