Rob Ford at 44%:

(Slate) — Of late, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s demeanor seems better suited for a rock star than a mayor. Despite, well, all we know now about Ford, one could be excused for thinking that Ford was on his way out of office, somehow. And that may still happen despite the defiant Ford’s promise to fight any efforts to force him out.

But, in a sign that the voters of Toronto are potentially the most sophisticated ballot-casters in the world and able to separate a politician’s personal shortcomings from his on-the-job performance, Ford’s approval rating–as of this past weekend–miraculously has held steady after the rock star-like, tabloid fuelled week that was for Ford.

Here’s more on Ford’s levitating numbers from the CBC:

“Toronto mayor Rob Ford’s approval rating has apparently held steady despite a scandal-plagued week involving admissions of crack cocaine use, public intoxication and the release of a video of the mayor swearing violence against an unknown party. Forum Research pollster Lorne Bozinoff told CBC News Network on Saturday that Ford still enjoys a 44 per cent approval rating. Bozinoff has said the approval ratings appear to show that Torontonians are able to separate the mayor’s performance on the job from his private life.”

Obama at 39%:

(Quinnipiac) — American voters disapprove 54 – 39 percent of the job President Barack Obama is doing, his lowest approval rating in any Quinnipiac University national poll since he became president, as even women disapprove 51 – 40 percent, according to a national poll released today.

Today’s results compare to a slight 49 – 45 percent disapproval October 1. President Obama’s lowest score before today was a 55 – 41 percent disapproval in an October 6, 2011 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

Today, disapproval is 58 – 37 percent among men, 91 – 6 percent among Republicans and 63 – 30 percent among independent voters. Democrats approve 79 – 14 percent. White voters disapprove 62 – 32 percent while black voters approve 75 – 15 percent and Hispanic voters disapprove by a slim 47 – 41 percent margin.