Given a choice between "success" and "failure," a majority of American voters believe President Obama's presidency to be a failure, according to a new Washington Post and ABC News poll released Tuesday.
While 52 percent of Americans said the president's time in the White House has been a failure, disapproving of "the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president," 42 percent approve of him and believe that his presidency has been a success.
But Aaron Blake of the Washington Post notes that "we shouldn't read too much into these numbers."
"The question is a binary one, in which people are asked to choose between 'success' or 'failure,' with no third option offered (though people were allowed to volunteer one). If the question was 'failure or not' rather than 'failure or success,' you'd likely see fewer people choosing the f-word," he stated.
"The numbers are similar to the president's approval rating, as reported in the survey," Politico reported. "Fifty-one percent of Americans disapprove of Obama's job performance, while 42 percent approve. More people disapprove than approve of Obama's handling of the economy, implementation of the Affordable Care Act, international affairs and immigration issues."
On the question of Obama's handling of immigration, only 31 percent approve while a whopping 59 percent disapprove. In addition, 27 percent of voters are more likely to vote for a candidate in favor of amnesty, with 36 percent being less likely, according to Breitbart.
While Democrats were ahead on immigration by a margin of 40-34 percent just five months ago, voters are now in favor of GOP to handle immigration by 39-43 percent.
In the context of job approval, 42 percent of voters approve while 51 percent disapprove. "On his handling of specific issues -- the economy, foreign policy, implementation of Obamacare -- the president is underwater on all three by large margins: 42-54 percent, 38-56 percent, and 38-56 percent, respectively. Only 43 percent see him as a strong leader, while a whopping 55 percent disagree," according to Breitbart.
Despite frustrations with the White House, Americans still identify more with the Democratic Party and disapprove of Republican attempts to kill the Affordable Healthcare Act, UPI reported. While 43 percent of the country still opposes Obamacare and wants it to be repealed, 57 percent support the new healthcare law as it stands.
When asked to choose which party would do a better job of handling the country's problems over the next few years, for the first time in almost a decade, the GOP outpolled Democrats, 40-39 percent.
Interestingly, a majority of registered voters - 54 percent - said their feelings for Obama will not be a factor in their vote in the upcoming November midterm elections. Twenty-seven percent said their vote will express opposition to the president, while 19 percent said it will express support.
The survey was conducted Sept. 4-7 with 1,001 adults on landlines and cellphones. The margin for error is plus or minus 3.5 points.
