Americans Approve Of Obama’s Handling Of Race Relations And The Economy

A majority of Americans approve of the president's handling of race relations and his handling of the economy.…

A CNN/ORC poll released on June 30, 2015 shows that Barack Obama’s popularity has surged to its highest level in over two years. The poll, drawn from a random sample of 1,017 Americans, found that 50 percent of Americans approve of the job Barack Obama is doing as president, with 47 percent disapproving of the president’s performance. Those are his highest marks since May of 2013.

More importantly, the survey found that most Americans approve of Barack Obama’s handling of race relations and of his handling of the economy. While conservative media has relentlessly attacked the president as a “race baiter”, the American people disagree with that characterization of Obama. 55 percent of Americans approve of President Obama’s handling of race relations, compared to only 42 percent who disapprove.

Black Americans are especially supportive of the president’s handling of race relations, with 84 percent approving, to just 14 percent disapproving of his approach to dealing with racial issues. However, even a plurality of white Americans approve of Obama’s handling of race relations. 48 percent say he is doing well on racial issues, compared to 47 percent who have an unfavorable opinion of the president’s handling of race relations.

Americans also broadly support President Obama’s handling of the economy. 52 percent of Americans approve of the president’s job performance on dealing with the economy, compared to 47 percent who disapprove. Its hard to argue with 63 consecutive months of job growth and a 5.5 percent unemployment rate, especially considering the economic mess President Obama inherited from his predecessor, George W. Bush.

Despite his party taking a shellacking in the 2014 midterm elections, President Obama appears determined to continue to lead the nation with forward thinking actions. His efforts are paying off.

After a week where the Supreme Court expanded marriage equality to all 50 states and upheld federal subsidies for Barack Obama’s signature piece of legislation –the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — Americans have reason to support their president’s visionary leadership. Not surprisingly, the latest poll shows they do.