President 2012 Poll Watch: Obama Approval Rating on Deficit Sinks to New Low

President Barack Obama’s approval rating for handling the federal budget deficit has gone from bad to worse in recent months, even as his ratings on all other major national issues have generally held steady. Currently, 27% of Americans approve of Obama on the deficit, down from 32% in November, while 68% disapprove.

But, it is unemployment that is an issue where Obama is the most vulnerable. If Americans are not working, no matter who the GOP nominates (except maybe Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich), the Presidential race in 2012 will be close and competitive.

President Obama has failed to build public support in recent months for his handling of major U.S. economic matters, despite a generally well-received State of the Union address in which he proposed a federal spending freeze to help put the brakes on deficit spending. His approval rating on the economy is no better than it was last fall, and his approval rating on the federal budget deficit — a top issue for Republicans in Congress since the midterm elections — is even worse. His broadest support on the issues comes on foreign policy matters, most notably the situation in Egypt, but even on these, his approval ratings register just below 50%.