Poll: Latinos increasingly unhappy with Obama

{mosads}The Lake Research Partners poll found that 55 percent of Latinos rated Obama’s performance as “just fair” or “poor,” while only 43 percent rated it as “good” or “excellent.”

With this enthusiasm gap, the president could have a hard time duplicating the voter turnout that propelled him into the White House in 2008. Obama took 67 percent of the Latino vote that year, while Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) took only 31 percent.

Still, Democrats fare better with Latinos than their Republican counterparts. Democrats lead a generic congressional ballot by a margin of 50 percent to 24 percent over Republicans, and 76 percent of Latinos view congressional Republicans negatively.

“Latinos are increasingly frustrated with both parties,” said LRP spokesman Joshua Ulibarri in a statement. “Latino voters may not be the ace in the hole that Democrats need them to be next November, if things stay the same, and it is clear Democrats will have to work hard to bring them into their corner. Still, Democrats are in a much stronger position with Latino voters than Republicans as three in four voters rate Congressional Republicans negatively.”

The economy is the driving factor among Latino voters. The poll found that most rated the rising prices of everyday goods, being laid off, not “making ends meet” and paying for college for their children as top concerns. Seventy-two percent said it was becoming more difficult to reach the American dream.

The survey was conducted in Spanish and English among 600 Latinos in 25 states between Sept. 26 and Oct. 5.