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'Kissing congressman' Vance McAllister to run for reelection. Any hope? (+video)
Editors' Picks 'Kissing congressman' Vance McAllister changes his mind, says he has apologized to voters and 'worked it through with my family.' But this time, he faces widespread Republican opposition.
By Peter Grier, Staff writer June 30, 2014
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Emerald McIntyre/The News-Star/AP
WASHINGTON — Rep. Vance McAllister (R) of Louisiana, the “kissing congressman” who was caught on surveillance tape smooching a (married) staffer, has decided to run for reelection after all. He made his decision public during a series of local interviews and a press conference at an American Legion Hall in his district.
“I wanted to make sure everything was good with our family,” Representative McAllister told the Monroe, La., News Star. “Our family is stronger than ever, so I think the people should decide whether or not I continue to represent them.”
McAllister added that, as far as he was concerned, he was finished talking about his extramarital lip-locking.
Recommended: Political sex scandals: Who survived – and who didn't
“I’ve publicly apologized to the people in the Fifth District and more importantly worked through it with my family,” he said to the News Star. “I’ve said all I’m going to say about it. Now it’s up to the voters.”
Political sex scandals: Who survived – and who didn't
Video 'Kissing Congressman' Vince McAllister changes course, will seek re-election
Photos of the Day Photos of the day 06/30
Wow, does McAllister have any hope here? After all, he is going back on his word. Back in April, after the surveillance tape leaked to the media, he said he would not run for reelection in 2014.
At the time, pretty much every figure in the state Republican Party, including Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), issued statements calling on him to resign immediately, if not sooner. Plus, his most important patron has since turned on him. An endorsement from “Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson helped him gain office in 2012 over better-known candidates. Now the coveted Robertson clan nod will likely go to Zach Dasher, Phil Robertson’s nephew, who’s thrown his own duck call into the ring as a candidate.
It’s true that Louisiana politicians have survived similar predicaments. Sen. David Vitter (R) won reelection in 2010 despite the fact that a phone number linked to him appeared in the publicly released records of the D.C. Madam. But Senator Vitter had the support of the state GOP establishment. McAllister doesn’t. In fact, the kissing congressman is something of a party maverick – he’s indicated he is for expansion of Medicaid, for example, which could help many of his poorer constituents but is at odds with GOP party doctrine. So he’ll face widespread, organized primary opposition.
Voters generally say extramarital dalliances won’t make much difference in their choice of candidates. Last year a Business Insider poll found that only about 28 percent of respondents said such an affair would make a difference in their votes.
But it’s one thing to say that in the abstract and another to actually make that choice in the voting booth, with names attached. Given the evidence in the McAllister case, the dalliance will be far from abstract by the time the election occurs. It will have been plastered all over local TV.
“So Vance McAllister really just wants to see if his primary opponent will use that security video in an ad, right?” tweeted Washington Post political reporter Aaron Blake earlier Monday.
That’s what we think could well be fatal to McAllister’s ambitions.
[ NYC has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation ]
[h=1]Violent Weekend Leaves 21 Shot Across The Five Boroughs[/h] June 29, 2014 10:18 PM
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[h=4]Related Tags:[/h] Janelle Burrell, monica miller, New York City, Shootings, Violent Night
[h=4]TRI-STATE NEWS HEADLINES[/h] From our newsroom to your inbox weekday mornings at 9AM.
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – It was a violent night in New York City after at least 21 people were shot in incidents spanning each of the five boroughs.
As CBS 2′s Janelle Burrell reported, one of the shootings happened on Staten Island, where a man is fighting for his life after being shot in the face.
The incident happened at around 3:30 a.m. on Amboy Road in the New Dorp section of Staten Island.
Police were still on the scene Sunday morning collecting and processing evidence, including a backpack that belonged to the 42-year-old victim.
Scene of shooting in New Dorp section of Staten Island on June 29, 2014 (Credit: CBS 2)
Investigators told Burrell the shooting was not random.
