More dismal poll numbers for Obama and the GOP on debt crisis

More than a third of Americans now believe President Obama's policies have made the nation's struggling economy worse--but they blame Republicans just as much for the sorry state of the economy, according to a new Washington Post/ABC News poll.

The survey finds that 37 percent of Americans believe Obama's policies are hurting the economy, while 39 percent blame Republicans in Congress.

But in a sign of how politically dangerous the ongoing debate could be for both sides, the poll finds that Obama and congressional Republicans facing serious doubt within their political bases.

Just 30 percent of Republicans believe GOP lawmakers are making the economy better. At the same time, Obama has suffered major erosion in support among blacks and liberal Democrats for his economic policies.

Just over half of African-Americans surveyed believe Obama's policies are helping the economy--down from a whopping 77 percent in October. Meanwhile, the number of liberal Democrats who approve of Obama's record on jobs dropped 22 points, from 53 percent in October to 31 percent today.

All told, 57 percent of all Americans disapprove of Obama's handling of the economy, compared to 67 percent who disapprove of the congressional GOP. Asked about the handling of the federal deficit, 60 percent said they didn't approve of Obama's approach to the crisis, compared to 68 percent who disapprove of GOP lawmakers.

Meanwhile, voters appear to be blaming both sides for the debt stalemate--though they blame the GOP substantially more. According to the poll, 77 percent of Americans say the congressional GOP is "not willing enough" to compromise with Obama on the debt. By comparison, 58 percent say Obama hasn't compromised enough.

The numbers come just a week before the Aug. 2 deadline, which Treasury Department officials have targeted as the point at which the nation will begin to default on its financial obligations.