After a brief resurgence earlier this year, President Obama's poll numbers are back in the dumps. A new Quinnipiac Poll released Wednesday finds Obama's approval rating at the lowest point in his presidency, thanks in part to voter angst over the economy and his handling of the situation in Libya.
Just 42 percent of those polled approve of the job Obama is doing, compared to 48 percent who disapprove, according to Quinnipiac. And in a bad sign for his upcoming 2012 re-election campaign, 50 percent of those polled say he doesn't deserve another term in the White House.
In January, Obama's approval rating was at 48 percent—the highest number it had been in more than a year, though still dramatically lower than his 59 percent approval rating recorded in June 2009.
What's to blame for the president's slump? For one thing, 60 percent of voters disapprove of Obama's handling of the economy, while just 34 percent approve--the lowest number of his presidency.
Meanwhile, Obama appears to have taken a hit over Libya. According to Quinnipiac, just 41 percent approve of Obama's handling of foreign policy—a new low. Asked specifically about Libya, 45 percent disapprove, even as voters are virtually split on whether intervening in the crisis was a good idea.
The number that is sure to cause most concern for Obama's campaign advisers is where the president stands with independents, a voting bloc that was crucial to Obama's win in 2008 and stands to be pivotal again in 2012.
While Democrats and Republicans are literally opposites when it comes to Obama-- 81 percent of GOPers disapprove, while 80 percent of Dems approve--indy voters have often been more split. But in recent months, the group has increasingly soured on Obama. According to Quinnipiac, 50 percent of independents now disapprove of the job Obama is doing.
Another cause for concern is likely to be Obama's standing with women, another pivotal part of the president's coalition of support. The poll finds female voters literally split over Obama—44 percent approve, 44 percent disapprove. Meanwhile, Obama continues to struggle among men, who disapprove of Obama 52 percent to 41 percent.
Interestingly, Obama is faring badly among every key voting demographic, except for voters aged 18 to 35, 47 percent of whom approve of Obama's job performance. But even that is a historically low number, which is not a good sign for Obama as he prepares to ramp up his 2012 campaign.
(Photo of Obama: Manuel Balce Cenenta/AP)
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