OBAMA STILL HURTING, BADLY, AMONG INDEPENDENTS – AT 9:36 A.M. ET:  We always stress that tracking polls must be studied over time, but we are struck, in today's Rasmussen report, by President Obama's stunningly poor performance among independents:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -17 (see trends).

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Democrats Strongly Approve while 73% of Republicans Strongly Disapprove. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 20% Strongly Approve and 45% Strongly Disapprove.

COMMENT:  These numbers show just how valuable the 2012 nomination for president is.  While there's no guarantee at all that a Republican will defeat Obama, a good Republican candidate has more than a fighting chance.

Indeed, not only are Obama's numbers among independents abysmal, but his numbers in his own party are slipping.  Only 51 percent of Democrats strongly approve of him. 

The biggest question in American politics today has to be, "Who will the Republicans choose?"  I don't know.  But the GOP has a history of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.  The choice of presidential candidate for 2012 will be one of the most important decisions in the party's history, possibly as important as the choice of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.  And remember:  There will be no prize, in the presidential election, for second place.  We don't give out silver medals. 

November 30, 2010