What Americans Really Think About Obama

Since his inauguration, Barack Obama’s approval rating has plummeted from 67% to just 50%. But to add some nuance to the numbers USA Today broke respondents down into five profiles. They are:

• Sunny Side Up (33%): This diverse, optimistic group overwhelmingly believes the economy will improve, and gives Obama a 71% approval rating.
• Right Man for Hard Times (18%): This group has lower incomes and pessimistic economic outlooks, but they’re Obama’s biggest fans—81% approve of him, and 100% say he “shares their views.”

• Upbeat, Downbeat (10%): They’re upbeat on the economy, but only 15% approve of Obama. The reason? This is the oldest, most conservative and most religious group; only 3% believe Obama shares their values.
• Not Up to the Job (18%): This group wants a president who manages the government well, and doesn’t think Obama is it. Only 20% approve of him, blaming him for the weak economy.
• It’s All Bad (19%): Only 6% of these consummate pessimists believe the economy will improve, and only 21% approve of Obama. Many see themselves as independents of the tea party variety.

(More Barack Obama stories.)