Poll finds large disapproval of president on deficits, economy

The poll, which comes as officials in Washington are negotiating over a deal to avoid a government shutdown, also found fading optimism over the economy in general. More than half of respondents (54 percent) say they think an economic recovery is a long way away, up from 48 percent in February. Meanwhile, those who thought a recovery was around the corner fell sharply in that same time span, from 33 percent to 24 percent.

Pew often reported the public was split over which party best deals with an issue in this most recent poll, but it also said that Republicans had a 46 percent to 34 percent advantage over Democrats when it came to deficits. 

According to the research center, disapproval over the president’s stewardship of the economy and the deficits has risen in recent months. In January, the group found 51 percent disapproval over his handling of the economy and 53 percent frowned upon his work on deficits. 

The public is also concerned about prices for gas and consumer goods, with well over half of respondents saying those issues greatly affect their household finances.