Obama support high in N.H.

President Obama signs economic stimulus bill
yesterday in Denver. AP photo

President Barack Obama has the support of 75 percent of the state's congressional delegation.

That's about the same level of support he has from New Hampshire voters, according to a new poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.

The poll shows 66 percent of New Hampshire adults say they approve of the job Obama is doing as president, 21percent disapprove, and 14 percent are neutral.

Broken down by political affiliation: 65 percent of political independents approve of his job performance, and 90 percent of Democrats approve. Among Republicans, 44 percent disapprove while 39 percent approve.

It's important to note that the survey was taken between Feb. 5 and 9 during the increasingly partisan debate of the merits of the economic stimulus bill. Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus bill yesterday in Denver, Colo.

New Hampshire's two Democratic House members, Carol Shea-Porter from the 1st District and Paul Hodes from the 2nd, voted to approve the stimulus bill, as did Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Republican Sen. Judd Gregg voted against.

Asked specifically about Obama's handling of the economy, 62 percent of New Hampshire adults approve of how Obama is handling the economy, 24 percent disapprove, and 14 percent are neutral.

Meanwhile, Gov. John Lynch continues to enjoy the approval of Granite State residents.

A separate survey center poll shows 74 percent of adults approve of how he is handling his job as governor, 12 percent disapprove, and 14 percent are neutral or don’t know.

He has the approval of 66 percent of Republicans, 85 percent of Democrats, and 69 percent of political independents.

Lynch’s approval ratings have not fallen below 70% since fall of 2005.