Poll shows that 70% of Hispanics in the US approve president Barack Obama's performance . HP

An impreMedia/LatinoDecisions poll revealed that Latino registered voters had favorable opinions of President Obama with 70% of Hispanics showing approval of the job the President is doing while 33% disapprove of his performance. Furthermore, 55% will vote or are leaning to vote for Obama in the upcoming 2012 election. In contrast, according to a national poll by CNN, voters at large displayed an approval of 55% and a disapproval of 44%.

When asked about the performance of Congress, Latinos expressed mixed views: 44% disapprove, 42% approve, and 22% neither disapprove or approve.

The poll also asked registered voters about how the Republican and Democrat Parties reached out to Latino voters. The results showed that 52% felt that Democrats were doing a good job while only 18% felt the same about Republicans.

The tracking poll is also set to ask about how Latinos view various leaders of the GOP. In this poll, registered voters were asked about the impression of former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. The poll showed that 23% had a favorable impression while 52% had an unfavorable impression.

Overall confidence in President Obama and Democrats is positive, however, issues central to Hispanics have not been addressed and could impact the upcoming 2012 election. As noted in the previous release immigration is top priority for Latinos even surpassing the economy. In a related issue, 85% of Latinos, both US and foreign born, approve of the DREAM Act. During President Obama’s tenure a lot has been promised in respect to issues that directly affect Hispanics such as education, the DREAM Act and immigration reform. Hispanics have seen slow progress to these issues and also foresee changes to help aid the economy even slower.

“The President, the Congress and both parties need to address issues that are important to Hispanics given their increasing political clout and rates of participation,” stated Monica Lozano, CEO of impreMedia. “Latinos are looking for a government that is more responsive to their needs.”

According to the Pew Hispanic Center and as indicated from the first release of the 2010 Census a growing number of Latinos, 20.1 million Hispanics, are now eligible to vote. Furthermore, the reapportionment of congressional and Senate seats place Latinos in a pivotal position in the upcoming elections of the United States. While President Obama and the Democrats now hold a favorable opinion, 23% of Latino voters are undecided. President Obama and Democrats could face challenges with the Latino vote in the 2012 presidential elections if issues important to Latinos are not addressed.

A breakdown of the findings are below:

• Do you approve/disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing as President?
  • Strongly Approve: 32% (30% U.S. born/34% foreign born)
  • Somewhat Approve : 38% (39% U.S. born/36% foreign born)
• Do you approve/disapprove of the job the U.S. Congress is doing?
  • 8% – Strongly Approve (6% U.S. born / 10% foreign born)
  • 34%-Somewhat Approve (36% U.S. born / 32% foreign born)

• Thinking ahead to the November 2012 Presidential election, are you most likely to vote for Democrat Obama or the Republican challenger?
  • 43% – Certain to vote for Obama but could change mind (45% U.S. born / 40% foreign born)

• Would you say the Democratic Party is currently doing a good job of reaching out to Hispanics?
  • 52% – Good Job (55% U.S. born / 48% foreign born)
• Would you say the Republican Party is currently doing a good job of reaching out to Hispanics?
  • 36% – Don’t care too much (40% U.S. born / 32% foreign born)
  • 30%- Being negative (28% U.S. born / 32% foreign born)
• Generally speaking, what is your impression of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin?
  • 7% – Very favorable (11% U.S. born / 4% foreign born)
  • 36% – Very unfavorable (39% U.S. born / 33% foreign born)

Each poll in the series of six reflects Latinos’ views on current issues related to the economy, education, immigration and healthcare. The first poll focused on economic issues, this second one on politics. The third poll results are scheduled to be released on April 7, 2011. The poll is conducted with a sample of 500 registered Latino voters.

Impremedia