The victim had apparently gotten into an argument with another man. Police said a gun was fired and the victim was hit in the face with a bullet just outside of his home.
The shooting suspect was caught on surveillance video running from the scene of the crime, police said. He got away in a dark-colored pick up truck, WCBS 880′s Monica Miller reported.
The victim was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital.
[h=4]Violent Night Leaves At Least 13 Shot In All Five Boroughs[/h]
REPORTER NAME reports
play
Neighbors were shaken up over the news. They said it’s rare for the community to see this kind of violence.
“This is a busy street, Amboy Road is busy, but it’s not an area where you would have a shooting of any kind. I mean, we’re here five years and this has never happened before,” said one neighbor.
“We have a baby. You know, we have a 5-year-old. It’s very scary. This is unusual, very unusual for this area,” said another neighbor.
Dawn said she got an early wake up call from police who rang her door bell after the victim was shot just steps from her door.
“We just saw them yesterday. You know I’m like this is very very strange and very scary, especially when you tell us a gun was shot. I said what!!” Dawn said.
Neighbors also said the victim only moved to the area a few months ago with his wife and son.
“It’s a man and his wife and their son. They’re very quiet people. They just moved in not long ago. They’re very nice people,” neighbor Mike told WCBS 880′s Miller.
Mike was just returning home from the night shift, only to find his house was on the part of the street that was sectioned off by police.
The shooting incident is just one of 13 that happened across the city in the last 24 hours, WCBS 880 reported.
In Cambria Heights, Queens, 33-year-old Bronx resident Jason Bragg was found shot to death around 10 p.m. Saturday.
A 10-year-old boy and a male adult were shot in Coney Island at around 7 p.m. Saturday. Elhadi Abdel Rahman suffered minor injuries with a gunshot wound to his knee. The man was last listed in serious condition with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Police released a photo of the suspect.
“I didn’t think they were gunshots. I thought they were firecrackers, but then everybody started running,” Abdel Rahman said.
Suspect wanted in connection with a Coney Island shooting that injured 10-year-old boy (Credit: CBS 2)
He was a block away from his home when he was caught in the middle of a spray of bullets, CBS 2′s Don Champion reported.
One person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting at 92 Tapscott St. in Brooklyn.
Also in Brooklyn, a female was shot in the leg at 1780 Bergen St. She was taken to Kings County Hospital.
Four people were shot at Fifth Avenue and West 139th street. CBS 2 reported the victims were teenagers. All of the victims were listed in stable condition at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, WCBS 880 reported.
In the Bronx, a male suffered a gunshot wound to his torso at University Avenue & West 195th Street. A suspect was arrested in the case, WCBS 880 reported.
Earlier this week NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton addressed the spike in gun violence, saying more than 1,000 academy graduates will hit the streets this coming week. They are expected to be sent to areas where the most shootings have happened.
“Actually it turns out we’re still significantly less shootings than we had at this time last year. We’re still well behind what we had last year for this week,” the commissioner said.
Investigations into the violent weekend continue, and the NYPD is pouring over statistics to determine if the end of the stop and frisk policy has led to an increase in the number of guns on city streets.
In the last week there have been 23 shooting incidents, compared to 37 in the same period last year.
[h=1]Violent Weekend Leaves 21 Shot Across The Five Boroughs[/h] June 29, 2014 10:18 PM
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[h=4]Related Tags:[/h] Janelle Burrell, monica miller, New York City, Shootings, Violent Night
[h=4]TRI-STATE NEWS HEADLINES[/h] From our newsroom to your inbox weekday mornings at 9AM.
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – It was a violent night in New York City after at least 21 people were shot in incidents spanning each of the five boroughs.
As CBS 2′s Janelle Burrell reported, one of the shootings happened on Staten Island, where a man is fighting for his life after being shot in the face.
