Obama seems -- at least for now -- surprisingly immune to economic concerns. | AP Photo Obama polls well despite jobs fears

Despite widespread disapproval of Barack Obama’s handling of the economy, more than half of Americans approve of the president and are open to reelecting him.

The economy and government spending stand as the dominant issues on the minds of the 1,000 registered voters surveyed nationwide for the latest POLITICO-George Washington University Battleground Poll, with 48 percent identifying either “the economy and jobs” or “government spending and the budget deficit” as the top issues.


The poll was conducted by Democratic firm Lake Research Partners and the Tarrance Group, a Republican polling firm.

Republicans looking toward 2012 have consistently argued that the president’s reelection hinges on the economy — regardless of who emerges from the GOP field. That thesis is backed by the 15 percentage-point spread — 42 percent to 57 percent — between those polled who approve and disapprove of Obama’s handling of the economy.

But the president seems — at least for now — surprisingly immune to economic fears, the poll shows. Fifty-two percent of those surveyed approve of Obama’s handling of his job, up 7 percentage points from the most recent Battleground Poll, conducted in October. Additionally, 72 percent approve of Obama personally, up 7 percentage points since October.

The president’s strong approval ratings are buttressed by the 59 percent who said they will either “definitely” vote for the president or “consider” reelecting him. Thirty-eight percent “definitely will not” vote for the president’s reelection — giving Obama a higher ceiling of support than his Republican rivals would hope to see.

Obama’s recent spike in approval ratings across a number of prominent polls has been attributed to the killing of Osama bin Laden. While that may have altered views of the president’s overall performance, 84 percent said bin Laden’s death makes “no difference” in whether they plan to vote for Obama. Twelve percent said they are more likely to support the president, while 3 percent are less likely.

“President Obama’s successful targeting of Osama bin Laden has provided him a much-needed boost and set in stark relief the differences between the two parties on the central dimensions of leadership, competence, resolve and results,” said Celinda Lake of Lake Research. “Republicans have aided this dynamic with their tortured criticism and the same prescription of austerity and overreach that doomed them after their last monumental midterm victory in 1994. But Democrats cannot take their eyes off the ball; they must have a solid economic plan for job creation in order to assuage the public’s No. 1 and long-standing concern.”

The president stacks up well against the two GOP contenders polled in a match-up with him — former Govs. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. Asked whom they would vote for if the election was held today, 51 percent would “definitely” or “probably” choose the president, while 38 percent chose Romney. Against Pawlenty, Obama lead 50 percent to 36 percent.

One prospective foe the president doesn’t seem to have to worry about is Donald Trump. Seventy-one percent said there is not “any chance” the developer and reality television star will win the election. Only 26 percent believe there is a chance Trump will run.

In addition to his GOP 2012 competition, the president stacks up well against congressional Republicans and outperforms Democrats in Congress on most issues. Asked whom they trust to turn around the economy, 48 percent chose the president over Republicans in Congress. When Obama was removed from the question, the GOP outperformed Democrats in Congress, 45 percent to 40 percent.

Obama also outpaced his party against Republicans on job creation, topping the GOP 47 percent to 43 percent on the issue. But Republicans in Congress beat Democrats, 45 percent to 40 percent.

But the president’s strong showing might prove temporary, argued Tarrance Group head Ed Goeas.

“When you look at the undercurrent here ... ultimately, the things that were leading to his bad numbers are still very much there,” Goeas said, pointing to the president’s rating on the economy. “His underlying numbers are not very good.”

Indeed, not only are Obama’s ratings on the economy low, there’s deep skepticism over the course of the nation. Sixty percent of those surveyed said the country is on the “wrong track” compared with 32 percent who believe it is headed in the “right direction.” Additionally, 65 percent described themselves as “concerned,” “frustrated” or “angry” about the direction of the country. Only 29 percent are “hopeful” and 2 percent “excited.”

Those numbers, Goeas said, show the president is vulnerable despite his personal popularity. “I see nothing here to say he’s definitely going to lose, but I don’t see anything that steers me away from the notion that this will be a very, very close election,” he said.

Besides the economic pessimism, few Americans believe bin Laden’s death will have a lasting effect on the fight against terrorism. Forty percent believe the Al Qaeda leader’s death will have “no impact” on terrorism worldwide, and 33 percent think his death will bring a rise in terror incidents. Only 18 percent believe terrorism will decrease in the U.S. or worldwide.

The poll also flashed an ominous sign for Republicans urging GOP leaders to fight raising the debt ceiling. Fifty-six percent believe failing to raise the debt ceiling will be “disastrous” for the country, compared with 32 percent who think it will not have a “serious impact.”

The poll was conducted May 8-12 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.