Almost 40 percent of Americans strongly disapprove of President Barack Obama’s job performance, while just 26 percent strongly approve of it, according to a new
Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.
The poll also found that 50 percent somewhat disapprove, compared with 48 percent who somewhat approve.
However, in a head-to-head matchup with GOP front-runner Mitt Romney, Obama leads 47 to 43 percent in the daily tracking poll.
In a poll updated weekly, Obama leads former House Speaker Newt Gingrich 49 to 41 percent and Texas Rep. Ron Paul, 45 percent to 42 percent. For the first time, the poll shows that former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum leads Obama 45 to 44 percent.
“This is the first time Santorum has ever led the president in any poll,” Rasmussen noted in an analysis of the poll. “Several other GOP challengers have led the president a single time in the polls, including Rick Perry, Herman Cain, and Newt Gingrich. Each man briefly held the lead while they were surging in the polls, only to fall quickly. It remains to be seen what will happen to Santorum’s support.”
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