Rasmussen Poll: Romney Leads President Obama by 5% in a hypothetical 2012 Match Up, Santorum Leads by 1%

There could be some severe troubled waters in the future for Barack Obama according to polling data …

One would think that with the GOP primary candidates beating up on one another that President Barack Obama would be the beneficiary. Not so fast. Although Obama’s job approval rating may have slightly increased, The One’s one on one match ups appear a bit precarious. According to a recent Rasmussen poll in a hypothetical match up Mitt Romney leads President Barack Obama 48% to 43%. Also, Rick Santorum leads Obama 46% to 45%.

With the perception growing that he will be the GOP nominee, Romney leads President Obama by five points in a hypothetical 2012 matchup. Today’s numbers show Romney at 48%, Obama at 43%. That’s Romney’s largest lead since December. Matchup results are updated daily at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (sign up for free daily e-mail update).

If Santorum is the Republican nominee, he is up by one point over the president, 46% to 45%. This is the second time since polling began in 2011 that Santorum has had a slight lead over Obama.

It is important to keep in mind that an incumbent polling below 50% is hardly a positive. Those that are undecided usually go predominantly to the challenger. The fact that Obama will be facing the specter of high unemployment and rising gas prices.