Mon, May 28, 2012, 4:08 PM EDT - U.S. Markets closed for Memorial Day

Obama's Re-election Chances Looking Good

President Obama is no longer the underdog.

A wave of new polls makes the point: Obama would defeat each of his four Republican challengers by substantial margins, and the trends are increasingly favorable for his re-election. The latest CBS News-New York Times poll, for example, finds that Obama would defeat former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, 49 percent to 41 percent; he would beat former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, 48 to 42; he would vanquish Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, 50-39, and demolish former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 54-36.

[Improving Economy Driving Independents Back to Obama.]

This turnaround is expected to change the dynamic of the presidential race in several ways.

First, it is likely to boost the morale of Democrats, increase their enthusiasm, and help Obama and his allies raise more money.

Second, it will have a deflating effect on Republican morale after many months when GOP leaders and voters thought that toppling Obama would be very likely.

Third, it will encourage Obama to proceed with the populist approach he has been taking, hammering the wealthy and big corporations for not paying their "fair share" in taxes and pledging to defend the middle class.

Finally, Obama's surge is expected to push the Republicans to attack him even more harshly in an effort to slow his momentum.

The polls that have Obama ahead nationally and in most of the key swing states include surveys by CBS News-New York Times, CNN-Opinion Research, the Pew Research Center, and Fox News.

[Obama Takes Message to Local TV in Swing States.]

Among the reasons given by Democratic and Republican strategists for the Obama turnaround: Public perceptions that the economy is improving; a gradual decline in the unemployment rate; the sense among many voters that the Republicans don't offer superior answers to Obama's; Obama's winning the message war against congressional Republicans by portraying them as obstructionists and defenders of the powerful, and the negativity of the GOP presidential candidates, which turns off many independent voters.

About half of Americans now approve of Obama's job performance, compared with from 40 to 45 per cent a few months ago, according to various polls.

--See pictures of First Dog Bo.

--Newt Gingrich's Popularity Falling Fast.

--Democrats Break Through Gridlock with Payroll Tax Cut Agreement.



More From US News & World Report
 
  • scotmick2  •  Chicago, Illinois  •  3 months ago
    That's why they have elections.....when it comes down to it, OB shall lose.
  • Ken  •  Sacramento, California  •  3 months ago
    One industry that wont get out sourced -- American media -- ( no value )
    • Yahoo User 3 months ago
      Negative value. Dumbing down of America.
  • A Yahoo! User  •  3 months ago
    USA owes more money by far than any other entity in the solar system.
  • B  •  3 months ago
    Obama's re-election chances looking good? To who? Only the liberal media trying to get him re-elected. They could put Charles Manson on the GOP ticket...I am voting NoBama, period
  • MZ  •  3 months ago
    Kick ALL the bums out 2012!
    • endless 3 months ago
      Republicans know that, if they try and fail, they will be held partly responsible. So, they are doing what they did for the past 2 years. Block anything Obama tries, blame him, and quietly wait for further election victories.

      You think they will bring back jobs and lower the deficit when they get back power? Based on what? Their performance when they last had the House, Senate and Presidency? Their performance now?

      At least the Democrats are TRYING. The Republicans don't have to help but they could sure do the American people a favor and get out of the way
    • Cat 3 months ago
      Yeah! I mean bums=tea party :)
  • Mr. Happy  •  3 months ago
    Inflation is WAY higher than the 1% that we are being told it is. How do I know? Same as you. I SHOP!!! Gasoline and food, two of the most important things that we buy for our everyday living and BOTH are going up much, MUCH higher than 1%. My guess is gas could be $4 a gallon again within 6 months (it’s already WAY over $3.30 where I live) and I’ve personally seen about a 10- 20% increase in my grocery bill.
  • Rob T  •  3 months ago
    With Gas Prices Going Thru The Moon And It Was $1.86 When He Took Office. You Guys Are So Full Of It!!! He Don't Have a Prayer!!!! Maybe You Idiot News Writers Can Afford $5.00 Dollar A Gallon Green Energy But The American People Can't. Stick Your Windmills Up Your A-S!!!!!
  • mjanja  •  Toronto, Canada  •  3 months ago
    Poverty is defined as the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.[1] According to the U.S. Census Bureau data released Tuesday September 13th, 2011, the nation's poverty rate rose to 15.1% (46.2 million) in 2010,[2] up from 14.3% (approximately 43.6 million) in 2009 and to its highest level since 1993. In 2008, 13.2% (39.8 million) Americans lived in relative poverty.[3] In 2000, the poverty rate for individuals was 12.2% and for families was 9.3%.[4]

    The government's definition of poverty is based on total income received. For example, the poverty level for 2011 was set at $22,350 (total yearly income) for a family of four.[5] Most Americans (58.5%) will spend at least one year below the poverty line at some point between ages 25 and 75.[6] There remains some controversy over whether the official poverty threshold over- or understates poverty.

    The most common measure of poverty in the United States is the "poverty threshold" set by the U.S. government. This measure recognizes poverty as a lack of those goods and services commonly taken for granted by members of mainstream society.[7] The official threshold is adjusted for inflation using the consumer price index.