The incident happened at around 3:30 a.m. on Amboy Road in the New Dorp section of Staten Island.
Police were still on the scene Sunday morning collecting and processing evidence, including a backpack that belonged to the 42-year-old victim.
Scene of shooting in New Dorp section of Staten Island on June 29, 2014 (Credit: CBS 2)Investigators told Burrell the shooting was not random.
The victim had apparently gotten into an argument with another man. Police said a gun was fired and the victim was hit in the face with a bullet just outside of his home.
The shooting suspect was caught on surveillance video running from the scene of the crime, police said. He got away in a dark-colored pick up truck, WCBS 880′s Monica Miller reported.
The victim was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital.
[h=4]Violent Night Leaves At Least 13 Shot In All Five Boroughs[/h]
REPORTER NAME reports
play
Neighbors were shaken up over the news. They said it’s rare for the community to see this kind of violence.
“This is a busy street, Amboy Road is busy, but it’s not an area where you would have a shooting of any kind. I mean, we’re here five years and this has never happened before,” said one neighbor.
“We have a baby. You know, we have a 5-year-old. It’s very scary. This is unusual, very unusual for this area,” said another neighbor.
Dawn said she got an early wake up call from police who rang her door bell after the victim was shot just steps from her door.
“We just saw them yesterday. You know I’m like this is very very strange and very scary, especially when you tell us a gun was shot. I said what!!” Dawn said.
Neighbors also said the victim only moved to the area a few months ago with his wife and son.
“It’s a man and his wife and their son. They’re very quiet people. They just moved in not long ago. They’re very nice people,” neighbor Mike told WCBS 880′s Miller.
Mike was just returning home from the night shift, only to find his house was on the part of the street that was sectioned off by police.
The shooting incident is just one of 13 that happened across the city in the last 24 hours, WCBS 880 reported.
In Cambria Heights, Queens, 33-year-old Bronx resident Jason Bragg was found shot to death around 10 p.m. Saturday.
A 10-year-old boy and a male adult were shot in Coney Island at around 7 p.m. Saturday. Elhadi Abdel Rahman suffered minor injuries with a gunshot wound to his knee. The man was last listed in serious condition with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Police released a photo of the suspect.
“I didn’t think they were gunshots. I thought they were firecrackers, but then everybody started running,” Abdel Rahman said.
Suspect wanted in connection with a Coney Island shooting that injured 10-year-old boy (Credit: CBS 2)He was a block away from his home when he was caught in the middle of a spray of bullets, CBS 2′s Don Champion reported.
One person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting at 92 Tapscott St. in Brooklyn.
Also in Brooklyn, a female was shot in the leg at 1780 Bergen St. She was taken to Kings County Hospital.
Four people were shot at Fifth Avenue and West 139th street. CBS 2 reported the victims were teenagers. All of the victims were listed in stable condition at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, WCBS 880 reported.
In the Bronx, a male suffered a gunshot wound to his torso at University Avenue & West 195th Street. A suspect was arrested in the case, WCBS 880 reported.
Earlier this week NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton addressed the spike in gun violence, saying more than 1,000 academy graduates will hit the streets this coming week. They are expected to be sent to areas where the most shootings have happened.
“Actually it turns out we’re still significantly less shootings than we had at this time last year. We’re still well behind what we had last year for this week,” the commissioner said.
Investigations into the violent weekend continue, and the NYPD is pouring over statistics to determine if the end of the stop and frisk policy has led to an increase in the number of guns on city streets.
In the last week there have been 23 shooting incidents, compared to 37 in the same period last year.
more importantly, Congress did not decide what embassy's needed more or less security, I would suggest the money could have been spent differently
Furthermore, Congress did not decide to stand down that infamous night, and they're not conducting (evidently still ongoing) an investigation into where they were that night, and what orders they may have given or not given
Boxer is just another vile lying POS
did Boxer ever argue more money should of been spent on safeguarding the Libyan Embassy? The douche is in a position to do so don'tchaknow. The intellectual dishonesty found in such weak arguments should be obvious for all to see, but politicians like Boxer & Reid & Pelosi and the least prepared man in the room all know their base has no fucking clue, and that's who they're talking to.
