The Most Important Voters In The Election Are Giving Democrats A Dangerous Warning

Voters within competitive U.S. House and Senate districts give President Barack Obama a putrid approval rating and prefer a generic Republican candidate to a Democratic one,according to a Politico poll that served to remind of Democrats' fundamental disadvantages in this year's midterm elections.

The Politico poll surveyed 867 voters from a number of competitive House districts and 16 states with competitive Senate races. Among these voters, Obama is not popular — and neither is the healthcare overhaul he has championed after its first open enrollment period.

Some key points from the poll:

Obama's approval rating sits at only 40%, lower than the national Real Clear Politics average of about 44%. 

55% still think the country is on the "wrong track."

41% said if the election were held today, they would vote for the Republican candidate in their district. Only 34% said they would vote for the Democratic candidate.

Almost half of voters in the competitive districts want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a higher percentage than nationally. A plurality, however — 51% — said the law should be kept as is or fixed.

89% of respondents said healthcare would be "very important" in determining who they vote for in November.

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