Obama Approval Goes Underwater in Democratic New York

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza(HAMDEN, Conn.) -- More voters in the heavily Democratic state of New York now disapprove of President Obama than approve of him – the first time he has ever received a negative rating – according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.

The 49 to 45 percent split reflects a growing angst over the country’s economic woes, and frustration with Obama’s response even in one of his electoral strongholds.  In June, New Yorkers approved of the president by a 57 to 38 percent split.

Overall, New Yorkers split fairly evenly on whether Obama deserves a second term, with his strongest support concentrated in New York City and among union households.  Majorities of upstate and suburban voters strongly say Obama does not deserve re-election.

“The debt ceiling hullaballoo devastated President Barak Obama’s numbers even in true blue New York,” Quinnipiac’s Maurice Carroll said in a statement with the poll.

The results, which have a margin of error of +/- 2.4 points, do not, however, suggest Obama faces a re-election battle in the Empire State or risks losing its 29 electoral votes.

When asked whether they would support Obama or a generic Republican in a hypothetical match-up, voters opted for Obama by a 49-34 percent margin.  

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