http://www.gallup.com/poll/154037/obama-approval-average.aspx
Here it says: "President Obama's job approval rating averaged 45.9% during his 13th quarter in office...Although Obama's approval rating is improving, this is offset by the fact that it remains below the averages at the same point in time for presidents who were re-elected. All presidents since Eisenhower who were re-elected enjoyed average approval ratings above 50% during their 13th quarters in office.(emphasis added)
And from this site:
http://www.pollingreport.com/incumbent.htm
Here is an adequate quote:
An incumbent leading with less than 50% (against one challenger) is frequently in trouble; how much depends on how much less than 50%. A common pattern has been for incumbents ahead with 50% or less to end up losing.
Checks on these sources show they look at the overall tendency for Presidential re-election, not a particular snapshot.
GW’s re-election numbers prove that any bold statement saying “presidents polling under 50% are losers in the upcoming election” is simply wrong.
It’s there in front of you, soflo.
It’s a free country and you are entitled to your opinion. The fact is, however, that polls show GW Bush polling in the low 40’s in the May before his win in November.