[h=1][ Way to go Obama, you useless piece of shit ]
Report: Canada Pulls Plug on Keystone Pipeline – Will Send Oil to Asia[/h] [h=3]Posted by Jim Hoft on Sunday, June 29, 2014, 10:55 PM[/h]
The Keystone Pipeline project was expected to create tens of thousands of high paying jobs in the oil industry. The project itself would create 20,000 construction jobs. And the pipeline would bring oil from Canada and North Dakota to refineries in the United States.
(Bob McCarty)
The proposed project would have extended from Alberta, Canada to Illinois, transporting approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Estimated cost is $1.7 billion.
But Obama rejected the plan in 2011 and 2014.
Democrats are beholden to the radical green movement – the poor and middle class be damned.
Now this…
Canada pulled the plug on Keystone and will send the oil to Asia.
Watts Up With That reported:
Report: Canada Pulls Plug on Keystone Pipeline – Will Send Oil to Asia[/h] [h=3]Posted by Jim Hoft on Sunday, June 29, 2014, 10:55 PM[/h]
The Keystone Pipeline project was expected to create tens of thousands of high paying jobs in the oil industry. The project itself would create 20,000 construction jobs. And the pipeline would bring oil from Canada and North Dakota to refineries in the United States.
(Bob McCarty)
The proposed project would have extended from Alberta, Canada to Illinois, transporting approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Estimated cost is $1.7 billion.
But Obama rejected the plan in 2011 and 2014.
Democrats are beholden to the radical green movement – the poor and middle class be damned.
Now this…
Canada pulled the plug on Keystone and will send the oil to Asia.
Watts Up With That reported:
Obama’s inability to make a decision on Keystone has finally yielded a result – Canada has made the decision for him.
Breitbart reports Canada has just approved the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project – a major pipeline to ship Canadian oil to Asia.
The Canadian oil will still be burnt – in Asia, instead of America.
All the jobs and energy security which Canadian oil could have delivered to America, will instead be delivered to Asia.
Rather than purchasing crude from a friendly and allied neighbor, the United States will most likely need to continue its reliance upon hostile sources like Venezuela.
Only a Democrat could make such a dangerous and irresponsible decision for the country.Breitbart reports Canada has just approved the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project – a major pipeline to ship Canadian oil to Asia.
The Canadian oil will still be burnt – in Asia, instead of America.
All the jobs and energy security which Canadian oil could have delivered to America, will instead be delivered to Asia.
Rather than purchasing crude from a friendly and allied neighbor, the United States will most likely need to continue its reliance upon hostile sources like Venezuela.
