President 2012 Ohio Poll Watch: Obama 44% Vs. Romney 42% or Obama 44% Vs. Perry 41%

In Ohio, voters disapprove of the job Obama is doing as president, 53 percent to 42 percent. Independents give the president a lower score: 56 percent disapprove of his job performance while 38 percent approve. He receives majority support from his base (77 percent approve) but 19 percent of Democrats give him a poor job-performance grade. Men disapprove by 58 percent to 39 percent while the disapproval rate among women is much narrower, 49 percent to 45 percent.

By a 51 percent to 43 percent margin, Ohio voters say the president does not deserve to be re-elected. Again, he struggles among independents: 53 percent don’t want to give him a second term while 37 percent do.

Obama maintains a slim edge over his top two challengers in Ohio, a state he won in 2008 by five points. The president  leads Romney, 44 percent to 42 percent, and tops Perry, 44 percent to 41 percent. Obama edges Perry among independents, 38 percent to 35 percent. But that group is split between Obama and Romney, each of whom takes 39 percent.

In this key battleground state, that the GOP Presidential nominee needs to win in the Electoral College, the Republicans are licking their chops for a pick up. This probably reflects more displeasure with President Obama and his policies than a desire for the Republican candidates.

Nevertheless, the President is upside in the approval ratings and by a 51% Vs. 43% margin, voters are saying he does not deserve re-election.