For the first time since taking office, a majority of voters disapprove of the President; 45:52%.

His slipping approval ratings will not help Democrats seeking office this fall. His
endorsements are likely to hurt candidates; 49% of voters say they are less likely to vote for a candidate who is endorsed by Obama, including 21% of Democrats.

Those who disapprove of Obama have a much stronger opinion about the value of his
endorsement. 84% of those who disapprove of Obama say that his endorsement would
make them less likely to vote for a candidate, while only 64% of those who approve of
Obama report that his endorsement has a positive impact.

Voters value an endorsement from former President Bill Clinton more than from Obama, but not by much. 43% of voters say they are less likely to vote for a candidate endorsed by Clinton, 31% say more likely and 23% say it makes no difference.

Sarah Palin’s endorsement doesn’t carry much weight amongst voters either. 51% of
voters said they were less likely to vote for a candidate endorsed by the former Governor, including 53% of Independents and 15% of Republicans.

“Today iconic politicians typically have ardent supporters as well as harsh critics, it
seems that endorsements during general elections have a larger impact on the voting
behavior of critics than on voting behavior of supporters,” said Dean Debnam of Public
Policy Polling. “Iconic politicians’ tie to the base is important to invigorating supporters
and raising money but not gaining votes, particularly undecided votes.”

PPP surveyed 667 American voters from June 9-12. The survey’s margin of error is 3.9 +/- 3.8%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at
(888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.

Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.

Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of Barack
Obama’s job performance?
Approve…………….. 45%
Disapprove………… 52%
Not Sure……………. 3%

Q2 Would you be more or less likely to vote for a
candidate who was endorsed by President
Obama, or would it not make a difference?
More likely………………………………………………. 32%
Less likely ………………………………………………. 49%
Makes no difference ………………………………… 15%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 4%

Q3 Would you be more or less likely to vote for a
candidate who was endorsed by Bill Clinton, or
would it not make a difference?
More likely………………………………………………. 31%
Less likely ………………………………………………. 43%
Makes no difference ………………………………… 23%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 2%

Q4 Would you be more or less likely to vote for a
candidate who was endorsed by Sarah Palin,
or would it not make a difference?
More likely………………………………………………. 30%
Less likely ………………………………………………. 51%
Makes no difference ………………………………… 17%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 3%

Q5 Do you support or oppose President Obama’s
health care plan, or do you not have an
opinion?
Support………………………………………………….. 40%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 53%
No Opinion……………………………………………… 7%

Q6 Who did you vote for President last year?
John McCain…………………………………………… 45%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 46%
Someone else/don’t remember ………………….. 9%

Q7 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 19%
Moderate………………………………………………… 38%
Conservative…………………………………………… 43%

Q8 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 49%
Man……………………………………………………….. 51%

Q9 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 39%
Republican……………………………………………… 34%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 27%

Q10 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2.
If African American, press 3. If other, press 4.
Hispanic…………………………………………………. 10%
White …………………………………………………….. 74%
African American …………………………………….. 12%
Other……………………………………………………… 4%

Q11 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 11%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 26%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 45%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 17%