Nearly six months into his first year in office, President Obama enjoys near-record support from Congress. On positions in which Obama has taken a clear position, he has won 95% of the time. At this rate it would be a record, not just for a presidency in its first year (when congressional support is typically higher), but for any president in any year since 1953.
Analysis
Even more impressive is his support from Senate Republicans at 56% is incredible. House GOP'ers support Obama just 36%, even less than they supported Clinton, but there's a reason for that. House Republicans, their ranks thinned by humiliating losses in 2006 and 2008 are an even more conservative lot. The House Republicans that are left represent districts that are much more conservative than the national average. Senate Republicans, who just witnessed the Obama tsunami roll through in 2008 are wary of being seen as too obstructionist.
Simply put, Obama might be more shrewd than other presidents (which is really saying something, especially since I watched Frost/Nixon last night). Meaning, Obama does a better job of strategically announcing his position on critical House & Senate votes. That probably explains some of his success rate, but not all of it. In reality, super-large majorities in House and Senate make the likelihood of passage for Obama's legislative priorities high. In this climate, it behooves Democrats and moderate Republicans to ride the Obama gravy train.
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