First "Dear Leader" said "NO BOOTS ON THE GROUND!" Then "Dear Leader" said, "Ok, maybe 100 just to protect the embassy." Then "Dear Leader" said, "Ok, maybe 350 to help re-train the Iraq army." Now "Dear Leader" is sending 775 troops. Pretty soon it will be over a thousand. Does anyone believe his lies any more? Seriously?? More U.S. troops to Iraq, raising total to about 775 www.armytimes.com
First "Dear Leader" said "NO BOOTS ON THE GROUND!" Then "Dear Leader" said, "Ok, maybe 100 just to protect the embassy." Then "Dear Leader" said, "Ok, maybe 350 to help re-train the Iraq army." Now "Dear Leader" is sending 775 troops. Pretty soon it will be over a thousand. Does anyone believe his lies any more? Seriously?? More U.S. troops to Iraq, raising total to about 775 www.armytimes.com
[ US troops being trained to conform to Muslim Ramadan ] US personnel in Bahrain prepare for Ramadan [Ali Hassan, a cultural adviser at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, gives a presentation about Islam, the Islamic lunar calender, and about customs and traditions during Ramadan. About 150 personnel at the Bahrain base attended the briefing on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes] Ali Hassan, a cultural adviser at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, gives a presentation about Islam, the Islamic lunar calender, and about customs and traditions during Ramadan. About 150 personnel at the Bahrain base attended the briefing on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes By Hendrick Simoes Stars and Stripes Published: June 26, 2014 bahrain ramadan islam culture The Yateem Mosque in Central Manama, Bahrain, on Nov 20, 2013. Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes bahrain ramadan islam culture A man enters the Al Fateh Grand Mosque in Bahrain for afternoon prayer on Nov 20, 2013. Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. personnel accustomed to drinking their coffee on the drive to work will have to put that habit on hold for about a month. It’s one of a few lifestyle changes Americans will have to make during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Officials expect Ramadan to begin at sunrise on Saturday, depending on when the new moon is sighted. The holy month lasts for approximately 30 days — until about July 28. For Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a month of fasting and devotion to God. Most Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, when families gather for Iftar — the meal that breaks the fast. For the 8,200 U.S. personnel living here, and those serving throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility — including servicemembers, civilian personnel, contractors and family members — the month may require changing some daily routines. Businesses and government offices will reduce hours and most restaurants will be closed during daylight hours. While not required to fast during Ramadan, in Bahrain, Americans can be fined or detained by local authorities for eating, drinking or smoking in public when off-base during daylight hours. Navy officials are requiring U.S. personnel to dress more conservatively off-base during Ramadan. Although not a requirement by Bahraini authorities, the Navy is demanding that men wear long-sleeved shirts and women wear sleeved blouses that cover their elbows. Also, men must wear long trousers, and women should wear pants or skirts that cover the knees. Base cultural advisers have spent the last few weeks conducting Ramadan briefs to educate Americans about the holy month. Ali Hassan briefed about 150 personnel Tuesday about Islam, the lunar calendar and customs and traditions during Ramadan. “It actually made me want to do a lot more research into the religion,” said Petty Officer 1st Class James Ramirez. He said the additional requirements during the month aren’t a big deal to him. “For such a small period of time, it’s a small sacrifice,” he said. Other servicemembers echoed that sentiment. Hassan encouraged personnel to experience Iftar in a Ramadan tent, many of which are set up at various locations around Bahrain during the holy month and welcome non-Muslims. “Make it a point to visit these tents while you’re here. You don’t know if you’ll ever come back to Bahrain in the future,” Hassan said during the brief. While the tents offer a more traditional atmosphere, many restaurants put aside their regular menus during the month and serve special Iftar dinners. Things to Know During Ramadan Eating, drinking, chewing and smoking in public are civil offenses in some Islamic countries. Men should wear long sleeves and pants. Women’s sleeves should extend below the elbow and pants or skirts should cover the knees. Avoid critical remarks about fasting or any religious practice. Most restaurants will be closed except those in 4- and 5-star hotels. Businesses alter and reduce hours during the day; some open at night until early morning hours. Arabs are good hosts and may offer you food or refreshments during daylight hours. Such offers should be declined. All consumption of alcohol by U.S. military personnel is prohibited at any off base public venue in the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility during Ramadan. It’s customary to say ‘Ramadan Kareem’ during Ramadan.
Quinnipiac: Obama Worst President Since World War II, Reagan the Best
Wednesday, 02 Jul 2014 07:45 AM
President Barack Obama is the worst president since World War II, and the United States would have been better off if his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, had won the election in 2012, a new Quinnipiac University national poll released today reveals.
The best president? Ronald Reagan.
"Over the span of 69 years of American history and 12 presidencies, President Barack Obama finds himself with President George W. Bush at the bottom of the popularity barrel," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
http://www.newsmax.com/surveys/Rate...formance/id/97/kw/default?promo_code=ugg11hdd
"Would Mitt have been a better fit? More voters in hindsight say yes," Malloy said.
