WHERE OBAMA STANDS – AT 10:54 A.M. ET:  The latest Rasmussen tracker indicates that the president didn't exactly win over converts during the recent budget crisis.  His numbers have been slipping, and there isn't much on the horizon to make them better, except political maneuvering by the White House.  And Libya may turn out to be a disaster.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 21% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18.

And...

Overall, 45% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president's performance. Fifty-four percent (54%) disapprove.

Other polls also show Obama's approval rating hovering in the mid-40s.  That isn't terrible, but it does flash "vulnerability."

And this is significant:

Twenty-five percent (25%) believe the economy is getting better while 53% say it is getting worse. Democrats are evenly divided on the question. Republicans, by a 70% to 12% margin, say the economy is getting worse. Most voters not affiliated with either major party (54%) think the economy is getting worse.

COMMENT:  That view of the economy, this far into Obama's presidency, will not result in a happiness party at the White House.  And remember, gasoline prices are soaring.  That will result in higher food and transportation costs all around.  Unemployment, while easing a bit, is still much too high. 

A tumultuous political year ahead.

April 10, 2011