For some time now, we’ve been tracking GOP Rep. Mark Kirk’s dubious explanations for his opposition to President Obama’s economic recovery plan. Yesterday, in an interview with Politico, he rolled out a new justification:

Republicans don’t readily concede the risks inherent in their approach. In an acknowledgment of Obama’s popularity, they are carefully drawing distinctions in what exactly they oppose and trying to avoid going up against Obama’s formidable personal charisma.

“I think there is a rift between the popularity of the president and the unpopularity of Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi,” said Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). “[People] are pro-Obama, anti-stimulus.”

But is there really a gap between support for the president and support for his recently-passed stimulus bill? The latest polls say otherwise.

In a Washington Post-ABC News survey (February 19-22), 68 percent of respondents approved of the way Obama is handling the presidency, while 64 percent supported the stimulus plan. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey (February 18-19) logged similar approval numbers: 67 percent for the president and 60 percent for the stimulus. Even a FOX News poll (February 17-18 [PDF]) gives Obama a 60 percent approval rating and the recovery bill 51 percent backing.

If there's any "rift" to be found in these surveys, it's between the majority of Americans and congressional Republicans like Kirk.