The Latino Decisions Election poll of Hispanic registered voters and the general electorate finds the economy, immigration and education as top issues facing the community and outlines the challenges facing both parties ahead of the 2012 elections.

President Obama and the Democratic Party face challenges in recuperating 2008 voter enthusiasm levels that delivered roughly two-thirds of its votes in 2008 and which will be essential to Democratic hopes of retaining the White House and strengthening its position in Congress.

On the other side, the poll also finds that Republican candidates for the White House remain largely unknown among Hispanic voters, while anti-immigration rhetoric could undermine efforts to make inroads with a key constituency, which shares the nation’s economic worries.

Two-thirds of Latinos indicate approval of the president’s job performance, but only 1 in 3 Latino voters strongly approves of the president, suggesting softness in his popularity among a constituency that were among his most ardent backers in 2008. In addition, 53 percent of Hispanic registered voters indicated that they are less enthusiastic about President Obama now than they were in 2008.

These attitudes could be driven by a general dissatisfaction with the federal government amid loud complaints from Latinos about high joblessness and a lack of progress on immigration reform.

Sixty-three percent of Latinos disapprove of Congress and while 61 percent of the general electorate is very excited about voting in 2012, only 47 percent of Latinos say the same.

In head-to-head ballot tests, President Obama retains a decisive edge over his potential Republican challengers among Hispanics. The President out-polls former Massachusetts Gov. Romney, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and businessman Herman Cain by 2-to-1 margins, rivaling his margin of victory over Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008. However, the survey shows that the Republican candidates ...