Out of 1,446 registered voters surveyed nationwide from June 24-30, 33 percent deemed Obama as the worse president, while another 28 percent picked former President George W. Bush as the worst, Quinnipiac reported Wednesday.
In addition, 45 percent of the voters said the country would be better off if Romney won in 2012, and 38 percent said the country would be worse off.
The choice was sharply divided among party lines, with Republicans choosing Romney by 84 percent to 5 percent and Democrats choosing Obama by 74 percent to 10 percent. Independent voters came in with a 47 percent to 33 percent nod to Romney.
Overall, Reagan topped voters' pick for the best president since World War II, with 35 percent of the voters choosing him. Trailing Reagan were former presidents Bill Clinton at 18 percent, 15 percent for John F. Kennedy and just 8 percent for Obama. Among Democrats, 34 percent picked Clinton as the best president, followed by 18 percent each for Obama and Kennedy.
Meanwhile, among the Republicans polled, an overwhelming 66 percent chose Reagan as the best president. He was followed distantly by former President George H.W. Bush and Kennedy, with 6 percent each, and Obama and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who tied at 4 percent each.
George W. Bush and Obama, compared side-by-side, came out very closely matched among the voters polled. Thirty-nine percent said Obama has been a better president than Bush, while 40 percent said he was worse.
Obama has been a better president than the junior Bush, 39 percent of voters say, while 40 percent say he is worse. Obama fared better with women voters, with 42 percent-38 percent saying he has been a better president than Bush. With men, 43 percent said Obama is worse worse than Bush, while 36 said he is better.
The Bush/Obama comparison fell mainly along party lines. Republicans said Obama is worse than Bush by 79 percent to 7 percent, while independent voters said Obama is worse by 41 percent to 31 percent.
Meanwhile, the Democrats polled said Obama is better than Bush was by 78 percent to 4 percent.
The voters did say, by 37 percent to 34 percent, that Obama is better for the economy than Bush.
Voters say by a narrow 37 - 34 percent that Obama is better for the economy than Bush.
American voters say 54 - 44 percent that the Obama Administration is not competent running the government. The president is paying attention to what his administration is doing, 47 percent say, while 48 percent say he does not pay enough attention.
The poll showed Obama's job approval rating is stalled at a negative 40 percent to 53 percent.
His rating hit an all time low in December 2013 of 38-57 percent, Quinnipiac reports, and an April 2 national survey put the presidents rating at a negative 42-50 percent.
President Obama's job approval rating, inching up since a negative 38 - 57 percent in December, 2013, his all-time low, is stalled at a negative 40 - 53 percent. This compares to the president's negative 42 - 50 percent job approval in an April 2 national survey.
Obama netted negative scores of 10 percent to 88 percent from Republicans, 31-59 percent from independents, 37-57 percent from men and 42-49 percent from women. But Democrats approve of him by 79-13 percent, the poll said.
Obama got mixed grade for his character, with voters split 48-48 percent on his being honest and trustworthy and 51-47 percent that he cares about their needs. But as far as his leadership qualities, Obama got a negative 47-51 percent. The president gets mixed grades for character as voters say 48 - 48 percent that he is honest and trustworthy and 51 - 47 percent that he cares about their needs and problems. He gets a negative 47 - 51 percent for leadership qualities.
The president also got negative grades for how he handles most key issues, including 40-55 percent for handling the economy; 37-57 percent for foreign policy; 40-58 percent for healthcare; and 44-51 percent for terrorism. He netted a positive rating of 50-4 percent for how he handles the environment.
Wednesday, 02 Jul 2014 07:45 AM
President Barack Obama is the worst president since World War II, and the United States would have been better off if his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, had won the election in 2012, a new Quinnipiac University national poll released today reveals.
The best president? Ronald Reagan.
