Obama's Economic Approval Just 36 Percent

In another indication of the difficulty President Obama's reelection campaign faces, only 36 percent of likely voters grade the administration's handling of the economy at good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen poll.
In a national survey of 1,000 likely voters January 31-February 1, a whopping 62 percent grade the president at fair to poor, with poor collecting the largest number: 45 percent.
Still, Democratic officials say that they see a positive trend built on slightly better unemployment and housing numbers that could end up helping Obama in his reelection.
"We just need six more months," said a top Democratic official.
The polling data, however, shows big problems with men, middle-age and senior voters and Independents.
Just consider those likely voters who grade the president poor on his handling of the economy. Majorities in the Rasmussen poll include men (53 percent), voters aged 40-49 (55 percent), seniors (53 percent), whites (50 percent), non-black minorities (57 percent).
Independents and others not affiliated with the GOP or Democratic Party are also down on the president with 45 percent giving him a poor grade on the economy.