(Week of 3/17/2012) President Obama’s approval ratings continue to languish in the mid-forties. In this week’s Economist/YouGov Poll, 42% approve of the way he is handling his job, while 51% don’t. The President’s ratings have improved from earlier this year, but remain well below 50%, seen as the magic number for Presidents seeking reelection.
But as of today, the President continues to lead all comers in the November general election contest. He runs ahead of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney by seven points, former Pennsylvania Rick Santorum by twelve, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich by twelve as well.
And he is far more popular than Congress is. The Congressional approval rating is just 8%, nearing its all-time low.
But the President has had difficulties convincing Americans than his policies have been good for them. For example, men are more likely to see Obama Administration policies as favoring women than as favoring men. To a lesser degree, women see the opposite. Whites see Obama policies as more likely to favor blacks than do African-Americans.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can be found here
Photo source: Press Association
