President Obama's approval rating has dropped from 43% in January to 41%, an all-time low, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC poll. Some 54% disapprove of the president's performance, a figure that's on par with December's. Obama's approval rating on foreign policy is also at its lowest ever. All of which could be bad news for Democrats as the midterm elections approach, the Journal notes; indeed, respondents said they were less likely to back a candidate endorsed by Obama.
Some 33% said their November vote would indicate opposition to Obama, while 24% said it would indicate approval; for 41%, their votes aren't about the president, NBC News reports. Respondents weren't exactly applauding Republicans, either. Some 45% took a negative view of the GOP, compared to a quarter with a positive view. But when people were asked which party should control Congress, Republicans had a slight advantage. Obama's numbers look similar to George W. Bush's in March 2006, ahead of midterms during which Republicans lost control of both houses of Congress. At that time, Bush's approval rating was 37%. A Republican last night won what could be a preview of the midterms in Florida. (More President Obama stories.)