WP-ABC Poll: Poll: Romney Support Continues to Erode

GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s rating with the American public continues to erode, with just 34 percent viewing him favorably and 50 percent holding an unfavorable opinion, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll found.  That’s the lowest level for any leading presidential candidate during the primary season since 1984.

The pattern is similar to when the former Massachusetts governor ran four years ago and polls showed his negative ratings rising as he became better known. The total of 50 percent of adults — and 52 percent of registered voters — who view Romney unfavorably is a higher percentage than President Barack Obama has ever received.

Obama, however, is viewed favorably by 53 percent and unfavorably by 43 percent., the Washington Post-ABC News poll shows. This marks the third consecutive month in which Obama's favorability has totaled more than 50 percent, after falling to 47 percent in September, the low of Obama’s presidency.

Polling showed that unlike Romney, Obama’s numbers improved as the campaign season progressed in his run for the Democratic nomination in 2008.

Among independents in the new poll, Romney is viewed favorably by 35 percent and unfavorably by 52 percent. Among independents four years ago, Obama hit his low point in mid-April 2008, when 57 percent said they had favorable impressions and 37 percent had unfavorable ones.

Among independents this year, Obama is viewed favorably by 50 percent and unfavorably by 46 percent in the poll that surveyed 1,016 adults March 21 to 25.