Obama's approval rating with business owners drops
President Obama's approval rating dropped to 35% among business owners in the second quarter of 2012, according to a Gallup daily tracking poll released today.
President Obama speaks in Hampton, Va., on Friday.CAPTIONBy Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images
Obama held a 41% approval rating with business owners in the first quarter but saw his popularity take a hit in March and April. His approval rating has held steady since then, according to Gallup.
"The data precede Obama's much-discussed July 13 comments that small-business owners have had help from others to achieve success," Gallup notes. "Thus it is not yet clear whether those comments have led to further deterioration in Obama's standing among small-business owners."
In recent days, the Romney campaign has hammered Obama for a comment he made during a campaign speech this month in Roanoke, Va.
Obama said, "If you've got a business -- you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen." Obama also said, "When we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together. "
The Romney campaign contends it was insulting to small-business owners and suggests the president believes government and not individuals is what drives American success.
Gallup: Obama's approval rating with business owners drops