While Republicans consider whom they want to face the incumbent, President Barack Obama's approval numbers have dipped, according to two polling firms. A third poll showed some improvement for the president.
Here's a look at the latest ratings and opinions regarding how President Obama is currently leading the country.
* Rasmussen Reports showed a solid drop in approval on Monday, with a low of -18 for the Presidential Approval Index. That number reflects the worst rating for the president since January 17.
* 54 percent of those polled disapproved of the president's job performance and 45 approved. Obama's ratings have gradually dipped from a best performance this year with 51 percent approval and a 47 percent disapproval on February 14 and January 30.
* Gallup's Presidential Job Approval Center suggests male voters have dropped in their support of the president, but female voters award him with his highest numbers this year. He has a 45 percent approval and 48 percent approval for February 27 through March 4, a dip of one percent disapproval from the previous polling week.
* Women had supported him at the rate of 46 percent in the prior week and 49 percent this
week. Men had supported at 43 percent last week, but fell to 41 percent most recently.
* An NBC News / Wall Street Journal Survey gave President Obama more optimistic news than the prior polls on Sunday, with a 50 percent approval and a 45 percent disapproval. They gave him a completely opposite assessment for his handling of the economy, though, a key issue for the election season; those surveyed said 45 percent approve and 51 percent disapprove.
* In the survey, people polled were asked to give their opinion varying from very positive to very negative on several public figures. The president received a 49 percent rating of very to somewhat positive and a 37 percent rating for somewhat to very negative.
* The Super Tuesday Republican candidates rated worse in terms of public perception. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney had a 28 percent positive rating and a 39 percent negative rating. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had a 19 percent positive rating and a 53 percent negative score.
* Two of the candidates fared a bit better than President Obama in the negative perception range of polling. Congressman Ron Paul saw 27 percent positive scoring and 31 percent negative. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum rated 26 percent positive and 31 percent negative.
Shawn Humphrey is a former contributor to The Flint Journal and lives near Washington D.C. in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
