It's one poll and it's a long way from election day. In addition, as we move away from the debt ceiling debacle, Obama's polling numbers may improve. But for now, his strategy to appeal to independents, the bedrock strategy since late 2010 and the arrival of David Plouffe, is not bearing fruit, or at least not the fruit they desired.
Pennsylvania voters say 52 - 42 percent that Obama does not deserve to be reelected.
Matching the president against possible Republican challengers shows:
•Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with 44 percent to Obama's 42 percent;
•Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum with 43 percent to Obama's 45 percent;
•Obama leads Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann 47 - 39 percent;
•Obama tops Texas Gov. Rick Perry 45 - 39 percent.
Quinnipiac University Poll
It's unlikely that Santorum will be nominated, and maybe unlikely that Romney will be nominated. Perhaps a bright side. He beats Perry, the probable nominee. Beats Bachman also.
That top number about deserves to be re-elected does not seem very good.
Maybe a bright side on Congress? No. They equally blame Rs and Ds.
Looking at the other players in the national debt debate, Pennsylvania voters:
•Disapprove 68 - 28 percent of the job Republicans in Congress are doing;
•Disapprove 67 - 28 percent of Democrats in Congress.
Quinnipiac University Poll
Anaysis from the pollster:
"Any good poll is a snapshot of public opinion and this survey shows President Barack Obama at a low point just before a major announcement on the national debt limit, after a long and bitter debate," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Let's see how the public reacts to the news and whether today's results are a baseline for measuring future results, or whether they show the president is in big trouble in Pennsylvania, a key swing state."
"If it's any consolation to the White House, voters say Obama acted more responsibly than Republicans during the debt ceiling debate, and approval ratings for Congress are just plain miserable," Malloy added.
Quinnipiac University Poll
It will be interesting to see if the debt deal improves President Obama's numbers in Pennsylvania. It could, regardless of the content of the deal. We'll know more in a couple weeks.
All you polling junkies, please explain and discuss.