Approval ratings: Obama spikes, Republicans sink in new poll

CNN polling director Keating Holland said Obama’s support was buoyed this month by gains among middle-income Americans, which might suggest that the narrative over the payroll tax fight is favoring the Democrats.

{mosads}If that’s the case, the highly partisan battle that’s closing out the year could play right into the Obama 2012 campaign strategy of assailing what they call the obstructionist, “do-nothing Republican Congress.”

Fifty percent said they trust Obama to deal with the major issues facing the country, versus only 31 percent who said they trust Congress more. That’s a 14-point swing over last month, when the president led Congress 44 percent to 39 percent.

Eighty-three percent say they disapprove of the job Congress is doing, against 16 percent who said they approve.

While the favorability rating for Democrats has remained steady since June, the Republican brand has taken a hit, according to the poll.

Republican favorability has declined from 49 percent to 43 percent, while those who view the party unfavorably has risen from 45 percent to 52 percent.

Voter’s opinions of the Tea Party remain low, with only 33 percent saying they have a favorable view of the movement, against 49 percent unfavorable.