President Barack Obama has struggled with the American public for the last few years, as less than half the public approves of the way he is handling his job as President. And while his approval rating continues to be mired in the mid-forties in this week’s Economist/YouGov Poll (Week of 1/28/2012), he continues to lead the Republicans presidential candidates when registered voters are asked whom they would support if the November election were being held today.
44% approve of the way President Obama is handling his job in this week’s poll; 48% disapprove. The President’s ratings continue to remain above his all-time lows in summer and fall 2011, and at the end of 2010, after the Democratic Party lost control of the House of Representatives. However, just over half the public still disapproves of his performance in handling the economy, the country’s most important issue, and more (31%) believe the economy is getting worse than say it is getting better (22%).
However, Americans see other culprits than the President for the state of the U.S. economy. A third gives the current President a lot of the blame for the economy; but more blame bankers, Congress, and consumers themselves. More than half say give Obama’s predecessor, George W. Bush, a large share of the blame.
President Obama still leads all four remaining Republican contenders in head-tohead contests. Including those registered voters who say they lean towards one of the other candidates, the President leads former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney by 9 points, Texas Congressman Ron Paul by 8 points, former Pennsylvania Senator Rich Santorum by 10 points, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich by 15 points.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can found here.
Photo source: Press Association
