Obama’s Approval Rating Slips
President Obama, after enjoying astronomical approval ratings in the early months of his administration, now finds that public adoration is slipping. Six months into the job – and just when he needs the most love from the public and fellow lawmakers to win approval for his controversial health-care reform – his support on the issue has dipped below the 50 percent threshold for the first time, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals. When it comes to the economy and the behemoth federal budget, the president’s ratings also have dipped in recent weeks. The slide seems to reflect rising concerns over spending and the dismal job picture. Only about 51 percent of Americans say they approve of the way he is handling the job situation. New figures shows that the unemployment rate is now in double digits, 10 percent, in some 15 states and Washington, D.C. Obama’s overall approval rating is at 59 percent; about 37 percent of the public say they are not happy with the job he’s doing.