O at zero

Rasmussen reports the president's net approve/disapprove rating is a dead heat.

34% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-four percent (34%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of 0. That’s the highest level of strong disapproval and the lowest overall rating yet recorded.

This comes only a week after the Sotomayor nomination put Obama at plus 10, a two month high. Rasmussen notes

The President’s ratings have slipped since General Motors filed for bankruptcy to initiate a new government bailout and takeover. Just 26% of Americans believe the GM bailout was a good idea and nearly as many support a boycott of GM products. It remains to be seen whether the dip in the President’s numbers is a temporary reaction to recent news or something more substantive.

Another factor may be that voter patience is wearing thin with the perpetual campaign. The Sotomayor nomination did feature Obama acting like a president as opposed to acting like a candidate. As others are noting, this latest international trip seems to be more about promoting Obama's personal popularity abroad than it is promoting American interests around the world.

Thomas Lifson adds: The lines cross! That didn't take long.