Obama Leads Romney In Poll Showing Disdain For Congress

President Barack Obama holds a four- percentage-point lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney in a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll that also shows low approval ratings for Congress.

The poll released yesterday showed Obama with 48 percent backing, Romney with 44 percent. Obama has never trailed in the survey, holding a 6-point lead last month, 49 percent to 43 percent, and advantages of between one and six percentage points during the last 12 months.

Voters narrowly disapproved of Obama’s performance in office, 49 percent to 48 percent. A year earlier, 51 percent disapproved of his performance -- the highest disapproval percentage in the poll since Obama took office -- while 44 percent approved.

In the latest survey, 48 percent had a positive opinion of Obama, compared with 43 percent with a negative view. Romney was rated positive by 38 percent of voters and negative by 44 percent.

Romney’s selection of U.S. Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his running mate had little impact on the race, according to the poll. More than half, 54 percent, said it wouldn’t affect their votes, while 22 percent said they were more likely to back Romney and 23 percent said they were less likely.