Any Political Capital That Obama Had Is Now Gone
The poll found that at least 10 percent more respondents disapproved than approved of Obama's handling of the economy, gun policy, and immigration issues:
- On the economy, 53 percent disapprove of Obama's job performance, while only 41 percent approve.
- Two weeks after the Senate failed to pass a measure that would have expanded background checks, Obama's approval rating on "gun policy" is also 41 percent. Meanwhile, 52 percent disapprove.
- And as the immigration debate continues to flare on Capitol Hill, only 40 percent approve of Obama's handling of the issue. Fifty percent disapprove.
Together, the three issues are perhaps the ones that will dominate Washington on a domestic scale for the foreseeable future.
The poll also found that on two of the issues — the economy and guns — respondents said they trusted Congressional Republicans to handle the issue more than Congressional Democrats. On immigration, Democrats narrowly hold a 39-38 edge.
In a press conference Tuesday, Obama tried to downplay any notion that he had lost any "juice" in getting his legislative agenda through Congress.
"If you put it that way — maybe I should just pack up and go home! Golly," he told a reporter. "As Mark Twain said, rumors of my demise might be a bit exaggerated at this point."