Immigration becomes President Obama’s worst issue

Immigration has emerged as perhaps President Obama’s worst issue;  definitely for today, and maybe of his entire presidency – when it comes to public perception.

A new poll from AP-GfK shows more than two-thirds of Americans (68 percent) disapprove of Obama’s handling of the immigration issue in general. Just 31 percent approve — down from 38 percent two months ago.

When you separate those most passionate about the issue, the difference is even more stark, with 57 percent opposed and just 18 percent in favor. That’s more than three-to-one.

We tried to find an issue on which Obama has earned such poor marks, at any point in his presidency. And even on what was long his worst
issue, the economy, his disapproval rating rarely peaked over 60 percent.

When it came to the Veterans Affairs scandal — a tough political issue if there ever was one Obama’s disapproval peaked at 63 percent in
Gallup polling.

The one example we could find where Obama’s numbers were as bad or worse? Gas prices. Back in May, with prices hitting a two-year high, 30
percent of Americans approved of Obama’s handling of that issue, while 68 percent disapproved.

The AP-GfK poll asks issue questions in a slightly different manner than other pollsters, giving people the option to choose neither but then
trying to get them to pick a side they “lean” toward. (Other pollsters won’t offer the “neither” option.) This might lead to slightly more
negative reviews for Obama and/or fewer undecideds. But even then, the difference is clear.

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