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Don’t underestimate the power of public opinion on Congress.

Deficit myths remain public enemy number one.

Daily Presidential Tracking Poll
Saturday, October 24, 2009

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows that 30% of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -10 (see trends).

Thirty-eight percent (38%) of voters say deficit reduction is the top priority for Washington to obtain while 23% say health care is most important. Among Democrats, health care is most important. Among Republicans and unaffiliated voters, health care is fourth on the priority list.

Check out our review of last week’s key polls to see “What They Told Us.”

The Presidential Approval Index is calculated by subtracting the number who Strongly Disapprove from the number who Strongly Approve. It is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update). Updates also available onTwitter and Facebook.

Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President’s performance. Fifty-one percent (51%) disapprove.

Tracking poll data shows that just 56% of conservatives consider themselves Republicans. Separate polling shows that 73% of GOP voters say Congressional Republicans have lost touch with the party’s base.

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