Obama "Approval Index" Takes BIG DIVE Since Press Conference

Rasmussen's President approval polls is a rolling three day average, so today's numbers are the first to reflect the full effect of President Obama's press conference on Wednesday. The results are not good for the Commander-in-Chief.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 29% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -11. That’s the first time his ratings have reached double digits in negative territory.

According to the survey the percentage who strongly approve of the President has remained unchanged since the Wednesday night presser, but the number who strongly disapprove leaped up by five percentage points (from 35% to 40% today).

Voter's believe that President Obama blew the now famous final question about the Cambridge Police and Professor Gates.

Much of the reason for the decline may be linked to the fact that The President is now seen as politically liberal by 76% (up six points from a month ago and 11 points since he was elected) . Forty-eight percent now see him as Very Liberal, up 20 points since he was elected.

Beyond the liberalism voters are not happy with the presidential programs and priorities.

Fifty-three percent (53%) now oppose the Congressional health care reform package. That’s up eight points over the past month. Just 20% now see health care as the most important of the President’s priorities. Nearly twice as many, 37%, say deficit reduction is most important.

Other Presidential Programs facing opposition are Cap and Trade, where 42% of voters say it will hurt the U.S. economy, while 19% say it will help, and Porkulus where only 25% of voters say it has helped the economy.

The drop in Presidential popularity is improving Republican congressional chances. In the generic congressional ballot questions the GOP has opened up a four point lead over their Democratic rivals. This more than anything will fuel the opposition Obama is receiving from his own party.