The Rasmussen Reports daily presidential poll for Wednesday shows that 27 percent of voters “Strongly Approve” of Barack Obama’s performance as president. Thirty-eight percent “Strongly Disapprove.” This gives him a Presidential Approval Index of -11.

In an election matchup against Mitt Romney, Obama leads 47 to 43 percent. Obama leads Rick Santorum 48 to 42 percent. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul are trailing far behind.

The report calculated Presidential Approval Index by subtracting the number who “Strongly Disapprove” from the number who “Strongly Approve.”

The poll also found that 49 percent at least somewhat disapprove of Obama’s performance. It also found that 59 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Social Security, but 53 percent do no think they will receive money from the fund.

CNN similarly reported more voters approving of Obama then before, saying his approval rating is now at 50 percent, meaning it has increased three points from last month and up six points from November.

Obama’s approval rating has not been above 50 percent since the death of Osama bin Laden.

"Independents now have a net-positive view of President Obama," according to CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "His approval rating has also reached 50% in the suburbs."

 

Reach executive producer Hannah Madans here.