A new poll released by Quinnipiac University Wednesday shows that President Barack Obama's job approval rating is currently at its lowest level ever.
According to the poll, which surveyed 2,313 voters December 1 - 6, Obama's job approval rating currently sits at 46%.
In terms of specific issues, 56% of voters disapprove of Obama's handling of the health care reform issue, while 54% disapprove of his handling of the economy.
"President Barack Obama's job approval rating continues to slide and it's evident the deterioration stems from voter unhappiness over domestic policy matters," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
The poll further found that Obama has seen declines in his popularity even among Democrats. According to the poll, 71% of Democrats approve of Obama's handling of the economy compared to the 77% who approved back in a November poll.
Obama has also seen a big drop in support from independents. In the November poll, 46% of independents disapproved of Obama. In the latest poll, that number is up to 51%.
"The decline in Obama's overall approval in the last month has been small, with the exception of independent voters who went from three points negative to 14 points," Brown said. "If the trend continues, it won't be long before he could be in the unenviable position of having more Americans disapprove than approve of his job performance."
The poll's release comes shortly after Obama announced a new strategy for Afghanistan and on the day after Democrats in the Senate worked out a deal on health care reform. Should the new strategy prove effective - and should the deal in the Senate move health care reform closer to becoming a reality - Obama could see his approval rating go up again.
In the meantime, however, Obama's declining popularity could have an impact on the upcoming mid-term elections.
"The White House certainly is concerned about Obama's approval rating," Brown said, "but the president has three years before facing the voters again."
He added, "With just 11 months until congressional elections, the White House and all Democrats must worry about the steady deterioration in their lead over the GOP."
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