Scherer, Michael. "How Barack Obama Became Mr. Unpopular." Time Magazine 3 Sept 2010: Web. 9 Sept 2010.
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In the article "How Barack Obama Became Mr. Unpopular," Michael Scherer begins to describe how much of a public figure Barack Obama began to be throughout his presidential campaign. He describes how a lot has changed since then. People’s opinions have begun to go against Obama. His supporters are beginning to dwindle year by year. In January 2009, his approval rate was at a towering 68%, which is the highest since 1961 when John F. Kennedy became president. After another survey, his approval rate is in the mid 40’s. This astonishing number shows how much of his promises have not been fulfilled. Even though the $787 billion stimulus clearly helped the economy, pollsters swear it didn’t. Many Democrats are even voting Republican during re-elections because they claim the “American spirit has been broken.” He chose to go conscious instead of public on the subject on the economic crisis, and also turned heads with health care and energy ideas. In Nevada, Obama won 55% of the vote, but now only 29% of likely voters this year think the President's actions have helped the economy.
In all aspects, Michael Scherer feels like any American that voted for Barack, betrayed and let down. Many Americans think that being a President is a piece of cake, but they don’t realize what he brought himself in. He had to deal with a war and a huge oil spill, which cut back fisherman’s work and profits by 30%. His presidency has been one of the worst and hardest to get into. He has gained a lot more respect and followers by ending the war, which was one of his biggest promises while running for President, but he cannot seem to repair the damage of his voter’s opinions on him. Most Americans don’t realize that almost any President’s first term is a let down due to the promises needed to gain followers, respect, and the most important, votes. If Americans took the time to look at everything the President has done, there would be more respect present. Once soldiers are totally pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan, a lot more Americans will be by his side, but until then, it will be a constant struggle to win back the hearts of the Unites States.
