Paul Ryan: Obama would lose if election were held today

President Barack Obama wouldn't be elected to that position if the election were held today, a top Republican claimed Monday.

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), the ranking Republican member of the House Budget Committee, said that more than a year after Obama was elected president with 53 percent of the popular vote, Americans wouldn't select him if the vote were held again today.

"No, I don't," Ryan said during an appearance on CNBC when asked whether Obama could be elected today.

The president has suffered from sliding approval ratings in recent weeks, which analysts have attributed to a lackluster economic situation and the fight over his signature healthcare reform package. One poll even showed Obama virtually tied in a hypothetical 2012 matchup against former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R).

Ryan, predictably for a Republican, graded the president much lower than Obama had graded himself during an interview with Oprah Winfrey for a Christmas special broadcast on Sunday night.

Obama said he deserved "a good solid B+" for his work this year with the possibility of bumping that up to an A- if he's able to pass healthcare reform.

"I'm not a big grader, but it'd be below a C, I'll tell you that," the Wisconsin conservative said.

When it comes to the ranks of GOP leaders to take on the president, though, Ryan said the people don't matter so much as the positions.

"As long as we are putting out good ideas based on core principles, that's what matters," he said. "Who cares what the personalities are?"

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