But the Obama Administration was on the defensive earlier this week over its handling of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, saying the federal government is doing all it can, even though the leak has not been capped.
But Americans don’t believe that’s enough, according to a new opinion poll that shows a majority of Americans don’t approve of the president’s management of the crisis.
Since the oil rig exploded, the White House has tried to project a posture that is unflappable and in command.
But observers report that those responsible for keeping the president updated on the disaster saying that Obama’s clenched jaw is becoming an increasingly familiar sight.
“Plug the damn hole,” the president told aides during one rough session in the Oval Office, shortly after the oil spill.
This from a president who rarely vents his frustration or cuts his aides short, but tempers are growing short as the oil disaster continues to pollute the pristine beaches and marshes of several states that border the Gulf of Mexico.
In a CNN/Opinion Research poll released Monday, 51 percent of Americans say they disapprove of the way President Obama is handling the crisis, and 76 percent say they disapprove of BP’s response to the spill.
Rasmussen polls revealed the president’s approval rating has gone down from 47 percent to 44 percent, and the president’s disapproval rating has gone up from 52 percent to 55 percent.
This measure shows the president may be losing some of his most enthusiastic supporters. There is speculation that the president is suffering most from his liberal base who are now pushing for the federal government to take over the Gulf oil spill relief effort.
Critics are on the attack. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin accused the administration of being too easy on BP.
On “Fox News Sunday” over the weekend, the former Republican vice presidential candidate suggested Obama is being influenced by the $77,051 in political contributions he received from the firm’s employees.
“…The oil companies who have supported president Obama in his campaign and are supportive of him now ... [Palin mused whether] ... there’s any connection there to President Obama taking so doggone long to get in there, to dive in there, and grasp the complexity and the potential tragedy that we are seeing.”
Palin suggested that Obama took the most money from the oil and gas industry and she and her running mate, John McCain did not.
“The oil and gas industry donated $2.4 million to Palin’s running mate, Republican John McCain, in the 2008 election cycle, and nearly $900,000 to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics’ opensecrets.org website,” noted the LA Times.
The LA Times added that Republicans routinely benefit from gas/oil contributions: In 2009, 71 percent of Republicans received contributions from the gas/oil industry, and in 2008, 77 percent benefited from their deep pockets.
