The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 23% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Thirty-six percent (36%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -13 (see trends). Thats the lowest level of Strong Disapproval for the president in more than year (since October 2009).
Forty-one percent (41%) believe the Tea Party Movement will be stronger in 2012 than it was in 2010. A plurality of voters expect Tea Party candidates elected last month to sell out and become just like other politicians. Members of the Tea Party hold a different view.
At the same time, a commentary by Michael Barone notes the consequences that Election 2010 has already had on Capitol Hill. In his view, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi were mugged by public opinion. Republicans lead by seven on the Generic Congressional Ballot. That figure has been relatively stable since Election Day.
The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.
Overall, 50% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president's performance. Forty-nine percent (49%) disapprove.
For the first time ever, a majority of voters (52%) believe repeal of the health care law is at least somewhat likely. Following one judges ruling that a portion of the law is unconstitutional, only 33% believe repeal is unlikely. Most voters continue to favor repeal as they have every week since the law was passed.
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