Obama hurt by organized union labor connection?
September 5, 10:10 AMWatchdog Politics Examiner Martha R Gore
Adding to Obama's woes and his sinking poll numbers are his too-close connection to big union organized labor as their approval ratings continue to fall. On August 5, 2009, only 29% of the nation's voters strongly approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President.
According to the Aug. 6-9 Gallup's 2009 Work and Education survey, approval of unions is the lowest it has been since the questions were first asked in the 1930. In the first poll, 72% of Americans approved of unions and only 20% disapproved. Today 48% approve, down from 59% just a year ago. The biggest drop has been seen among the political independents who helped to elect Obama in 2008.
When Obama and Congress bailed out the auto industry, Americans began to blame the unions for the its problems along with the auto executives. Organized labor were seen to have a negative effect on companies and on the economy. This was seen by Gallup as rising from 39% to 46%. As to the effect of unions on the economy, a negative effect jumped from 36% in 2006 to 51% today.
If Congress and Obama pass any legislation that give organized labor more power, it may be going against the tide of public opinion and could cost them dearly in 2010 and 2012.
Sources:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/122744/Labor-Unions-Sharp-Slide-Public-Support.aspx
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/31/obama-signs-orders-to-help-labor-unions/