    Relative poverty describes how income relates to the median income, and does not imply that the person is lacking anything. In general the United States has some of the highest relative poverty rates among industrialized countries.[8] According to a 2008 report released by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire, on average, rates of poverty are persistently higher in rural and inner city parts of the country as compared to suburban areas The number of people in the U.S. who are in poverty is increasing to record levels with the ranks of working-age poor approaching 1960s levels that led to the national war on poverty
    • art 3 months ago
      You seem to be implying that there is a silver lining here, but you are forgetting that in the US, many of the the "War On Poverty" programs have been in effect for more or less 40 years, and at present the US is all but bankrupt.
    • Michael K 3 months ago
      "The government's definition of poverty is based on total income received."

      "Income received?" How about income earned? Maybe that's the problem. The only work performed by to many people is walking around with their hand out, looking for some Federal, State or Local Government to put money in it!
    • Bazinga 3 months ago
      Mijanja - too much reading. Be brief and get to the point!
  • MZ  •  3 months ago
    WHAT TOTAL AND ABSOLUTE #$%$ Mr Walsh should take his head out of his arsh once in a while.
  • A Yahoo! User  •  3 months ago
    Obama is the standard bearer for everything that is wrong in america today. Notice he uses taxpayer money to attend his own campaign funding events. How unethical can you get.
  • jojo0808  •  3 months ago
    WELCOME TO USSA UNITED STATES SOCIALIST AMERICA WHERE EVERY THING IS FREE COME ONE COME ALL AND GET YOUR CHECK OBONGO HAS THE CURE ALL FOR ALL.
  • thomas k  •  Houston, Texas  •  3 months ago
    There is no way Obama gets re-elected. I don't care what the polls spun by the Lib media say. All one has to do is look at the posts from you the readers to take the pulse of how disliked Obama really is.
  • TCT  •  3 months ago
    How much longer is this non-story going to stay on the finance front page? And why?
  • joe joe  •  Lima, Ohio  •  3 months ago
    People vote with their wallets and make their decisions about 2-3 weeks before the election. If the economy shows strength, Obama will be tough to beat. If it's weak, goodbye Obama and welcome to whoever. All these stupid forecasts and predictions are worthless up until this time.
    • FedUp 3 months ago
      Yes that is correct. $4/gallon gas and the economy in general will doom Obama to failure
    • Tony 3 months ago
      Been that way since mid 2010. Obama vs the economy. Beating Republicans is no challenge.
    • Laura 3 months ago
      Everyone's opinion is worthless. Those states making the final decisions on the race are the only opinions worth watching. Blue states will be blue and red states will be red. The opinion polls in the undecided states are the only ones with relevance.
  • Mr. Happy  •  3 months ago
    Taqiyya = Lying to deceive, to preserve oneself or one’s islamic ideology
    Kitman = Lying by omission to deceive, and obfuscate an issue beyond comprehensibility,,,
    This current administration is skilled in all arenas pertinent to the above two definitions, and taken from the islamic ideological glossary for a very relevant reason~!
    • Jake 3 months ago
      I have many Islamic friends here in the states and I'm a catholic. All I have to say to you is that you are full of it.
    • Mr. Happy 3 months ago
      There are “two Americas.” The America of the political-class and the America of the rest of us. Obama has a plan to destroy America; the rest of the clowns inside the Beltway are just along for the ride.
  • American view  •  Dallas, Texas  •  3 months ago
    We will not know that until after the election right? People get out and vote NO-BAMA 2012
  • Ronald  •  3 months ago
    Cater was leading Reagan by a big margin until the day of voting... Today really reminds me of Carter's days, higher gas prices, international crisis (Iran holding our citizen as hostage... Syria, Iran's getting a nuke which can be used in suicide bombers, ...) I honestly can't understand why you guys want Obama to be elected. Once Iran gets the nuke, what do you think it's gonna happen?????
  • VincentL  •  New York, New York  •  3 months ago
    another poll in science fiction. every one knows oboma is incompentant and can't be trusted. i am a independent catholic. me, my family and every catholic of all race that i take to will vote in block against him in 2012. you can take it to the bank. we will insure it will happen.that also include dem catholics.Fanni and freddie may cut them up and sell them off. not more loans. time to kick out the trash
  • Blackfang  •  3 months ago
    More propaganda. Blah, blah, blah... Kenneth T. Walsh, who are you working for my friend? Soros?
  • Wade Stolze  •  Tampa, Florida  •  3 months ago
    What a bunch of #$%$ from the democratic controlled media!!!
 
Recent Quotes
Symbol Price Change % Chg 
Your most recently viewed tickers will automatically show up here if you type a ticker in the "Enter symbol/company" at the bottom of this module.
You need to enable your browser cookies to view your most recent quotes.
 
Sign-in to view quotes in your portfolios.

Trading Center

Yahoo! Finance on Facebook

  YAHOO! FINANCE ON TWITTER