Americans Like Obama About as Much as They Like Russia

President Obama can’t seem to catch a break from
the American people, particularly when it comes to his leadership
throughout the Crimean crisis with Russia.

CBS News reports on a nationwide poll it
conducted:

While a majority of Americans (56 percent) support U.S.
sanctions against Russia, they are less pleased with President
Obama’s handling of the situation between Russia and
Ukraine overall. Forty-six percent disapprove of how Mr. Obama
is handling these events, while fewer—38 percent —approve.

Looking more broadly at the president and the United States’
image in the world, more Americans now say the image of the U.S.
has grown worse (43 percent) since Mr. Obama became president,
rather than better (32 percent). One in five thinks his presidency
has had no effect.

To be fair to the president, the situation is complex and
opinions are bound to be conflicted as a reflection of that.

But other data from the CBS poll rubs salt in the wounds.
Americans like the president about as much as they like Russia.
Although the number is dropping, “42 percent of Americans think of
Russia as either an ally or friendly to the U.S.,” while 51 percent
consider Russia unfriendly or an enemy. Obama’s overall approval,
by comparison, is 43 percent and disapproval is 50 percent.

Other polls give the president slightly higher ratings. Gallup

reports that Obama has 45 percent approval and
Rasmussen puts it at 46 percent.

The poor perception of the president may also be a result of
domestic baggage, like the rollout of Obamacare and the economy.
CBS highlights that Americans have negative outlooks about
both.

Oddly, although Russians’
rights are being clobbered as much as their
economy thanks to their government’s imperial desires in
Crimea, President Vladimir Putin’s domestic support is at a

three-year high.