"Over the span of 69 years of American history and 12 presidencies, President Barack Obama finds himself with President George W. Bush at the bottom of the popularity barrel," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
http://www.newsmax.com/surveys/Rate...formance/id/97/kw/default?promo_code=ugg11hdd
"Would Mitt have been a better fit? More voters in hindsight say yes," Malloy said.
Out of 1,446 registered voters surveyed nationwide from June 24-30, 33 percent deemed Obama as the worse president, while another 28 percent picked former President George W. Bush as the worst, Quinnipiac reported Wednesday.
In addition, 45 percent of the voters said the country would be better off if Romney won in 2012, and 38 percent said the country would be worse off.
The choice was sharply divided among party lines, with Republicans choosing Romney by 84 percent to 5 percent and Democrats choosing Obama by 74 percent to 10 percent. Independent voters came in with a 47 percent to 33 percent nod to Romney.
Overall, Reagan topped voters' pick for the best president since World War II, with 35 percent of the voters choosing him. Trailing Reagan were former presidents Bill Clinton at 18 percent, 15 percent for John F. Kennedy and just 8 percent for Obama. Among Democrats, 34 percent picked Clinton as the best president, followed by 18 percent each for Obama and Kennedy.
Meanwhile, among the Republicans polled, an overwhelming 66 percent chose Reagan as the best president. He was followed distantly by former President George H.W. Bush and Kennedy, with 6 percent each, and Obama and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who tied at 4 percent each.
George W. Bush and Obama, compared side-by-side, came out very closely matched among the voters polled. Thirty-nine percent said Obama has been a better president than Bush, while 40 percent said he was worse.
Obama has been a better president than the junior Bush, 39 percent of voters say, while 40 percent say he is worse. Obama fared better with women voters, with 42 percent-38 percent saying he has been a better president than Bush. With men, 43 percent said Obama is worse worse than Bush, while 36 said he is better.
The Bush/Obama comparison fell mainly along party lines. Republicans said Obama is worse than Bush by 79 percent to 7 percent, while independent voters said Obama is worse by 41 percent to 31 percent.
Meanwhile, the Democrats polled said Obama is better than Bush was by 78 percent to 4 percent.
The voters did say, by 37 percent to 34 percent, that Obama is better for the economy than Bush.
Voters say by a narrow 37 - 34 percent that Obama is better for the economy than Bush.
American voters say 54 - 44 percent that the Obama Administration is not competent running the government. The president is paying attention to what his administration is doing, 47 percent say, while 48 percent say he does not pay enough attention.
The poll showed Obama's job approval rating is stalled at a negative 40 percent to 53 percent.
His rating hit an all time low in December 2013 of 38-57 percent, Quinnipiac reports, and an April 2 national survey put the presidents rating at a negative 42-50 percent.
President Obama's job approval rating, inching up since a negative 38 - 57 percent in December, 2013, his all-time low, is stalled at a negative 40 - 53 percent. This compares to the president's negative 42 - 50 percent job approval in an April 2 national survey.
Obama netted negative scores of 10 percent to 88 percent from Republicans, 31-59 percent from independents, 37-57 percent from men and 42-49 percent from women. But Democrats approve of him by 79-13 percent, the poll said.
Obama got mixed grade for his character, with voters split 48-48 percent on his being honest and trustworthy and 51-47 percent that he cares about their needs. But as far as his leadership qualities, Obama got a negative 47-51 percent. The president gets mixed grades for character as voters say 48 - 48 percent that he is honest and trustworthy and 51 - 47 percent that he cares about their needs and problems. He gets a negative 47 - 51 percent for leadership qualities.
The president also got negative grades for how he handles most key issues, including 40-55 percent for handling the economy; 37-57 percent for foreign policy; 40-58 percent for healthcare; and 44-51 percent for terrorism. He netted a positive rating of 50-4 percent for how he handles the environment.
