"Republican Candidate" Extends Lead vs. Obama to 47% to 39%
Registered voters by a significant margin now say they are more likely to vote for the "Republican Party's candidate for president" than for President Barack Obama in the 2012 election, 47% to 39%
Both Bushes had higher job approval ratings in the year before their re-election contests than Obama does now, helping explain why Obama has fared less well on the generic ballot in the year prior to the election year. George H.W. Bush's approval rating in July 1991 averaged 71%, while George W. Bush's July 2003 average was 60%. Obama's latest weekly average is 46%.
This could really hurt the President...
Independent registered voters are currently more likely to vote for the Republican candidate (44%) than for Obama (34%)
It is easy to pick an idelized candidate with no face. However once a face is attached many will realize that their ideals do not match the candidates.