Politics

Updated July 20, 2009

Poll: Obama's Public Approval on Health Care Reform Slipping

by  

AP

Public approval of President Obama's management of health-care reform has fallen below the 50 percent threshold for the first time, according to a new Washington Post--ABC News poll.

A new poll suggests public approval of the way President Barack Obama is handling health care reform is slipping.

The Washington Post-ABC News survey says since April, Obama's approval rating on the issue has declined from 57 percent to 49 percent, with disapproval rising from 29 percent to 44 percent.

The president's overall approval rating stands at 59 percent positive and 37 percent negative. It's the first time Obama's approval rating has fallen below 60 percent in Post-ABC polling since he took office.

The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Obama advisers are urging critics of their health care overhaul to wait for Congress to finish writing legislation before issuing verdicts.

The president will hold a round-table discussion today with health-care providers at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington.

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Real  Clear Politics Poll

Job Approval Approve Disapprove Spread
Obama 50.6% 43.4% +7.2%
Congress 27.0% 64.3% -37.3%
Direction of Country Right Direction Wrong Track Spread
RCP Average 38.0% 57.2% -19.2%

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