Obama's rating falls as poll reflects volatility

Despite improving job growth and an extended Republican primary fight dividing his would-be opponents, President Obama is heading into the general election season on treacherous political ground, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. At a time of rising gas prices, heightened talk of war with Iran and setbacks in Afghanistan, Obama’s approval rating dropped substantially in recent weeks, the poll found, with 41 percent of respondents expressing approval of the job he is doing and 47 percent saying they disapprove a dangerous position for any incumbent seeking re-election. The poll provides a statistical reminder of how unsettled and unpredictable this year’s political landscape remains, commented the New York Times newspaper. Just one month ago, Obama reached a critical benchmark by winning approval from 50 percent of Times/CBS News poll respondents, his re-election prospects lifting along with confidence that the nation was finally emerging from the aftermath of the Great Recession. In a hypothetical matchup against his most likely Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, Obama had a 47 percent to 44 percent advantage, a statistical dead heat given the poll’s margin of sampling error of 3 percentage points. Against Rick Santorum, the president drew 48 percent compared with 44 percent. In both cases, the difference between the candidates was slightly smaller than it was last month. In spite of a considerable dip in approval for Obama’s handling of foreign affairs to 40 percent from 50 percent a month ago nearly 58 percent said they were somewhat or very confident in his ability as commander in chief, giving him an edge over his Republican rivals.