Voters Like Obama a Lot, His Policies Less So

Almost three-quarters of voters say they like Barack Obama but less than half like his policies, according to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted Nov. 9-16.

When it comes to those policies, the erosion in Obama's numbers is occurring mostly among independents who, after being turned off by the Bush years, "have concluded Obama isn't offering their kind of solutions," said Quinnipiac's Peter Brown.

Forty-six percent of those surveyed say they like both Obama and his policies, 28 percent like the person but not the policies, 1 percent like the policies but not the person, and 20 percent like neither, with 5 percent undecided. While overall, 28 percent like the person and not the policies, 34 percent of independents feel that way.

When it comes to the issue Obama has put front and center -- health care reform -- 53 percent disapprove of his handling of it compared to 41 percent who approve, with 6 percent undecided.

Fifty-one percent oppose the health care reform plan moving through Congress while 35 percent back it, with 14 percent undecided.

"Most Americans like President Barack Obama and might like to have a beer with him," Brown said. "But millions of voters who sided with him last November because they thought he would bring change to Washington aren't crazy about the kind of change he is trying to bring."

But the poll isn't necessarily all good news for Republicans. Fifty-eight percent disapprove of the way congressional Republicans are doing their job, compared to 31 percent who give them positive marks, with 11 percent undecided. Fifty-three percent have an unfavorable opinion of the Republican Party, compared to 28 percent who regard it favorably, with 16 percent undecided. By 45 percent to 36 percent with 19 percent undecided, they say they trust Obama more than congressional Republicans to handle the health care issue.

Fifty-five percent disapprove of the job congressional Democrats are doing, while 36 percent approve, with 9 percent undecided. Forty-six percent have a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party, compared to 39 percent who see it favorably, with 13 percent having no opinion.