While WaPo Notes Obama's Sinking Approval Numbers, GMA Touts His Lead Over GOP

October 5th, 2011 2:38 PM

The Washington Post and ABC News may have co-sponsored the same poll, but they spun the results differently on Wednesday morning. The Post, in its story "Opposition to Obama Grows – Strongly," focused on the President's low job approval, reporting that 40 percent of Americans "strongly disapprove" of the job Obama has done.

Meanwhile, ABC's Good Morning America touted the President's "15 point lead" over Republicans in public opinion of his job-creating record.




On the previous day, Good Morning America had reported that 42 percent of Americans disapproved of President Obama, as well as a majority believing he'll be a one-term president. On Wednesday morning, however, the show went with a rosier poll result.

"Who do you trust to do a better job [creating jobs] – (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?" the poll question read. 49 percent of respondents answered Obama, to 34 percent of Republicans. "Meanwhile the President is up, Congressional Republicans are down," ABC News correspondent Josh Elliot summarized the result.
 

What Good Morning America could also have reported is that 61 percent of Americans still disapprove  – and 47 percent of Americans "strongly disapprove" – of Obama's handling of job creation, compared to just 35  percent who approve.

The Post, in its reporting of 4-in-10 Americans strongly disapproving of Obama, noted that it's "the highest that number has risen during his time in office and a sign of the hardening opposition to him as he seeks a second term."

In the paragraph below the lede, the Post added that 43 percent of Independents "strongly disapprove" of Obama.

A transcript of the Good Morning America segment, which aired on October 5 at 8:03 a.m. EDT, is as follows:



JOSH ELLIOT: Meanwhile the President is up, Congressional Republicans are down. A new poll showing that President Obama now enjoys a 15 point lead when it comes to the public's opinion of his ability to create jobs. The hold-up on the President's jobs bill right now is from Senate Democrats. They want to include a tax increase for millionaires.