Obama's approval rating dips below 60 per cent for first time

US President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dipped below the 60 per cent-mark for the first time as worried Americans doubted his handling of the recession-hit economy, the deficit and health care issues, a new opinion poll showed on Monday.

US President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dipped below the 60 per cent-mark for the first time as worried Americans doubted his handling of the recession-hit economy, the deficit and health care issues, a new opinion poll showed on Monday.

HT Image

The ABC News/Washington Post survey showed Obama's job approval rating fell to 59 per cent, down 10 points from its peak, giving the still-struggling Republicans a glimmer of hope ahead.

While 56 per cent of Americans still think Obama's approach will improve the economy, the percentage was down sharply from a peak of 72 per cent when he took office on January 20 to be the first black-American US President.

With the deficit in mind, six in 10 oppose the additional stimulus spending his administration has suggested.

Barely over half, 52 per cent, now approve of his work on the economy, down 8 points from its peak. Just under half, 49 per cent, approve of his handling of health care, also down 8 points.

For the first time more people "strongly" disapprove of his work on the economy than strongly approve, 35 per cent vs 29 per cent. It was the same case on health care, 33 per cent vs 25 per cent. And on the deficit, strong disapprovers now outnumber strong approvers by 2-1, 38 per cent vs 19 per cent, The ABC News/Washington Post survey showed.