Poll: Obama’s approval rating dips in swing states

President Obama’s approval rating is cooling off in the swing states that helped propel him to a second term in the White House, according to a Purple Strategies poll released Friday.

Obama’s approval rating dipped to 47 percent in Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida. Forty-five percent said they disapprove of the job Obama is doing.

Last month, Obama's approval rating in those states stood at 51 percent — the highest standing Purple Strategies had recorded for Obama.

Obama carried all of those states in the 2012 election except for North Carolina, which went to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

While Republicans and Democrats are predictably split in the poll, so-called “moderates” buoyed the president, with 55 percent saying they approve, against 34 who disapprove.

Obama’s approval rating nationwide is better than it is in the swing states, with 52 percent saying they approve, compared to 43 percent who disapprove, according to Gallup’s daily tracking poll. 

The president endured an approval rating near break-even throughout much of last summer, but appears to be enjoying a honeymoon period with voters in the wake of his convincing Electoral College victory.

The Republican Party continues to struggle with public perception — even among members of the party.

Only 28 percent have a favorable view of the GOP overall, including just 65 percent of Republicans. Conversely, 42 percent have a favorable view of the Democratic Party overall, with 87 percent of swing-state Democrats saying they have a positive view of their party.

The Purple Strategies poll of 1,420 likely voters was conducted between Jan. 20 and Jan. 22, and has a 2.6 percentage point margin of error.

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