OH DEAR, OH, DEAR, WHAT CAN THE MATTER BE? – AT 7:20 P.M. ET:  We prefer the Rasmussen poll because Scott Rasmussen polls among likely voters, the ones who actually show up, and his track record is solid.  So today's results will probably hit the White House with the impact of the Gulf oil spill.  Oh, wait, it'll have to be much more than that to get Obama's attention:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 24% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-four percent (44%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -20 (see trends).

Forty-eight percent (48%) of Democrats Strongly Approve while 75% of Republicans Strongly Disapprove. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 12% Strongly Approve and 52% Strongly Disapprove.

That unaffiliated figure is disastrous for the president.  Neither party can win a presidential election with only its own followers.  They need independents, and independents are turning away from Obama in massive numbers.

Overall, 42% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president's performance. That’s the lowest level of approval yet recorded for this president. Fifty-seven percent (57%) now disapprove. The president’s approval rating has held steady in the 46% - 47% range for six months and it remains to be seen whether this new low is merely statistical noise or the start of a lasting change.

That would certainly be change we can believe in. 

But remember, no relaxing.  Obama is an astute politician who can fight back, and the GOP isn't winning popularity contests.  The November midterms are four and a half months away, and we must be in fighting mode.

June 16, 2010