Poll: Generic Republican 45, Obama 43

These results are consistent with the fact that the president’s Job Approval rating has hovered in the high-40s for most of the past 18 months. On Election Day in 2012, it is reasonable to assume that the president’s vote total will be close to his Job Approval. What is impossible to determine at this point is where the president’s Job Approval will be in the fall of next year.

Eighty-two percent (82%) of Democrats prefer the president, while 83% of Republicans support the generic candidate from their party. Among voters not affiliated with either major party, 42% support the Republican and 36% are ready to vote for President Obama. Last week, the president had a very slight advantage among unaffiliated voters.