Obama's popularity rising, says NYT-CBS poll

New York, Apr.7 (ANI): President Barack Obama's popularity with the American masses continues to be in ascendant mode, with the latest New York Times/CBS Poll pegging ratings at 66 percent.

Most Americans are confident that he is the right man for the job of rebuilding the nation's confidence.

Fully two-thirds said they approved of his overall job performance, especially with regard to his handling of the economy, foreign policy, Iraq and Afghanistan.By contrast, just 31 percent of respondents said they had a favorable view of the Republican Party, the lowest in the 25 years the question has been asked in New York Times/CBS News polls.

It is not unusual for new presidents to enjoy a period of public support. Still, the durability of Obama's support contrasts with that of some of his predecessors at the same point in their terms.

The poll found that 70 percent of respondents were very or somewhat concerned that someone in their household would be out of work and looking for a job in the next 12 months.

Forty percent said they had cut spending on luxuries, and 10 percent said they had cut back on necessities; 31 percent said they had cut both.

By more than three to one, voters said they trusted Obama more than they trusted Congressional Republicans to make the right decisions about the economy.

More than two to one said they trusted Obama to keep the nation safe. Nearly one-quarter of Republicans said they trusted Obama more than Congressional Republicans to make the right decisions about the economy.

The survey was conducted Wednesday through Sunday, while Mr. Obama was in Europe for the Group of 20 summit of the world's largest economies.

The national telephone poll was conducted with 998 adults. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points. (ANI)