President Barack Obama’s approval rating in the Gallup poll ranks near the lowest of any recent president ahead of a midterm election — narrowly topping George W. Bush’s rating in 2006, when Democrats swept into power.  

Obama’s Gallup number dipped two points Friday to 41 percent approval in the tracking poll, with 54 percent disapproving — close to his all-time record disapproval of 57 percent lodged a few weeks back. Bush in 2006 had just a 38 percent approval rating, Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport said in a video this week.  

Obama’s approval in 2010 — when Democrats lost the House — was higher, at 44 percent, per Gallup.  

Obama could set a modern record for midterm-election losses dating back to President Harry S. Truman.  

President Ronald Reagan also had poor poll ratings during the 1982 midterms, when his party lost seats amid a poor economy, Newport noted.  

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLMsvK1NH7k  

Roll Call Election Map: Race Ratings for Every Seat


Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.