CNN Poll: How will Obama perform in second term?

A plurality of Americans think President Barack Obama will do a better job during his second term than he did in his first term in the White House, according to a new national survey.

A CNN/ORC International poll released Thursday morning indicates that 46% say they expect Obama will do a better job as president over the next four years than he did the past four years, with 22% saying he'll do a worse job, and just over three in ten saying he'll perform about the same as he did in his first term.

The survey indicates an expected partisan divide, with more than eight in ten Democrats saying the president will do a better job, 40% of independents agreeing and a third of independents saying he'll perform about the same. Half of Republicans questioned say Obama will do about the same, with 43% saying he'll perform worse over the next four years than he did in his first term.

The CNN poll was conducted by ORC International December 17-18, with 620 adults nationwide questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus four percentage points.